1 Chronicles 5 17

1 Chronicles 5:17 kjv

All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 5:17 nkjv

All these were registered by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 5:17 niv

All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 5:17 esv

All of these were recorded in genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 5:17 nlt

All of these were listed in the genealogical records during the days of King Jotham of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 17 Meaning

First Chronicles 5:17 states that the genealogical records of the tribes discussed (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) were officially compiled or updated during the reigns of King Jotham of Judah and King David. This verse authenticates the detailed tribal lineages preceding it, confirming their validity and historical foundation, especially for the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 5 17 Context

First Chronicles 5 is part of the extensive genealogical sections (Chapters 1-9) that begin the Chronicler's work. This specific chapter focuses on the tribes located east of the Jordan River: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The detailed lists of their descendants, key leaders, and dwelling places establish their legitimate connection to the rest of Israel, despite their geographical distance and eventual early exile. Verse 17 acts as a crucial authentication for these specific genealogies (Reuben and Gad from v. 1 onwards) and indicates their official compilation. The historical context is essential: the Chronicler wrote to a post-exilic community eager to re-establish their identity, tribal claims, and legitimacy in the land. Precise genealogical records were vital for land inheritance, temple service, and national identity, connecting the contemporary community back to its covenant origins under David. The mention of David validates the initial formation of a unified Israel under God's chosen king, while Jotham's reign indicates an updated, confirmed register from a period of relative stability centuries later in the divided kingdom.

1 Chronicles 5 17 Word analysis

• אֵ֣לֶּה (ʾēlleh): "These."
  • Significance: A demonstrative pronoun, pointing directly back to the preceding genealogical lists and ensuring that their validity is linked to the following temporal confirmation. It explicitly refers to the entire detailed register just presented for the Transjordan tribes.
• כָּלָּ֔ם (kallām): "all of them" or "all of these."
  • Significance: Emphasizes the comprehensive and complete nature of the registration. It was not a partial or haphazard record, but a thorough enumeration, highlighting the meticulous care in maintaining these critical historical records.
• הִתְיַחְשׂוּ (hityyaḥăśû): "were registered by genealogy," "were recorded by descent," or "were enrolled according to their families."
  • Original Language: Hebrew, from the Hithpael form of the root יָחַשׂ (yāḥaś), meaning "to trace one's pedigree, to be enrolled by genealogy."
  • Significance: This is the central verb, underscoring the purpose of the verse: to affirm the authentic and official nature of the preceding genealogical entries. It highlights a deliberate act of formal registration, not merely casual recall. This official process ensures the integrity of the tribal claims and lineage for generations to come, especially important for the post-exilic audience concerned with their heritage.
• בִּימֵ֖י (bîmê): "in the days of."
  • Significance: A precise temporal indicator, setting the historical context for the authenticity of the records. It points to specific periods in Israel's history when such important data was gathered and maintained. This precision adds weight and credibility to the chronicler's narrative.
• יוֹתָ֣ם (yōwṯām): "Jotham."
  • Significance: Jotham was King of Judah (c. 750–735 BC). His reign, though brief (2 Ki 15:32-38, 2 Chron 27:1-9), was characterized by righteousness and stability, including significant building and defensive works. His mention alongside David indicates either that existing registers were maintained or updated during his time, or that some new entries were made. It underscores the ongoing importance of genealogical records through different periods of Israelite monarchy, even long after David.
• מֶֽלֶךְ (melek): "king."
  • Significance: Identifies Jotham as the legitimate monarch, implying that the registration was an official, royal act, carrying authority. This further bolsters the credibility of the genealogical records.
• יְהוּדָ֑ה (yəhūḏāh): "Judah."
  • Significance: Specifies Jotham's realm, highlighting that even in the divided kingdom, the administrative practices of genealogical recording continued in Judah. For the post-exilic returnees primarily from Judah, this connection affirms continuity.
• וּבִ֣ימֵי (ûḇîmê): "and in the days of."
  • Significance: Connects the second timeframe to the first, indicating either a continuous process of record-keeping, a reliance on records dating back to David's time, or a reaffirmation of the ancient rolls during Jotham's reign.
• דָּוִ֔יד (dāwîḏ): "David."
  • Significance: King David (c. 1010–970 BC), the pivotal king who united Israel, established the capital in Jerusalem, and received the Davidic covenant. His reign represents the high point of unified Israel. Mentioning David emphasizes the foundational nature of these records, indicating that they were initially compiled under the king who first ordered a nationwide census and unified all tribes. The Chronicler frequently links post-exilic realities to David as the standard and originator.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "אֵ֣לֶּה כָּלָּ֔ם הִתְיַחְשׂוּ" ("These all were registered by genealogy"): This phrase confirms the authoritative and comprehensive nature of the genealogies. It means every individual and family detailed earlier for the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-Manasseh tribe was officially recorded. The Hithpael form of the verb "hityyaḥăśû" suggests a proactive, diligent effort on the part of the people or scribes to establish and confirm their family lineage, which would be crucial for establishing their identity, land claims, and temple service.
• "בִּימֵ֖י יוֹתָ֣ם מֶֽלֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וּבִ֣ימֵי דָּוִ֔יד" ("in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of David"): This dual dating is significant.
  • David's era: Represents the formative period of the kingdom, where national identity and tribal organization were firmly established. Records from his time would be seen as foundational and authoritative. David conducted a census (though fraught with issues, 1 Chron 21), showing his concern for population records.
  • Jotham's era: Occurred centuries later, in the kingdom of Judah, after the split from Israel. His mention indicates either that these ancient records from David's time were meticulously preserved and continued to be recognized, or that there was an updated registration or verification process under Jotham's stable and righteous rule. It demonstrates continuity and an ongoing commitment to validating and preserving these crucial tribal records over many generations, reinforcing their enduring legitimacy for the post-exilic audience of the Chronicler.

1 Chronicles 5 17 Bonus section

• Chronicler's Theological Agenda: The Chronicler consistently emphasizes continuity with God's covenant with Israel, the Davidic lineage, and the Jerusalem Temple. Valid genealogies underpin all these aspects. By meticulously tracing tribal lines, the Chronicler sought to rebuild a cohesive post-exilic identity, stressing that even those who had returned from exile retained their ancient tribal connections and land claims, unlike those whose genealogies were lost or compromised (Ezr 2:59-63).
• Practical Use of Genealogies: These records had profound practical implications beyond historical curiosity. They were vital for military conscription, proper distribution of inherited land (e.g., Numbers 26), ensuring correct eligibility for priestly and Levitical service (only descendants of Aaron or Levi could serve), and ultimately, identifying the Davidic Messiah. The loss of such records, as experienced by some in the post-exilic community, meant loss of land and status.
• Divine Preservation: The survival of such detailed records through centuries of tumultuous history, including exile, points to God's hand in preserving the identity and heritage of His covenant people, aligning with His unchanging promises.

1 Chronicles 5 17 Commentary

First Chronicles 5:17 serves as an authenticating clause for the preceding lengthy genealogies of the Transjordanian tribes. For the Chronicler, writing after the Babylonian exile, such meticulous records were not mere historical trivia; they were foundational. The integrity of lineage was paramount for Jewish identity, land ownership, tribal distinction, priestly service, and a sense of continuity with the pre-exilic covenant community. The mention of both David and Jotham emphasizes that these records have deep historical roots, traceable back to the united monarchy under God's chosen king, David, and were later maintained and recognized by a righteous king in Judah, Jotham. This suggests that the records were either initially compiled during David's reign and preserved, or subsequently verified/updated during Jotham's rule. This chronological span underscores the longevity and reliability of these tribal registers, affirming the claims and heritage of the post-exilic returnees. It provides confidence that they are indeed the legitimate heirs of the covenant, connecting them directly to the divine promises and the ancient people of Israel.