1 Chronicles 5 22

1 Chronicles 5:22 kjv

For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.

1 Chronicles 5:22 nkjv

for many fell dead, because the war was God's. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity.

1 Chronicles 5:22 niv

and many others fell slain, because the battle was God's. And they occupied the land until the exile.

1 Chronicles 5:22 esv

For many fell, because the war was of God. And they lived in their place until the exile.

1 Chronicles 5:22 nlt

Many of the Hagrites were killed in the battle because God was fighting against them. The people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh lived in their land until they were taken into exile.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 22 Meaning

1 Chronicles 5:22 states that a great number of their enemies, the Hagrites, were killed in battle because the conflict was divinely orchestrated and won by God. As a direct result of this divine victory, the transjordanian tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh enjoyed secure possession and peaceful dwelling in the conquered territories, maintaining their settlements until the time of their eventual exile, primarily the Assyrian captivity.

1 Chronicles 5 22 Context

This verse concludes the genealogies and historical account of the transjordanian tribes: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (1 Chr 5:1-26). It particularly elaborates on their military successes against the Hagrites and their allies, whom they attacked due to the Hagrites' aggressive behavior and the Reubenites' growth in numbers. The preceding verses detail the battle and the significant spoil they acquired. Verse 22 acts as a concluding theological statement, attributing the massive victory and the subsequent period of stable occupation directly to God's hand. This passage, within the larger genealogical framework of Chronicles, highlights themes of tribal identity, divine blessing upon obedience, and the consequences of later apostasy, as the "captivity" foreshadows their eventual judgment. Historically, the Hagrites were an Arabian people residing east of the Jordan, likely descendants of Hagar, posing a recurrent threat to Israel's eastern borders. The "captivity" refers specifically to the Assyrian deportation that began to affect these tribes early in the 8th century BCE (around 732 BCE).

1 Chronicles 5 22 Word analysis

• For there fell down (וַיִּפְּל֥וּ wa-yippĕlū):
  • Literally "and they fell." The verb implies a forceful or decisive collapsing, often used for those dying in battle. It highlights the decisive and overwhelming nature of the defeat suffered by the Hagrites, not merely death but being utterly overthrown.
• many slain (חֲלָלִ֖ים רַבִּ֑ים ḥalālîm rabbîm):
  • Ḥalālîm (slain ones, pierced ones) refers specifically to those killed or mortally wounded, particularly in battle.
  • Rabbîm means "many" or "numerous." The combination emphasizes the high casualty count among the enemy, showcasing the magnitude of God's victory and the severe judgment inflicted upon Israel's adversaries.
• because the war was of God (כִּ֥י מֵאֱלֹהִ֖ים הַמִּלְחָמָ֥ה הָיָֽתָה kî mē’ĕlōhîm ha-milḥāmāh hāyāṯāh):
  • "because" (kî): Establishes a direct causal link. The immense defeat was not accidental or merely human strength, but divinely ordained.
  • "war" (ha-milḥāmāh): The definite article "the" suggests this specific war.
  • "was of God" (mē’ĕlōhîm hāyāṯāh): This is the central theological declaration. It signifies that the war originated from God, was sanctioned by Him, directed by Him, and its outcome was determined by Him. It was a "holy war" in which God Himself was the chief combatant, guaranteeing Israel's success. This phrase demonstrates divine sovereignty over human conflict and credits all military success to Him alone.
• And they dwelt (וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ wa-yyēshbū):
  • Means "and they resided" or "and they settled." This denotes a prolonged period of secure habitation and stability. Following the overwhelming victory, they were able to take full possession and live peacefully in the conquered lands.
• in their places (תַחְתֵּיהֶֽם taḥtêhem):
  • Literally "under them" or "in their stead." It conveys the idea of firmly establishing themselves in the territories formerly held by the Hagrites, now conquered. It implies an unchallenged, secure occupation.
• until the captivity (עַד־הַגָּלֽוּת ‘ad-ha-gālūṯ):
  • "until" (‘ad): This prepositions sets a definite time limit. Their period of security and flourishing was not indefinite.
  • "captivity" (ha-gālūṯ): Refers to the historical exiles of Israel. In the context of these northern/eastern tribes, it specifically points to the Assyrian Captivity (c. 732-722 BCE) which eventually displaced them. This phrase adds a subtle, retrospective reminder to the post-exilic readers that even divinely granted security is conditional and temporary if God's people deviate from His ways.

1 Chronicles 5 22 Bonus section

The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, emphasizes that God controls all history – from victories to defeats. This verse served as a powerful reminder that their ancestors' past successes were divine gifts, encouraging faithfulness and reliance on God for future restoration. It implicitly contrasts reliance on human strength (which fails) with trust in God (which brings victory and security, at least until sin intervenes). The extensive genealogies preceding and following this account underline the continuity of God's covenant with Israel, even through the periods of blessing and judgment. This passage stresses that material prosperity and land possession are direct results of a proper relationship with God.

1 Chronicles 5 22 Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:22 distills a profound theological principle critical to the Chronicler's narrative: Israel's security and success are entirely dependent on God's active involvement. The unprecedented casualties among the Hagrites were not due to Israel's military prowess alone, but "because the war was of God." This highlights God as the Divine Warrior who fights on behalf of His people, thereby legitimizing Israel's land claims and ensuring their victory. Consequently, the tribes enjoyed a period of peaceful dwelling in the acquired territories, a tangible blessing directly resulting from their obedience and God's favor. The poignant phrase "until the captivity" then injects a somber, historical reality check, reminding the post-exilic audience of the conditional nature of such blessings. It shows that even God-granted security has a temporal boundary, especially when subsequent generations fail to maintain their fidelity, leading to the ultimate judgment of exile. This verse beautifully portrays divine sovereignty over both triumph and eventual judgment in the history of Israel.