1 Chronicles 5 6

1 Chronicles 5:6 kjv

Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.

1 Chronicles 5:6 nkjv

and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria carried into captivity. He was leader of the Reubenites.

1 Chronicles 5:6 niv

and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took into exile. Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites.

1 Chronicles 5:6 esv

Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria carried away into exile; he was a chief of the Reubenites.

1 Chronicles 5:6 nlt

and Beerah. Beerah was the leader of the Reubenites when they were taken into captivity by King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 6 Meaning

This verse identifies Beerah, a significant leader within the tribe of Reuben, who, along with his tribe, was taken into captivity by Tilgath-Pilneser, the powerful king of Assyria. It highlights a key historical event, the forced deportation of the northern tribes of Israel by the Assyrian Empire, underscoring the consequences of their actions within the divine covenant.

1 Chronicles 5 6 Context

First Chronicles chapter 5 details the genealogies and early history of the Transjordanian tribes—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It focuses on their settlement, their initial success, and crucially, their eventual downfall and exile. Verse 6 is part of the genealogical list for the tribe of Reuben (1 Chron 5:1-10), specifically highlighting a pivotal moment in their tribal history. The broader context of Chronicles emphasizes Israel's covenant relationship with God and the theological principle that obedience brings blessing and disobedience leads to judgment and exile. The Chronicler links the northern tribes' apostasy (as described in verse 25) directly to the Assyrian deportation, portraying the empire not merely as a political aggressor but as an instrument of divine chastisement.

1 Chronicles 5 6 Word analysis

• Beerah: (בְּאֵרָה, Be'erah) A proper name, likely meaning "well" or "cistern." His inclusion here as "his son" connects him directly to the preceding genealogical list, identifying him as part of the Reubenite lineage. The Chronicler notes specific individuals who mark significant points, even within exile narratives.
• his son: Establishes the genealogical flow, linking Beerah to the previously named Joel in verse 4. This reinforces the continuous lineage despite the impending tragedy.
• whom: Introduces a crucial explanatory clause, shifting from pure genealogy to an event that defined this individual and, by extension, his tribe. It highlights a particular point of historical significance within the genealogical record.
• Tilgathpilneser: (תִּלְגַּת פִּלְנְאֶסֶר, Tilgat Pilnĕ'eser) The biblical Hebrew transliteration of Tiglath-Pileser III, King of Assyria (reigned 745–727 BCE). Known as "Pul" in some biblical accounts (e.g., 2 Ki 15:19). He was a formidable conqueror who aggressively expanded the Assyrian Empire and implemented a policy of mass deportation to break tribal loyalties and control conquered territories. His name here immediately signals an era of devastating foreign oppression and divine judgment for Israel.
• king of Assyria: (מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר, Melek Ashshur) Identifies Tilgathpilneser's royal title and the empire he ruled. Assyria (Ashshur) represented the dominant global superpower of that era, known for its military might and brutality. In the prophetic books, Assyria is often depicted as God's "rod of anger" (Isa 10:5), a tool used to punish disobedient nations, including Israel.
• carried away captive: (הֶגְלָה, heglah) Derived from the Hebrew root גָּלָה (galah), meaning "to uncover, reveal," but also "to deport, go into exile." This term powerfully conveys forced removal from one's homeland, a devastating loss of identity, land, and cultural connection, serving as a primary form of punishment and judgment within the Old Testament.
• he was chief: (הוּא נְשִׂיא, hu nasi') "Chief" (נָשִׂיא, nasi') refers to a prince, leader, or tribal head. This signifies Beerah's prominent status within the Reubenite tribe. The fact that even a "chief" was carried away emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting all levels of society and indicating the severity of their collective offense.
• of the Reubenites: (לָראוּבֵנִי, laRauveni) Refers to the descendants of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son. Despite Reuben's primogeniture, his tribe often exhibited instability and a lack of consistent leadership. Their eastern Transjordanian location made them particularly vulnerable to eastern aggressors like Assyria, further contributing to their early exile.

• "whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive": This phrase concisely introduces the critical historical event. It establishes the foreign power and its leader as the agent of the deportation, but implicitly points to God's sovereignty over the nations, allowing such events to unfold as a consequence of His people's actions. It marks a decisive break in the continuity of the tribal lineage within the land.
• "Beerah his son... he was chief of the Reubenites": This grouping identifies a specific leader of the tribe and connects his personal fate directly to the tribe's destiny, signifying that the judgment affected both individuals of prominence and the entire collective. It highlights the vulnerability of the tribal leadership and the sweeping impact of the exile.

1 Chronicles 5 6 Bonus section

The Chronicler's specific mention of "Tilgathpilneser" is crucial. This king (Tiglath-Pileser III) was renowned for his particularly harsh policy of population resettlement. Unlike earlier conquests that might have just imposed tribute, Tilgath-Pileser systematically deported conquered peoples from their homelands and resettled them elsewhere to break their national identity and prevent rebellion. This strategic policy deeply impacted the northern kingdom of Israel, and especially the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh), who were among the first to face this fate around 734-732 BCE. The emphasis on Beerah being a "chief" and taken captive serves to underline the complete and thorough nature of the judgment. It was not just a general scattering of the population but targeted the very structures of tribal leadership, symbolizing the utter dismantling of their autonomy and continuity within their land.

1 Chronicles 5 6 Commentary

First Chronicles 5:6 is more than a mere genealogical entry; it's a concise statement of divine judgment. By naming Beerah, a Reubenite chief, and linking him directly to the Assyrian king Tilgath-Pilneser, the Chronicler encapsulates the painful reality of the northern tribes' exile. This event was not random; it was understood as the direct consequence of the Reubenites'—and broader Israel's—unfaithfulness and idolatry, as stated explicitly later in the chapter (v. 25). The focus on Beerah as a "chief" underscores that even the leadership and integrity of the tribe were swept away in this divinely orchestrated judgment, demonstrating God's unwavering resolve to uphold His covenant terms. This deportation marked a significant phase in Israel's history, stripping them of their land and independence as a result of turning away from the God of their fathers.