1 Chronicles 7 16

1 Chronicles 7:16 kjv

And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

1 Chronicles 7:16 nkjv

(Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

1 Chronicles 7:16 niv

Makir's wife Maakah gave birth to a son and named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

1 Chronicles 7:16 esv

And Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

1 Chronicles 7:16 nlt

Makir's wife, Maacah, gave birth to a son whom she named Peresh. His brother's name was Sheresh. The sons of Peresh were Ulam and Rakem.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 16 Meaning

This verse continues the lineage of Machir, a prominent son of Manasseh, by recording his marriage to a woman named Maachah, who was the sister of Huppim and Shuppim. It then, somewhat cryptically, mentions "and the name of the second was Zelophehad." The mention of Zelophehad, who is known in other biblical texts as a descendant of Manasseh but not a direct child of Machir in this line, suggests a highly compressed genealogical notation. The Chronicler includes significant individuals within the tribal lines, highlighting important connections or distinct branches, especially those relevant to land inheritance or tribal identity.

1 Chronicles 7 16 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 7 is part of a larger genealogical section (1 Chronicles 1-9) that chronicles the descendants of Israel from Adam through the various tribes, leading up to the return from Babylonian exile. This section serves as a reaffirmation of the identity and heritage of the Israelites, validating their tribal and family claims in the post-exilic period. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 7 focuses on the genealogies of several northern tribes: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Within this chapter, verses 14-19 detail the lineage of Manasseh, emphasizing the descendants of Machir, the firstborn son. Genealogies in this book are not merely dry lists but establish the legitimacy of land claims, priestly offices, and the continuity of God's covenant with His people.

Historically and culturally, accurate genealogies were crucial for Israelites. They determined tribal affiliation, eligibility for land inheritance (as prominently seen with Zelophehad's daughters), rights to various offices (like the priesthood), and social status. Inter-tribal marriages, like the one suggested here between Manasseh and Benjamin's lines, were significant in fostering unity and alliance between tribes.

1 Chronicles 7 16 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction, connecting this statement to the preceding information about Machir in verse 15, indicating a continuation of the same lineage details.

• Machir (מָכִיר, Makhir): Son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Num 26:29; Gen 50:23). He is a pivotal figure in Manassite lineage, known for his prominence and the territory he inherited east of the Jordan, Gilead (Num 32:39-40; Josh 17:1). His name often signifies strength or "one who sells/delivers."

• took to wife (לָקַח אִשָּׁה, laqach ishshah): This is a standard Hebrew idiom for marriage, indicating the establishment of a formal marital bond.

• the sister of Huppim and Shuppim (אֲחוֹת חוּפִּים וְשֻׁפִּים, achot Chuppim veshuppim):

  • sister (אֲחוֹת, achot): Confirms a direct familial relationship to these two individuals.
  • Huppim (חוּפִּים, Chuppim) and Shuppim (וְשֻׁפִּים, veshuppim): These names are significant. Scholars generally identify them with individuals or clan names associated with the tribe of Benjamin (Gen 46:21 names Muppim and Huppim as sons of Benjamin; Num 26:39 names Shupham and Hupham as Benjamite clans; 1 Chr 8:5 mentions Hupham and Shupham). This strongly suggests an inter-tribal marriage between Machir of Manasseh and a woman from Benjamin. Such unions could solidify tribal alliances or integrate various family lines within Israel.

• whose name was Maachah (וְשֵׁם אֲחוֹתָם מַעֲכָה, veshem achotam Ma'achah): This identifies Machir's wife. "Maachah" is a relatively common name in the Bible, but here it specifically refers to the woman who links the Manassite and Benjamite lines through this marriage.

• and the name of the second was Zelophehad (וְשֵׁם הַשֵּׁנִית צְלָפְחָד, veshem hashenith Tzelophchadh):

  • and the name of the second (וְשֵׁם הַשֵּׁנִית, veshem hashenith): This phrase is grammatically terse and open to interpretation. Hashenith means "the second" or "second one," which could refer to a second wife, a second child, or possibly a second significant person/branch in the lineage. Given the broader context of Chronicles, it is more likely introducing another important, distinct branch of the Manassite line rather than a direct offspring of this particular union.
  • Zelophehad (צְלָפְחָד, Tzelophchadh): This is the most crucial and contextually challenging name in the verse. In other biblical texts (Num 26:33; 27:1; Josh 17:3), Zelophehad is known as a descendant of Manasseh through Gilead and Hepher, specifically: Machir → Gilead → Hepher → Zelophehad. He is famous for having only daughters (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah) and for their successful plea to inherit their father's land in the absence of sons. Therefore, Zelophehad is not a direct son of Machir, nor a child of Machir's marriage to Maachah (as v. 15 already mentions Peresh and Sheresh as children of this union).
    • The Chronicler's inclusion of Zelophehad here, albeit succinctly and somewhat out of sequence with a direct paternal lineage, highlights his significance in the Manassite tribe. It shows the Chronicler's focus on key figures who were relevant to land tenure and tribal rights, possibly summarizing information from other known traditions or highly abbreviating a longer genealogy.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose name was Maachah": This phrase describes a specific marriage that is critical for two reasons: 1) it identifies Machir's consort, thereby continuing the detailed Manassite genealogy, and 2) it signals an important inter-tribal connection (Manasseh via Machir marrying into Benjamin's line via Huppim and Shuppim). This alliance may have strengthened tribal bonds or signified shared territories.
  • "and the name of the second was Zelophehad": This second part of the verse presents a significant individual, Zelophehad, whose identity is well-known from other Pentateuchal narratives due to his daughters' petition for land inheritance. His abrupt inclusion here suggests that the Chronicler, for the benefit of his post-exilic audience, wanted to quickly establish the link of this vital figure, known for property rights and lineage, to the core Manassite line descended from Machir, even if he was not a direct offspring in this particular marriage sequence. It indicates the importance of recognizing the entire Manassite tribal structure.

1 Chronicles 7 16 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's use of genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 1-9) is not merely a record but a theological statement for the post-exilic community. These lists serve to affirm the unbroken covenant between God and Israel, legitimate the returnees' claims to the land, and emphasize continuity from the patriarchs through David to their contemporary situation. The focus is often on continuity, covenant, and identity, rather than comprehensive detail.
• The exact spelling of "Huppim" and "Shuppim" varies slightly across the Old Testament (e.g., Muppim, Shephupham, Hupham, Shupham). These variations are common in ancient texts and do not negate the likely connection to the Benjamite line, as recognized by most biblical scholars and commentators. These types of minor textual variations are typically resolved through cross-referencing and contextual analysis.
• The selection criteria for names in Chronicles' genealogies appear to prioritize heads of families, major tribal divisions, and individuals with significant historical or legal implications, such as Zelophehad. The omission of others suggests an editorial choice to focus on lines relevant to the Chronicler's immediate audience and purpose—rebuilding identity and claims after the exile.

1 Chronicles 7 16 Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:16 is a dense genealogical entry, characteristic of the Chronicler's work, which often prioritizes conciseness and highlights significant figures. The primary purpose is to detail the lineage of Machir, solidifying his role as the head of a major branch within the tribe of Manasseh. The mention of his marriage to Maachah, the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, serves to underscore historical marital alliances within Israel, possibly signifying an important connection between Manasseh and Benjamin. Such inter-tribal marriages reinforced familial bonds and tribal solidarity.

The most challenging and illuminating aspect of this verse is the abrupt inclusion of Zelophehad. Given that Zelophehad is recorded elsewhere (Numbers, Joshua) as a great-grandson of Machir (through Gilead and Hepher), his mention immediately following Machir's wife's name is not a strict chronological or direct paternal lineage detail in this specific sentence. Rather, the Chronicler's highly abbreviated style points to a notable figure crucial to the overall Manassite tribal account. By linking him so closely to Machir, the Chronicler reinforces Zelophehad's legitimate place within the tribe's hierarchy. This emphasis would have resonated strongly with the returning exiles, for whom ancestral claims, particularly those related to land ownership, were of paramount importance. The narrative of Zelophehad's daughters and their inheritance case (Num 27, Josh 17) was a landmark legal precedent for the continuity of family inheritance, especially in the absence of male heirs. Thus, even a terse mention here would have immediately brought to mind a foundational principle of land rights vital to a people re-establishing themselves in their homeland. The Chronicler selects details not to provide a continuous, comprehensive narrative, but to validate and highlight specific lines and their key personalities for the sake of identity and heritage.