1 Chronicles 7 19

1 Chronicles 7:19 kjv

And the sons of Shemidah were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.

1 Chronicles 7:19 nkjv

And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

1 Chronicles 7:19 niv

The sons of Shemida were: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi and Aniam.

1 Chronicles 7:19 esv

The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

1 Chronicles 7:19 nlt

The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 19 Meaning

This verse precisely identifies four individuals—Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam—as the sons of Shemida. Shemida himself was a significant descendant within the tribe of Manasseh, a son of Joseph, thus tracing a specific lineage within the tribal structure of Israel. The inclusion of these names serves to maintain accurate genealogical records, establishing familial relationships and demonstrating the continued fulfillment of God's promise to multiply the descendants of Abraham. It is a precise documentation of an individual's family line for tribal identity and historical continuity.

1 Chronicles 7 19 Context

First Chronicles chapter 7 presents the genealogies of various tribes of Israel: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Within this extensive record, verse 19 focuses on a specific family line from the tribe of Manasseh. Shemida is explicitly listed as a son of Gilead, who was a son of Machir, the firstborn son of Manasseh (Num 26:29-32; Josh 17:2).

The larger context of 1 Chronicles chapters 1-9 is a detailed and systematic presentation of the genealogies of Israel, tracing descent from Adam to the post-exilic community. For the original audience, who had returned from Babylonian exile, these genealogies served several critical functions:

• Re-establishment of Identity: They reminded the community of their heritage and unbroken connection to their ancestors, providing a sense of belonging and continuity.
• Validation of Land Claims: Tribal and family lineage was crucial for re-establishing claims to inherited land allotments given in the time of Joshua.
• Confirmation of Priesthood: Specific lineages (like Levi) were essential for determining legitimate priestly service.
• Divine Faithfulness: The survival and meticulously documented multiplication of Israel, even after the exile, demonstrated God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham regarding his numerous descendants. These records reinforced the understanding that God had not forgotten His people.

While the verse itself is a simple listing, it implicitly assures the returning exiles that their history is valid, their place among the tribes is secure, and God's plan for them continues through these preserved family lines.

1 Chronicles 7 19 Word analysis

• The sons of:

  • Hebrew: בְּנֵי (beney). This plural construct noun indicates direct progeny, establishing a clear filial relationship.
  • Significance: This phrase is fundamental in genealogies, identifying the offspring of a specific parent. It underscores the continuation of a family line, crucial for inheritance, tribal identity, and covenant promises related to offspring.

• Shemida:

  • Hebrew: שְׁמִידָע (Shemida). This is a proper noun, referring to a specific individual. He is a key clan head, tracing back to Manasseh. In other biblical texts (Num 26:32, Josh 17:2), Shemida is identified as a son of Gilead, who was a prominent figure within the tribe of Manasseh.
  • Significance: His inclusion links the subsequent names directly to the larger tribal structure of Manasseh, legitimizing their lineage within one of Israel's twelve tribes. His presence, often as a clan name, means that the descendants mentioned here were part of a known, recognized tribal subdivision.

• were:

  • Implied in the Hebrew (common in lists); translates to a simple assertion of existence or identity.
  • Significance: Acts as a direct connector, equating the preceding "sons of Shemida" with the list of names that follow, clearly stating who these sons are.

• Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam:

  • These are proper nouns, identifying four distinct individuals.
  • Ahian (אָחְיָן, 'aḥyan): Meaning potentially "brotherly" or "my brother."
  • Shechem (שְׁכֶם, Shechem): This name also belongs to a significant city. As a personal name here, it indicates an individual within this specific family, distinct from the geographical location. Its meaning can relate to "shoulder" or "early morning."
  • Likhi (לִקְחִי, liqḥi): Possibly related to "taking" or "teaching/learning."
  • Aniam (אֲנִיעָם, 'Aniam): Possibly meaning "groaning of my people" or "my people are strong."
  • Significance of the group of names: The precise enumeration of four names shows a detailed and intentional record-keeping. Each name represents a unique person contributing to the fulfillment of the divine promise of population growth and demonstrating the continued existence and specific identity of the clan of Shemida within Manasseh. These names serve as concrete evidence of the perpetuation of the tribal lines, despite centuries of history and adversity.

1 Chronicles 7 19 Bonus section

• Divine Precision and Order: The very act of compiling such exhaustive genealogies, even for apparently minor lines, highlights the divine attribute of precision and order. God is a God of details, and every individual life, even within a vast family tree, matters in His grand plan. This suggests that the detailed record-keeping in Chronicles is not merely human history but divinely inspired and preserved.
• Endurance of Israel: These specific names, passed down through generations and meticulously recorded, serve as a testament to the remarkable endurance and resilience of the nation of Israel, divinely preserved despite periods of adversity, including slavery, wilderness wandering, and exile.
• Foundation for Later Narratives: While this verse directly pertains to Manasseh, the overall pattern of genealogies in Chronicles lays the groundwork for understanding later biblical narratives. Accurate lineage was crucial for identifying the true Davidic line leading to the Messiah (as seen in Mt 1, Lk 3), demonstrating that even these "minor" lines contribute to the complete picture of God's overarching redemptive plan.

1 Chronicles 7 19 Commentary

First Chronicles 7:19, though seemingly a simple list of names, is a concise yet profoundly significant entry within the vast biblical genealogies. It demonstrates God's meticulous care in preserving the lineage of His people. The inclusion of specific individuals like Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam as sons of Shemida confirms the detailed continuity of the tribe of Manasseh. This precision was paramount for the post-exilic community of Israel, reaffirming their heritage, validating their tribal and land inheritances, and most importantly, reminding them of God's unchanging faithfulness to His covenant promises of multiplication (Gen 12:2; 22:17). The survival and specific identification of these family lines underscore that God watches over even the seemingly "small" details of His people's history to bring about His larger purposes.