1 Chronicles 7 21

1 Chronicles 7:21 kjv

And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

1 Chronicles 7:21 nkjv

Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in that land killed them because they came down to take away their cattle.

1 Chronicles 7:21 niv

Zabad his son and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the native-born men of Gath, when they went down to seize their livestock.

1 Chronicles 7:21 esv

Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to raid their livestock.

1 Chronicles 7:21 nlt

Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer, and Elead. These two were killed trying to steal livestock from the local farmers near Gath.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 21 Meaning

This verse recounts a tragic incident in the lineage of Ephraim: Ezer and Elead, descendants of Ephraim, were killed by the native inhabitants of Gath while attempting to seize their livestock. It disrupts the otherwise routine genealogical list, highlighting a significant and violent loss for the tribe of Ephraim in the early settlement period of Canaan.

1 Chronicles 7 21 Context

1 Chronicles 7 is part of a series of detailed genealogies that begin the book. Following the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, and Manasseh, this chapter lists the sons and prominent families of Ephraim and Asher. These lists were vital for the post-exilic community, providing continuity, affirming tribal identities, and legitimizing claims to land and heritage. This specific verse (7:21) sharply deviates from the typical dry enumeration by inserting a brief, tragic narrative. It explains why a particular line within Ephraim, through Ezer and Elead, was abruptly cut off. This unexpected detail underscores the perilous realities faced by the nascent Israelite tribes as they settled among hostile indigenous peoples in Canaan, highlighting the constant threat of conflict, particularly with established powers like the Philistines of Gath, over essential resources like livestock and territory.

1 Chronicles 7 21 Word analysis

• and Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead,:
  • Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son: These names continue the genealogical sequence, typically derived from Ephraim's line through Rephah and Resheph. The phrase "his son" explicitly shows direct paternal descent.
  • and Ezer, and Elead: These individuals are the tragic figures. The Hebrew for Ezer (עֵזֶר, 'Ezer) means "help" or "helper"; Elead (אֶלְעָד, 'Elad) means "God is eternal" or "God has attested." Their names' meanings are secondary to their fate in this context. Their joint listing implies a shared tragic end, often indicating they were brothers or close kinsmen of Shuthelah.
• whom the men of Gath:
  • whom: A relative pronoun connecting Ezer and Elead to the perpetrators of their death.
  • the men of Gath: (Hebrew: אַנְשֵׁי גַּת, 'anshei Gath'). Gath was one of the five major Philistine city-states, historically a formidable power and adversary to Israel. They were known for their military strength and resistance, frequently clashing with Israel for control of territory and resources in the Shephelah (foothills) and coastal plains.
• who were born in that land:
  • (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר יֻלְּדוּ בָּאָרֶץ, 'asher yuldhu ba'aretz'). This phrase emphasizes that the men of Gath were indigenous, long-established inhabitants of the region. This highlights their deep territorial claim and perhaps their fierce determination in defending their patrimony, setting them apart from nomadic raiders.
• killed:
  • (Hebrew: הָרְגוּ, hargu). This is a strong, definitive verb for killing. It indicates a violent, fatal confrontation, emphasizing the severe outcome of the encounter for Ezer and Elead. It's a clear statement of their death in battle.
• because they came down to take their livestock:
  • because they came down: (Hebrew: כִּי יָרְדוּ, 'ki yar'dhu'). "Came down" implies a topographical descent, typically from the central Israelite highlands towards the lower Philistine plain. This suggests an active movement and an initial, perhaps aggressive, posture by the Ephraimites.
  • to take their livestock: (Hebrew: לָקַחַת מִקְנֵיהֶם, laqaḥat miqneihem). This phrase specifies the motive: an attempt to seize animals. Livestock represented vital wealth in ancient agrarian societies, and such raids were common triggers for inter-communal conflict, providing a direct justification for the Philistines' deadly retaliation.

1 Chronicles 7 21 Bonus section

The abrupt insertion of this detailed narrative snippet into an otherwise standard, name-by-name genealogy is highly significant. It breaks the chronicler's typical dry presentation, underscoring the profound importance of this specific event in the memory and history of the tribe of Ephraim. It explains more than just lineage; it provides insight into the dangerous world of early Israel, where strong tribes like Ephraim still faced vulnerability and suffered losses from well-established adversaries. This event humanizes the genealogical record, showing that even in the process of divine promise, God's people faced tangible conflicts and real sacrifice in their journey to possess and dwell in the land. It also subtly prepares the audience for the persistent and formidable nature of the Philistines, who would continue to be a significant threat in later Israelite history.

1 Chronicles 7 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:21 is a unique and impactful narrative embedded within a concise genealogy. It starkly reveals the harsh realities of tribal life during the early settlement period in Canaan. The unexpected death of Ephraim's descendants, Ezer and Elead, at the hands of the indigenous people of Gath, provides a poignant example of the ongoing struggle for land and resources that characterized Israel's early history. This tragic detail not only explains a specific break or reduction within a tribal line but also serves as a potent reminder for the post-exilic community of the significant cost and inherent dangers involved in establishing and maintaining their promised inheritance.