1 Chronicles 7 32

1 Chronicles 7:32 kjv

And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.

1 Chronicles 7:32 nkjv

And Heber begot Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.

1 Chronicles 7:32 niv

Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer and Hotham and of their sister Shua.

1 Chronicles 7:32 esv

Heber fathered Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.

1 Chronicles 7:32 nlt

The sons of Heber were Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham. They had a sister named Shua.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 32 Meaning

This verse is a specific entry within the genealogical records of the tribe of Asher. It states that Heber, a descendant of Asher, had three sons named Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, and a daughter named Shuah. It serves to meticulously record the continuation of a particular family line, crucial for documenting tribal identity and inheritance within ancient Israel.

1 Chronicles 7 32 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 7 is primarily a meticulous genealogical record, focusing on the descendants of several Israelite tribes. Following detailed lists for Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, and Ephraim, verse 32 is nestled within the section dedicated to the tribe of Asher (1 Chr 7:30-40). The Chronicler’s overarching purpose in Chapters 1-9 is to provide a comprehensive, organized record of Israel's lineage from Adam, especially for the post-exilic community. These genealogies were vital for establishing tribal identities, reaffirming land inheritance rights, and connecting the contemporary community to their historical and covenantal roots. For the original audience, who had returned from exile and sought to rebuild, these lists provided crucial continuity and legitimacy, emphasizing that they were indeed the rightful inheritors of God's promises and land, even as they faced new challenges.

1 Chronicles 7 32 Word analysis

• And Heber: (וַיּוֹלֶד חֶבֶר, vayyoled Ḥever). "Heber" is a proper noun identifying a male ancestor within the tribe of Asher, likely a son of Beriah (1 Chr 7:31). The Hebrew "וַיּוֹלֶד" (vayyoled) from יָלַד (yalad), "to beget," is a standard genealogical marker indicating direct male descent. This establishes the patriarchal line as the primary method of tracing family and tribal identity.

• begot: (וַיּוֹלֶד, vayyoled). As noted above, this verb clearly means "to father" or "to procreate." Its use here, common throughout genealogies, underscores the importance of the continuity of lineage and the deliberate recording of direct offspring for tribal organization and the fulfilling of generational promises.

• Japhlet: (יַפְלֵט, Yafleṭ). A proper noun, one of Heber's sons. The name may derive from a root meaning "to escape" or "to deliver." Like other personal names in such lists, its primary function is to identify a distinct individual who continued the family line.

• and Shomer: (וְשׁוֹמֵר, veShomer). A proper noun for another son of Heber. The name means "guardian," "keeper," or "watchman." The conjunctive "וְ" (ve, "and") links this son to the preceding one.

• and Hotham: (וְחוֹתָם, veḤotam). A proper noun for the third son listed here. The name means "seal" or "signet ring," often signifying authenticity, ownership, or authority in ancient contexts.

• and Shuah his sister: (וְשׁוּעָא אֲחוֹתוֹ, veShu‘a akhoto).

  • Shuah: (שׁוּעָא, Shu‘a). A proper noun, identifying a daughter. The name might mean "wealth," "ditch," or "nobility." The mention of a female name in a genealogy dominated by male lines is notable and suggests some significance for her inclusion, perhaps related to a specific clan, inheritance, or to provide a complete family picture.
  • his sister: (אֲחוֹתוֹ, akhoto). Comprised of "אֲחוֹת" (’achot, "sister") and the possessive suffix "וֹ" (-o, "his"). In this context, "his" refers to the father, Heber, meaning Shuah is Heber’s daughter. The direct connection to the father, as "his sister" in relation to her brothers, means she is a full sibling to Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham through Heber. This complete enumeration reflects the meticulous nature of the record, encompassing female family members for unknown specific reasons relevant to the original compilers or their audience.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And Heber begot Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham": This standard formula illustrates the patriarchal structure of Israelite society and the paramount importance placed on the male line for tribal continuity, property inheritance, and defining political and religious roles. These names affirm the direct biological and familial succession vital to the tribal framework.
  • "and Shuah his sister": The inclusion of a daughter alongside the sons is distinctive within these usually male-dominated genealogies. This suggests a desire for a comprehensive familial record, possibly due to Shuah's individual importance within the clan, her involvement in a significant marriage alliance, or perhaps to simply reflect a full family unit, underscoring the completeness of the Israelite household as part of the nation’s overall record. It emphasizes that while male lineage was paramount, female lives and identities were also observed and, when deemed relevant, recorded within the sacred history of God's people.

1 Chronicles 7 32 Bonus section

• The meticulous genealogies in Chronicles served a critical role in demonstrating God’s covenant faithfulness through the unbroken line of His chosen people, ensuring that despite exile and displacement, Israel's identity and connection to the Abrahamic and Davidic promises remained intact.
• While a daughter's mention is less common, it could imply that her line or offspring held particular significance for inheritance (similar to the daughters of Zelophehad in Num 27) or that her branch of the family developed into a significant sub-clan within Asher.
• The specific and detailed naming reflects the existence of robust ancestral records, possibly held by families or temples, which the Chronicler utilized to compile a definitive national history.
• For the returned exiles, confirming their tribal affiliations through these genealogies was not merely historical interest, but practical: it directly related to their assigned lands and communal responsibilities in the re-established Judah.

1 Chronicles 7 32 Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:32 offers a brief yet vital glimpse into the meticulous genealogical record-keeping of ancient Israel, specifically for the tribe of Asher. This verse serves not as a narrative element, but as a detailed factual entry, delineating the direct descendants of Heber: his sons Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, and notably, his daughter Shuah. The inclusion of Shuah, a female, alongside the male offspring, which is less common in biblical genealogies unless there is a particular significance, reflects the thoroughness of the Chronicler's records. For the post-exilic community, such lists reaffirmed their identity, established claims to ancestral land, and ensured the continuity of the covenant people of God, demonstrating divine faithfulness in preserving the tribes despite historical disruptions.