1 Chronicles 7:36 kjv
The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
1 Chronicles 7:36 nkjv
The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
1 Chronicles 7:36 niv
The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
1 Chronicles 7:36 esv
The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah.
1 Chronicles 7:36 nlt
The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
1 Chronicles 7 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 5:1 | "This is the book of the generations of Adam..." | Emphasizes biblical focus on lineages. |
| Gen 10:1-32 | "These are the generations of the sons of Noah..." | Establishes lineage of nations from one source. |
| Gen 12:2 | "I will make of you a great nation..." | God's promise of numerous descendants. |
| Gen 15:5 | "...look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able..." | Promise of countless offspring to Abraham. |
| Gen 22:17 | "...I will surely multiply your offspring..." | Reiterates God's faithfulness in multiplying. |
| Ex 6:14-25 | "These are the heads of their fathers' houses..." | Detailed priestly genealogies for clarity. |
| Num 1:1-4 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel..." | Census based on tribal and familial lines. |
| Num 26:1-51 | "These are the numbered people of the sons of Israel..." | Further census maintaining tribal identity. |
| Josh 14:1-5 | "These are the inheritances that the people of Israel received..." | Land distribution according to tribes and families. |
| Neh 7:5 | "...My God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles...and the people, that they might be registered by genealogy..." | Importance of lineage for post-exilic return. |
| 1 Chr 1:1 | "Adam, Seth, Enosh;" | Chronicles begins with a foundational genealogy. |
| 1 Chr 2:1 | "These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah..." | Sets the stage for Israel's tribal accounts. |
| 1 Chr 7:30-40 | "...The sons of Asher..." | Immediate context of Asher's lineage. |
| Matt 1:1 | "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ..." | Messiah's lineage through tribal records. |
| Luke 3:23-38 | "...Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age...the son of Seth, the son of Adam..." | Tracing Jesus's lineage back to humanity. |
| Rom 9:6-8 | "...For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel..." | Differentiates spiritual from physical lineage. |
| Heb 7:3 | "He is without father or mother or genealogy..." | Highlights uniqueness compared to Melchizedek's. |
| Eze 48:1-29 | "These are the names of the tribes..." | Future allocation of tribal territories. |
| Rev 7:4-8 | "And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, from every tribe of the sons of Israel were sealed..." | Tribal enumeration in eschatological vision. |
| 1 Tim 1:4 | "...nor devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies..." | Cautions against speculative use of genealogies. |
1 Chronicles 7 verses
1 Chronicles 7 36 Meaning
1 Chronicles 7:36 meticulously records five sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, and Imrah. This verse forms a segment of the extensive genealogies within the tribe of Asher, serving to trace and preserve the lineage of families and individuals, reinforcing their identity, inheritance rights, and continuity within the broader covenant community of Israel, particularly for a post-exilic audience concerned with their heritage.
1 Chronicles 7 36 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 7 provides a detailed listing of genealogies for various tribes of Israel, including Issachar, Benjamin (briefly), Naphtali, Manasseh (half-tribe), Ephraim, and Asher. These lists follow a broader genealogical survey that begins with Adam and traces key lines through the twelve tribes. Verses 30-40 specifically detail the lineage of the tribe of Asher, emphasizing the numerous and brave warriors that emerged from this tribe.
Historically, the book of 1 Chronicles was written after the Babylonian exile, when the returning Jewish community sought to re-establish their identity, lineage, land claims, and temple service. The meticulous record-keeping, as seen in 1 Chronicles 7:36, was crucial for these purposes. It affirmed the continuity of God's covenant with His people, reminded them of their heritage and their place in God's redemptive plan, and counteracted any doubts or challenges regarding their Israelite identity amidst foreign influences. The emphasis on "sons" and numerous descendants underscores God's faithfulness to His promise to multiply Abraham's seed into a great nation.
1 Chronicles 7 36 Word analysis
- The sons of: This introductory phrase is a common linguistic and literary convention in biblical genealogies. It denotes direct paternal lineage and highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where identity, inheritance, and tribal affiliation were primarily passed down through the male line. It serves as a direct link, anchoring the subsequent names within the larger family tree.
- Zophah: (צוֹפָח, Tsowphach) This is the name of a specific individual, a son of Heber (1 Chr 7:35), who himself was a son of Beriah (1 Chr 7:31), a son of Asher (1 Chr 7:30). Zophah is thus situated firmly within the tribal genealogy of Asher. His importance here is not for any individual heroic deed but for his role as a progenitor whose line is carefully recorded, contributing to the complete accounting of Asher's descendants. The presence of his name validates the continued existence and identity of the tribal family unit.
- Suah: (סוּחַ, Suach) One of the five sons of Zophah. The name likely means "sweeping" or "disorderly," but this etymology carries no inherent theological or historical significance for this specific individual within the biblical narrative beyond his identity as a member of Zophah's family.
- Harnepher: (חַרְנֶפֶר, Charnepheph) Another son of Zophah. The meaning is uncertain but possibly relates to "fury of the panther" or "nose of anger." Like Suah, this name serves primarily to populate the lineage, reinforcing the detail and breadth of the tribal register.
- Shual: (שׁוּעָל, Shu'al) One of the five sons. This name commonly means "fox" or "jackal." While an interesting etymology, it is not implied to be symbolic of this person's character or actions within the text. Its primary function is to serve as a proper name within the genealogy. There is also a place name "Shaalbim" related to a fox (Judg 1:35), but it's not directly related to this individual.
- Beri: (בֶּרִי, Beriy) Another son of Zophah. The name likely means "well" or "my well," perhaps even "healthy" or "flourishing." As with the others, its significance here lies in its presence as a unique identifier within the unbroken line of descent.
- Imrah: (אִמְרָה, Imrah) The last of Zophah's five sons listed here. The name typically means "saying" or "speech," from a root meaning "to say" or "speak." Like his brothers, Imrah's mention primarily ensures the comprehensiveness of the genealogical record.
Words-group analysis:
- The sons of Zophah: This specific grouping directly traces the progeny from Zophah. It highlights the granular detail the Chronicler deemed necessary for documenting family units within the larger tribal structure. This precision served to preserve individual family identity and legitimate claims to land and heritage within the tribe of Asher in the post-exilic community. This emphasizes the covenant God’s commitment to His people across generations, not just individuals.
1 Chronicles 7 36 Bonus section
The detailed listing of individual names like Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, and Imrah highlights the biblical value of every person within God's chosen lineage, regardless of whether they achieved renown. This reinforces that faithfulness in continuing the lineage, embodying the promise of a multiplied seed, was a significant act in itself. These genealogies are not just lists; they are foundational historical documents affirming God's plan for a distinct people through whom He would ultimately bring forth the Messiah (Matt 1:1). They provide the backbone for understanding tribal distributions, leadership structures, and the very fabric of Israelite identity, countering any suggestion that Israel's distinctiveness was lost during periods of oppression or exile. They illustrate God's patience and long-term faithfulness in working out His redemptive purposes through many generations.
1 Chronicles 7 36 Commentary
1 Chronicles 7:36, seemingly a dry list of names, serves a profound theological and historical purpose. It demonstrates the meticulous nature of divine oversight concerning the lineage of Israel, echoing God's covenant promise to multiply Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:2). For the original audience, who had returned from exile, such specific records were vital. They validated their claims to tribal affiliation, land inheritance in Israel (Josh 14:1-5), and participation in the reconstructed community. The Chronicler's decision to include these extensive genealogies underlines that God's plan for His people endured despite exile; He preserved their identity and lineage. Every name, even those not associated with grand deeds, represents an unbroken link in God's covenant faithfulness, confirming that His promises remain steadfast. The inclusion of these family details implicitly strengthens the narrative of Israel's survival and continuity as a distinct nation, contrasting any polemical beliefs of assimilation or annihilation. These precise details, while not inspiring a sermon on their own, testify to the God who is faithful in even the smallest details of His grand narrative.