1 Chronicles 7 37

1 Chronicles 7:37 kjv

Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.

1 Chronicles 7:37 nkjv

Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Jithran, and Beera.

1 Chronicles 7:37 niv

Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran and Beera.

1 Chronicles 7:37 esv

Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.

1 Chronicles 7:37 nlt

Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 37 Meaning

This verse is a direct listing of six names—Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera—who are identified as the sons of Ulla, a descendant in the tribal lineage of Asher. As part of the extensive genealogies in 1 Chronicles, it serves to meticulously record and preserve the tribal identities and continuity of God's people, linking the post-exilic community to their historical roots and confirming their heritage and claim to the land of Israel.

1 Chronicles 7 37 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 7 continues the extensive genealogies that form the primary content of the first nine chapters of the book. These genealogies serve a crucial purpose for the Chronicler's audience, who were returning exiles attempting to re-establish their identity and legitimate claims to the land of Israel after seventy years in Babylon. Specifically, chapter 7 lists the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. The emphasis in many of these sections is on the fighting men and heads of families, highlighting the strength and order of the tribes for future national rebuilding and military readiness. Verse 37 specifically details part of the lineage of Asher, through his descendant Ulla, providing named individuals to ensure a clear record of the family lines. This detailed listing validates the right of these families to their inheritance and connection to the covenant promises made to Israel.

1 Chronicles 7 37 Word analysis

• Bezer (בֶּצֶר - Betser): This proper noun means "fortress" or "gold ore." As a personal name, it likely points to qualities like strength, protection, or value associated with the individual or family line. In ancient Israel, names often carried aspirational meanings or referred to circumstances of birth.
• Hod (הוֹד - Hod): This proper noun translates to "splendor," "majesty," "glory," or "dignity." This name might signify the prominence or honor within his family line or an expectation of noble character.
• Shamma (שַׁמָּא - Shamma): The name implies "astonishment" or "desolation," though it's used as a proper noun. Given the context of genealogies where names often reflect positive aspects, it could potentially denote something remarkable or outstanding in his life, or possibly even connected to an awe-inspiring event at his birth.
• Shilshah (שִׁלְשָׁה - Shilshah): Meaning "triplicate," "third," or "threefold," this name could suggest he was the third son or had a significant connection to the number three, which can sometimes symbolize completeness or divine intervention in biblical numerology, though as a proper noun, it merely identifies him.
• Ithran (יִתְרָן - Yitran): Derived from a root meaning "abundance," "pre-eminence," "gain," or "profit," this name suggests a person who brought advantage, prosperity, or distinction to his family.
• Beera (בְּאֵרָא - Be'era): This name signifies "a well" or "a spring." Symbolically, a well is a source of life, refreshment, and sustenance, hinting at a role as a life-giver, sustainer, or someone who brought relief to others in his community.
• Words-group Analysis: "Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera." These six names, as the sons of Ulla, represent a distinct and identified branch within the Asherite lineage. Their inclusion underscores the Chronicler's painstaking effort to list and preserve the full scope of Israel's families. The individual meanings of the names, though not explicitly elaborated upon in the text, may have collectively emphasized the perceived strengths, blessings, and identity of this particular clan within Asher. This cluster of names serves the larger purpose of affirming tribal identity, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promise to make Israel a great nation, and confirming the continuity of God's covenant people.

1 Chronicles 7 37 Bonus section

The careful preservation of names and lineages in books like Chronicles reflects an ancient Near Eastern understanding of identity and belonging, where one's place in society and access to inheritance or privileges was intricately tied to one's documented ancestry. For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, having a precise genealogy meant a confirmed claim to land and community rights, emphasizing stability and order. The very act of naming implies knowing, caring, and remembering—qualities mirrored in God's relationship with His people. While these names may seem obscure to a modern reader, for the families who heard these lists recited, they were a tangible link to their past, an assurance of their present identity, and a promise for their future within the covenant. This focus on individual and family units contributes to the larger narrative of "all Israel" and their unified purpose under God's continued oversight.

1 Chronicles 7 37 Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:37, like many verses in the genealogical sections, appears at first glance to be a simple list of names. However, its significance extends far beyond mere enumeration. The Chronicler's purpose in meticulously documenting these lineages, including the sons of Ulla from the tribe of Asher, was deeply theological and practical for the post-exilic community. These genealogies served to confirm the identity, purity, and legitimacy of the returning exiles, distinguishing them as true Israelites who possessed rightful claims to their tribal lands and priestly functions. They connected the present generation directly to their patriarchal fathers and the covenant promises. Furthermore, by recording men of renown, warriors, and heads of households throughout this chapter (and similar chapters), the Chronicler projected a vision of a strong, well-ordered nation, capable of rebuilding and defending itself, reaffirming God's continued faithfulness to His covenant despite Israel's exile and subsequent return.