1 Chronicles 7 6

1 Chronicles 7:6 kjv

The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.

1 Chronicles 7:6 nkjv

The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, and Jediael?three in all.

1 Chronicles 7:6 niv

Three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker and Jediael.

1 Chronicles 7:6 esv

The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three.

1 Chronicles 7:6 nlt

Three of Benjamin's sons were Bela, Beker, and Jediael.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 6 Meaning

This verse briefly lists three individuals, Bela, Becher, and Jediael, as the primary sons of Benjamin. These names identify foundational figures for the various clans that originated from the tribe of Benjamin, affirming their lineage within the people of Israel. It serves as a concise genealogical record.

1 Chronicles 7 6 Context

First Chronicles 7:6 is embedded within the extensive genealogies spanning chapters 1 through 9. This section of Chronicles meticulously traces the lineages of the tribes of Israel, from Adam through the post-exilic community. For the original audience, who had returned from Babylonian exile, these genealogies were crucial for re-establishing their identity, claiming their tribal inheritances, verifying eligibility for priestly and Levitical service, and reaffirming their place in God's covenant people.

Historically, accurate lineage was paramount in ancient Near Eastern societies for land ownership, social standing, and political succession. The Chronicler's detailed genealogies serve not merely as dry lists but as a theological affirmation of God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating the continuous thread of God's people despite the upheaval of exile. The specific focus on Benjamin, along with other tribes, reminds the repatriated exiles of their heritage and their place in the collective memory of Israel, reinforcing unity and shared destiny. While not a direct polemic, the precise tracing of Israelite lineage implicitly stands against the blending of cultures and the loss of distinct Israelite identity that posed a threat in the post-exilic period.

1 Chronicles 7 6 Word analysis

• The sons of Benjamin: This phrase identifies the familial relationship and the specific tribal origin. "Sons" (bnei in Hebrew) here refers not only to direct offspring but can also include prominent descendants, clan leaders, or the ancestral founders of major tribal subdivisions. Benjamin (Binyamin) means "son of the right hand" or "son of my sorrow," depending on Jacob or Rachel naming him. As Jacob's youngest and Rachel's only child born in Canaan, Benjamin held a unique place.
• Bela: (Bela' in Hebrew). Meaning "swallowing" or "destruction." He is consistently listed as Benjamin's firstborn in other biblical genealogies (Gen 46:21; Num 26:38; 1 Chron 8:1). His prominence signifies the ancestral head of a major Benjaminite clan.
• Becher: (Beker in Hebrew). Meaning "firstborn" or "camel." Mentioned among Benjamin's sons in Genesis 46:21. In other contexts, "Beker" might refer to a distinct clan or branch of Benjamin's descendants. The varying appearances across lists highlight that "son" can refer to direct offspring or to clan founders.
• Jediael: (Yedi'ael in Hebrew). Meaning "known of God" or "knowledge of God." This name does not appear in other principal lists of Benjamin's direct sons (Gen 46:21, Num 26:38, 1 Chron 8:1). It's possible Jediael represents a significant grandson, a prominent clan leader from an intermediate generation who became the head of a major division of the tribe, or perhaps an alternative tradition preserved by the Chronicler regarding a founder of a Benjaminite line important to the post-exilic community. The Chronicler often presents specific details relevant to his theological aims.
• three: (sheloshah in Hebrew). This explicitly states the number of names given in this particular enumeration. The precision here is notable, especially since other biblical lists of Benjamin's sons include more names (e.g., ten in Gen 46:21, though some may be grandsons or represent smaller clans). The "three" implies a selective focus, perhaps on the most prominent or directly relevant ancestral heads from the Chronicler's perspective for the tribes living in Judah during the post-exilic period.

1 Chronicles 7 6 Bonus section

The discrepancy in the number and specific names of Benjamin's "sons" across different biblical passages (compare 1 Chron 7:6 with Gen 46:21 and 1 Chron 8:1) is noteworthy. Genesis 46:21 lists ten "sons," while 1 Chronicles 8:1 lists five different sons for Benjamin than the present verse. This highlights that "sons" in Hebrew genealogies can include direct descendants, grandsons, or the founders of significant clans, reflecting differing chronological perspectives or focuses within a single lineage. The Chronicler, writing much later and primarily for a post-exilic community, may have focused on the three most prominent or foundational lines known to him that contributed to the existing Benjaminite population in his time. The naming of Jediael, who does not appear in the older Pentateuchal lists as a direct son, suggests either a prominent grandson who founded a major line or a tradition specifically preserved or highlighted by the Chronicler for his theological and historical purposes. These genealogical variations remind us that these records are not always exhaustive or identically formatted across all periods, but are purposeful theological documents aimed at connecting a community to its God-given heritage.

1 Chronicles 7 6 Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:6 provides a highly selective list of Benjamin's sons, primarily focusing on Bela, Becher, and Jediael. This conciseness is characteristic of the Chronicler, who, in different sections, chose particular genealogical lines relevant to his audience's identity and re-establishment in the post-exilic period. While other texts offer more extensive or varied lists of Benjamin's descendants (e.g., 1 Chron 8, Gen 46), the Chronicler's deliberate choice of these three, particularly the inclusion of Jediael (who is not explicitly listed as a direct son in older sources), underscores the fluid nature of "son" in ancient genealogies. It often encompassed not just immediate progeny but also foundational ancestors of significant clan branches. For the returnees, these lists were vital links to their past, affirming their heritage, land claims, and God's unbroken covenant with His people despite the trials of exile. The meticulous preservation of such lineage, even in truncated form, testifies to the enduring significance of tribal identity within God's larger redemptive plan.