1 Chronicles 7:7 kjv
And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valor; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
1 Chronicles 7:7 nkjv
The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri?five in all. They were heads of their fathers' houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor.
1 Chronicles 7:7 niv
The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth and Iri, heads of families?five in all. Their genealogical record listed 22,034 fighting men.
1 Chronicles 7:7 esv
The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five, heads of fathers' houses, mighty warriors. And their enrollment by genealogies was 22,034.
1 Chronicles 7:7 nlt
The five sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri. Each of them was the leader of an ancestral clan. The total number of mighty warriors from these clans was 22,034, as listed in their genealogical records.
1 Chronicles 7 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 5 | ...Book of the generations of Adam... | Genesis provides foundational genealogies illustrating God's plan and human lineage from the beginning. |
| Gen 46:8 | These are the names of the sons of Israel... | Listing family heads who entered Egypt, establishing tribal origins. |
| Num 1:2 | "Take a census of all the congregation... by their families..." | Mandated census by God for military organization and tribal identity, similar to Chronicles' focus on precise numbers. |
| Num 1:36-37 | From the sons of Benjamin, their generations... counted as 35,400. | Provides numbers for Benjamin in the wilderness, indicating its size and martial potential. |
| Num 3:24 | ...of the families of the Gershonites... the chief father... | Emphasis on "heads of fathers' households" in tribal organization and levitical service. |
| Judg 20:15-17 | The Benjaminites... 26,000 men that drew sword, all these left-handed slingers. | Demonstrates Benjamin's martial strength and fighting men ("men of valor"). |
| Ruth 4:18 | Now these are the generations of Perez... | Genealogies are used to track specific lineages, connecting past with present, and future promises. |
| 1 Sam 9:1-2 | ...Kish, a mighty man of valor... a Benjamite. | Saul, the first king of Israel, was a Benjamite "man of valor." |
| 1 Sam 14:52 | ...Whenever Saul saw any strong or valiant man, he took him into his service. | Royal recruitment prioritized "men of valor" for military and administrative roles. |
| 1 Chr 2:1 | These are the sons of Israel... | Begins a long section of genealogies in Chronicles, establishing the basis for tribal identity and history. |
| 1 Chr 5:1 | The sons of Reuben... enrolled. | Chronicles extensively uses genealogical enrollment to preserve identity and claims. |
| 1 Chr 8:40 | ...And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers... | Further description of Benjamite mighty men, emphasizing their skills. |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | So all Israel were recorded in the genealogies... | Affirms the comprehensive nature of these historical records. |
| 1 Chr 12:28 | ...And of Benjamin, kinsmen of Saul, 3,000; up to that time most of them had been unfaithful to the house of Saul. | Describes Benjamite warriors (men of valor) supporting David, showing their loyalty could shift. |
| 1 Chr 23:24 | These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers' houses, even the heads... | Genealogies were crucial for organizing service in the tabernacle/temple. |
| Ezra 2:59 | These were the ones who came up from Tel-melah... but they could not declare their fathers' households or their descent, whether they were of Israel. | Lack of clear genealogy could challenge identity and eligibility for religious roles post-exile. |
| Neh 7:5 | "My God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the people to be enrolled by families." | Emphasizes the importance of enrollment for community rebuilding after the exile. |
| Mat 1:1-17 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ... | New Testament begins with a genealogy tracing Messiah's lineage, fulfilling prophetic promises. |
| Lk 3:23-38 | ...Jesus... being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph... the son of Adam... | Luke's genealogy for Jesus extends to Adam, demonstrating a universal salvation and divine plan through lineage. |
| Acts 13:20 | "After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet." | The lineage recorded speaks to the ongoing historical narrative and God's interaction with His chosen people. |
1 Chronicles 7 verses
1 Chronicles 7 7 Meaning
This verse meticulously records the direct descendants of Bela, one of the sons of Benjamin, listing five specific lines of descent. It quantifies them as heads of households and men of valor, noting their substantial population, as precisely counted by genealogy, to be twenty-two thousand and thirty-four. This detail highlights their significant leadership and strength within the tribal structure of Benjamin.
1 Chronicles 7 7 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 7 is primarily dedicated to listing the genealogies of various Israelite tribes: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. The Book of Chronicles, written for the post-exilic community, emphasized the continuity of God's covenant with Israel, the preservation of tribal identities, and the organization of the people. These comprehensive lists served to reassure the returning exiles of their heritage, their place in God's covenant, and their rights to ancestral lands. Within this, verse 7 focuses specifically on the descendants of Bela, the first son of Benjamin (listed in v.6). Benjamin was historically renowned for its martial prowess and prominent leaders (like Saul), and these genealogical records with their large numbers and mention of "men of valor" affirm the tribe's historical strength and significant presence among God's people. The precise numbers were important for establishing historical legitimacy and administrative purposes within the restored community.
1 Chronicles 7 7 Word analysis
- The sons of Bela: Hebrew: Benei Belaʿ (בְּנֵי בֶ֙לַע֙). This common phrase indicates direct descendants and is a standard way of beginning a lineage. Bela is the first listed son of Benjamin in the previous verse (1 Chr 7:6), making this an extension of Benjamin's tribal line.
- Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri: These are the specific names of Bela's five main sons/clans from whom the larger descendant group springs. Each represents a significant branch within Bela's lineage.
- five: Hebrew: chamishah (חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה). This number literally counts the direct paternal lines identified, highlighting a specific number of foundational clans.
- heads of households: Hebrew: rashei avot (רָאשֵׁי אָב֖וֹת). This crucial phrase indicates significant leadership and authority within the tribal structure. "Heads of fathers" refers to the leading men of the ancestral families or clans, akin to patriarchs or tribal chiefs responsible for their extended families. They held social, legal, and often military authority.
- men of valour: Hebrew: gibbōrê ḥayālîm (גִּבֹּ֥רֵי חֲיָֽלִים). This phrase typically denotes individuals distinguished by strength, bravery, or capability, often in a military context. However, it can also signify "men of substance," implying wealth, influence, or general eminence within the community, making them fit for leadership or any great task. In the context of genealogies, it signifies prominent and capable individuals within these clans.
- and their enrolment by genealogy was: Hebrew: wəhityaḥšām (וְהִתְיַחְשָׂם). This verb emphasizes a formal, official registration or reckoning of lineage. It signifies that these names and numbers were recorded precisely according to family lineage, demonstrating careful record-keeping for identity, inheritance, and status validation.
- twenty-two thousand and thirty-four: Hebrew: ʿeśrîm ûšnayyîm ʾelef wəšəlošâ ûšəlošîm (עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁנַ֣יִם אֶ֔לֶף וְשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים). This highly specific number emphasizes the meticulous detail of the record. It represents a significant count of male descendants capable of service, possibly implying those old enough to be counted for military service or administrative purposes. The large figure reflects God's blessing and faithfulness in causing His people to multiply, despite national setbacks like the exile.
1 Chronicles 7 7 Bonus section
The inclusion of detailed census figures like 22,034 emphasizes the Chronicler's concern with the practical organization and military potential of Israel's tribes. These specific numbers are not arbitrary; they reflect actual records likely kept within families or by the priests, confirming that tribal identity and strength were meticulously tracked. For the returning exiles, these robust figures would have been a source of reassurance, demonstrating that Israel's promise of abundant progeny (Gen 12:2; 15:5) remained unbroken, and the people of God continued to thrive despite their past struggles and the exile. It reinforces the theological message that God watches over His people's very lineage.
1 Chronicles 7 7 Commentary
1 Chronicles 7:7, within the broader context of the Chronicles genealogies, serves as a testament to God's enduring faithfulness and meticulous order. It isn't just a dry list of names; it underlines the historical continuity and divine preservation of the tribal identities of Israel, especially crucial for the post-exilic community. By detailing Bela's five chief sons, it establishes key family branches, demonstrating a structured and organized societal foundation. The designation "heads of households" highlights their leadership role, not just as progenitors but as active participants in governance and community life. The descriptor "men of valor" speaks to their intrinsic strength, courage, and capabilities—qualities vital for maintaining a people's security and prosperity. Furthermore, the precise census number, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four, underscores the phenomenal growth of God's covenant people. This detailed enumeration was vital for practical reasons such as land distribution, military conscription, and establishing eligibility for priestly or Levitical service in the re-established community, while also subtly proclaiming God's fulfillment of His promise to Abraham to make his descendants innumerable. It encouraged hope and validated the legitimacy of the returning exiles' heritage and place in the promised land.