1 Chronicles 7 8

1 Chronicles 7:8 kjv

And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.

1 Chronicles 7:8 nkjv

The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these are the sons of Becher.

1 Chronicles 7:8 niv

The sons of Beker: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Beker.

1 Chronicles 7:8 esv

The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.

1 Chronicles 7:8 nlt

The sons of Beker were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 8 Meaning

This verse serves as a detailed genealogical record, specifically listing nine individuals identified as "the sons of Becher," who was a son of Benjamin. It meticulously enumerates Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abiah, Anathoth, and Alameth, reaffirming their collective identity as direct descendants of Becher within the tribe of Benjamin. The purpose of such a meticulous listing within Chronicles is to preserve tribal lineages, affirm covenant continuity, and solidify the identity of the returned exiles by connecting them to their ancestral heritage and the promises of God.

1 Chronicles 7 8 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 7 is predominantly dedicated to detailing the genealogies of various Israelite tribes, following a significant focus on Judah and Levi in preceding chapters. Specifically, this verse (7:8) is embedded within the section dealing with the descendants of Benjamin (1 Chr 7:6-12). These meticulous lists in Chronicles served a critical purpose for the post-exilic community in Judah. They helped to re-establish the national identity, validate claims to tribal land inheritances, ensure the purity of priestly and Levitical lines, and reassure the people of God's continued faithfulness to His covenant promises regarding Israel's numerical growth and continuity.

Historically and culturally, genealogical records were paramount in ancient Israelite society. They formed the basis for tribal organization, land tenure, military conscription, and access to religious roles. In a time when the returned exiles were rebuilding their society and temple, having verifiable genealogies connected them directly to the pre-exilic history of Israel and legitimized their presence and claims. While this specific list of Becher's sons is unique to 1 Chronicles 7, contrasting with other Benjaminite genealogies (like Gen 46:21 and 1 Chr 8), it highlights the chronicler's specific intent and potentially selective or expanded focus, perhaps drawing on records unique to this tribal branch or illustrating the re-establishment of family units following exile. These lists quietly polemicize against the fluidity of identity common in some surrounding cultures by establishing clear, divinely ordained lines of descent.

1 Chronicles 7 8 Word analysis

• And (וְ / ve-): A common Hebrew conjunctive particle, simply linking this statement to the preceding information about the tribe of Benjamin. It denotes continuation and addition.
• the sons of Becher (בְּנֵי בֶ֙כֶר֙ / b'nei Bekher):
  • בְּנֵי (b'nei): Plural form of "son" (בֵּן / ben), meaning "sons of" or "descendants of." It strictly indicates male lineage, which was crucial for tribal records and inheritance.
  • בֶ֙כֶר֙ (Bekher): Means "firstborn" or "camel" (less likely here). Becher is identified as one of Benjamin's sons in Gen 46:21 and 1 Chr 7:6. This name itself (firstborn) could signify his original prominence in the lineage, though his full line is not detailed in all accounts. The variation in Benjamin's sons lists across different biblical books (Gen 46, Num 26, 1 Chr 7, 1 Chr 8) indicates different reporting aims or timeframes, but Becher remains a core initial descendant.
• Zemirah (זְמִירָ֔ה / Zemira): Meaning "song," "melody," or "pruning" (referring to a vine). The name suggests themes of joy or careful tending, though its exact significance in this context is unknown.
• Joash (יוֹעָ֣שׁ / Yoash): Meaning "the Lord has given" or "Yahweh is strong." This is a relatively common Hebrew name found throughout the Bible, signifying divine providence or strength.
• Eliezer (אֱלִיעֶ֔זֶר / Eli'ezer): Meaning "My God is help." A name indicative of reliance on divine assistance, famously borne by Abraham's chief servant (Gen 15:2) and one of Moses' sons (Exod 18:4). Its inclusion highlights a common theme of God as helper within Israelite naming conventions.
• Elioenai (אֶלְיוֹעֵנַ֥י / Eliyo'enai): Meaning "My eyes are toward Yahweh" or "To Yahweh are my eyes." This deeply spiritual name expresses a posture of anticipation, hope, or dependence upon God.
• Omri (עָמְרִ֛י / Omri): Meaning "my sheaf" or "servant of Yahweh." This name, though later infamous due to King Omri of Israel (1 Ki 16:23), predates that monarchy and appears here as a common Benjamite name, indicating the diversity of names within the tribe.
• Jeremoth (יְרֵמֽוֹת / Yeremoth): Meaning "heights" or "exaltations." A name possibly alluding to elevation or distinction. It also appears in Ezra as a post-exilic individual (Ezra 10:27, 29).
• Abiah (אֲבִיָּ֖ה / Aviya): Meaning "My father is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is (my) father." A theophoric name, frequently occurring in biblical texts, it underscores a relational and possessive connection to God as a father figure.
• Anathoth (עֲנָתוֹת֙ / 'Anathoth): While a personal name here, 'Anathoth is widely known as the name of a Levitical city in Benjamin (Josh 21:18) and the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1:1; 11:21; 32:7). This inclusion in a genealogy suggests either a person named after the town, or a prominent family of Becher's line was foundational to this locale, or simply adopted a name with local significance. It highlights the intertwining of geographical and ancestral identities in ancient Israelite records.
• Alameth (עָלֶ֑מֶת / 'Alameth): Meaning "covering" or possibly related to "youth" or "eternity." This name, like Anathoth, is also associated with a town, Alameth or Almon (1 Chr 6:60, Josh 21:18), a city in Benjamin. Its presence suggests another instance of a personal name likely linked to a town, indicating either a founder or a prominent family connected to the location, underscoring the deep roots of families in specific tribal territories.
• All these are the sons of Becher (כָּל־אֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵי־בָֽכֶר׃ / kol-elleh b'nei-Bakher): This concluding phrase explicitly reaffirms the entire preceding list as the legitimate descendants of Becher, serving as a comprehensive summary and emphasis of the stated genealogy. It reinforces the authority and finality of the record, leaving no doubt about their familial connection.

1 Chronicles 7 8 Bonus section

The divergences between genealogical lists in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Benjamin's sons in Gen 46, Num 26, 1 Chr 7, 1 Chr 8) are subjects of significant scholarly discussion. These discrepancies are often explained not as errors, but as indicative of differing purposes, methods of compilation, or historical vantage points of the ancient compilers. For instance, some lists may represent "heads of houses," while others include those who lived later or founders of sub-clans. "Sons" could sometimes mean direct male offspring, grandsons, or even leading descendants, tribal divisions, or cities established by the family line, particularly when town names like Anathoth and Alameth appear among individuals. This practice, sometimes termed "genealogical compression" or "filiation," reflects a fluidity in ancient genealogical recording not typically found in modern, strictly biological definitions. The meticulous nature of these lists, even with their variations, ultimately testifies to Israel's unique self-understanding as a people chosen and sustained by divine covenant, with an unbroken, divinely ordained history contrasting with the more ephemeral or mythical origins of surrounding nations. Benjamin's enduring presence in the biblical narrative, highlighted by figures like King Saul, Mordecai, and the Apostle Paul, underscores the significance of this tribal line that endured against great odds (as seen in the devastating civil war against Benjamin in Judges 19-21) to contribute fundamentally to Israel's story.

1 Chronicles 7 8 Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:8, seemingly a mere list of names, serves as a crucial building block in the Chronicler's broader theological and historical agenda. It is not just a bland inventory but a vital link in establishing the continuous chain of the Benjaminite tribe, ensuring their presence within the tapestry of God's covenant people after the return from Babylonian exile. These genealogies reassured the Jewish remnant that they were indeed the true descendants of those to whom God had made promises, legitimizing their claim to the land and their place in the renewed community. The specific naming of individuals, some of whom bear names also found as cities (Anathoth, Alameth), suggests either a foundational connection of these families to the establishment of these towns, or an incorporation of place-names into family identity to solidify territorial claims. Such detailed records allowed the returned exiles to reconnect with their heritage, identify their family responsibilities, and reconstruct a society based on God's historical plan. In essence, it shows the meticulous hand of God working through generations, maintaining His people despite dispersal and return. Practically, it highlights the divine value placed on individual lives and families within the grand scope of redemption, reminding us that even the "small" details of our lineage and identity are significant in God's eternal purposes.