1 Chronicles 8 15

1 Chronicles 8:15 kjv

And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,

1 Chronicles 8:15 nkjv

Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

1 Chronicles 8:15 niv

Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

1 Chronicles 8:15 esv

Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

1 Chronicles 8:15 nlt

Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

1 Chronicles 8 15 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 10:32from these the nations spread abroad...Emphasis on lineage and the spread of humanity.
Gen 46:8These are the names of the sons of Israel...Listing of family members and the origins of the tribes.
Exod 6:14-25These are the heads of their fathers' housesDetailed genealogies for tribal leaders and their families.
Num 1:18they registered themselves by families...Recording of individuals according to their tribal and family lineage.
Ruth 4:18-22Now these are the generations of Perez...Preserving the lineage leading to David, showing divine providence in human families.
1 Chr 1:1-2:2Adam, Seth, Enosh...Beginning of the comprehensive genealogical record in Chronicles, emphasizing heritage.
1 Chr 4:1-4:43The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron...Example of tribal genealogies detailing family branches and their territories.
1 Chr 7:6The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Jediael.Another entry on Benjamin's sons, illustrating the detailed record-keeping for the tribe.
Ezra 2:59-62These were the ones who came up...The importance of clear lineage for those returning from exile to prove their Israelite heritage.
Neh 7:61-64These were the ones who came up...Continued emphasis on accurate family records for establishing identity and priestly claims.
Luke 3:23-38...being the son (as was supposed) of JosephThe genealogy of Jesus, showing divine plan through historical lineage.
Matt 1:1-17The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ...The importance of recorded lineage to validate identity and messianic claims.
Acts 17:26from one man he made all the nations...God's sovereign arrangement of human lineage and dwelling places.
Heb 7:3-6Without father or mother, without genealogy...Highlighting the importance of human lineage, contrasting it with Melchizedek's eternal priesthood.
Titus 3:9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies...Warning against useless arguments over genealogies that distract from true faith, acknowledging their existence.
1 Tim 1:4nor devote themselves to myths and endless genealogiesSimilar to Titus, advising against preoccupation with trivial genealogical debates over godliness.
Jer 33:17-18For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a manGod's promise to maintain a perpetual line for priesthood and kingship.
Isa 9:6-7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdomProphecy of a ruler from David's line, connecting genealogies to divine promise.
Rom 11:1-2Has God rejected his people? By no means!...God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of Israel, reinforcing the importance of national identity.
Gal 3:16The promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring.The concept of "offspring" (seed) in promises, underpinning the importance of specific lineages.
Rev 7:4-8...from every tribe of the people of Israel...Mention of specific tribes and their sealed numbers in Revelation, showing enduring tribal identity.

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 15 Meaning

This verse lists five specific individuals: Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, and Malchiel, identifying them collectively as the direct male descendants or "sons" of Elpaal. It serves as a concise record within the larger genealogical accounts of the tribe of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles chapter 8.

1 Chronicles 8 15 Context

1 Chronicles 8 forms part of the lengthy genealogical sections (1 Chr 1-9) that introduce the Chronicler's work. This particular chapter is dedicated to the tribe of Benjamin, providing an extensive and sometimes convoluted list of families, chiefs, and important individuals. It includes the lineage of King Saul (who was from Benjamin) later in the chapter, but also details many other Benjaminite families who settled in different areas, especially Jerusalem.

The historical context is post-exilic, as the people have returned to the land after the Babylonian captivity. For this returned community, meticulous genealogical records were crucial. They served to:

  1. Re-establish Identity: Affirming who was genuinely Israelite and belonged to which tribe.
  2. Confirm Inheritance: Delineating ancestral land rights and properties.
  3. Validate Priestly Service: Proving descent for those claiming the right to serve in the Temple.
  4. Trace Messianic Hope: While not the primary focus of this specific verse, the broader context of genealogies ultimately paved the way for identifying the lineage of the Messiah (e.g., through Judah and David).This verse, listing Elpaal's sons, contributes to this detailed reconstruction of the Benjaminite tribal structure, emphasizing the family units that composed the broader community.

1 Chronicles 8 15 Word analysis

  • Zebadiah (זְבַדְיָה - Zebadyah):
    • Meaning: "Yahweh has bestowed" or "gift of Yahweh."
    • Significance: Common name combining "Zebad" (gift/portion) with "Yah" (short for Yahweh, the Lord's name). It reflects a recognition of God's benevolence in giving life or blessing. This type of theophoric name was common in Israel, testifying to the faith or perspective of the parents.
  • Meshullam (מְשֻׁלָּם - Meshullam):
    • Meaning: "Paid back," "peaceful," "complete," or "requited."
    • Significance: Appears frequently in post-exilic texts (Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles). The various meanings suggest concepts like completeness, restitution, or reconciliation, possibly reflecting hope or a characteristic desired for the child.
  • Hizki (חִזְקִי - Hizqi):
    • Meaning: A shortened form of Hezekiah (חִזְקִיָּהוּ - Hizqiyahu), meaning "Yahweh is my strength" or "Yahweh has strengthened."
    • Significance: As a diminutive or short form, it carries the full theological weight of the longer name, acknowledging God as the source of power and resilience.
  • Heber (חֶבֶר - Chever):
    • Meaning: "Associate," "fellow," "company," or "enchanter." In biblical usage, often related to association.
    • Significance: A relatively straightforward name. Its commonness in various forms suggests connections or tribal solidarity.
  • Malchiel (מַלְכִּיאֵל - Malki'el):
    • Meaning: "My king is God" or "God is my King."
    • Significance: This is another theophoric name, similar to Zebadiah and Hizki. The element "el" (אֵל) refers to God. It indicates an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and rule. It can reflect personal devotion or parental prayer for the child's life under divine kingship.
  • were the sons of Elpaal (בְּנֵי אֶלְפַּעַל - b'ney Elpa'al):
    • were the sons of: This standard Hebrew construction simply indicates direct patrilineal descent. It clearly establishes the relationship as immediate offspring, contributing to the precision of the genealogical record. It’s fundamental for tracking lineage and family units.
    • Elpaal (אֶלְפַּעַל - Elpa'al):
      • Meaning: "God has made" or "God of action/deed."
      • Significance: The element "El" (God) combines with "paal" (action/deed/work). It's another name affirming God's active involvement, creation, or sovereignty. As the patriarch of this immediate family unit, Elpaal's name might suggest his family's acknowledgment of God's hand in their establishment. This name is significant as it anchors this group of sons within the larger lineage, specifying their immediate familial source.

1 Chronicles 8 15 Bonus section

  • The presence of several theophoric names (names incorporating "Yahweh" or "El") among Elpaal's sons suggests a prevailing recognition of God's attributes or active hand within this Benjaminite family. This was a common naming convention in Israel, reflecting the spiritual landscape and personal piety of the era.
  • Genealogies in Chronicles often serve a didactic purpose, connecting the current post-exilic community back to their roots in God's covenant with Abraham, emphasizing continuity and the ongoing nature of divine promises. This specific verse contributes to filling out the roster of families who comprised the remnant of Israel.
  • The placement of this specific family unit within the wider chapter dedicated to Benjamin's genealogy indicates its importance in the Chronicler's attempt to provide a comprehensive, organized account of tribal relationships and settlements, especially after the disruption of the exile. It's a foundational building block for understanding the renewed community.

1 Chronicles 8 15 Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:15 stands as a simple but potent testament to the divine orchestration of human history through family lines. Far from being mere tedious lists, these genealogies served a vital purpose for the post-exilic community: restoring identity, land rights, and particularly the line of priesthood and kingship. Each name, though briefly mentioned, holds meaning that often testifies to the character or perceived activity of God by the parents. For instance, names like "Zebadiah," "Hizki," and "Malchiel" are mini-confessions of faith, proclaiming God's gift, strength, and kingship. The verse implicitly showcases God's faithfulness in preserving His people through the meticulous recording of generations. It emphasizes that every individual, no matter how briefly noted, contributes to the grand narrative of God's dealings with humanity. This granular attention to lineage underscores a theological point: God works through specific people, specific families, and specific histories to fulfill His broader promises. The seemingly dry details hold the promise of God’s covenant keeping through time.