1 Chronicles 8 18

1 Chronicles 8:18 kjv

Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;

1 Chronicles 8:18 nkjv

Ishmerai, Jizliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.

1 Chronicles 8:18 niv

Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.

1 Chronicles 8:18 esv

Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.

1 Chronicles 8:18 nlt

Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 18 Meaning

1 Chronicles 8:18 identifies three specific individuals – Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab – as direct descendants of Elpaal. This verse, situated within the extensive genealogies of the book of Chronicles, primarily serves to record and preserve the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin. It underscores the importance of tribal identity, family structure, and the continuity of the covenant community, linking the post-exilic audience back to their historical roots and divine promises. The listing of names, though seemingly simple, reinforces the divine preservation of God’s people and their heritage through generations.

1 Chronicles 8 18 Context

First Chronicles chapter 8 continues the extensive genealogies presented in chapters 1-9, which lay the foundational framework for the Chronicler's theological narrative. Specifically, chapter 8 meticulously lists the descendants of Benjamin. Benjamin's tribe held unique significance as it bordered Judah and contained Jerusalem and the Temple. For the post-exilic community in Judah (to whom Chronicles was primarily addressed), these genealogies served a vital function: to establish identity, legitimate land claims in the promised land, demonstrate continuity with pre-exilic Israel, and affirm the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Listing each "son" provided assurance that God had preserved His people and their families through all historical vicissitudes, including the Babylonian exile. The meticulous detail in enumerating the male lines highlights the importance of the continuity of lineage for the preservation of tribal identity, communal worship, and territorial rights within the returned community.

1 Chronicles 8 18 Word analysis

• Ishmerai (יִשְׁמְרַי֙ - yišmĕray): This Hebrew name likely derives from the root "shamar" (שָׁמַר), meaning "to keep," "to guard," or "to preserve." While no specific narrative is associated with this individual in the Bible, the name itself carries the potential meaning of "Jehovah guards" or "he guards." Its presence in a genealogical list within a book focused on God's covenant faithfulness could subtly underscore the theme of God's protection and preservation of His people throughout history, even when only a name is recorded.
• Izliah (יִזְלִיאָ֣הוּ - yizlî'āhû): The meaning of this Hebrew name is not definitively established among scholars, making its etymological significance less clear than some other biblical names. It may relate to concepts of "drawing out" or "extracting," but this remains speculative. Like many names in long genealogical lists, its primary significance lies in its role of linking generations and confirming descent, rather than imparting a specific theological meaning.
• Jobab (יוֹבָ֖ב - yôḇāḇ): This is a name that appears elsewhere in Scripture, including in Genesis 10:29 (as a son of Joktan, a descendant of Shem) and as a king of Edom in Genesis 36:33. Its etymology is debated but possibly means "howling" or "who cries out." Its recurrence here emphasizes the ancient roots and common names within the broader Israelite and Semitic cultures, reinforcing the deep historical continuity that the genealogies seek to establish for the audience.
• sons (בָּנִ֖ים - bānîm): The term "sons" is crucial as these genealogies primarily follow the male lineage (patrilineal descent). In ancient Israelite society, tribal identity, inheritance, and land ownership passed through the male line. The phrase "sons of" signifies direct offspring and establishes the precise generational link, vital for confirming membership in a specific family, clan, and tribe, which was fundamental to the socio-religious structure of Israel.
• Elpaal (אֶלְפַּ֥עַל - ’elpā‘al): This is a significant Hebrew name composed of two elements: "El" (אֵל), meaning "God," and "pa'al" (פָּעַל), meaning "to act," "to work," or "to do." Therefore, the name "Elpaal" means "God acts" or "God has made/done." Within the theological framework of Chronicles, this name quietly echoes the Chronicler's primary message: that God is actively involved in the history of His people, that He fulfills His promises, and that their present existence and heritage are a direct result of His sovereign "acts" or "work." This name, though seemingly just another entry, points to the overarching divine agency that permeates the Chronicler's historical retelling.

1 Chronicles 8 18 Bonus section

The extensive genealogical lists in Chronicles, of which 1 Chronicles 8:18 is a small part, reflect a fundamental aspect of Israelite theology: the covenant between God and Abraham was hereditary. This made the exact tracing of family lines not merely a historical exercise, but a theological and legal imperative for the returned exiles. It served to:

1. Reaffirm Identity: For a community that had lost much during exile, these lists rebuilt their sense of who they were as the people of God.
2. Legitimize Land Claims: Reclaiming ancestral lands in Judah required clear documentation of tribal and familial inheritance.
3. Validate Priestly and Levitical Service: Eligibility for service in the Temple depended on verifiable lineage to specific families within the tribes of Levi and Aaron.
4. Connect Present to Past Glory: By linking current generations directly to David, Solomon, and the patriarchal era, the Chronicler sought to inspire hope and faithfulness. The names were concrete proof of God's unbroken chain of faithfulness despite the Exile.
5. Subtly Correct Perspectives: While seemingly neutral, the careful listing of lineages, particularly for southern tribes like Judah and Benjamin, reinforced a continuity that bypassed the northern kingdom's secession and emphasized Jerusalem's central role. This served as a polemic against any alternative claims to covenant identity outside of the Jerusalem-centered, Davidic lineage.

1 Chronicles 8 18 Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:18, an unremarkable listing of names, paradoxically holds profound significance within the Chronicler's vision. It is part of the meticulous preservation of Israel's tribal lineages, especially Benjamin, important for the post-exilic community's identity and claim to their ancestral land and place in the restored covenant. The seemingly mundane record underscores the Chronicler's commitment to documenting God's faithfulness through generations. Every name confirms God's enduring covenant and His preservation of a remnant. The inclusion of names like Elpaal ("God acts") further emphasizes the divine agency behind their history. The diligent preservation of these specific family lines provided stability, rooted the community in their past, and oriented them towards God's ongoing work, despite past disruptions like the exile. These lists were vital records for maintaining order, land tenure, and eligibility for sacred service in the newly re-established community.