1 Chronicles 8 29

1 Chronicles 8:29 kjv

And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah:

1 Chronicles 8:29 nkjv

Now the father of Gibeon, whose wife's name was Maacah, dwelt at Gibeon.

1 Chronicles 8:29 niv

Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife's name was Maakah,

1 Chronicles 8:29 esv

Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon, and the name of his wife was Maacah.

1 Chronicles 8:29 nlt

Jeiel (the father of Gibeon) lived in the town of Gibeon. His wife's name was Maacah,

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 29 Meaning

First Chronicles 8:29 identifies Jeiel as an ancestor who lived in Gibeon, explicitly mentioning his wife Maacah. This verse serves as part of a detailed genealogical record, particularly focusing on the tribe of Benjamin, and sets the stage for the lineage that leads to King Saul. It emphasizes a specific family's establishment in a significant biblical location.

1 Chronicles 8 29 Context

First Chronicles Chapter 8 is primarily a comprehensive genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin. It meticulously lists descendants, often indicating their geographical settlements. Verses 29-40, specifically, begin to detail a prominent family residing in Gibeon, tracing a direct line to Saul, the first king of Israel. This section’s nearly identical repetition in 1 Chronicles 9:35-44 highlights its significance to the Chronicler, underscoring the lineage connected to royal authority and an important Judean city. Historically, Gibeon was a significant Hivite city (later Benjaminite), famous for its treaty with Joshua, major battles, and as a primary place of worship before the building of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. For the post-exilic audience, these genealogies reaffirmed tribal identities, land claims, and historical continuity with their patriarchal past and divine promises.

1 Chronicles 8 29 Word analysis

• And in Gibeon (וּבְגִבְעוֹן - ū·və·Giḇ·‘ōn):
  • Gibeon (גִּבְעוֹן - Giḇ‘ōn): A prominent city within the territory of Benjamin (Josh 18:25). Its name likely means "hill" or "hilly place." It was initially a Hivite city that tricked Israel into a treaty (Josh 9), later becoming a significant levitical city and a high place where the tabernacle rested (1 Kgs 3:4). Its mention anchors the genealogy to a specific, historically important locale.
• dwelt (יָשַׁב - yā·šaḇ):
  • Meaning "to sit down," "to abide," "to inhabit," or "to settle." This verb implies an established, permanent residence, indicating that Jeiel and his family were settled citizens or founders in Gibeon, not transient residents.
• the father of Gibeon (אֲבִי גִבְעוֹן - ’ă·ḇî Giḇ‘ōn):
  • This phrase uses the Hebrew word for "father" (אָב - 'āv), which here functions idiomatically. It does not mean Jeiel was the biological father of the entire city. Instead, "father of" (like "father of Beer-sheba" or "father of Jerusalem") can signify:
    • A principal inhabitant or leading citizen.
    • A founder or "ancestor" of the community associated with that place.
    • The head of a dominant clan or family in the locale.
    • One who played a foundational role in the city's identity or lineage. It highlights Jeiel's significant patriarchal status within Gibeon.
• Jeiel (יְעִיאֵל - Yə·‘î·’êl):
  • A common Hebrew name, typically meaning "God carries away" or "God treasures." While the name itself doesn't offer specific theological insight in this context, its inclusion emphasizes the Chronicler's precision in listing prominent individuals.
• whose wife's name was Maachah (וְשֵׁם אִשְׁתּוֹ מַעֲכָה - wə·šêm ’iš·tô Ma‘·ă·ḵāh):
  • Maachah (מַעֲכָה - Ma‘·ă·ḵāh): A feminine name, common in this period, potentially meaning "oppression" or "depression," or related to a region by that name.
  • The explicit mention of a wife's name in a patriarchal genealogy, while not constant, is noteworthy. It highlights the significant role women sometimes played in establishing or contributing to the identity of a family line, particularly when they came from notable families or produced prominent offspring. It points to a direct, legitimate lineage for Jeiel.

1 Chronicles 8 29 Bonus section

• Duplication and Emphasis: The exact repetition of this verse (and subsequent verses) in 1 Chronicles 9:35-44 underscores its paramount importance to the Chronicler's post-exilic audience. It wasn't merely a record-keeping exercise, but a purposeful act to confirm the identity and heritage of those returning to their land. This duplication highlights the enduring significance of this family line, specifically due to its connection to King Saul, Israel's first king.
• Genealogical Purpose: These genealogical lists are not merely dry lists of names; they are foundational historical and theological documents. For the Israelites, especially those rebuilding Jerusalem after the exile, knowing their lineage reinforced their identity as God's chosen people, clarified land inheritance, priestly assignments, and communal roles, and affirmed the continuity of God's covenant with them across generations.
• Gibeon's Strategic Importance: Highlighting Jeiel's connection to Gibeon is crucial because Gibeon was not just any town. Its location was strategic, its history replete with key events of national significance (covenant-breaking with Joshua, critical battles, and a central worship site before the Temple). This linkage strengthens the socio-historical significance of Jeiel's family.

1 Chronicles 8 29 Commentary

First Chronicles 8:29 serves as a specific anchor within the larger Benjaminite genealogy. By naming Jeiel as "the father of Gibeon" (meaning a significant ancestor or leading figure in the town) and specifying his wife, Maacah, the Chronicler reinforces the stability and importance of this particular lineage within the overall tribal structure. The location, Gibeon, is key; its historical and religious significance (site of Joshua's victory, the sun standing still, and the location of the Tabernacle before the Temple) adds weight to any family associated with it. This verse is not just a bare fact; it is part of a deliberate theological narrative demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving families and maintaining the continuity of His people, especially those connected to significant places and, as seen in the broader context of chapters 8-9, the royal line of King Saul. The inclusion of a woman's name, Maacah, also subtly reminds the audience that lineage often passes through, and depends on, both male and female contributors.