1 Chronicles 8:3 kjv
And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
1 Chronicles 8:3 nkjv
The sons of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud,
1 Chronicles 8:3 niv
The sons of Bela were: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
1 Chronicles 8:3 esv
And Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
1 Chronicles 8:3 nlt
The sons of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud,
1 Chronicles 8 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 35:18 | She named him Ben-Oni, but his father named him Benjamin. | Benjamin's birth. |
| Gen 46:21 | The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. | Another list of Benjamin's sons (with Ard). |
| Num 26:38-40 | The sons of Benjamin by their clans: from Bela, the clan of the Belaites... Ard, the clan of the Ardites. | Wilderness census, lists Ard, not Addar. |
| 1 Chron 7:6-7 | The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael... The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five, heads of fathers' houses... | Parallel genealogy of Benjamin and Bela. |
| Gen 49:27 | "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil." | Jacob's prophecy concerning Benjamin. |
| Deut 33:12 | "Of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety by him; He shields him all the day long, and dwells between his shoulders." | Moses' blessing upon Benjamin. |
| Judg 3:15 | ...and the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite... | Gera's descendant as a deliverer. |
| 2 Sam 16:5 | When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera... | Gera's descendant in conflict with David. |
| 1 Sam 9:1-2 | There was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel... And he had a son whose name was Saul... | Saul's lineage from the tribe of Benjamin. |
| Ezr 2:1 | Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity... | Emphasis on lineage for returning exiles. |
| Neh 7:5 | My God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the common people for enrollment by genealogy... | Importance of genealogies post-exile. |
| Ruth 4:22 | ...and David was the father of Jesse. | Concluding a key genealogy (Davidic). |
| Matt 1:1 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. | Jesus' genealogy showing divine continuity. |
| Luke 3:23-38 | ...being the son of Joseph (as was supposed), the son of Heli... (the son) of Adam, the son of God. | Jesus' extended genealogy back to Adam. |
| 1 Tim 1:4 | nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. | Caution against excessive focus on genealogies. |
| Tit 3:9 | But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. | Warning against unproductive genealogical debates. |
| Rom 9:4-5 | They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises... | Covenant and promise tied to lineage/Israel. |
| Heb 7:3 | He is without father or mother or genealogy... | Melchizedek's lack of genealogy, contrasts priestly lineage. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession... | Spiritual lineage of believers. |
| Rev 21:27 | But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. | Record-keeping in God's plan. |
1 Chronicles 8 verses
1 Chronicles 8 3 Meaning
This verse details a specific part of the tribal lineage of Benjamin, listing three direct sons of Bela: Addar, Gera, and Abihud. Bela was Benjamin's firstborn, making this a significant branch within the tribe of Benjamin. These genealogical records were crucial in post-exilic Israel for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and understanding historical connections to God's covenant people.
1 Chronicles 8 3 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 8 continues the extensive genealogies begun earlier in the book, focusing specifically on the tribe of Benjamin. This focus is significant as Benjamin was the tribe from which Israel's first king, Saul, arose, and it held strategic land bordering Judah, often playing a complex role in inter-tribal relations. The Chronicler's primary audience was the post-exilic community returning to Jerusalem, who needed to re-establish their identity, land claims, and connections to their ancestral tribes and God's covenant promises. Listing these names meticulously, down to specific individuals like Bela's sons, affirmed their heritage, solidified communal bonds, and reminded them of their continuity with ancient Israel. This detailed recording reinforced the notion of a divinely preserved people and served to document who had the right to inherit land or serve in particular roles upon their return. The chapter transitions from Benjamin's earliest descendants to those who resided in Jerusalem at the time of the exile's return, indicating the re-establishment of the community in the capital.
1 Chronicles 8 3 Word analysis
The sons of Bela:
- Hebrew: בְּנֵי בֶלַע (Bnei Bela')
בְּנֵי(Bnei): The plural construct form ofבֵּן(ben), meaning "sons of." This signifies direct male lineage and descent, foundational to understanding tribal structure and inheritance in ancient Israel.בֶלַע(Bela'): Bela, the firstborn son of Benjamin, as recorded in Gen 46:21 and 1 Chron 7:6. His position as firstborn suggests a leading branch within the tribe. While the name may relate to "swallowing," its primary significance here is genealogical, identifying the specific familial branch. The inclusion of Bela's sons confirms the Chronicler's detailed tracing of specific Benjamite lines.
were Addar:
- Hebrew: וְאַדָּר (Wəʾaddar)
וְ(wə-): The conjunctive "and," here introducing the first son in the list.אַדָּר(ʾAddar): "Addar." This name often appears as Ard (אַרְדְּ, Ard) in other genealogies (Gen 46:21, Num 26:38, 40). This variation highlights typical ancient textual fluidity, either as different spellings of the same name or possibly different names for the same individual at various points in their life/line. The root adar can mean "majestic" or "glorious," suggesting a name perhaps indicative of the individual's or clan's esteemed nature.
Gera:
- Hebrew: גֵּרָא (Gēra')
גֵּרָא(Gēra'): "Gera." This name recurs within the Benjaminite tribe in the Old Testament, famously appearing in the ancestry of Ehud the Judge (Judg 3:15) and Shimei, who cursed David (2 Sam 16:5). Its presence here ties this lineage to historically prominent (or infamous) figures of Benjaminite descent, solidifying their historical record within the wider Biblical narrative. The etymology is debated but does not diminish its importance as a specific familial marker.
Abihud:
- Hebrew: וַאֲבִיהוּד (Wāʾăbîhûd)
וַ(wā-): The conjunctive "and," again introducing the next son.אֲבִיהוּד(ʾăbîhûd): "Abihud." This name means "my father is majesty" or "father of glory/praise," derived fromאָב(ʾab - "father") andהוֹד(hod - "glory" or "majesty"). It is specifically listed here as one of Bela's sons. The descriptive nature of the name might suggest a characteristic attributed to this branch of the family, perhaps indicative of their respected status or a blessing received from God.
1 Chronicles 8 3 Bonus section
The discrepancy between "Addar" in 1 Chronicles 8:3 and "Ard" in Genesis 46:21 and Numbers 26:40 is common in ancient Near Eastern texts, stemming from variations in transcription, phonetic shifts over time, or even alternative names for the same person or closely related family branches. Scholars suggest that "Addar" in Chronicles might be a fuller or later form of "Ard," or it might indicate the prominence of a particular lineage called Addar. The Chronicler often consolidates or provides more detailed information drawn from various historical records, creating a synthesis that best served the post-exilic community's needs for tribal affirmation. This verse contributes to the broader emphasis in Chronicles on lineage as a vehicle for covenant continuity, proving that God's promises and people endure through generations, even when specific individuals are merely named without further narrative. It highlights the importance of recognizing the diverse roots of the covenant people, demonstrating the intricacy of the Israelite family tree.
1 Chronicles 8 3 Commentary
1 Chronicles 8:3, like other genealogical entries in Chronicles, is not merely a dry list of names. It serves as a foundational building block for the identity and heritage of the post-exilic community. By meticulously tracing the sons of Bela, Benjamin's firstborn, the Chronicler validates specific family lines, affirming their claim to tribal membership, their ancestral lands, and their place within the returned covenant people. The variations in names like Addar/Ard, alongside the consistency of names like Gera, illustrate the thoroughness of ancient record-keeping while also acknowledging natural linguistic and traditional differences. These records underscore God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and His meticulous attention to His people, establishing their continuity from patriarchal times through generations, even amidst periods of dispersion and exile. It also implicitly highlights the tribal importance of Benjamin, being closely associated with Saul, the first king, and their territory proximate to Jerusalem.