1 Chronicles 8 30

1 Chronicles 8:30 kjv

And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,

1 Chronicles 8:30 nkjv

And his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,

1 Chronicles 8:30 niv

and his firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,

1 Chronicles 8:30 esv

His firstborn son: Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,

1 Chronicles 8:30 nlt

and his oldest son was named Abdon. Jeiel's other sons were Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,

1 Chronicles 8 30 Cross References

VerseTextReference
1 Chron 8:29-39Jeiel was the father of Gibeon, and the name of his wife was Maacah…Parallel Benjamite lineage (Jeiel's family).
1 Chron 9:35-39In Gibeon lived Jeiel the father of Gibeon; his wife’s name was Maacah…Nearly identical parallel lineage.
1 Sam 9:1-2There was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish… and he had a son… Saul.Identifies Kish as King Saul's father.
Gen 46:8-27These are the names of the sons of Israel… and their children…Extensive family lineages (Jacob's descendants).
Num 26A census of all the Israelites twenty years old or more…Tribal censuses and their associated genealogies.
Ezra 2These are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity…Importance of genealogies for identity post-exile.
Neh 7These are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity…Verification of lineages for land and roles.
Deut 21:17…he must acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn…Rights and recognition of the firstborn son.
Exo 4:22Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.’Israel as God's specially designated firstborn.
Col 1:15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.Christ's supreme preeminence (spiritual "firstborn").
Heb 12:23…to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven…Spiritual concept of the "church of the firstborn".
Judg 6:32…on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, “Let Baal contend with him…”Example of "Baal" in an Israelite name not tied to worship.
1 Ki 18:21-40Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and Asherah…Confrontation against the Canaanite deity Baal.
Hos 2:16-17“In that day,” declares the LORD, “you will call me ‘My Husband’… no longer call me ‘My Baal.’God desires "husband" not "master/Baal" for deep relationship.
Rom 11:4“I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”God's preservation of a faithful remnant.
2 Sam 21:1-6…concerning Saul and his bloodstained house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.Connection between Saul's house and Gibeonites.
Josh 9:17So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon…Historical importance and location of Gibeon.
1 Chron 8:1-29Earlier lists of Benjamite families before Jeiel's household.Detailed tribal genealogies.
1 Chron 8:31-32Follows up by listing additional sons of Jeiel and their children.Continuity of Jeiel's lineage.
Matt 1:1-17A record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David…New Testament example of meticulous genealogies.
Luke 3:23-38Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his ministry…New Testament priestly lineage tracing.
Psa 78:67-68Then he rejected the tents of Joseph… but chose the tribe of Judah.Importance of tribal choices in divine plan.

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 30 Meaning

1 Chronicles 8:30 meticulously lists five sons of Jeiel, a prominent figure associated with Gibeon and the tribe of Benjamin. It names his firstborn son as Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, and Nadab, thereby continuing the comprehensive genealogical record of the Benjamite clan. This specific verse contributes to establishing the tribal identity and historical lineage, which was crucial for the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 8 30 Context

1 Chronicles 8:30 is embedded within a long and detailed genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin, covering its diverse clans and prominent families. The chapter's primary focus is to trace the lineage of King Saul (1 Chron 8:33), the first king of Israel, thereby affirming the tribe's historical significance within God's chosen people, despite their prior military setback (Judges 20) and loss of kingship. Verses 29-38 specifically chronicle the descendants of Jeiel (also referred to as Abi-Gibeon), a key figure inhabiting Gibeon. This particular verse, 8:30, follows the introduction of Jeiel's household and identifies his first five sons, providing specific names crucial for tracing later lines, especially those leading to Saul. The historical context of the Chronicler's work is post-exilic, emphasizing the continuity of tribal identities, land inheritance, and the divine promises, particularly for those returning to rebuild the nation. Genealogies served as vital links to their heritage and God's faithfulness throughout history.

1 Chronicles 8 30 Word analysis

  • וּבְנוֹ (uvenvô) - "His son" / "And his son": The conjunction 'וּ' (u - "and") connects this statement to the preceding information about Jeiel. 'בְּנוֹ' (benô - "his son") signifies familial relation, the standard term for a male descendant, indicating the verse is extending the detailed family tree of Jeiel.
  • הַבְּכוֹר (ha·bəḵōr) - "the firstborn": The definite article 'הַ' (ha - "the") highlights the specific status. 'בְּכוֹר' (bekor) refers to the first son born, who traditionally held specific rights, including a double portion of the inheritance (Deut 21:17) and often leadership roles within the family. This designation emphasizes his primary standing among his siblings.
  • עַבְדּוֹן (Abdon): A Hebrew name meaning "servant" or "servitude." Its inclusion signifies a distinct individual in the family line. The name's meaning itself reflects a common theological theme of service in ancient Israel.
  • וְצוּר (Zur): The conjunction 'וְ' (wə - "and") connects him to the list. 'צוּר' (Tsur) is a Hebrew word meaning "rock" or "fortress." As a personal name, it could imply strength, stability, or protection, metaphorically likening the individual to a firm foundation. This name appears elsewhere in the Bible, demonstrating its usage beyond this context.
  • וְקִישׁ (Kish): 'קִישׁ' (Qish) is a Hebrew name, possibly meaning "bow," "hard," or "snare." This name is particularly significant within the Benjamite genealogy as it directly identifies the ancestor who would become the father of Israel's first king, Saul, as clearly stated in 1 Samuel 9:1 and further elaborated in subsequent verses within 1 Chronicles 8 (e.g., 1 Chron 8:33).
  • וּבַעַל (Baal): 'בַּעַל' (Ba‘al) primarily means "owner," "lord," or "master" in Hebrew. While later associated almost exclusively with the Canaanite fertility deity, in ancient Semitic cultures, it was a common component of names, potentially signifying one as a "lord" or a "master" even in reference to Yahweh, especially in earlier periods (e.g., "Jerubbaal" for Gideon, Judg 6:32). Its presence in a faithful tribal genealogy like Benjamin suggests a pre-exilic naming convention or a period where its use was less religiously charged than it later became following prophetic condemnation of idol worship. It highlights the complex religious landscape of ancient Israel.
  • וְנָדָב (Nadab): 'נָדָב' (Nadabh) is a Hebrew name meaning "generous," "willing," or "noble." This name also appears in other significant biblical contexts (e.g., Aaron's son, Lev 10:1; Jeroboam's son, 1 Ki 15:25), demonstrating its common usage and reflecting a desirable personal characteristic.

Words-Group Analysis:

  • "His firstborn son was Abdon": This phrase clearly identifies the head of this particular branch of Jeiel's family. The emphasis on "firstborn" highlights primogeniture and its legal and social implications in ancient Israelite society, affirming a clear succession and inheritance structure.
  • "then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab": This concise listing enumerates four additional sons, demonstrating the thriving lineage of Jeiel. The precise naming of each son ensures that the lineage is meticulously preserved. The inclusion of "Kish" subtly connects this branch of Benjamin to the future royal line of Saul, while "Baal" provides an interesting historical and linguistic insight into early Israelite naming conventions, potentially hinting at a broader use of the term "lord" before its later strong association solely with pagan deities.

1 Chronicles 8 30 Bonus section

The genealogical emphasis in Chronicles is profound, extending beyond mere historical record-keeping. The repetition of this exact lineage for Jeiel in 1 Chronicles 9:35-39 underscores its exceptional importance to the Chronicler, suggesting a deliberate intent to ensure its prominent place and perhaps provide an alternative source of authority in the early post-exilic period for verifying identity. The "Baal" name here might be the older form of Merib-Baal, one of Jonathan's sons, which in other texts is changed to Mephibosheth (1 Chron 8:34; 2 Sam 4:4), indicating a later intentional purification of names. This particular Benjamite lineage also highlights the strategic significance of Gibeon, often referenced in conjunction with the descendants of Saul and later Israelite history, making its "fathers" like Jeiel crucial figures in the broader narrative of God's people.

1 Chronicles 8 30 Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:30 serves as a crucial data point within the meticulous genealogies compiled by the Chronicler, emphasizing the unbroken lineage of the tribe of Benjamin, particularly leading up to King Saul. This verse, by listing Jeiel's sons, including the "firstborn" Abdon and the historically significant Kish (Saul's ancestor), underscores the preservation of family lines despite significant historical events, such as the exile. For the post-exilic community, such detailed records affirmed their heritage, land rights, and tribal identity. The inclusion of a name like "Baal" among righteous genealogies might appear unusual at first glance, but it serves as a valuable window into ancient Israel's fluid religious and linguistic environment prior to the clear distinctions brought forth by prophetic reform. It is not an endorsement of idolatry, but rather a reflection of the usage of the term "lord" in names, perhaps sometimes referring to Yahweh or as a common name element before its pejorative associations became fixed. This commitment to detail in the lineage, extending even to the offspring, communicates God's faithfulness in sustaining His people across generations and His sovereign hand in even their initial choice of leadership. It can also teach us the importance of understanding our spiritual lineage as believers in Christ (Eph 2:19) and maintaining faithfulness within the "household of God" (1 Tim 3:15).