1 Chronicles 8 31

1 Chronicles 8:31 kjv

And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.

1 Chronicles 8:31 nkjv

Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,

1 Chronicles 8:31 niv

Gedor, Ahio, Zeker

1 Chronicles 8:31 esv

Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,

1 Chronicles 8:31 nlt

Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah,

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 31 Meaning

This verse meticulously lists four specific individuals – Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, and Mikloth – who are identified as part of the extensive genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin. These names serve as precise links in the intricate family tree being traced by the Chronicler, specifically within the lineage stemming from Jeiel and his wife Maacah, which ultimately leads to King Saul. It functions as a direct and unadorned continuation of the family record.

1 Chronicles 8 31 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 8 provides an extensive and highly detailed genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin. This particular chapter opens by tracing Benjamin's immediate descendants (vv. 1-2) and then expands to include numerous lines, often complex and interwoven, spanning several generations. Verses 29-40, which encompass verse 31, focus specifically on the family line originating from Jeiel, who is identified as "the father of Gibeon," and his wife Maacah. This particular branch of the Benjaminite family is significant because it leads directly to Kish, the father of Saul, Israel's first king (vv. 33-34).

In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, genealogies were far more than simple family registers. They served crucial functions: to establish land ownership rights and tribal inheritances; to validate identity and social standing within the community; and most profoundly, to affirm the continuity of God's covenant with His people, preserving the lineage for the fulfillment of His promises, including the eventual advent of the Messiah. For the Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic community, these detailed records were paramount in re-establishing identity, legitimacy, and a sense of enduring connection to the nation's divinely appointed past, even through periods of great upheaval like the exile. The meticulous naming of individuals in this lineage, leading to a prominent figure like Saul, highlights God's sovereignty over history and His detailed plan, regardless of who sat on the throne.

1 Chronicles 8 31 Word analysis

• "Gedor" (וּגְדוֹר, uGədor):

  • This is a personal name, functioning as one of the many links in the extensive Benjaminite family tree. While "Gedor" also appears as a place name in Judah (e.g., Josh 15:58), here it clearly denotes an individual descendant.
  • The prefixed "וּ" (u) serves as a conjunctive, meaning "and," seamlessly connecting this name to those previously mentioned in the list, indicating its place within a continuous flow of lineage.
  • Significance: Its inclusion highlights the Chronicler's rigorous commitment to a comprehensive and exact record of lineage, affirming the importance of each named individual within God's providentially preserved history.

• "Ahio" (וְאָחְיוֹ, wə'Aḥyo):

  • A personal name, possibly derived from the Hebrew term for "brother" (ach). In this context, it is definitively a personal name of an individual within this specific Benjaminite line, appearing as part of the same generational grouping.
  • Significance: As with "Gedor," its presence demonstrates the meticulous detail of the genealogy. It reinforces the idea that even names not otherwise prominently featured in grand biblical narratives are carefully preserved by God's plan.

• "Zecher" (וּזְכַר, uZəkār):

  • A personal name. The root zakhar (זכר) typically means "to remember" or "male." Thus, the name could convey a sense of one who remembers or is to be remembered.
  • Significance: Its placement further solidifies the extensive nature of the genealogical record. The subtle potential meaning of "remembering" might also resonate with the Chronicler's purpose: ensuring the history and identity of God's people are not forgotten.

• "Mikloth" (וּמִקְלוֹת, uMiqlôṯ):

  • A personal name, likely connected to a root implying something measured or a rod/staff, though its precise etymological meaning in this context is uncertain. Notably, a Mikloth is mentioned elsewhere in this chapter (v. 32) as a descendant of Jonathan (who is part of this broader family) and again in 1 Chr 9:38.
  • Significance: The inclusion of Mikloth, and his reappearance elsewhere within the chapter, emphasizes the interwoven and complex nature of family relationships in this period. It reinforces the Chronicler's precision in detailing the full scope of Saul's lineage, providing tangible connections within the larger family network and demonstrating consistency in his records.

• Words-group analysis: "Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, and Mikloth":

  • The consistent use of the conjunctive "and" (the Hebrew vav conjunctive, appearing as u or wə before each name) indicates a direct enumeration of individuals. In the absence of descriptors like "his son" or "descendant of," it implies they are either siblings or of the same generational cluster, all flowing from the specific branch of Benjamin's lineage under focus. The Chronicler’s decision to list these individuals by name, without grouping them generally (e.g., "his many sons"), stresses the particularity and significance of each person within the grand scheme of God's covenant plan. This serves to authenticate and anchor the post-exilic community to their ancestral roots, emphasizing that even seemingly minor individuals played a role in the continuous divine unfolding of Israel's history and the preservation of specific tribal lines crucial for God's ongoing purposes.

1 Chronicles 8 31 Bonus section

• Genealogies as Affirmation: For the Chronicler’s audience, recently returned from exile, the exhaustive genealogies in 1 Chronicles provided a powerful affirmation of their identity and a connection to the sacred history of their ancestors. This helped rebuild national morale and established legitimate claims to tribal lands and community roles.
• The Chronicler's Sources and Intent: The precision observed in a verse like 1 Chr 8:31 indicates the Chronicler's access to detailed, authoritative genealogical records. His intent was not merely to list names but to show the continuity of God’s covenant purposes, emphasizing that God did not abandon His people or forget His promises, even when the throne moved from Benjamin (Saul) to Judah (David).
• Significance of Benjamin's Genealogy: While David's lineage from Judah is central, Benjamin's genealogy is crucial because it includes Israel's first king, Saul. By meticulously recording Saul's lineage, the Chronicler sets the stage for Saul's role in the monarchy, as well as the transition to the Davidic dynasty, showing God's sovereign hand in both the chosen and the transitional phases of Israel's history.

1 Chronicles 8 31 Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:31, listing Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, and Mikloth, acts as a building block in the Chronicler's deliberate construction of Israel's past. Far from a tedious list, this detailed Benjaminite genealogy (particularly the line of Jeiel, father of Gibeon, leading to Saul in v. 33) served vital functions for its post-exilic audience. It was designed to anchor the identity of the returned exiles to their heritage, validating their tribal and land claims. The precise naming of individuals, even those without an accompanying narrative, underscores the divine preservation of God's covenant people. Each name represents a direct link in the historical chain, a testament to God's enduring faithfulness in meticulously recording and fulfilling His promises through generations. The very act of cataloging such specifics illustrates a profound biblical truth: God values individual lives, knowing each person by name and carefully weaving them into His larger redemptive tapestry, regardless of their societal prominence.

For practical application, consider:

• God remembers His people. Just as every name in a seemingly minor genealogy is recorded, so too are believers known to Him (Phil 4:3).
• Even "ordinary" lives play a part. The unnamed or lesser-known individuals in our own spiritual heritage (teachers, mentors, faithful church members) have contributed to the legacy of faith we inherit, embodying a continuity akin to these biblical lineages.