1 Chronicles 8 33

1 Chronicles 8:33 kjv

And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

1 Chronicles 8:33 nkjv

Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.

1 Chronicles 8:33 niv

Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal.

1 Chronicles 8:33 esv

Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal;

1 Chronicles 8:33 nlt

Ner was the father of Kish.
Kish was the father of Saul.
Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malkishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 33 Meaning

1 Chronicles 8:33 establishes a specific lineage within the tribe of Benjamin, detailing a direct line from Ner through Kish to Saul, the first king of Israel. It then lists four of Saul's notable sons: Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. This genealogical record primarily serves to bridge the tribal accounts of Benjamin with the royal history of Israel, laying the groundwork for the more detailed narratives concerning Saul and David that follow in Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 8 33 Context

1 Chronicles 8:33 is part of an extensive genealogical record stretching from chapter 1 through chapter 9, covering the descendants of Adam to the families of Judah and Benjamin who returned from Babylonian exile. Specifically, chapter 8 focuses on the tribe of Benjamin, notorious for its troubled history (Judges 19-21) but also significant as the tribe from which Israel's first king, Saul, emerged. The Chronist’s primary aim in these genealogies is to establish continuity from Israel's ancient past through to the post-exilic community, emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises (especially regarding the Davidic line), and legitimize the tribes present in Judah.

This particular verse within the Benjaminite genealogy highlights the ancestral line of King Saul. The chronicler details Saul's family connections (leading back to Jeiel, the "father" or founder of Gibeon), a place tied to Israelite history and the initial Philistine conflicts. The listing of Saul's direct sons here sets the stage for 1 Chronicles chapter 10, which swiftly recounts Saul's demise in battle, thereby transitioning the narrative focus from Saul to David's righteous reign, the central figure for the Chronicler.

1 Chronicles 8 33 Word Analysis

• And: (Heb. וְ ve-) A conjunction, linking this lineage directly to the preceding genealogical list of Benjamin. It denotes continuation and flow within the broader tribal record.
• Ner: (Heb. נֵר Ner) This name means "lamp" or "light." He is presented here as the father of Kish and grandfather of Saul. In 1 Sam 14:50, Ner is explicitly stated as the father of Abner, Saul's army commander. While some interpretations reconcile genealogies (e.g., Ner as Saul's uncle in 1 Chr 9:36, implying multiple family trees or roles), here the straightforward 'begat' suggests direct fatherhood to Kish within this specific chronicled line. This indicates the intertwining and potential ambiguity of biblical genealogies which can signify different forms of familial or tribal relationship (e.g. progenitor, clan-head).
• begat: (Heb. יָלַד yalad) A common verb in genealogies, meaning "to give birth to," "to beget," or "to father." It consistently denotes direct parentage and lineage transmission, essential for tracing family lines and tribal affiliations. Its repeated use underlines the chain of descent.
• Kish: (Heb. קִישׁ Qish) Means "snare" or "bow." He was a wealthy and influential man from Benjamin, notable for being the father of Saul (1 Sam 9:1-2). His standing is implicitly important as the progenitor of the first king.
• Saul: (Heb. שָׁאוּל Sha'ul) Meaning "asked for" or "loaned" (from God). The first king of Israel, appointed by God through Samuel at the request of the people (1 Sam 8:5). His reign was marked by initial success followed by disobedience, ultimately leading to his rejection and tragic end (1 Sam 15; 31). His inclusion here marks the emergence of the monarchy within Israel's history.
• Jonathan: (Heb. יְהוֹנָתָן Yehonatan) Meaning "the LORD has given." Saul's eldest son, famous for his steadfast loyalty to David, even when it contradicted his father's command and his own royal prospects. He symbolizes a righteous man despite his lineage, establishing a crucial link between Saul's family and the incoming Davidic dynasty.
• Malchi-shua: (Heb. מַלְכִּי־שׁוּעַ Malki-shua) Meaning "my king is salvation" or "my king is a savior." One of Saul's sons who died with his father on Mount Gilboa (1 Sam 31:2; 1 Chr 10:2). His inclusion notes a key member of Saul's inner circle, whose fate was tied to the end of Saul's reign.
• Abinadab: (Heb. אֲבִינָדָב Avinadav) Meaning "my father is generous" or "my father is noble." Another son of Saul who perished in the battle on Mount Gilboa (1 Sam 31:2; 1 Chr 10:2). He is also identified as Ishvi in 1 Sam 14:49, possibly a variant name or a scribal difference in tradition, highlighting the occasional variations in biblical texts regarding personal names.
• Esh-baal: (Heb. אֶשְׁבַּעַל 'Eshba'al) Meaning "man of Baal" or "fire of Baal." This is the original name of Saul's son who later reigned briefly over Israel. He is more commonly known as Ish-bosheth (Heb. אִישׁ־בֹּשֶׁת 'Ish-bosheth, meaning "man of shame" or "man of humiliation") in the books of Samuel (2 Sam 2:8). The Chronicler uses "Esh-baal," reflecting an earlier naming convention where "Baal" (lord) might have been used in a general sense, not specifically linked to the Canaanite deity Baal in a pejorative way, or to highlight historical accuracy from an earlier record. The later change to "Ish-bosheth" likely occurred during or after a period of intense Baal worship, when association with "Baal" became blasphemous. Esh-baal's brief reign signifies the tumultuous interregnum before David firmly established his kingship over all Israel.

1 Chronicles 8 33 Bonus Section

• Variations in Genealogical Accounts: While 1 Chronicles 8:33 is straightforward, other genealogies (like 1 Chr 9:35-39, and parts of Samuel) present slightly different structures for Ner and Kish, leading some scholars to suggest the genealogies might trace different branches of the same family or utilize various traditions available to the Chronicler. These differences are generally minor and do not alter the core historical connection to Saul's family but rather highlight the ancient practice of oral tradition and varied written records.
• Significance of Benjaminite Lineage: The prominence given to Benjamin, a relatively smaller tribe, and particularly to Saul's line within its genealogy, underscores the tribal basis of early Israelite kingship. It shows that even rejected leadership, like Saul's, was rooted in an authentic tribal background acknowledged by the divine appointment, though not enduringly blessed.
• The Chronicler's Agenda: The meticulous inclusion of genealogies like this serves the Chronicler's broader purpose: to establish a sense of continuity for the returned exiles, reassuring them of their place in God's covenant history. By linking them back through Saul to the patriarchal age, it underscores God's unwavering faithfulness across generations and events, including exile.
• Messianic Thread (Implicit): Although this verse details Saul's line, its placement directly preceding the focus on David implicitly emphasizes the transition from humanly desired kingship (Saul) to divinely chosen and eternally promised kingship (David), thereby indirectly setting the stage for the coming Davidic Messiah.

1 Chronicles 8 33 Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:33 is a terse genealogical entry, yet profoundly significant for understanding the Chronicler's narrative design. By tracing Saul's lineage within the extensive Benjaminite lists, it immediately anchors the historical emergence of Israel's monarchy within the larger framework of God's covenant with His people, a covenant continuously demonstrated through generational continuity. This verse specifically enumerates Saul's notable sons, directly foreshadowing their roles—or lack thereof—in the transfer of kingship to David.

Jonathan's inclusion is paramount; his unwavering loyalty to David, highlighted in 1 Samuel, stands in stark contrast to his father's escalating paranoia and opposition. He represents a bridge figure, a man of righteousness within Saul's flawed dynasty. The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, uses such connections to reinforce themes of fidelity to God's chosen leader (David), irrespective of bloodlines.

The naming of "Esh-baal" (instead of Ish-bosheth, "man of shame," used in Samuel) is a crucial textual detail. It might indicate the Chronicler's reliance on older source material, or a specific choice to present the original name, trusting the audience to understand the subsequent theological shift concerning the name "Baal." This detail hints at historical naming practices and their evolution based on theological and polemical contexts, reminding the reader of the careful editorial choices in biblical compilation. The overall trajectory set by this verse is from a lineage culminating in Saul, whose reign ultimately failed, to the soon-to-be-detailed ascension of David, whose lineage would become the enduring, Messianic line. It's a foundational step in Chronicles' re-telling of Israel's story through a Judah-centric, temple-focused, and Davidic covenant-centered lens.