1 Chronicles 8 34

1 Chronicles 8:34 kjv

And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.

1 Chronicles 8:34 nkjv

The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah.

1 Chronicles 8:34 niv

The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 8:34 esv

and the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 8:34 nlt

Jonathan was the father of Merib-baal.
Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 34 Meaning

This verse states that the son of Jonathan, the esteemed friend of David, was named Meribbaal, and that this Meribbaal subsequently became the father of Micah. It is a succinct record within the meticulous genealogies of 1 Chronicles, focusing on the lineage of Benjamin and specifically the descendants of King Saul through his son Jonathan, thereby tracking a line of significant individuals despite their exclusion from the royal succession that passed to David's family.

1 Chronicles 8 34 Context

First Chronicles chapter 8, together with chapter 9, forms a meticulous genealogical record primarily focused on the tribe of Benjamin, and specifically on the lineage of King Saul and his descendants. This detail is crucial for the Chronicler, who, writing for a post-exilic audience, emphasizes continuity, tribal identity, and land claims. These genealogies establish a historical link from the patriarchs to those who returned from exile, confirming their place within God's covenant people. The detailed listing of families within Benjamin ensures that even lines like Saul's, though they lost the kingship, are properly recorded within Israel's historical memory, connecting the past to the present and affirming the preservation of certain lineages for various purposes within the broader divine plan for Israel.

1 Chronicles 8 34 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve-): A simple conjunctive, connecting this statement to the preceding genealogy, signifying continuation and an additional detail in the family line.

• the son of Jonathan (בֶּן־יְהוֹנָתָן, ben-Yəhônātān): Directly identifies Meribbaal's father as Jonathan, King Saul's son and David's close covenant friend (1 Sam 18:1-4, 20:17). This emphasizes the preservation of Jonathan's direct line, an important point given David's oath to Jonathan.

• was Meribbaal (מְרִיב בַּעַל, Mərîḇ Ba‘al):

  • Meaning: This name, often rendered as Merib-Baal or Meribbaal, means "Baal contends," "Baal strives," or "contender of Baal." It reflects a period when elements of Baal worship might have infiltrated even prominent Israelite families.
  • Significance: This individual is primarily known in the books of Samuel as Mephibosheth (מְפִיבֹשֶׁת, Məphîḇōsheth). The change from "Meribbaal" to "Mephibosheth" (meaning "exterminator of shame," "dispeller of shame," or "from the mouth of shame") is significant. It represents a textual or scribal revision that polemically removes the pagan deity's name "Baal" (בעל) from the individual's name. This anti-Baal polemic is common in biblical texts, where "Baal" is replaced by "Bosheth" (בֹּשֶׁת, meaning "shame" or "ignominy"), reflecting a clear theological stance against idolatry. Similar changes appear with Ish-Bosheth (Eshbaal) in Samuel (2 Sam 2:8) versus Chronicles (1 Chr 8:33).

• and Meribbaal begat Micah (וּמְרִיב בַּעַל הוֹלִיד אֶת־מִיכָה, ûməriv ba‘al hôlîḏ ’eṯ-Mîḵāh):

  • begat (הוֹלִיד, hôlîḏ): The Hiphil perfect form of the verb יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth" or "to beget." It explicitly denotes the act of fathering, which is foundational to the linear nature of biblical genealogies. This term ensures the precise succession within the family line.
  • Micah (מִיכָה, Mîḵāh): A common Hebrew name, a shortened form of Michayehu (מִיכָיְהוּ) or Michayahu (מִיכָיָהוּ), meaning "Who is like Yah?" (Yahweh). This name itself serves as a counterpoint to names invoking Baal, pointing towards the supremacy of the God of Israel.

• "the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal" & "Meribbaal begat Micah": These two phrases form a complete genealogical link. They define not only Meribbaal's direct parentage but also his contribution to the subsequent generation. This succinct formula is typical of biblical genealogies, providing a concise record of the line's progression. The continuity from Jonathan through Meribbaal to Micah assures the audience of the preserved record of this particular branch of Benjamin's family, fulfilling a core purpose of the Chronicler.

1 Chronicles 8 34 Bonus section

• Importance of Names: In ancient Israel, names often carried profound meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, character, hopes, or theological affirmations. The dual names for Jonathan's son (Meribbaal and Mephibosheth) highlight the shifting theological landscape and the conscious effort to purge Israelite identity of pagan associations, especially in post-exilic reflection.
• Chronicler's Perspective: The Chronicler (likely a Levite living after the Babylonian exile) emphasized genealogies for practical reasons such as establishing claims to tribal land, validating priestly and Levitical descent, and confirming the identity of the returned community. However, there's also a spiritual purpose: demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His people through generations despite exile and foreign domination. The careful documentation of seemingly minor family lines serves this greater purpose of showing God's sovereign oversight.
• Continuity and Discontinuity: While the royal line passed from Saul to David, the Chronicler carefully details Saul's descendants, particularly those through Jonathan. This signifies a recognition of history and God's providence even for lines that do not become dominant. It underscores that every branch of the Lord's people has a place in His redemptive history.

1 Chronicles 8 34 Commentary

First Chronicles 8:34 provides a vital link in the extensive genealogical record of Benjamin, tracing the lineage of King Saul through his revered son, Jonathan. The verse, in its brevity, holds profound historical and theological significance. It confirms Meribbaal as Jonathan's son, known more commonly as Mephibosheth in the books of Samuel. The Chronicler's choice to use "Meribbaal" for a figure otherwise consistently called "Mephibosheth" in Samuel reflects a crucial theological agenda present in the biblical tradition: the explicit rejection and erasure of any veneration or even reference to pagan deities like Baal. By presenting "Baal" as "shame" or by removing it, the sacred text ensures that God's people do not inadvertently perpetuate the memory or legitimacy of false gods. This systematic modification is a powerful polemic, reinforcing the singular and exclusive worship of Yahweh. The continued listing of this lineage also showcases God's faithfulness, albeit indirectly, to the covenant made with Jonathan through David, preserving a branch of the deposed royal line within the tribal memory.