1 Chronicles 8 7

1 Chronicles 8:7 kjv

And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.

1 Chronicles 8:7 nkjv

Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera who forced them to move. He begot Uzza and Ahihud.

1 Chronicles 8:7 niv

Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who deported them and who was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.

1 Chronicles 8:7 esv

Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, that is, Heglam, who fathered Uzza and Ahihud.

1 Chronicles 8:7 nlt

Ehud's sons were Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. Gera, who led them into exile, was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 7 Meaning

1 Chronicles 8:7 details specific individuals from the tribe of Benjamin – Naaman, Ahiah, and Gera – who were subjects of a unique internal tribal action. They were forcibly removed and resettled in Manahath. This verse is part of an extensive genealogical record focusing on the descendants of Benjamin, chronicling their lineages and significant movements or changes in their settlements. The act of "removal" and "settling" points to a purposeful displacement, likely by tribal leaders, to reorganize habitation or to resolve internal conflicts within the sprawling Benjaminite clans, rather than an external military captivity.

1 Chronicles 8 7 Context

This verse is situated within the extensive genealogies presented in 1 Chronicles, specifically focusing on the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chr 8:1-40). The Chronicler meticulously records these lineages, not just for historical purposes, but to underscore the continuity of God's people and the legitimate claims to land and heritage for the post-exilic community. Chapters 1-9 trace the ancestry from Adam to the returns from exile, establishing tribal identities.Immediately preceding this verse, 1 Chronicles 8:6 mentions the "sons of Ehud" (prominent leaders in Benjamin's territory) and states "they removed them to Manahath." This establishes that the "removal" in verse 7 is an continuation of an internal Benjamite action, not a deportation by a foreign power. It reflects internal tribal dynamics, perhaps driven by population pressures, political realignments, or the consolidation of tribal power within particular leadership factions, rather than a foreign invasion. The recording of such an event in the genealogies suggests it was a significant event for these Benjamite clans, defining their past and potentially their identity and land claims in the Chronicler's time.

1 Chronicles 8 7 Word analysis

• Naaman (נַעֲמָן, Na‘amân): Meaning "pleasantness." This is a tribal family name as a grandson of Benjamin (Gen 46:21) and head of a clan (Num 26:40). Its mention here emphasizes the lineage connection to an established branch of the Benjamite tribe.
• Ahiah (אֲחִיָּה, ’Achiyâh): Meaning "brother of Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my brother." A common biblical name, often signifying a relationship with God. Here it identifies another specific individual in the genealogical record.
• Gera (גֵּרָא, Gêrâ’): Meaning "a grain" or "stranger." This name appears multiple times in Benjaminite genealogies (e.g., as the father of Ehud in Judg 3:15 or a son of Bela in 1 Chr 8:3). In 1 Chr 8:7, it refers to a distinct individual who was subject to the relocation, likely representing a significant family branch.
• "he removed them" (הֶגְלָם, heglam): From the Hiphil stem of the Hebrew verb galah (גָלָה), meaning "to uncover," "to reveal," but in Hiphil, "to exile," "to deport," "to send away." This strong verb indicates a forceful, official, and authoritative action of displacement rather than a voluntary migration. It carries the weight of a decree from a higher tribal authority.
• "he carried them captive" / "he settled them" (וַיּוֹשִׁיבֵם מָנַחַת, vayyôshîvêm Mânachath): This phrase needs careful parsing. The verb is hôshiybâm, from the Hiphil of yashab (יָשַׁב), which means "to cause to sit," "to cause to dwell," or "to settle." While KJV translates it as "carried them captive," the original Hebrew nuance implies "he caused them to settle" or "established them" in Manahath after their forceful removal. It implies resettlement rather than enslavement, an authorized, compelled migration within tribal bounds.
• Manahath (מָנַחַת, Mânachath): Meaning "resting place." This refers to a specific geographic location. It was known to be in Judahite territory, near the border with Benjamin, or possibly within disputed or fluid tribal boundaries. It appears as the home of the "Manahathites" in 1 Chronicles 2:54. The forced resettlement implies that certain Benjaminite families or clans were moved to this specific site, indicating a structured management of tribal populations by Benjamite leaders.
• Uzai (אוּזַי, ’Ûzay): Meaning "strong" or "hardy." Another individual named in the group who was involved in or affected by this settlement.
• Ahiud (אֲחִיחוּד, ’Achîchûd): Meaning "brother of union." This name also signifies a specific person involved, further completing the genealogical record of those displaced to Manahath.
• "he removed them... and he carried them captive/settled them": This phrase describes a decisive administrative or leadership action. The subject "he" refers collectively to "the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba" (mentioned in verse 6), or perhaps specifically Ehud as a prominent figure, underscoring an internal Benjamite authority making these strategic decisions regarding population movement. This act differentiates from later national exiles imposed by foreign powers like Assyria or Babylon, being an intra-tribal re-allocation or management of resources and populations.

1 Chronicles 8 7 Bonus section

The inclusion of such a specific, seemingly minor, event of internal displacement ("removed them... settled them") within a major genealogical list highlights the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping. This detail would have been particularly significant for the post-exilic community in Jerusalem and Judah, which comprised descendants from these very tribes. Knowing the precise history of clan movements and settlements was crucial for establishing legal and genealogical claims to land and social status in the restored community. This act by Benjamite leaders is not framed as punishment, but as an administrative decision, possibly reflecting efforts to consolidate territories, resolve land disputes, or strategically populate specific areas, potentially along tribal borders.

1 Chronicles 8 7 Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:7 provides a rare glimpse into the internal social and territorial management of the Israelite tribes prior to the monarchy or early monarchy, as envisioned by the Chronicler. Unlike the widespread exiles by foreign empires later, this verse records an incident of intra-tribal forced relocation. Leaders within the Benjamite tribe initiated the "removal" (Hiphil galah, a strong term implying forceful displacement) and "settlement" (Hiphil yashab, indicating compelled habitation) of specific individuals and their families from Geba to Manahath. This detailed record highlights the Chronicler's meticulous approach to documenting not just direct lineage but also significant historical events that shaped clan identities and claims to land for the post-exilic community. It demonstrates the dynamism of tribal boundaries and the authority of tribal leaders to manage their populace, perhaps for resource distribution, strategic settlement, or even to resolve internal feuds by physically separating groups. This particular displacement shaped the family identity and geographic association of the named individuals and their descendants.