1 Chronicles 8 9

1 Chronicles 8:9 kjv

And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,

1 Chronicles 8:9 nkjv

By Hodesh his wife he begot Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,

1 Chronicles 8:9 niv

By his wife Hodesh he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam,

1 Chronicles 8:9 esv

He fathered sons by Hodesh his wife: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,

1 Chronicles 8:9 nlt

His wife Hodesh gave birth to Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,

1 Chronicles 8 verses

1 Chronicles 8 9 Meaning

1 Chronicles 8:9 lists four of the sons born to Bini (also called Jeiel in other parts of chapter 8, likely his full name or a related family member) and his wife Hodesh: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, and Malcam. This verse serves as a genealogical record, establishing lineage within the tribe of Benjamin. It continues the detailed listing of descendants that is characteristic of the book of Chronicles, tracing families important for their identity and their place in the restored community of Israel.

1 Chronicles 8 9 Context

First Chronicles chapter 8 meticulously details the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin. This focus on Benjamin is significant because they inhabited a strategic area, including Jerusalem, and were the tribe from which Israel's first king, Saul, emerged. The Chronicler, writing primarily for the post-exilic community, emphasizes these lengthy tribal lists to affirm their identity, land claims, and connection to the covenant promises. They reassured the exiles returning to the land of their continuity with ancient Israel. Verse 9 is specifically part of a subsection (verses 8-10) focusing on the children of Jeiel, ancestors who dwelt in Gibeon, thereby reinforcing geographical ties within the Benjamite territory and highlighting key families.

1 Chronicles 8 9 Word analysis

• And: (וְ - wĕ) A common conjunction, indicating continuation or addition. It links this information to the preceding genealogy.

• of Hodesh: (מֵחוֹדֶשׁ - mêḥôḏeš) "From Hodesh" or "by Hodesh." Hodesh (חֹדֶשׁ - Ḥōḏeš) is a feminine proper name. It literally means "new moon" or "month" in Hebrew, often associated with newness or beginning. Here, it refers specifically to the woman who bore these children. The Chronicler lists women sometimes, especially when multiple wives are involved, as a clear demarcation of specific family lines.

• his wife: (אִשְׁתּוֹ - iš·tô) This clarifies the relationship, indicating Hodesh was a lawful wife. אִשָׁה (ishah) means "woman" or "wife." The suffix -to (וֹ) means "his."

• he begat: (יָלַד - yā·laḏ) This is the Hebrew verb for "to give birth" or "to beget." In English translations, it is often translated as "he begat" when referring to the male parent, or "she bore" when referring to the mother. Here, in the context of Bini (from v. 8), it is he begat, although Hodesh his wife gave birth. The grammatical subject is generally the patriarch listing his offspring. It signifies the lineage and continuity of the family line through male descent primarily, even when the mother is mentioned.

• Jobab: (יֹוָב - yō·wāḇ) A proper name, meaning possibly "desert," "wilderness," or "invoked." Found elsewhere in scripture, though its specific meaning doesn't carry obvious narrative weight here.

• Zibia: (צִבְיָא - ṣib·yāʾ) A proper name, possibly meaning "gazelle" or "doe." It suggests grace or swiftness but holds no symbolic value in this context.

• Mesha: (מֵישָׁא - mê·šāʾ) A proper name, possibly related to "deliverance" or "safety." While a famous Moabite king also bore this name (Mesha of Moab), this Benjamite name does not indicate any relation or cultural exchange.

• Malcam: (מַלְכָּם - mal·kām) A proper name, meaning "their king." This name is significant because it resembles "Milcom," the name of the chief god of the Ammonites, often associated with child sacrifice. Its presence as an Israelite personal name here suggests a pre-Mosaic origin or a later adoption independent of idolatrous connotations, highlighting how some names were common across cultures without necessarily indicating allegiance to a foreign deity in every instance. Alternatively, it might signify a subtle reclamation of terms associated with idolatry back into a Hebrew context.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And of Hodesh his wife, he begat": This phrase precisely defines the family unit and the biological source of the following children. The inclusion of the mother's name, especially when not all wives are consistently mentioned throughout such genealogies, can indicate her particular significance within that lineage for the Chronicler's purpose, possibly highlighting specific branches of the family tree deemed important for land distribution, local leadership, or census data.
  • "Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam": This enumeration is the core purpose of the verse—to record these individuals. These names represent a concrete link in the tribal genealogy of Benjamin, confirming the extent and specifics of this particular family line and contributing to the overall identity and stability of the post-exilic community. Their inclusion means their family line survived and was recognized.

1 Chronicles 8 9 Bonus section

The chronicler’s dedication to precise genealogies, as seen in 1 Chronicles 8:9, underscores a core theological tenet: God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises across generations. Even when individuals within the lineage fade into obscurity, the mere recording of their names serves as evidence of God's unbroken continuity and sovereign plan. This focus on meticulous records also highlights the value of every individual and family within the larger community of faith, ensuring that their place within God's people is recognized and secured. The precise dating of such records provided critical verification for land inheritance and the eligibility for temple service, vital for the returning exiles rebuilding their society.

1 Chronicles 8 9 Commentary

First Chronicles 8:9 stands as a granular detail within the sprawling genealogical records that commence the book of Chronicles. These lists, often dry for the modern reader, were vital to the original audience—the returning exiles. For them, every name, every father, and every specified mother served as a thread weaving them back into the tapestry of Israel's history and divine covenant. The verse's primary purpose is to trace the progeny of Bini (Jeiel) through his specific wife, Hodesh, underscoring the ordered continuation of the Israelite family unit. The meticulous detail, extending even to the mother's name, indicates the Chronicler's commitment to precision in establishing tribal identity and land claims post-exile. While names like Malcam may bear resemblances to pagan deities, their inclusion within a legitimate Israelite lineage here generally functions simply as proper names of individuals rather than as an endorsement of pagan practice. The significance lies not in individual stories, but in the collective proof of God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and ensuring the lineage for future blessings and national restoration.