1 Chronicles 9 1

1 Chronicles 9:1 kjv

So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

1 Chronicles 9:1 nkjv

So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

1 Chronicles 9:1 niv

All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

1 Chronicles 9:1 esv

So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith.

1 Chronicles 9:1 nlt

So all Israel was listed in the genealogical records in The Book of the Kings of Israel. The Returning Exiles The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the LORD.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 1 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:1 summarizes a critical juncture in Israel's history as presented by the Chronicler. It first states that the extensive genealogical records of "all Israel" (Chs. 1-8) were compiled and referenced in the authoritative "book of the kings of Israel." This affirms the lineage and identity of God's people. Secondly, it explicitly declares the ultimate reason for Judah's most devastating historical event, the Babylonian exile: their covenant "unfaithfulness" to God. This verse serves as a pivot, concluding the historical retrospect of genealogies and setting the theological framework for understanding the consequences of disobedience, before detailing the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 9 1 Context

Chapter Context:1 Chronicles 9:1 serves as a vital bridge in the book. The preceding eight chapters are dominated by extensive, comprehensive genealogies, tracing the lineages of Israel from Adam to the returning exiles, with a strong emphasis on the tribes of Judah, Levi, and Benjamin, and specifically the line of David. Verse 1 explicitly summarizes the culmination and purpose of these genealogies – recording "all Israel." It then immediately provides the theological explanation for the disruption of this lineage and national life: the Babylonian exile, caused by their "unfaithfulness." This leads directly into the rest of Chapter 9, which shifts to list the first inhabitants who returned and settled in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, thereby highlighting the re-establishment of the community post-exile, even if not all twelve tribes are represented fully.

Book Context (1 & 2 Chronicles):The Books of Chronicles (originally one book) were written after the Babylonian exile, likely in the late 5th or early 4th century BCE. The target audience was the post-exilic community in Judah. Unlike the Books of Kings which largely narrate the decline and fall of Israel and Judah leading to exile, Chronicles aims to reinterpret this history, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. It offers hope for national restoration and the continuity of God's plan through the Davidic dynasty and a rightly ordered Temple worship. The genealogies serve to legitimize the land claims, priestly roles, and Davidic lineage for the returning exiles. 1 Chron 9:1 reinforces the core message: the exile was not God's defeat, but His righteous judgment for Israel's sin, thus offering a basis for repentance and hope.

Historical/Cultural Context:Following the seventy-year Babylonian captivity, the Persian King Cyrus allowed the Jewish people to return to their homeland around 538 BCE. This was a period of national rebuilding and spiritual revival, yet the community faced challenges like disillusionment, questions of identity, and disputes over land. Genealogies were crucial in ancient Near Eastern societies for establishing claims to land, property, and tribal/clan membership, and for priestly duties. The exile had broken many family lines and tribal structures, making the genealogical record a powerful affirmation of identity and a call to adhere to covenant obligations for renewed life in the land. The explicit mention of "unfaithfulness" directly confronts any idea that their suffering was random or unjust, grounding it firmly in covenant theology.

1 Chronicles 9 1 Word Analysis

• So all Israel:

  • Significance: The conjunction "So" (Heb. וְכָל vekol) links this verse directly to the preceding genealogical chapters (Chs. 1-8). "All Israel" (כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל kol-Yisra'el) emphasizes the Chronicler's unified view of God's people, even after the division into northern and southern kingdoms. While the focus in much of the Bible shifts to "Judah" post-schism, the Chronicler consistently uses "all Israel" to envision a restored, united people under God's covenant, foreshadowing messianic unity.

• was recorded by genealogies:

  • Word: הִתְיַחֲשׂוּ hithyakhasu, a Hithpael form of the verb יָחַשׂ yakhas, meaning "to be registered according to descent," "to trace one's pedigree."
  • Significance: This highlights the primary content of the first eight chapters. Genealogies were vital in ancient Israel to establish land claims (Num 26:52-56), legitimate priestly and Levitical service (Ezr 2:62), and confirm national identity and continuity (Neh 7:5). For the post-exilic community, these records provided a link to their covenant past and hope for their future, ensuring proper inheritance and societal order upon their return to the land.

• and behold, they were recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.

  • Word: וְהִנֵּה v'hinnēh, "and behold" or "and indeed," is an emphatic particle drawing attention to the statement that follows.
  • Significance: This clause validates the source and authenticity of the genealogies. The "book of the kings of Israel" (סֵפֶר מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל sepher malkhe Yisra'el) does not refer to the canonical books of Kings but to ancient state annals, royal chronicles, or public records, suggesting a broader historical database or official archive used by the Chronicler. It underscores the divine preservation of their history and identity even through the tumultuous times.

• And Judah:

  • Significance: A sharp shift in focus from the inclusive "all Israel" to "Judah" specifically. This signifies the particular historical reality that Judah, as the Davidic kingdom, was the primary survivor of the northern kingdom's destruction, though also experiencing its own devastating exile. The Chronicler then narrates history largely through the lens of Judah, highlighting its central role in the covenant and the continuation of the Davidic line.

• was carried away into exile to Babylon:

  • Word: הֻגְלָה huglah, the Hophal (passive, causative) form of גָּלָה galah, meaning "to be exiled" or "to be deported." This grammatical form emphasizes that this was something done to them, a consequence, rather than a self-inflicted action of simply leaving.
  • Significance: This points to the greatest national catastrophe in Israelite history before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The "exile to Babylon" was a pivotal event that fundamentally reshaped Israelite identity, leading to the rise of synagogues, new theological reflections, and the end of monarchy until the coming of the Messiah. It was seen as divine judgment for prolonged sin (2 Chr 36:15-21; Jer 25:9-11).

• for their unfaithfulness.

  • Word: בְּמַעֲלָם b'ma'alam, literally "in their treachery" or "in their unfaithfulness." Ma'al (מַעַל) signifies a grave breach of covenant, a trespass, or an act of perfidy against God or against a neighbor which impacts God's covenant. It's often associated with sacrilege or breaking a trust.
  • Significance: This phrase is the theological core of the verse and central to the Chronicler's message. It offers a direct, explicit reason for the exile, ensuring the audience understood that it was not an arbitrary punishment, nor a sign of God's weakness, but a righteous consequence of Israel's persistent breach of covenant. The Chronicler uses this term repeatedly to explain the fall of kings and the downfall of the nation (e.g., 2 Chr 28:19; 36:14). It removes any doubt about divine justice and reinforces the vital importance of covenant fidelity.

1 Chronicles 9 1 Bonus Section

• The Chronicler's primary source for this particular historical summary is often inferred to be a pre-existing national or royal archive that covered both Israel and Judah. While distinct from our canonical books of Kings, it highlights the existence of extensive records known and utilized by the Chronicler, further validating his historical presentation.
• The placement of this summary verse right after the genealogies and before the practical details of the returning community (Ch 9:2ff) signifies its role as a theological lens through which the entire history, and indeed the current reality of the exiles, is to be understood. It provides an immediate context for the trials and tribulations experienced by God's people.
• The phrase "all Israel" repeatedly used by the Chronicler, even when specifically referring to Judah's history or events post-split, demonstrates his overarching theological goal of fostering a united community, yearning for the full restoration of all twelve tribes under a righteous Davidic king—a hope ultimately fulfilled in Christ. This serves to bridge the tribal divisions and national schisms by re-emphasizing the common Abrahamic and Mosaic covenant heritage.

1 Chronicles 9 1 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:1 encapsulates the Chronicler's unique theological perspective on Israel's history. By beginning with the meticulous genealogical record of "all Israel," the Chronicler validates the identity and lineage of the returning exiles, grounding them in the sweeping covenant history from Adam to Abraham, and specifically to David. This act of recording served to re-establish community, assign tribal inheritances, and confirm the legitimacy of the priesthood, all crucial for a society attempting to rebuild. The crucial phrase, "and behold, they were recorded in the book of the kings of Israel," affirms the authority and public accessibility of these foundational records, indicating a divinely guided historical preservation.

The second part of the verse, "And Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness," is profoundly significant. It articulates the why behind the exile. Unlike other historical accounts which might simply state the event, the Chronicler, with prophetic clarity, pinpoints "unfaithfulness" (ma'al) as the direct cause. This single word encapsulates generations of idolatry, disregard for the Mosaic Law, profanation of the Temple, and disobedience to God's prophets. The exile was not a random tragedy or an outcome of military weakness alone, but God's just judgment on His covenant people for their consistent betrayal of the sacred trust He had placed in them. This interpretation serves as both a stern warning and a profound teaching moment for the post-exilic community: their return was not due to their own merit, but God's grace, and their future well-being depended entirely on future covenant obedience. Thus, this verse transforms historical fact into a profound theological lesson, paving the way for the remainder of Chronicles, which seeks to guide the reborn community in fidelity to God, focused on the Temple and the Davidic line.

Examples:

• For understanding consequences: Like a farmer whose crops fail because he neglected planting and watering, Israel's national collapse was a direct result of their neglect of covenant with God.
• For importance of faithfulness: Just as a marriage breaks down due to repeated unfaithfulness, Israel's covenant relationship with God was shattered by their constant betrayals.