1 Chronicles 9 37

1 Chronicles 9:37 kjv

And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

1 Chronicles 9:37 nkjv

Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.

1 Chronicles 9:37 niv

Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth.

1 Chronicles 9:37 esv

Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth;

1 Chronicles 9:37 nlt

Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 37 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:37 states a portion of the genealogy of Jeiel and Maacah, specifically listing their sons: Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. This verse functions as a meticulous record of key lineages within the tribe of Benjamin, specifically identifying those families residing in Jerusalem and its environs. The presence of Kish, who is known as King Saul's father, and Ner, who is also linked to Saul's lineage, highlights the direct ancestral line of Israel's first king within these detailed genealogical registers.

1 Chronicles 9 37 Context

1 Chronicles Chapter 9 resumes the extensive genealogical lists from earlier in the book, particularly focusing on the inhabitants of Jerusalem and those settled throughout Israel after the return from Babylonian exile. These records were crucial for the post-exilic community to re-establish tribal identity, secure land rights, and affirm roles for priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and other temple workers. The chapter emphasizes continuity from ancient times to their present reality, providing legitimacy to their re-settlement and the re-establishment of the Mosaic covenant life.

Within this framework, verses 35-44 (which are an exact repetition of 1 Chronicles 8:29-38) are dedicated to tracing the lineage of King Saul through his family, specifically from Jeiel, who established Gibeon. This particular genealogy provides a detailed family tree, meticulously documenting generations. Verse 37 lists a specific subset of Jeiel and Maacah's sons. While 1 Chronicles ultimately champions the Davidic monarchy, the inclusion of Saul's genealogy serves to demonstrate the divine process through which the kingship of Israel originated, even for a dynasty that ultimately failed. It ensures that no major aspect of Israel's pre-exilic history and its significant figures is overlooked in this comprehensive genealogical account, thereby establishing a complete historical record.

1 Chronicles 9 37 Word analysis

• and their firstborn son (וּבְנוֹ הַבְּכֹר, uvenō habbekhôr): This phrase refers to the first among the listed sons of Jeiel (or Jehiel), who is introduced in verse 35, and his wife Maacah (v.36). The term "firstborn" (בְּכֹר, bekhôr) often denotes special inheritance or status, but here it indicates the order of mention for Abdon.
• was Abdon (עַבְדּוֹן, ‘Abdon): A personal name meaning "servile" or "service."
• then Zur (וְצוּר, wetsûr): A personal name meaning "rock" or "fortress."
• Kish (קִישׁ, Qîš): A significant personal name in this context. While this verse lists Kish as a son of Jeiel (a brother to Ner), 1 Chr 9:39 (and 1 Chr 8:33) explicitly states that "Ner begot Kish, and Kish begot Saul." This discrepancy in genealogical relations (son of Jeiel, but also begotten by Ner) highlights the flexible nature of biblical genealogies, where "begot" (יָלַד, yalad) can signify broader ancestry rather than solely immediate father-son relationships, or that different Kishes are implied. However, the direct link to King Saul is central to the importance of this name here.
• Baal (בַּעַל, Ba‘al): A personal name meaning "owner" or "master." While also the name of a prominent Canaanite deity, its usage here is simply a personal name within the Israelite lineage, not implying pagan worship. This demonstrates a common word that can carry multiple layers of meaning in different contexts.
• Ner (נֵר, Nêr): A personal name meaning "lamp" or "light." This individual, listed as a son of Jeiel (and brother to the Kish in this verse), is the "Ner" who is stated to have begotten Kish (King Saul's father) in verse 39. His position here is vital for understanding Saul's extended lineage within this specific Benjamite family tree.
• Nadab (נָדָב, Nādāb): A personal name meaning "generous" or "willing."
• Gedor (גְּדֹור, Gedor): A personal name, possibly derived from a root meaning "to build a wall" or "enclosure." It is also the name of several towns in Judah and Benjamin.
• Ahio (אַחְיוֹ, Aḥyo): A personal name meaning "his brother." This might indicate his relation to a previous person, or it is his actual name.
• Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה, Zekharyah): A popular personal name meaning "YHWH remembers."
• and Mikloth (וּמִקְלוֹת, ûmiqlōt): A personal name whose exact meaning is uncertain, possibly related to "rods" or "staves."

Words-group analysis:The listing of Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth represents a comprehensive detailing of a significant Benjamite family branch. This detailed enumeration underscores the Chronicler's commitment to recording accurate and exhaustive genealogical information. In the context of the Chronicler, such listings establish legitimacy and identity for the returned exiles, particularly those in the Jerusalem area. The inclusion of names like Kish and Ner sets the historical stage for the narrative transition from the initial monarchy under Saul to the established Davidic dynasty, showing continuity within the history of God's people despite the change in ruling families. The detailed focus on Benjamite families, the tribe of Israel's first king, signifies its continued importance in the post-exilic period, ensuring all parts of Israel's heritage were remembered.

1 Chronicles 9 37 Bonus section

The genealogical information in 1 Chronicles 9:35-44 is nearly identical to that found in 1 Chronicles 8:29-38. The repetition of this detailed lineage for Saul's family underscores its significance for the Chronicler. Its placement in Chapter 9, immediately following the lists of those who returned and resided in Jerusalem after the exile, specifically highlights the re-established prominence and rootedness of key tribal families, including those historically associated with Benjamin and the pre-Davidic monarchy, in the restored community of Jerusalem. This repetition serves to firmly embed this lineage within the post-exilic community's self-understanding and identity.

1 Chronicles 9 37 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:37, like much of the opening chapters of Chronicles, is primarily a genealogical record. Its significance lies not in a theological statement or narrative action, but in its meticulous preservation of Israelite family lines. Specifically, this verse provides a detailed enumeration of ten sons belonging to Jeiel and his wife Maacah, a prominent family from the tribe of Benjamin in Gibeon. The names Kish and Ner are of particular note here because they appear in the lineage of King Saul. While 1 Chronicles 9:37 lists Kish and Ner as brothers, 1 Chronicles 9:39 explicitly states, "Ner begot Kish, and Kish begot Saul." This seeming discrepancy (Kish being both Ner's brother in v.37 and his son in v.39) highlights the flexible nature of "begetting" in biblical genealogies, which often includes a wider range of ancestral relationships or compressed generations rather than strictly immediate father-son links.

The Chronicler's intent in preserving such minute details for generations of Saul's line (even if indirectly connected) underlines the commitment to presenting a full historical account of Israel, recognizing God's hand in all stages of its formation, including the very first monarchy. It solidifies the identity of the Benjamite tribe and those families who settled in Jerusalem and surrounding cities after the exile, emphasizing their historical connection to the roots of Israel's monarchy. This painstaking documentation affirmed for the post-exilic community their legitimate heritage, their right to the land, and their place in the continuing covenant story of God.