1 Chronicles 9 5

1 Chronicles 9:5 kjv

And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.

1 Chronicles 9:5 nkjv

Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.

1 Chronicles 9:5 niv

Of the Shelanites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.

1 Chronicles 9:5 esv

And of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.

1 Chronicles 9:5 nlt

Others returned from the Shilonite clan, including Asaiah (the oldest) and his sons.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 5 Meaning

First Chronicles chapter 9, verse 5, is part of a detailed census of those who resettled Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, emphasizing the restoration and re-establishment of the community's civic and religious life. This specific verse identifies a particular family line among the descendants of Judah: "And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons." It serves to catalog a significant family or clan that returned to the city, with "Asaiah" noted as the progenitor and his "sons" indicating the continuation of this lineage within the returning population. The emphasis is on tribal identity, family leadership, and the continuity of the covenant community through specific individuals and their descendants.

1 Chronicles 9 5 Context

First Chronicles 9:5 appears within the Chronicler's extended genealogies, which primarily focus on the tribes of Judah and Levi. This chapter specifically lists the individuals and families who resettled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It serves as a historical record and a theological statement. Following previous chapters that trace Israel's lineage from Adam through Abraham, the patriarchs, and the tribes (with an emphasis on Judah and Levi), chapter 9 zeroes in on the restored community in Jerusalem.

The historical context is the post-exilic period (likely 5th century BCE). The Chronicler wrote to a community struggling to re-establish its identity and worship after the destruction of the Temple and their land's desolation. For the original audience, these detailed lists provided legitimacy, connecting them directly to their ancestral roots and the covenants God made with Israel, particularly with David and the priests. They confirmed that the returning community was indeed the rightful continuation of the people of God, stressing tribal purity, Temple service, and adherence to the Law. The mention of specific families, like the "Shilonites," underscored the order, continuity, and divine preservation of the covenant community, demonstrating that even through severe judgment, God remained faithful to His people and their land.

1 Chronicles 9 5 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction links the present verse to the preceding one (1 Chr 9:4), continuing the list of those belonging to the tribe of Judah who inhabited Jerusalem. It indicates a continuation of the same category or theme.
• of the Shilonites:
  • This phrase identifies the tribal division or clan. The Hebrew term is hash-Shîlōnî, derived from Shiloh.
  • The "Shilonites" were a branch of the tribe of Judah, specifically descendants of Shelah, who was the third son of Judah (Gen 38:5; 1 Chr 2:3). They are also mentioned in Nehemiah 11:5, solidifying their connection to Judah's lineage.
  • The association with "Shiloh" (the ancient central place of worship before Jerusalem) might indicate their ancestral geographical origin, or simply denote the branch of Shelah's descendants connected to that name. It reinforces their identity within a significant historical and religious context, linking the post-exilic community to key sacred places of their past.
• Asaiah:
  • A proper name, ʻĀsāyāh. The meaning typically relates to "YHWH has made" or "made by YHWH." This reflects a common practice of biblical names praising or referring to God's actions.
  • In the context of a genealogical list, "Asaiah" is presented as the patriarch or leading figure of this particular family branch among the Shilonites who returned.
  • This name appears in other contexts (e.g., 2 Kgs 22:12 where Asaiah is a servant of Josiah, or 1 Chr 4:36 among Simeonite leaders), highlighting its common usage, but here specifically referring to the firstborn of the Shilonites mentioned.
• the firstborn:
  • The Hebrew hab-bĕkōr. This signifies the eldest son, holding a position of special prominence, inheritance, and authority within the family or clan structure.
  • His status as "the firstborn" of the Shilonites implies leadership and primary responsibility within his familial group for settling and contributing to the community in Jerusalem. It designates him as the head of his immediate lineage listed.
• and his sons:
  • This phrase indicates the generational continuation of the family unit.
  • It specifies that Asaiah's direct male descendants were also part of this returning group, emphasizing the establishment of the lineage in the resettled city. It denotes the immediate family extension under Asaiah's leadership and acknowledges the foundational members of this Shilonite clan in post-exilic Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 9 5 Bonus section

The detailed genealogical records in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles serve multiple practical and theological purposes for the post-exilic community:

1. Identity and Belonging: They established who belonged to the returned community, essential for rebuilding tribal structures and family ties broken by exile.
2. Inheritance and Land: Genealogies were critical for reclaiming and establishing land rights in Judah, ensuring proper distribution and lineage-based inheritance.
3. Temple Service: For priests and Levites, an undisputed lineage was mandatory to perform their sacred duties. Errors in genealogical records could disqualify individuals from service (Ezra 2:61-63).
4. Covenant Continuity: They demonstrated God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of Israel, reinforcing that the covenant had not been utterly annulled.
5. Purity of Worship: By identifying those who had maintained their Israelite heritage, these lists helped prevent pagan influences or mixed marriages from undermining the newly reformed community.
6. Messianic Line: While not explicit in this verse, the extensive genealogies (especially Judah's) indirectly point toward the preservation of the lineage from which the Messiah would come.

This meticulous detail assures the reader of the divine order in the seemingly chaotic post-exilic period and highlights the foundational role of family structures in the re-establishment of the people of God.

1 Chronicles 9 5 Commentary

First Chronicles 9:5, while seemingly a simple listing, functions as a crucial piece in the Chronicler's larger theological narrative of restoration. By meticulously naming families like the Shilonites, the text reaffirms the enduring covenant between God and His people, even after the profound rupture of the exile. The focus on Asaiah as "the firstborn" of this significant branch underscores the principle of lineage and divinely appointed leadership within the community, ensuring proper order and the continuity of God's people.

The verse is not just a dry roster; it's a testament to identity and belonging. For the returning exiles, these genealogies offered a tangible link to their heritage and confirmed their rightful place within the reconstructed nation and the Holy City. The mention of "Shilonites" (descendants of Judah, perhaps linked to ancient Shiloh) grounds them in a rich history, associating their present resettlement with foundational places and divine promises to Judah (Gen 49:10). The Chronicler emphasizes that this return and repopulation of Jerusalem are part of God's overarching plan for His chosen people, preserving a remnant to carry on the spiritual legacy and prepare for future fulfillments. It highlights that God meticulously remembers and restores His own, re-establishing not just structures, but the very fabric of family and community in the designated place.