1 Chronicles 7

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 7

1¶ Now the sons of Issachar [were], Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.

2And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, [to wit], of Tola: [they were] valiant men of might in their generations; whose number [was] in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.

3And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.

4And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, [were] bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand [men]: for they had many wives and sons.

5And their brethren among all the families of Issachar [were] valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.

6[The sons] of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.

7And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of [their] fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.

8And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these [are] the sons of Becher.

9And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, [was] twenty thousand and two hundred.

10The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.

11All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, [were] seventeen thousand and two hundred [soldiers], fit to go out for war [and] battle.

12Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, [and] Hushim, the sons of Aher.

13The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

14The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: ([but] his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:

15And Machir took to wife [the sister] of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name [was] Maachah;) and the name of the second [was] Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.

16And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother [was] Sheresh; and his sons [were] Ulam and Rakem.

17And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These [were] the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.

18And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.

19And the sons of Shemida were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.

20¶ And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,

21And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath [that were] born in [that] land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

22And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.

23And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.

24(And his daughter [was] Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.)

25And Rephah [was] his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,

26Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,

27Non his son, Jehoshua his son.

28And their possessions and habitations [were], Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:

29And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.

30The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.

31And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who [is] the father of Birzavith.

32And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.

33And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These [are] the children of Japhlet.

34And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.

35And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.

36The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,

37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.

38And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.

39And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.

40All these [were] the children of Asher, heads of [their] father's house, choice [and] mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war [and] to battle [was] twenty and six thousand men.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

1 Chronicles 7 meticulously details the genealogies and military strengths of several Israelite tribes. It begins with Issachar, Benjamin, and Naphtali, highlighting their valiant men and numerous fighting forces. The chapter then traces the lineage of Manasseh and Ephraim, including a notable incident of Ephraim's sons being slain, before concluding with the extensive genealogies and military count of Asher.

Medium Summary

Chapter 7 of 1 Chronicles provides a detailed account of the descendants and military capabilities of various Israelite tribes. It commences with the tribe of Issachar, listing their heads of households and noting their significant military strength, numbering over eighty-seven thousand valiant men. Following this, the genealogies of Benjamin are presented, detailing their mighty men of valour and their substantial fighting forces. A brief mention of Naphtali's sons precedes the more extensive lineage of Manasseh, including the family of Machir and Gilead. The chapter then focuses on Ephraim, recounting a tragic incident where some of his sons were slain by the men of Gath, leading to the birth of Beriah, and also delineating their territorial possessions. Finally, the chapter concludes with the comprehensive genealogies of the tribe of Asher, emphasizing their numerous heads of families and their considerable military readiness, totaling twenty-six thousand men fit for war.

Long Summary

The seventh chapter of 1 Chronicles meticulously enumerates the genealogies and military strengths of several prominent Israelite tribes, continuing the chronicler's focus on lineage and national organization. It opens with the tribe of Issachar, detailing the sons of Tola, Uzzi, and Izrahiah, and emphasizing their status as valiant men of might. The text records a substantial fighting force from Issachar, totaling eighty-seven thousand men, indicating their significant contribution to Israel's military potential. Subsequently, the chapter shifts to the tribe of Benjamin, listing the descendants of Bela, Becher, and Jediael. These Benjamite lineages are also noted for their mighty men of valour, with their combined military strength reaching tens of thousands, ready for war and battle. A concise listing of Naphtali's sons follows, providing their foundational lineage. The narrative then expands upon the tribe of Manasseh, tracing the line through Ashriel and Machir, including the detail of Machir's concubine and wife, and the birth of Peresh and Sheresh, leading to the sons of Gilead. The account of Ephraim is particularly notable, detailing his direct descendants and recounting a sorrowful event where some of his sons, Ezer and Elead, were slain by the men of Gath while attempting to take their cattle. This tragedy led to Ephraim's mourning and the subsequent birth of Beriah, whose name reflected the evil that befell his house. The chapter further specifies Ephraim's territorial possessions, including Bethel, Gezer, and Shechem, and their proximity to Manasseh's borders. The final section is dedicated to the tribe of Asher, presenting an extensive list of their sons, including Imnah, Beriah, Heber, and Japhlet, among others. The Asherite genealogies highlight their leaders as choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. The chapter concludes by stating the impressive military count of Asher, with twenty-six thousand men prepared for war and battle, underscoring the collective strength and organization of these tribes within Israel.

Core Concepts

  • Genealogical RecordsThe chapter primarily consists of detailed lists of descendants for several tribes, emphasizing the importance of lineage and family structure in ancient Israel.
  • Military StrengthThroughout the genealogies, the text frequently highlights the number of "valiant men of might" or "mighty men of valour" fit for war, indicating the military readiness and potential of each tribe.
  • Tribal TerritoriesFor Ephraim, the chapter explicitly lists their possessions and habitations, demonstrating the geographical distribution and settled nature of the tribes.
  • Tragedy and ProgenyThe account of Ephraim includes the slaying of his sons by the men of Gath, a significant event that led to mourning and the birth of a new son, Beriah, whose name reflects the sorrowful circumstances.
  • Heads of HousesThe genealogies consistently identify "heads of their father's house" or "chief men," underscoring the patriarchal structure and leadership within the tribal families.
  • ConcubinageThe mention of Machir's concubine bearing a son (v. 14) illustrates the practice of concubinage within Israelite society as a means of extending family lines.
  • Building ActivitySherah, Ephraim's daughter, is noted for building Bethhoron and Uzzensherah, highlighting the role of individuals, including women, in establishing and developing settlements.