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1 Chronicles 7 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—four in all. ²The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, the heads of their families. In the days of David, 22,600 descendants of Tola were numbered in their genealogies as mighty men of valor. ³The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. All five of them were chiefs. ⁴In addition to them, according to their genealogy, they had 36,000 troops for battle, for they had many wives and children. ⁵Their kinsmen belonging to all the families of Issachar who were mighty men of valor totaled 87,000, as listed in their genealogies. ⁶The three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael. ⁷The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, heads of their families—five in all. There were 22,034 mighty men of valor listed in their genealogies. ⁸The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth; all these were Becher’s sons. ⁹Their genealogies were recorded according to the heads of their families—20,200 mighty men of valor. ¹⁰The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. ¹¹All these sons of Jediael were heads of their families, mighty men of valor; there were 17,200 fit for battle. ¹²The Shuppites and Huppites were descendants of Ir, and the Hushites were descendants of Aher. ¹³The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum —the descendants of Bilhah. ¹⁴The descendants of Manasseh: Through his Aramean concubine, Asriel, as well as Machir the father of Gilead. ¹⁵Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters. ¹⁶Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son, and she named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem. ¹⁷The son of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. ¹⁸His sister Hammolecheth gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. ¹⁹And these were the sons of Shemida: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam. ²⁰The descendants of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, ²¹Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the natives of Gath, because they went down to steal their livestock. ²²Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. ²³And again he slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house. ²⁴His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth-horon, as well as Uzzen-sheerah. ²⁵Additionally, Rephah was his son, Resheph his son, Telah his son, Tahan his son, ²⁶Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, ²⁷Nun his son, and Joshua his son. ²⁸Their holdings and settlements included Bethel and its villages, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its villages as far as Ayyah and its villages. ²⁹And along the borders of Manasseh were Beth-shean, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor, together with their villages. The descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived in these towns. ³⁰The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. ³¹The sons of Beriah: Heber, as well as Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. ³²Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, and of their sister Shua. ³³The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were Japhlet’s sons. ³⁴The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram. ³⁵The sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. ³⁶The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, ³⁷Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. ³⁸The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara. ³⁹The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. ⁴⁰All these were the descendants of Asher—heads of their families, choice and mighty men of valor, and chiefs among the leaders. The number of men fit for battle, recorded in their genealogies, was 26,000.

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1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 7

The Mighty Lineages and Settlements of Israel’s Tribes

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Objective

To trace the genealogical records and tribal inheritances that affirm God’s faithfulness in preserving the families of Israel, highlighting their strength, leadership, and territorial allotments during the days of David.

Overview

This chapter unfolds as a detailed register of the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. It reveals the mighty men of valor, the heads of families, and the territorial inheritances that define Israel’s tribal identity. The record is not merely a list but a testimony to God’s providential preservation of His people through generations, their growth in numbers, and their readiness for war and settlement.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

The chapter opens with the sons of Issachar—Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—each a head of his family. Tola’s descendants are noted as valiant men, numbering over twenty-two thousand in David’s time, with sons and soldiers ready for battle. Their strength and multiplication signify God’s blessing and the tribe’s vital role in Israel’s military and social fabric.

Central Themes

Genealogical continuity

divine blessing manifest in strength and multiplication

military readiness as a sign of God’s protection.

Cultural & Historical Context

In ancient Israel, tribal identity was crucial for inheritance, leadership, and military organization. The mention of 'heads of their father’s house' reflects the patriarchal structure and the importance of family leadership. The large numbers indicate a thriving tribe, essential for national defense and social order (Numbers 1:18-23).

Key Verse

1 Chronicles 7:2

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Sons of Issachar: Strength in Generations (Verses 1–5)

A vast camp of warriors, tents arranged in orderly rows under a dawn sky, with leaders standing tall, their faces marked by resolve and faith. The scene breathes life into the numbers, portraying a tribe united in purpose and strength.

The Sons of Benjamin: Mighty Men and Their Families (Verses 6–11)

A battlefield edge where families gather, sons preparing for war while elders bless them. The landscape is rugged, symbolizing the tribe’s fierce loyalty and readiness, with banners fluttering and the sun casting long shadows of valor.

The Sons of Naphtali and Manasseh: Expansion and Settlement (Verses 12–29)

Fertile fields stretching toward clustered towns and cities, with families planting trees and building homes. A river winds through the land, symbolizing God’s provision and the flowing of life into the promised inheritance.

The Sons of Ephraim and Asher: Legacy and Valor (Verses 30–40)

A twilight scene where a father mourns fallen warriors, yet children play nearby, embodying hope and continuity. Nearby, a band of warriors stands vigilant, their armor gleaming, embodying the tribe’s enduring strength and faithfulness.

Song

1 Chronicles 7 Song

Verse 1

From Issachar’s tents arise, valiant men beneath the skies, Heads of houses, strong and true, their numbers rise like morning dew.

Verse 2

Benjamin’s sons, with courage bright, stand prepared to guard the night, Leaders firm, with valor’s flame, uphold the honor of their name.

Verse 3

Naphtali and Manasseh’s line, in fertile fields and towns they shine, Inheritance from God above, a testament to boundless love.

Chorus

Mighty tribes, by God’s own hand, settled firm in promised land, Families strong, their voices raise, singing songs of ancient praise.

Bridge

Though battles come and sorrows fall, God’s covenant sustains them all, Through generations, strong and sure, His faithfulness will still endure.

Final Chorus

Mighty tribes, by God’s own hand, settled firm in promised land, Families strong, their voices raise, singing songs of ancient praise.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Recognize your place within God’s unfolding plan, as part of a spiritual family strengthened by faith and heritage.

Embrace the call to be a leader in your own sphere, cultivating strength and valor in character and service.

Community & Society

Value the roles of family and community leadership in fostering unity and readiness to serve.

Encourage the preservation of heritage and traditions that honor God’s faithfulness across generations.

Global Perspective

Promote peace and stability by honoring God’s design for order, leadership, and stewardship of land and people.

Support communities rebuilding after conflict, trusting in God’s sustaining grace to restore and strengthen.

Conclusion

1 Chronicles 7 stands as a solemn record of God’s providence in preserving Israel’s tribes through generations. It reveals the strength found in faithful families, the courage of leaders, and the fulfillment of God’s promises in land and legacy. This chapter calls believers to recognize their own heritage in God’s story, to stand firm in faith and service, and to trust in His unchanging covenant that endures through all ages.