The Chronicler covers six tribes in rapid succession: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Each receives a genealogy with military census data, noting the number of warriors each clan produced. The Ephraim section includes a rare narrative fragment — the tragedy of Ephraim's sons who were killed raiding Gath, his grief, and the birth of a new son named Beriah ('in misfortune'). The chapter concludes with a detailed Asherite genealogy.
What Makes This Chapter Remarkable
This chapter demonstrates the Chronicler's varying access to source material. Issachar and Asher receive substantial genealogies with warrior counts; Naphtali gets a single verse. The Ephraim narrative (vv. 20-29) is found nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible — it is the Chronicler's unique contribution, preserving a tradition about a cattle raid gone wrong that resulted in death and mourning. The story breaks the genealogical pattern with genuine human emotion: Ephraim 'mourned many days, and his brothers came to console him' (v. 22). The Chronicler, usually austere in his genealogical sections, pauses for grief. The warrior census numbers throughout suggest the Chronicler is drawing on military muster rolls.
Translation Friction
The Benjamin genealogy here (vv. 6-12) differs significantly from the one in chapter 8, creating a major interpretive challenge. Some scholars suggest that verses 6-12 actually contain Zebulun and Dan material that has been mislabeled as Benjamin in textual transmission — this would explain the absence of Zebulun and Dan from the tribal genealogies. The Ephraim narrative (vv. 20-27) is chronologically difficult: it seems to place Ephraim in the land of Canaan during the patriarchal period, before the Egyptian sojourn, which contradicts the standard timeline. The events may be post-conquest, with 'Ephraim' referring to the tribe rather than the patriarch.
Connections
The warrior census data connects to the military musters in Numbers 1 and 26. The Ephraim narrative of loss and consolation echoes Jacob's grief for Joseph (Genesis 37:34-35) and anticipates David's grief for his son (2 Samuel 12:15-23). The Asherite genealogy preserves a tradition of strong warriors from a tribe often overlooked in biblical narrative. Joshua son of Nun appears at verse 27 as the climax of the Ephraim genealogy — the great military leader who conquered the land emerges from this tribe's lineage.
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron — four.
KJV Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Issachar's (Yissakhar, 'there is reward') four sons match Genesis 46:13 and Numbers 26:23-24 with minor name variations (Jashub/Iob). Tola (Tola, 'worm/crimson') was also the name of a judge from Issachar (Judges 10:1). Puah (Pu'ah, 'utterance' or a type of plant). Jashub (Yashiv, 'he returns'). Shimron (Shimron, 'watchpost'). The Chronicler gives Issachar a proper genealogy, unlike its minimal treatment in many other biblical texts.
The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel — heads of their ancestral houses in Tola's line, mighty warriors by their generations. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Six sons of Tola, all identified as rashim leveit avotam ('heads of ancestral houses') and gibborei chayil ('mighty warriors'). The census is dated bimei David ('in the days of David'), indicating the Chronicler drew on military records from David's reign. Samuel (Shemu'el) as an Issacharite name is distinct from the prophet Samuel. The count of 22,600 warriors represents a substantial military contribution from a single sub-clan.
The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah — five, all of them leaders.
KJV And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five. All of them were chief men.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Izrahiah (Yizrachyah, 'YHWH will shine') has four sons, and the total of five counts Izrahiah himself. The designation rashim kullam ('all of them leaders') indicates every member of this family held leadership status. Michael (Mikha'el), Obadiah (Ovadyah, 'servant of YHWH'), Joel (Yo'el), and Ishiah (Yishshiyyah, 'YHWH will lend') are all theophoric names, suggesting strong YHWH worship in this Issacharite clan.
With them, by their generations and ancestral houses, were armed troops for war — thirty-six thousand — because they had many wives and sons.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The total Izrahiah force numbered 36,000 warriors — larger than the Tola count (22,600) because ki hirbu nashim uvanim ('they had many wives and sons'). The Chronicler explicitly connects polygamy with military strength: more wives produced more sons who became more warriors. The term gedudei tseva milchamah ('troops of the army for war') indicates organized military units, not a loose militia.
Their relatives throughout all the clans of Issachar — mighty warriors — totaled eighty-seven thousand according to their genealogical registration.
KJV And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The total Issacharite military strength: 87,000 warriors (gibborei chayalim). The phrase hityachsam lakkol ('their genealogical registration of all') uses the Chronicler's technical enrollment term. This is a massive force — Issachar alone could field an army larger than many ancient city-states. The petuchah marker closes the Issachar section.
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher,, and Jediael — three.
KJV The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Benjamin's (Binyamin, 'son of the right hand') three sons here differ from the ten sons listed in Genesis 46:21. Bela (Bela, 'destruction'), Becher (Bekher, 'firstborn/young camel'), and Jediael (Yedi'a'el, 'known by God') may represent the major clan divisions rather than all of Benjamin's individual sons. Chapter 8 will provide a much more extensive Benjaminite genealogy focused on the Saulide line.
The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri — five, all heads of ancestral houses, mighty warriors. Their genealogical enrollment: twenty-two thousand thirty-four.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Bela's five sons lead ancestral houses and are counted as warriors: 22,034. Ezbon (Etsbon) also appears as a Gadite name (Genesis 46:16). Jerimoth (Yerimot, 'heights') is a common Benjaminite name. The precision of the count (not a round number but 22,034) suggests the Chronicler is drawing on actual military records rather than estimating.
The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Nine sons of Becher — a large clan. Anathoth (Anatot) and Alemeth (Alemet) also appear as city names (6:60), illustrating the overlap between personal names and settlement names. Omri (Omri, 'my sheaf') shares a name with the later Israelite king. Eliezer (Eli'ezer, 'my God is help') and Elioenai (Elyo'einai, 'my eyes are toward God') are theophoric names.
Their genealogical enrollment by generations, heads of ancestral houses, mighty warriors: twenty thousand two hundred.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Becher's clan count: 20,200 warriors. The consistent terminology — hityachsam letoledotam rashei beit avotam gibborei chayil — creates a formulaic framework for the military census data across all tribes.
The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
KJV The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Bilhan (Vilhan, 'timid') — the same name as a Horite in 1:42. Ehud (Ehud, 'united/strong') shares the name of the left-handed Benjaminite judge who assassinated the Moabite king Eglon (Judges 3:15-30). Benjamin appears as a personal name within the tribe of Benjamin — naming a son after the tribal ancestor. Tarshish (Tarshish, 'yellow jasper') shares the name of the distant western port. Seven sons of Bilhan represent a substantial sub-clan.
All these sons of Jediael, by their ancestral heads, mighty warriors — seventeen thousand two hundred who went out to war for battle.
KJV All 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Jediael's military count: 17,200 warriors yotse'ei tsava lammilchamah ('going out as an army for battle'). The phrase indicates these were active-service troops, not just men of military age. The combined Benjaminite force from these three clans (22,034 + 20,200 + 17,200 = 59,434) represents a formidable tribal army.
Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir. Hushim was the son of Aher.
KJV Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
This cryptic verse has generated enormous scholarly debate. Shuppim (Shuppim, 'serpents') and Huppim (Chuppim, 'coverings') appear as Benjaminite names in Genesis 46:21. Hushim (Chushim, 'hasty ones') is listed as a son of Dan in Genesis 46:23, leading some scholars to conclude that 'Aher' (Acher, 'another/different') is a veiled reference to Dan — 'the sons of another (tribe).' If so, this single verse may be the Chronicler's entire Danite genealogy, compressed or disguised.
The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum — the sons of Bilhah.
KJV The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Naphtali (Naftali, 'my wrestling') receives only this single verse — the shortest tribal genealogy in all of Chronicles. The four sons match Genesis 46:24. The note benei Vilhah ('sons of Bilhah') identifies their grandmother as Rachel's handmaid, placing Naphtali among the concubine tribes. The brevity may reflect limited available sources for Naphtali or the Chronicler's greater interest in southern and central tribes.
The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore — she bore Machir the father of Gilead.
KJV The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Manasseh's (Menasheh) genealogy begins with Asriel (Asri'el, 'vow of God') and Machir (Makhir, 'sold'). The Aramean concubine (pilagesh ha'Arammiyyah) is an intermarriage note — like the Egyptian connections in Judah's genealogy (2:34, 4:18), the Chronicler records foreign wives without censure. Machir as avi Gil'ad ('father of Gilead') connects this genealogy to the Transjordanian territory. The grammar of this verse is complex and debated.
Machir took a wife for Huppim and Shuppim. His sister's name was Maacah. The name of the second was Zelophehad, and Zelophehad had only daughters.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Zelophehad (Tselofchad, meaning uncertain) is the famous figure whose five daughters petitioned Moses for inheritance rights when their father died without sons (Numbers 27:1-11). Their case established the legal precedent that daughters could inherit when there were no male heirs. The Chronicler's note vatihyenah liTslofchad banot ('Zelophehad had daughters') alludes to this landmark case without retelling it — the audience would know the story and its legal implications.
Maacah, Machir's wife, bore a son and named him Peresh. His brother's name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Peresh (Peresh, 'dung/excrement' — possibly apotropaic, meant to ward off evil) and Sheresh (Sheresh, 'root') are Machir's sons through Maacah. Ulam (Ulam, 'first' or 'porch') and Rekem (Reqem, 'variegated') are grandsons. The naming of Machir's wife as Maacah connects this Manassite family to the Aramean Maacah-kingdom territory, reinforcing the Transjordanian geography.
The son of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead son of Machir, son of Manasseh.
KJV And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Bedan (Bedan, 'son of Dan' or 'in judgment') may be the figure mentioned in 1 Samuel 12:11 as a deliverer of Israel, alongside Gideon, Jephthah, and Samuel. The summary formula benei Gil'ad ben Makhir ben Menasheh ('sons of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh') traces the line back three generations to the patriarch.
His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.
KJV And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Hammolecheth (HaMmolekhet, 'the queen' or 'she who reigns') is a remarkable name for a woman — it implies queenship or royal authority within the clan. Abiezer (Avi'ezer, 'my father is help') is the clan from which Gideon came (Judges 6:11, 34) — placing Gideon's ancestry within this Manassite branch. Mahlah (Machlah, 'weakness/sickness') is also the name of one of Zelophehad's five daughters (Numbers 27:1).
The sons of Shemida: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
KJV And the sons of Shemidah were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Shemida (Shemida, 'name of knowledge') is listed in Numbers 26:32 as a Manassite clan. Shechem (Shekhem) as a personal name connects to the city. Ahian (Achyan, 'brother of the one'), Likhi (Liqchi, 'my learning'), and Aniam (Ani'am, 'I am a people') are clan leaders within the Shemida division.
The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son,
KJV And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Ephraim genealogy begins with Shuthelah (Shutelach, 'noise/din') from Numbers 26:35. Bered (Bered, 'hail'), two Tahaths (Tachat, 'beneath'), and Eladah (El'adah, 'God has adorned') carry the line forward. The narrative disruption that follows (vv. 21-24) will interrupt this genealogy with a story of tragedy.
Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in the land killed them, because they went down to seize their livestock.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The genealogy suddenly erupts into narrative: Ezer (Ezer, 'help') and Elead (El'ad, 'God has testified') were killed by anshei Gat hannolladim ba'arets ('the men of Gath who were born in the land') during a cattle raid. This is the only narrative episode in chapters 1-9 outside the Jabez prayer. The phrase ki yardu laqachat et miqneihem ('because they went down to take their livestock') describes a raid — whether a legitimate conquest or simple rustling is unclear. The men of Gath killed them in defense of their property.
Ephraim their father mourned for many days, and his brothers came to console him.
KJV And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Chronicler preserves raw grief: vayyit'abbel Efrayim avihem yamim rabbim ('Ephraim their father mourned many days'). The verb hitabbel ('to mourn') indicates formal, sustained mourning — not a brief sadness but extended lamentation. And vayyavo'u echav lenachamo ('his brothers came to console him') — the same consolation language used for Jacob mourning Joseph (Genesis 37:35, where Jacob 'refused to be consoled') and for Job's friends (Job 2:11). This three-word sentence — 'his brothers came to console him' — is one of the most human moments in the genealogies.
He went to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son. He named him Beriah, because disaster had struck his house.
KJV And 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
After the mourning, new life. Beriah (Beri'ah) is explained by the wordplay ki bera'ah hayetah beveito ('because in misfortune/evil it was in his house'). The name Beriah sounds like bera'ah ('in evil/misfortune'). This naming pattern — embedding grief in a name — mirrors Jabez (4:9), where a mother named her son 'Pain.' Both names testify to suffering; both become starting points for new clan lineages. Ephraim's grief does not end the tribe — it generates a new branch.
His daughter was Sheerah. She built Lower Beth-horon, Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah.
KJV And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzen-sherah.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Sheerah (She'erah, 'kinswoman' or 'remnant') is one of the most remarkable women in the genealogies — she is credited with building three towns. The phrase vattiven et Beit Choron ('she built Beth-horon') uses the standard city-founding verb. Lower and Upper Beth-horon controlled the main pass between the coastal plain and the central highlands — militarily crucial positions. Uzzen-sheerah (Uzzen She'erah, 'ear/edge of Sheerah') is named after her. A woman who builds cities is rare in the Hebrew Bible; the Chronicler records it without commentary.
Rephah was his son, and Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son,
KJV And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Ephraim genealogy resumes after the narrative interlude. Rephah (Refach, 'riches'), Resheph (Reshef, 'flame/burning' — also the name of a Canaanite plague deity, here used as a personal name), Telah (Telach, meaning uncertain), and Tahan (Tachan, 'camp/grace') carry the line forward toward its climax.
These were ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
KJV Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ladan (La'dan, meaning uncertain), Ammihud (Ammihud, 'my people is glorious'), and Elishama (Elishama, 'my God has heard'). Elishama son of Ammihud was the tribal leader of Ephraim during the wilderness period (Numbers 1:10, 2:18), confirming that this genealogy is tracing the leading family of the tribe — the line that would produce the greatest Ephraimite of all.
1 Chronicles 7:27
נ֥וֹן בְּנ֖וֹ יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בְּנֽוֹ׃ ס
Nun his son; Joshua his son.
KJV Non his son, Jehoshua his son.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The genealogy reaches its climax: Nun (Nun, 'fish') and Joshua (Yehoshu'a, 'YHWH saves/is salvation'). Joshua son of Nun — Moses' successor, the conqueror of Canaan, the man who led Israel into the promised land. The Chronicler traces him through the Ephraim-Shuthelah line, establishing that the greatest military leader of the conquest era was an Ephraimite. The placement of Joshua at the end of the Ephraim genealogy mirrors the placement of David at the center of the Judah genealogy (2:15).
Their property and settlements: Bethel and its surrounding towns, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its towns to the west, and Shechem and its towns as far as Ayyah and its towns.
KJV And 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:
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Ephraimite territorial description: Bethel (Beit El, 'house of God') — the ancient sanctuary city on the Ephraim-Benjamin border. Naaran (Na'aran, to the east near Jericho). Gezer (to the west). Shechem (the great central city). The Hebrew reads ad Azzah, which some read as Gaza (far to the southwest), but this seems geographically impossible for Ephraim; it may be Ayyah or a local site. The territory spans the central hill country from the Jordan Valley to the Shephelah foothills.
Along the borders of the Manassites: Beth-shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, and Dor and its towns. In these lived the sons of Joseph son of Israel.
KJV And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth-shean 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Four major cities along Manasseh's borders: Beth-shean (Beit She'an) in the Jordan Valley, Taanach (Ta'anakh) and Megiddo (Megiddo) in the Jezreel Valley, and Dor (Dor) on the coast. These are some of the most strategically important cities in the land — Megiddo alone controlled the international trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. The summary formula benei Yosef ben Yisra'el ('sons of Joseph son of Israel') wraps up both Ephraim and Manasseh as a single unit.
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
KJV The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Asher's (Asher, 'happy/blessed') four sons and sister match Genesis 46:17. Beriah (Beri'ah, 'in misfortune') shares the same name as Ephraim's son born in grief (v. 23). Serah (Serach, 'abundance') is notable — she appears in both Genesis 46:17 and Numbers 26:46 as the only granddaughter of Jacob named in the genealogies. Rabbinic tradition gave her extraordinary longevity, claiming she lived from the entry into Egypt to the exodus.
The sons of Beriah: Heber; and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
KJV And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Heber (Chever, 'associate/companion') and Malchiel (Malki'el, 'God is my king') are Beriah's sons (Numbers 26:45). Birzaith (Birzayit, possibly 'olive well') is either a settlement or a daughter — the Hebrew is ambiguous. If a settlement, Malchiel was its founder. The Heber mentioned here may be the ancestor of Jael's husband Heber the Kenite (Judges 4:11), who is associated with the Asher region.
Heber fathered Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.
KJV And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Japhlet (Yaflet, 'he delivers'), Shomer (Shomer, 'keeper/guard'), Hotham (Chotam, 'seal/signet ring'), and their sister Shua (Shu'a, 'wealth/prosperity'). The naming of sisters at key junctures continues the Chronicler's pattern of noting women in genealogical records. Shua's name ('wealth') contrasts with the patriarch's name Asher ('happy') — both suggesting material blessing.
The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the sons of Japhlet.
KJV And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Pasach (Pasakh, 'divider'), Bimhal (Bimhal, meaning uncertain), and Ashvath (Ashvat, meaning uncertain) — Asherite clan leaders unique to this passage. The Chronicler's Asherite genealogy is remarkably detailed compared to Naphtali's single verse, suggesting access to an Asherite clan register.
The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
KJV And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Shemer (Shemer, a variant of Shomer from v. 32) has four sons. Ahi (Achi, 'my brother'), Rohgah (Rohgah, 'clamor/agitation'), Jehubbah (Yechubbah, 'he hides'), and Aram (Aram) — the last name identical to the nation Aram/Syria. These names are unique to this genealogy.
The sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
KJV And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Helem (Helem, 'dream/strength') is likely identical with Hotham from verse 32 — the name variation may reflect different manuscript traditions. Zophah (Tsofach, 'jug/wide-mouthed vessel'), Imna (Yimna, 'he restrains'), Shelesh (Shelesh, 'triad/triplet'), and Amal (Amal, 'toil/labor') continue the Asherite clan structure.
The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, and Imrah,
KJV The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Suah (Suach, 'wiping away'), Harnepher (Charnefer, 'panting/snoring'), Shual (Shu'al, 'fox'), Beri (Beri, 'my well'), and Imrah (Yimrah, 'resistance'). Shual shares a name with the 'land of Shual' in Benjamin's territory (1 Samuel 13:17). The Asherite genealogy continues to grow deeper than any other northern tribal genealogy in Chronicles.
KJV Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Six more sons of Zophah — making eleven in total, an unusually large family. Bezer (Betser, 'fortification/gold ore'), Hod (Hod, 'splendor/majesty'), Shamma (Shamma, 'desolation'), Shilshah (Shilshah, 'triad'), Ithran (Yitran, 'excellent'), and Beera (Be'era, 'well'). The large family size may explain the Chronicler's note that Asher produced exceptionally numerous warriors.
1 Chronicles 7:38
וּבְנֵ֖י יֶ֑תֶר יְפֻנֶּ֥ה וּפִסְפָּ֖ה וַאֲרָֽא׃
The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara.
KJV And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Jether (Yeter, 'abundance') is likely the same as Ithran of verse 37 — an alternate form of the same name. Jephunneh (Yefunneh, 'he will be turned') shares the name of Caleb's father (Numbers 13:6), creating another cross-tribal name link. Pispah (Pispah, meaning uncertain) and Ara (Ara, 'lion' or 'wayfarer') are unique to this passage.
1 Chronicles 7:39
וּבְנֵ֖י עֻלָּ֑א אָרַ֥ח וְחַנִּיאֵ֖ל וְרִצְיָֽא׃
The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.
KJV And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
Ulla (Ulla, 'yoke') has three sons: Arah (Arach, 'wayfarer' — an Arah returned from exile in Ezra 2:5), Hanniel (Channi'el, 'God is gracious'), and Rizia (Ritsya, meaning uncertain). Hanniel is the name of the Manassite prince who helped divide the land (Numbers 34:23); its reuse here in Asher shows cross-tribal name sharing.
All these were the descendants of Asher — heads of ancestral houses, select mighty warriors, chief among the leaders. Their enrollment for military service in battle: twenty-six thousand men.
KJV All 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.
Notes & Key Terms
Translator Notes
The Asher summary uses superlative language: rashei beit ha'avot ('heads of ancestral houses'), berurei gibborei chayalim ('select/choice mighty warriors'), rashei hannesi'im ('chief among the leaders'). The word berurim ('select/chosen') implies an elite among elites. The military count of 26,000 is modest compared to Issachar's 87,000, but the quality emphasis suggests a smaller, more highly trained force. The petuchah marker closes both the Asher section and the chapter.