1 Chronicles Chapter 7 — Genealogies of Six Tribes
This chapter records the genealogies of six tribes of Israel: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, focusing on their descendants and military strength.
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Notable Verses
1 Chronicles 7:22
“Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.”
This verse provides a rare personal and emotional detail within the genealogies, showing the human impact of loss.
1 Chronicles 7:27
“Nun his son, and Joshua his son.”
This brief reference traces the lineage of Joshua, the famous leader who succeeded Moses.
1 Chronicles 7:40
“All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes.”
This verse summarizes the characteristics of the tribe of Asher as noble and courageous leaders.
Chapter Summary
1 Chronicles 7 continues the genealogical records of the tribes of Israel, specifically focusing on Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. The text emphasizes the military strength of these tribes, frequently identifying individuals as 'mighty men of valor' and providing census-like counts of those ready for war. For the tribe of Issachar, it notes a force of eighty-seven thousand. The lineage of Ephraim includes a poignant moment where the tribe's namesake mourns the loss of his sons killed in a livestock raid, followed by the birth of Beriah and the mention of his daughter Sheerah, who built several cities. The chapter also identifies the lineage leading to Joshua the son of Nun, a key figure in Israel's history. Finally, the chapter details the descendants of Asher, noting their status as 'choice and mighty men' and providing their military registration numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
This chapter lists the descendants of six specific tribes: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. These genealogies help establish the heritage and population of these groups within Israel.
The text records that Ezer and Elead were killed by the men of Gath while they were attempting to take away livestock. This event caused their father, Ephraim, to mourn for many days until his brothers came to comfort him.
Sheerah was a descendant of Ephraim. She is notable for building the towns of Beth Horon the lower and the upper, as well as Uzzen Sheerah, highlighting the role of women in the tribe's expansion.
Study Note
The reference to Joshua son of Nun in verse 27 connects these post-exilic genealogical records back to the era of the conquest of Canaan.
Related Chapters
1 Chronicles 8
The next chapter provides a more detailed genealogy specifically for the tribe of Benjamin.
Joshua 1
Joshua, mentioned in this chapter's genealogy, is the central figure of the book of Joshua.
Numbers 26
This chapter provides an earlier census of the tribes that can be compared with the numbers in 1 Chronicles.
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