1 Chronicles 8 21

1 Chronicles 8:21

ESV: Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

KJV: And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;

NIV: Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

NKJV: Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

NLT: Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

Meaning

1 Chronicles 8:21 is part of a detailed genealogical record for the tribe of Benjamin, specifically listing five individuals: Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, Ishpan, and Joha. These five men are identified as sons of Elpaal, continuing the lineage documented within the broader context of Benjamin's descendants and their settlements. The primary meaning of the verse is to establish and record this specific branch of the Benjamite family, which was crucial for tribal identity, inheritance, and communal order in ancient Israel.

Cross References

Context

First Chronicles chapter 8 is dedicated exclusively to the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin. This focus highlights the significance of Benjamin, a key tribe that remained with Judah during the divided monarchy and played a crucial role in the post-exilic community. The chapter systematically lists various family lines stemming from Benjamin, including the descendants of Jeiel, Gibeon, and Shaharaim (vv. 2-8), before turning to Elpaal (v. 11), whose children are detailed across several verses (vv. 12-21). Specifically, 1 Chronicles 8:21 continues the lineage tracing of Elpaal, listing the five names as his sons, indicating a distinct family branch that likely held an important place in the tribal structure, potentially associated with leadership or residency in particular locations like Jerusalem as the broader context of Chronicles (and Neh 11) implies the resettlement emphasis. The overall purpose of these detailed lists in Chronicles, compiled during the post-exilic period, was to affirm the identity, land rights, and purity of lineage for the returning exiles, solidifying their connection to ancient Israel's covenant heritage.

Word analysis

• וּמְשׁוּלָּם (u-Meshullam): "and Meshullam." The prefix וּ (u-) means "and." Meshullam is a common Hebrew name, meaning "repaid" or "complete/perfected." Its frequent appearance across different biblical periods highlights its popularity.
• וְחִזְקִי (ve-Chizki): "and Hizki." וְ (ve-) means "and." Hizki is a shortened form of Hezekiah (חִזְקִיָּהוּ), meaning "Yah is my strength" or "my strength is Yah."
• וְחֵבֶר (ve-Chever): "and Heber." וְ (ve-) means "and." The name Heber means "associate" or "fellowship," perhaps implying someone who brings others together.
• וְיִשְׁפָּן (ve-Yishpan): "and Ishpan." וְ (ve-) means "and." This name is less common and might relate to a root meaning "to hide" or "to conceal," suggesting "He will hide" or "He has hidden."
• וְיוֹחָא (ve-Yocha): "and Joha." וְ (ve-) means "and." Joha is possibly a short form related to "Yohanan" (John), which means "Yahweh is gracious" or "Yahweh has shown favor."
• בְּנֵי (bnei): "sons of." This is the construct plural form of "sons" (בָּנִים), linking the listed individuals directly to their father. It unequivocally defines their relationship as offspring.
• אֶלְפַּעַל (Elpaal): "Elpaal." The name means "God has wrought," or "God has made/done." This paternal name provides the anchor for this specific family branch.
• KJV Discrepancy (Not in Hebrew): It is important to note that the KJV translation includes the name "Psahed" in this verse, stating "were Psahed, and Jishpan, and Joha." However, the Masoretic Hebrew text does not contain "Psahed" in this list. The Hebrew lists five names directly as the sons of Elpaal: Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, Ishpan, and Joha. Modern critical translations like ESV, NIV, and NASB correctly omit "Psahed," making the count of Elpaal's sons to be five in this verse, not six, after the first three already listed (vs. 21 and the end of vs. 20 and previous ones starting from vs 12). The KJV's inclusion appears to be a unique textual variant or printing error for this verse.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:21, though seemingly a mere list of names, is a vital component of the Chronicler's larger theological and practical agenda for the post-exilic community. By meticulously recording the sons of Elpaal within the broader genealogy of Benjamin, the text serves several critical functions. The listing of specific individuals reinforces the idea that every member of the covenant community, regardless of their social standing, is known and remembered by God and essential to the whole. This detailed record-keeping also provided the returning exiles with a tangible connection to their ancestral land and tribal identity, necessary for reclaiming inherited lands and re-establishing civic order. In a context where a precise lineage determined everything from priestly qualifications to land ownership and participation in community affairs, verses like this were foundational documents. The precision (down to individual names) countered the potential for chaos and forgetfulness during the exile, reaffirming God's faithfulness in preserving His people and their heritage through generations, laying a groundwork for the rebuilding of national life and spiritual practices.

Bonus section

• The exhaustive nature of genealogies in 1 Chronicles (covering 9 chapters out of 29) demonstrates the Chronicler's intense focus on continuity from Adam to the returning exiles, aiming to integrate the community back into a long history of covenant faithfulness.
• The meticulous detailing of the Benjamin tribe specifically, including this verse, highlights its critical position within Judah after the kingdom's division and its prominence as the tribe of Saul and a major group living in and around Jerusalem during the return.
• Ancient Israelite genealogies were not just family trees; they were legally binding documents used for land claims, tribal identity, priestly and royal legitimacy, and tax purposes, far exceeding the purpose of modern genealogies.
• The inclusion of even "minor" figures in these lists signifies that God’s covenant encompassed all generations and individuals within the community, fostering a sense of belonging and divine knowledge of each person.

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