King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 5:26 Mean?

1 Chronicles 5:26 in the King James Version says “And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, a... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

1 Chronicles 5:26 · KJV


Context

24

And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers. famous: Heb. men of names

25

And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.

26

And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Genealogical Significance: This verse appears within the Trans-Jordanian tribes and their failures section of Chronicles' genealogical framework. The Hebrew term מַעַל (ma'al) - unfaithfulness/treachery is central to understanding this passage's purpose. The Chronicler, writing to post-exilic Israel (c. 450-400 BCE), uses these genealogies not merely as historical records but as theological statements about covenant continuity and divine faithfulness.

The genealogical structure serves multiple purposes: (1) establishing Israel's connection to God's creatio n plan from Adam, (2) legitimizing post-exilic community's claim to covenant promises, (3) emphasizing Judah and Levi's special roles in God's redemptive plan, and (4) demonstrating that despite exile, God's covenant purposes continue. The selection and arrangement of names is intentional, highlighting Consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.

Chronicles diverges from Genesis and Samuel-Kings in its genealogical presentation, reflecting the Chronicler's distinct theological agenda. Where earlier texts focus on narrative history, Chronicles emphasizes continuity, legitimacy, and hope for restoration. This verse contributes to the larger argument that the post-exilic community is the rightful heir of God's ancient covenant promises.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Post-Exilic Context: The Chronicler wrote during the Persian period (450-400 BCE) to a community returned from Babylonian exile, struggling with identity and purpose. These genealogies answered crucial questions: Who are we? What is our relationship to ancient Israel? Do God's promises still apply to us?

The historical setting influences the text's emphasis on Trans-Jordanian tribes: Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued genealogies for establishing land rights, royal legitimacy, and tribal identity. Chronicles' genealogies served similar functions while adding theological depth. The inclusion of specific names and details reflects the author's access to temple archives, royal records, and earlier biblical texts.

Archaeological evidence from Persian-period Judah shows a small, struggling community centered around Jerusalem and the rebuilt temple. The genealogies reinforced their connection to the glorious past and provided hope for future restoration through God's covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding genealogies as theological statements rather than mere historical records change your reading of Chronicles and other biblical genealogies?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's faithfulness across generations, and how does that apply to your own family's spiritual legacy?
  3. How does Consequences of covenant unfaithfulness connect to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיָּעַר֩1 of 29

stirred up

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

אֱלֹהֵ֨י2 of 29

And the God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל3 of 29

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶת4 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ר֙וּחַ֙5 of 29

and the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

פּ֣וּל6 of 29

of Pul

H6322

pul, the name of an assyrian king and of an ethiopian tribe

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 29

king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֔וּר8 of 29

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וְאֶת9 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ר֙וּחַ֙10 of 29

and the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

תִּלְּגַ֤ת11 of 29
H0
פִּלְנֶ֙סֶר֙12 of 29

of Tilgathpilneser

H8407

tiglath-pileser or tilgath-pilneser, an assyryrian king

מֶ֣לֶךְ13 of 29

king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֔וּר14 of 29

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וַיַּגְלֵם֙15 of 29

and he carried them away

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֣י16 of 29

even the Reubenites

H7206

a reubenite or descendant of reuben

וְלַגָּדִ֔י17 of 29

and the Gadites

H1425

a gadite (collectively) or descendants of gad

וְלַֽחֲצִ֖י18 of 29

and the half

H2677

the half or middle

שֵׁ֣בֶט19 of 29

tribe

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה20 of 29

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַ֠יְבִיאֵם21 of 29

and brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לַחְלַ֨ח22 of 29

them unto Halah

H2477

chalach, a region of assyria

וְחָב֤וֹר23 of 29

and Habor

H2249

chabor, a river of assyria

וְהָרָא֙24 of 29

and Hara

H2024

hara, a region of media

וּנְהַ֣ר25 of 29

and to the river

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

גּוֹזָ֔ן26 of 29

Gozan

H1470

gozan, a province of assyria

עַ֖ד27 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם28 of 29

unto this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃29 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 5:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 5:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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