King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 5:6 Mean?

1 Chronicles 5:6 in the King James Version says “Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. Tilgathpilne...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. Tilgathpilneser: or, Tig-lath-pilne-ser, 2.kin.15.29.and 16.7.”

1 Chronicles 5:6 · KJV

Context

4

The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

5

Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,

6

Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. Tilgathpilneser: or, Tig-lath-pilne-ser, 2.kin.15.29.and 16.7.

7

And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,

8

And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon: Shema: or, Shemaiah

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites—בְּאֵרָה (Beerah) means 'well' or 'spring,' while תִּלְגַּת פִּלְנֶאסֶר (Tilgath-pilneser) renders Tiglath-Pileser III, the Neo-Assyrian king who deported northern tribes (734-732 BC, 2 Kings 15:29). Beerah's designation as נָשִׂיא (nasi, 'prince' or 'tribal chief') indicates leadership status, making his exile particularly significant for Reuben's tribe.

Reuben, Israel's firstborn, lost birthright blessings through sin (Genesis 35:22, 49:3-4, 1 Chronicles 5:1), and now lost land through exile—fulfilled judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. Yet even recording exiled leaders preserves hope: God remembers His people even in judgment. The exile wasn't annihilation but discipline, positioning eventual restoration (Ezra-Nehemiah). Judgment doesn't negate identity in God's covenant memory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC) transformed Assyria into empire, implementing mass deportation policies to prevent rebellion. The 734-732 BC campaigns decimated northern Israel, deporting Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, Manasseh) before Samaria's final fall in 722 BC. Archaeological evidence from Assyrian records confirms these deportations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Reuben's loss of birthright followed by exile warn against presuming covenant privilege excuses unfaithfulness?
  2. What hope does God's preservation of exiled leaders' names offer when you face consequences of past failures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
בְּאֵרָ֣ה1 of 11

“Beerah”

H880

beerah, an israelite

בְנ֔וֹ2 of 11

“his son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 11
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶגְלָ֔ה4 of 11

“carried away”

H1540

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

תִּלְּגַ֥ת5 of 11
H0
פִּלְנְאֶ֖סֶר6 of 11

“whom Tilgathpilneser”

H8407

tiglath-pileser or tilgath-pilneser, an assyryrian king

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 11

“king”

H4428

a king

אַשֻּׁ֑ר8 of 11

“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

ה֥וּא9 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נָשִׂ֖יא10 of 11

“captive he was prince”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

לָרֽאוּבֵנִֽי׃11 of 11

“of the Reubenites”

H7206

a reubenite or descendant of reuben

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 5:6 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 5:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 5:262 Kings 16:72 Kings 15:292 Chronicles 28:20

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
View all places in 1 Chronicles 5 →

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