King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 7:2 Mean?

1 Chronicles 7:2 in the King James Version says “And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Chronicles 7:2 · KJV

Context

1

Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.

2

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.

3

And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.

4

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.

Read 1 Chronicles 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Genealogical Significance: This verse appears within the Northern tribes and their heritage section of Chronicles' genealogical framework. The Hebrew term שֵׁבֶט (shevet) - tribe/scepter 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 All Israel included in God's covenant.

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.

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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 Northern tribal genealogies: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Asher. 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 All Israel included in God's covenant connect to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וּבְנֵ֣י1 of 23

“And the sons”

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

לְתוֹלָ֔ע2 of 23

“of Tola”

H8439

tola, the name of two israelites

עֻזִּ֡י3 of 23

“Uzzi”

H5813

uzzi, the name of six israelites

וּרְפָיָ֡ה4 of 23

“and Rephaiah”

H7509

rephajah, the name of five israelites

וִֽ֠ירִיאֵל5 of 23

“and Jeriel”

H3400

jeriel, an israelite

וְיַחְמַ֨י6 of 23

“and Jahmai”

H3181

jachmai, an israelite

וְיִבְשָׂ֜ם7 of 23

“and Jibsam”

H3005

jibsam, an israelite

וּשְׁמוּאֵ֗ל8 of 23

“and Shemuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

רָאשִׁ֤ים9 of 23

“heads”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

לְבֵית10 of 23

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבוֹתָם֙11 of 23

“of their father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לְתוֹלָ֔ע12 of 23

“of Tola”

H8439

tola, the name of two israelites

גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי13 of 23

“they were valiant men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

חַ֖יִל14 of 23

“of might”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

לְתֹֽלְדוֹתָ֑ם15 of 23

“in their generations”

H8435

(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history

מִסְפָּרָם֙16 of 23

“whose number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

בִּימֵ֣י17 of 23

“was in the days”

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

דָוִ֔יד18 of 23

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עֶשְׂרִֽים19 of 23

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וּשְׁנַ֥יִם20 of 23

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֶ֖לֶף21 of 23

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְשֵׁ֥שׁ22 of 23

“and six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵאֽוֹת׃23 of 23

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

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 7:2 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 7:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 24:1-91 Chronicles 27:23-241 Chronicles 21:1-51 Chronicles 27:1

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