King James Version
What Does 1 Chronicles 7:6 Mean?
“The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.”
Context
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.
5
And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
6
The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7
And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
8
And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(6-11) The tribe of Benjamin.
(6) **Benjamin.**—Before this word *bnê* (sons of . . .) has been lost, because Benjamin in Hebrew begins with the same three letters. The present list of the sons of Benjamin may be compared with three others, that of Gen. xlvi 21, that of Num. xxvi 38-41, and that of the next 1chron 1Chronicles 7:1-5.
(6) **Becher** with different vowels would mean *firstborn;* and the original reading in Genesis 46 may have been *Bela bechoro*—“Bela his firstborn,” as in 1Chronicles 8:1.
**Jediael,** *friend of God,* may be a substitute for *Ashbel,* i.e., Eshbaal, *man of Bel* or *Baal.* (Comp. 1Chronicles 3:8, Eliada for Beeliada.) Ashbel is the second son of Benjamin in Numbers 26 and 1 Chronicles 8, and the third (perhaps second) in Genesis 46
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 7:6 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 7:6
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge