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1 Chronicles 7

ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Chronicles 7

“Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.”

1 Chronicles 7:22

The narrative recounts Ephraim mourning for his sons killed by the men of Gath, and his brothers coming to comfort him during this time of grief.

What 1 Chronicles 7 is about

The sons of Issachar are Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. Tola's descendants, including Uzzi and others, were mighty men of valor. They counted twenty-two thousand six hundred during David's reign (vv. 1-2). The sons of Benjamin include Bela, Becher, and Jediael, with Bela's descendants numbering twenty-two thousand thirty-four (vv. 6-9). Jediael's son Bilhan had seventeen thousand two hundred who could serve in the army (vv. 10-11). The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum. Manasseh's lineage includes Machir and his children (vv. 13-19). Ephraim's sons were Shuthelah and Beriah; Ephraim mourned for the loss of his sons, and his daughter Sheerah built cities (vv. 20-24). The sons of Asher are listed, including Heber and Malchiel, with the total for service in war at twenty-six thousand men (vv. 30-40).

The genealogies affirm the identities and roles of the tribes among the people of Israel.

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1 Chronicles 7 at a glance

  1. 1 Chronicles 7:1–5Sons of Issachar
  2. 1 Chronicles 7:6–12Sons of Benjamin
  3. 1 Chronicles 7:13–19Sons of Naphtali and Manasseh
  4. 1 Chronicles 7:20–29Sons of Ephraim
  5. 1 Chronicles 7:30–40Sons of Asher

Key verse: 1 Chronicles 7:22

One thing to notice

The chapter features numerous lists of descendants, particularly among the tribes of Israel, organized by family lines. For example, verses 1-5 detail the sons of Issachar, while verses 6-12 cover the sons of Benjamin, each providing a count of 'mighty men of valor' along with numerical totals.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

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Sons of Issachar 1 Chronicles 7:1–5

Verse 1. Of the sons of Issachar: Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four. Verse 2. The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Tola; mighty men of valor in their generations. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred. Verse 3. The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah, five; all of them chief men. Verse 4. With them, by their generations, after their fathers’ houses, were bands of the army for war, thirty-six thousand; for they had many wives and sons. Verse 5. Their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, listed in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.

Sons of Benjamin 1 Chronicles 7:6–12

Verse 6. The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three. Verse 7. The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor; and they were listed by genealogy twenty-two thousand thirty-four. Verse 8. The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher. Verse 9. They were listed by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand two hundred. Verse 10. The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. Verse 11. All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand two hundred, who were able to go out in the army for war.

Verse 12. So were Shuppim, Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, and the sons of Aher.

Sons of Naphtali and Manasseh 1 Chronicles 7:13–19

Verse 13. The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, Shallum, and the sons of Bilhah. Verse 14. The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his concubine the Aramitess bore. She bore Machir the father of Gilead. Verse 15. Machir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maacah. The name of the second was Zelophehad; and Zelophehad had daughters. Verse 16. Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she named him Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. Verse 17. The sons of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.

Verse 18. His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. Verse 19. The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

Sons of Ephraim 1 Chronicles 7:20–29

Verse 20. The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Verse 21. Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their livestock. Verse 22. Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. Verse 23. He went in to his wife, and she conceived, and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because there was trouble with his house. Verse 24. His daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth Horon the lower and the upper, and Uzzen Sheerah.

Verse 25. Rephah was his son, and Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son, Verse 26. Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, Verse 27. Nun his son, and Joshua his son. Verse 28. Their possessions and settlements were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its towns; Verse 29. and by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, and Dor and its towns. The children of Joseph the son of Israel lived in these.

Sons of Asher 1 Chronicles 7:30–40

Verse 30. The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister. Verse 31. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. Verse 32. Heber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister. Verse 33. The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet. Verse 34. The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. Verse 35. The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.

Verse 36. The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, Verse 37. Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. Verse 38. The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara. Verse 39. The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. Verse 40. All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. The number of them listed by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in 1 Chronicles 7

Genealogy and Heritage

This chapter lists the genealogies of the tribes of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Ephraim, and Asher. For instance, in vv. 1-5, it details 'the sons of Issachar' and their descendants, highlighting their valor and number. It continues with the lineage of Benjamin in vv. 6-12, further establishing the heritage and familial connections within these tribes.

Faithfulness of God

This chapter preserves genealogies of the tribes of Israel, showing the continuity of their existence through generations. In verse 4, the mention of 'mighty men of valor' among Issachar's descendants indicates God's sustenance of their strength. The careful record of names and numbers illustrates God's ongoing relationship with His people, affirming His commitment to them.

Covenantal Promises

The genealogies in this chapter affirm the fulfillment of God’s promises to the tribes of Israel. In v. 20, the mention of 'Ephraim' and his sons shows the continuation of the covenantal lineage, including the notable figure of Joshua in v. 27. Each tribe’s detailed account reinforces the idea that God's promises endure through their generations.

Diversity in God's Plan

The chapter details the distinct lineages and contributions of various tribes within Israel, illustrating their unique identities. In verses 30-40, the sons of Asher are listed with a variety of names and roles, demonstrating the different ways each tribe contributes to the community. The inclusion of these diverse lineages shows the multifaceted nature of God's plan for Israel.

Chapter outline

How 1 Chronicles 7 unfolds

  1. 1 Chronicles 7:1–5 Sons of Issachar

    The sons of Issachar are listed, including Tola and his sons, 'mighty men of valor' (vv. 1-2), with their total number being eighty-seven thousand, counted among the families of Issachar (v. 5).

  2. 1 Chronicles 7:6–12 Sons of Benjamin

    The sons of Benjamin are named, focusing on Bela and his sons, who are 'mighty men of valor' (vv. 6-9), totaling twenty-two thousand thirty-four, followed by Becher and Jediael with their respective families (v. 7).

  3. 1 Chronicles 7:13–19 Sons of Naphtali and Manasseh

    The sons of Naphtali are identified, along with the sons of Manasseh, highlighting Machir, who took a wife, and naming his sons, including Peresh and Sheresh (vv. 13-19), while detailing family connections.

  4. 1 Chronicles 7:20–29 Sons of Ephraim

    The sons of Ephraim are enumerated with a focus on their lineage, including Shuthelah and the tragic death of some sons due to conflict, followed by Ephraim's mourning (vv. 20-23).

  5. 1 Chronicles 7:30–40 Sons of Asher

    The sons of Asher are named, with their genealogy concluding with 'choice and mighty men of valor,' totaling twenty-six thousand men for war (vv. 30-40).

Key verses

  • 1 Chronicles 7:22The narrative recounts Ephraim mourning for his sons killed by the men of Gath, and his brothers coming to comfort him during this time of grief.

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Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Chronicles 7

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v2, who are described as 'mighty men of valor'?
  2. observeWhat act does Ephraim perform in v21 that leads to mourning?
  3. interpretIn v24, how does Sheerah's action of building relate to her family's legacy?
  4. interpretWhat does the mention of Zelophehad's daughters in v15 suggest about inheritance practices?
  5. applyWhen have you felt a strong connection to your family's history or lineage?

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1 Chronicles 7: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Chronicles 7 about?+
The sons of Issachar are Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. Tola's descendants, including Uzzi and others, were mighty men of valor.
What is the key verse in 1 Chronicles 7?+
1 Chronicles 7:22: “Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.”
What are the main themes of 1 Chronicles 7?+
The main themes of 1 Chronicles 7 are Genealogy and Heritage, Faithfulness of God, Covenantal Promises, Diversity in God's Plan.

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