Transjordanian Tribes and Their Chiefs
1 Chronicles 5:1-10
1 C.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- הבכור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובחללו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3ms
- יצועי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- נתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בכרתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לבני: PREP
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- להתיחש: VERB,hitp,inf
- לבכרה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3fs
Parallels
- Genesis 35:22 (verbal): Gives the underlying episode — Reuben’s sleeping with Bilhah and so ‘defiling his father’s bed’ — which Chronicles cites as the reason he lost preeminence.
- Genesis 49:3-4 (allusion): Jacob’s blessing/curse on Reuben explicitly removes his preeminence because of the same offense; Chronicles echoes this tradition about Reuben’s forfeited birthright.
- Genesis 48:5, 13-20 (thematic): Jacob’s adoption/blessing of Joseph’s sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) and the granting of Joseph’s double portion explains how the rights/privileges of the firstborn passed to Joseph’s line, paralleling Chronicles’ statement that the birthright was given to Joseph’s sons.
- Deuteronomy 21:15-17 (thematic): Sets out the legal principle of the firstborn’s rights and inheritance (including the double portion); provides legal/background context for understanding the significance of losing or transferring a birthright as described in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn—for he was the firstborn; but because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and he was not included in the birthright.
- And the sons of Reuben—he was the firstborn of Israel; yet, because he defiled his father's bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and he was not reckoned among the firstborn.
1 C.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- גבר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- באחיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss:3ms
- ולנגיד: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- והבכרה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ליוסף: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 49:8-10 (allusion): Jacob's blessing declares Judah's preeminence and the scepter/leadership (judicial/royal rule) coming from Judah, paralleling 'Judah prevailed... and a leader from him.'
- Genesis 48:13-20 (thematic): Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) gives Joseph a double portion—an expression of the birthright being assigned to Joseph rather than Judah.
- Deuteronomy 33:17 (thematic): Moses' blessing portrays Joseph as having a double portion ('the firstborn of his ox'/'his horns are the horns of a wild ox'), echoing the idea that the birthright/privileged inheritance belonged to Joseph.
- Psalm 78:67-72 (allusion): The psalm recounts God’s choice of Judah for leadership (and rejection of Joseph's houses as ruling tents), reflecting the tradition that Judah provided leadership while the birthright issue involved Joseph.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Judah grew strong among his brothers, and from him came the princely line; the birthright belonged to Joseph.
- For Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leadership; but the birthright belonged to Joseph.
1 C.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חנוך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופלוא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חצרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכרמי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 46:9 (verbal): Same list of Reuben’s sons (Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi) in the genealogy of Jacob’s family when they go to Egypt — a direct verbal parallel.
- Numbers 26:5 (verbal): Census listing of Reuben’s descendants that repeats the same names (Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi), echoing the genealogical record.
- Genesis 35:22 (allusion): Reports Reuben’s defilement of his father’s bed (incident behind Chronicles’ remark that Reuben lost his birthright), providing the narrative background alluded to in Chronicles 5.
- Genesis 49:3-4 (thematic): Jacob’s blessing/censure of Reuben—pronouncing loss of preeminence because of instability and the incident with his father’s bed—explains the theme of forfeited firstborn rights referenced in Chronicles.
- Genesis 48:5 (structural): Jacob’s adoption and elevation of Joseph’s sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) to the status of his own sons (and thus heirs), which structurally explains the transfer of firstborn privileges from Reuben to Joseph’s line mentioned nearby in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
- The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
1 C.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יואל: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- שמעיה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- גוג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- שמעי: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 1Chr.5:3 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same genealogical section—continuation/close context for the list of Joel’s descendants.
- Numbers 26:5-9 (thematic): Numbers’ census/genealogical listing of the tribe of Reuben provides an earlier, related catalogue of Reubenite families that Chronicles expands and rearranges.
- 1 Kings 12:22-24 (verbal): Occurs the same personal name Shemaiah (Shemaiah the man of God); not the same individual but a clear name-parallel in Israel’s historical tradition.
- 2 Samuel 16:5-8 (verbal): Contains another notable bearer of the name Shimei (Shimei son of Gera), showing the recurrence of this personal name elsewhere in Israel’s narratives.
- Ezekiel 38:2 (allusion): Uses the name Gog (Gog of Magog) as a prominent figure; Chronicles here lists a genealogical Gog—same name appearing in a different literary and theological context.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son.
- The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son.
1 C.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ראיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 5:2-4 (structural): Immediate context: the surrounding verses continue the same genealogical list of Reuben’s descendants and explain the loss of the birthright, so they form a connected structural parallel.
- 1 Chronicles 5:6-10 (structural): Continuation of the same chapter’s genealogy — further names and clan groupings that complete the list to which v.5 belongs.
- Numbers 26:5-11 (thematic): Census-list tradition for the tribe of Reuben; provides another genealogical account of Reubenite clans that parallels Chronicles’ preservation of tribal descent information.
- Genesis 46:9 (thematic): Earlier patriarchal listing of Reuben’s sons (the foundational generation for later Reubenite genealogies); thematically parallels Chronicles’ later descendant lists and shows the transmission of genealogical tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son.
- Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son.
1 C.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בארה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הגלה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- תלגת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלנאסר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- נשיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לראובני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 5:26 (verbal): Same chapter recounts the exile under Pul/Tiglath‑Pileser of the Reubenites, Gadites and half‑tribe of Manasseh — repeats the Assyrian deportation language.
- 2 Kings 15:29 (thematic): Records Tiglath‑Pileser’s campaigns and deportations in Israel; parallels the historical event of Assyrian exile mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:6.
- Genesis 46:9 (verbal): Lists the sons of Reuben (Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi), providing the genealogical background for the Reubenite leaders noted in 1 Chronicles 5.
- Numbers 26:5 (verbal): Census/genealogical listing of Reuben’s sons that parallels the genealogical material underlying the chronicler’s account of Reubenite leaders and families.
Alternative generated candidates
- Becher his son, whom Tiglath‑pileser king of Assyria carried away; he was the chief of the Reubenites.
- Beera his son, Ashur—Tiglath‑pileser the king exiled him; he was the prince of the Reubenites.
1 C.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואחיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- למשפחתיו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cstr,3,m,sg
- בהתיחש: VERB,hitpael,ptc,3,m,sg
- לתלדותם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעיאל: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וזכריהו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Genesis 46:9 (structural): A patriarchal genealogy listing the sons of Reuben; structurally parallels Chronicles’ practice of enumerating tribal families and their heads.
- Numbers 26:5–8 (verbal): Census of Reuben’s clans and families; provides an earlier, parallel listing of the same tribal groups that Chronicles sets alongside named family heads.
- Genesis 49:3–4 (thematic): Jacob’s oracle about Reuben losing preeminence; thematically connects with Chronicles’ concern for tribal leadership and the assignment of family heads.
- 1 Chronicles 7:1–5 (structural): Another genealogical register within Chronicles that uses the same formulaic language for families and heads, illustrating the book’s consistent genealogical method.
- Ezra 2:1 (cf. Nehemiah 7:6) (thematic): Postexilic list naming heads of returning families; thematically parallels the role of named family heads in community organization and continuity reflected in 1 Chronicles 5:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- And his kinsmen, by their families, according to their generations: Jeiel and Zechariah.
- And his brothers, heads of their families by their generations, were Jeiel and Zechariah.
1 C.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובלע: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזז: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יואל: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- בערער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- נבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובעל: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- מעון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 5:7 (verbal): Immediate genealogical parallel: the surrounding verses (5:6–9) give the same family list and context for Bela son of Azaz, repeating names and household heads.
- 1 Chronicles 5:9 (verbal): Closely related verse in the same chapter that continues the account of settlement and dwelling places of the descendants, reinforcing the territorial note about towns east of the Jordan.
- Numbers 32:34 (structural): Part of the broader Mosaic tradition listing towns east of the Jordan (including Aroer, Nebo, Baal‑meon) associated with the tribes that settled there; parallels the territorial reference in 1 Chr 5:8.
- Joshua 13:16–23 (thematic): Joshua’s summary of the allotment east of the Jordan (tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half‑Manasseh) lists many of the same towns/regions (Aroer, Nebo, Baal‑meon), providing the canonical territorial background to 1 Chr 5:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel—he dwelt in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal‑meon; he was lord of Baal‑meon.
- Bela son of Azaz son of Shema son of Joel—he lived in Aroer as far as Nebo and was lord of the settlement.
1 C.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולמזרח: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- מדברה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למן: PREP
- הנהר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- פרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- מקניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- רבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 32:1-5 (thematic): Describes the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad (and half-Manasseh) to settle east of the Jordan because their cattle were numerous—same motive and region (Gilead) as 1 Chr 5:9.
- Deuteronomy 3:12-17 (verbal): Gives the territorial assignments east of the Jordan (Gilead, Argob, etc.) to Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh—corresponds to the geographic extent and settlement mentioned in 1 Chr 5:9.
- Joshua 13:24-28 (verbal): Records the allotment of the lands east of Jordan to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, specifying regions that include Gilead—parallels the administrative/territorial claim in 1 Chr 5:9.
- Joshua 22:4 (allusion): Joshua's commission to the eastern tribes notes that the land was given to them for their livestock and that they should dwell there—echoes the reason (their cattle multiplied) and the settling eastward in 1 Chr 5:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the east they lived as far as the entrance of the wilderness, even to the Euphrates River, for their cattle had multiplied in the land of Gilead.
- To the east they dwelt, reaching to the edge of the desert toward the Euphrates River, for their herds had multiplied in the land of Gilead.
1 C.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובימי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- ההגראים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בידם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- באהליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,poss3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מזרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לגלעד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 5:18-22 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same chapter that continues and expands the account: names the adversaries (Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, Nodab), reports the defeat and capture, and the occupation of the region east of Gilead.
- Numbers 32:1-5 (thematic): Describes the tribes of Reuben and Gad settling and living in the region east of the Jordan; provides background for Israelite presence and tent-dwelling 'on the whole face of Gilead' mentioned in 1 Chr 5:10.
- Deuteronomy 3:12-17 (thematic): Gives the allocation and description of the land of Gilead and its relation to the trans-Jordan tribes (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh), connecting to the geographic claim and habitation east of Gilead in 1 Chr 5:10.
- Genesis 25:12-18 (allusion): Lists the descendants of Ishmael (traditionally associated with Hagar); useful for identifying the Hagrites as a nomadic group linked to Hagar/Ishmael and so for understanding who the 'Hagrites' were in the conflict of 1 Chr 5:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites; the Hagrites were defeated and fell into their hands, and they dwelt in their tents throughout the region east of Gilead.
- In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites; they fell by their hand, and they dwelt in their tents over all the pasturelands east of Gilead.
The sons of Reuben—the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn; yet because he defiled his father's marriage-bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and he was not counted among the firstborn.
For Judah prevailed over his brothers and from him came the princely line, but the birthright belonged to Joseph.
The sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son.
Micha his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son.
Bera his son—whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria carried away; he was prince of the Reubenites. And his brothers, by their families and according to their generations: Jeiel and Zechariah. And Bela son of Azzaz, son of Shema, son of Joel; he dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and to Baal-meon.
To the east they lived, as far as the edge of the wilderness, to the Euphrates River—for their cattle increased in the land of Gilead.
In the days of Saul they waged war with the Hagrites; the Hagrites fell into their hands, and they dwelt in their tents throughout the whole open region east of Gilead.