Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.

1 CHRONICLES 26:31KJV
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1 Chronicles 26:31 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 26:31 mean?

1 Chronicles 26:31 identifies Jerijah as the head of a family group called the Hebronites. During David’s fortieth year as king, a search among the group found capable men at Jazer in Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River.

The family lines mattered because the Hebronites were part of the Levites, a tribe with assigned duties among the people of Israel. The reference to “generations of his fathers” places Jerijah’s leadership within that family record. The mention of capable men prepares the reader for their appointment in the next verse.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 26:31

  • “chief” — רֹאשׁ (rosh): This word often means “head.” Here it identifies Jerijah as the person at the head of the Hebronite family group.
  • “valour” — חַיִל (ḥayil): This word can refer to strength, ability, or worth. In the phrase “mighty men of valour,” it describes capable men, a description that can reach beyond bravery in battle.

Why 1 Chronicles 26:31 matters

  • Family records and ability both matter in this account. The verse names the Hebronites’ family lines and also reports a search that found capable men among them.
  • The men’s duties extended beyond their own family group. Verse 32 says David placed them over the tribes east of the Jordan for matters concerning God and the king.

Where else these words appear

“Jerijah” Hebrew H3404 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 23:19 Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

“Hebronites” Hebrew H2276 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 3:27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
  • Numbers 26:58 These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:23 Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

“Jazer” Hebrew H3270 · used in 12 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Numbers 32:35 And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,
  • 1 Chronicles 6:81 And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.

“generations” Hebrew H8435 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
  • Numbers 1:38 Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;