1 Chronicles 27:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 27:21 mean?

1 Chronicles 27:21 lists two leaders: Iddo, son of Zechariah, who was over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, and Jaasiel, son of Abner, who was over the tribe of Benjamin. This verse is part of a record naming the officials responsible for different tribes in Israel during King David’s reign.

This verse comes from a section where the writer is documenting the organization of Israel’s tribes for administrative and military purposes. The chronicler is naming the leaders who were in charge of each tribe, showing the structure and order in David’s kingdom. The mention of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead highlights how the tribe was split geographically, and the inclusion of family names connects these leaders to their heritage.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 27:21

• מַנַּשֶּׁה (Manasseh, transliteration: Manasheh): This word refers to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph’s son Manasseh. The verse specifies the half-tribe in Gilead, reminding readers that Manasseh’s territory was divided across the Jordan River.
• גִּלְעָד (Gilead, transliteration: Gil'ad): Gilead is a region east of the Jordan River. Mentioning Gilead clarifies which half of Manasseh is meant, since the tribe’s land was split between east and west.
• בֶּן (son, transliteration: ben): This word appears twice, linking Iddo to Zechariah and Jaasiel to Abner. In Hebrew lists, this emphasizes family lineage and legitimacy of leadership.

Why 1 Chronicles 27:21 matters

• This verse helps clarify the administrative structure of Israel under David, showing that leadership was distributed among tribes and even subgroups, like the half-tribe of Manasseh.
• The mention of specific regions and family lines roots the history in real people and places, making the record more trustworthy and concrete.
• Understanding the division of Manasseh and the role of tribal leaders helps make sense of Israel’s political and military organization in the wider context of 1 Chronicles 27.