And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead.

1 CHRONICLES 5:10KJV
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1 Chronicles 5:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 5:10 mean?

1 Chronicles 5:10 describes how, during the time when Saul was king, the people fought against the Hagarites, defeated them, and then lived in their tents across the eastern region of Gilead. This verse records a specific military victory and the resulting change in who controlled that land.

The verse is part of a historical account written to document the tribes of Israel and their actions. The focus here is on the descendants of Reuben, who are described as making war with a group called the Hagarites. After defeating the Hagarites, the Reubenites took over their territory, specifically in the area east of Gilead, which is east of the Jordan River.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 5:10

  • "days" (יָמִים, yamim): This word points to a specific period, in this case, the reign of Saul, giving a historical anchor for the event.
  • "Hagarites" (הַגְרִי, Hagri): This name refers to a nomadic group, likely descendants of Hagar, and helps identify the opponents in this conflict.
  • "tents" (אֹהֶל, ohel): The mention of tents highlights the nomadic lifestyle of the Hagarites and shows that the victors took over not just land but the living spaces of the defeated people.
  • "east" (קֶדֶם, qedem): This word means "east" and helps specify the geographic area where the Reubenites settled after their victory.

Why 1 Chronicles 5:10 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Reubenites expanded their territory through military action during Saul’s reign, not just by peaceful settlement.
  • The mention of the Hagarites and their tents shows the kind of people the Israelites encountered—nomadic groups with their own lands and ways of life.
  • By placing the event in Saul’s days, the verse connects the tribal history to the broader story of Israel’s first king, helping readers see how different parts of Israel’s history fit together.

Where else these words appear

“Hagarites” Hebrew H1905 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 5:19 And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

“east” Hebrew H4217 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
  • Joshua 16:5 And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
  • 2 Chronicles 4:4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.

“Gilead” Hebrew H1568 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 31:21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
  • Judges 10:17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.
  • 2 Kings 9:1 And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead: