And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

1 CHRONICLES 5:23KJV
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1 Chronicles 5:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 5:23 mean?

1 Chronicles 5:23 describes how the descendants of the half tribe of Manasseh lived in a large area of land, stretching from Bashan to Baalhermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon, and how their numbers grew in that region. The verse highlights both their settlement and their increase in population across this broad northern territory.

This verse is part of a historical record, written to document the tribes of Israel and where they lived after entering the Promised Land. The focus is on the half tribe of Manasseh, who settled east of the Jordan River. The verse names specific locations to show the extent of their territory, emphasizing their growth and presence in a significant part of the land.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 5:23

  • "children" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word means "sons" or "descendants," making it clear that the verse is talking about the people who came from the half tribe of Manasseh, not just immediate children.
  • "increased" (רָבָה, ravah): This word means "to become many" or "to multiply." It highlights that the group did not just settle but also grew significantly in number, suggesting prosperity or blessing in that area.
  • "Bashan" (בָּשָׁן, Bashan), "Baalhermon" (בַּעַל חֶרְמוֹן, Baal-ḥermon), "Senir" (שְׂנִיר, Senir), and "mount Hermon" (הַר חֶרְמוֹן, har ḥermon): These place names mark the boundaries of their land. Mentioning all four shows the wide range of their territory, from well-known regions to more specific local landmarks.

Why 1 Chronicles 5:23 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the geography of ancient Israel, showing exactly where the half tribe of Manasseh lived and how far their territory stretched.
  • By noting their increase in numbers, the verse connects to earlier promises of growth for the tribes of Israel, showing that this promise was being fulfilled for Manasseh.
  • The verse sets up the context for later events in the chapter, including conflicts and changes in the region, by establishing who lived there and how strong they had become.

Where else these words appear

“Baalhermon” Hebrew H1179 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 3:3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

“Senir” Hebrew H8149 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:9 ( Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)
  • Song of Solomon 4:8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
  • Ezekiel 27:5 They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.

“Hermon” Hebrew H2768 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:8 And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;
  • Joshua 11:17 Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.
  • Joshua 13:11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.