And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,

1 CHRONICLES 5:7KJV
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1 Chronicles 5:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 5:7 mean?

1 Chronicles 5:7 records that Jeiel and Zechariah were recognized as the leading men among their relatives when the family records of their generations were reviewed. This verse highlights the process of identifying family leaders during a formal review of genealogies.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written to document the history and lineage of Israel’s tribes, with this section focusing on the tribe of Reuben. The verse notes that, during a recounting of family lines, Jeiel and Zechariah stood out as chiefs among their relatives. This detail would have helped the original audience understand who held authority and responsibility within the tribe at that time.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 5:7

  • "brethren" (אַחִים, 'achim): This word refers to close relatives or brothers, emphasizing the family context and relationships within the tribe.
  • "families" (מִשְׁפָּחוֹת, mishpachot): This term means extended family groups or clans, showing that leadership was recognized within these larger family units.
  • "chief" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This word means "head" or "leader," indicating that Jeiel and Zechariah were not just notable individuals but held official positions of leadership among their people.
  • "genealogy" and "reckoned" (יַחַשׂ, yachas): Both terms come from the same root and refer to the process of recording or registering family lines, which was important for maintaining tribal identity and inheritance.

Why 1 Chronicles 5:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies how leadership roles within Israel’s tribes were determined and recognized through careful record-keeping and genealogy.
  • It shows that the chronicler valued accurate records and the identification of key figures, which helped preserve the tribe’s history and structure.
  • By naming Jeiel and Zechariah, the verse connects the broader family story to specific individuals, grounding the tribe’s history in real people and relationships.

Where else these words appear

“Jeiel” Hebrew H3273 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:
  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:13 And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:

“genealogy” Hebrew H3187 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:33 And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:

“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;

“Zechariah” Hebrew H2148 · used in 43 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
  • Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.