1 Chronicles 7:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 7:10 mean?

1 Chronicles 7:10 lists the descendants of Jediael, naming his son Bilhan and then listing Bilhan’s sons: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar. This verse is part of a genealogy, showing the family line within the tribe of Benjamin.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written for the people of Israel, recording their history and family lines after returning from exile. This verse is in a section that details the descendants of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The list helps preserve the memory of these families and their place in Israel’s story.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 7:10

• The word for "sons" is בֵּן (ben, H1121), which means male descendants or children. In genealogies like this, it emphasizes the importance of family lineage and inheritance in ancient Israel.
• The names Jediael (יְדִיעֲאֵל, yedia’el, H3043) and Bilhan (בִּלְהָן, bilhan, H1092) are personal names, each with their own meaning, but here they mainly serve to identify specific ancestors within the tribe.
• The names Jeush (יְעוּשׁ, ye’ush, H3274), Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִין, binyamin, H1144), Ehud (אֵהוּד, ehud, H164), Chenaanah (כְּנַעֲנָה, kena’anah, H3668), Zethan (זֵיתָן, zetan, H2133), Tharshish (תַּרְשִׁישׁ, tarshish, H8659), and Ahishahar (אֲחִי-שָׁחַר, achishachar, H300) are listed to show the specific branches of this family. Each name marks a different household or clan within the tribe.

Why 1 Chronicles 7:10 matters

• This verse helps clarify the structure of the tribe of Benjamin by naming specific family lines, which would have been important for land inheritance and tribal identity.
• The genealogy connects the people returning from exile to their ancestors, reinforcing their sense of belonging and continuity in Israel’s history.
• By preserving these names, the text honors the memory of individuals and families who played a role in the nation’s story, even if little else is known about them.