1 Chronicles 7:17 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 7:17 mean?

1 Chronicles 7:17 lists a descendant in the genealogy of the tribe of Manasseh, stating that Ulam had a son named Bedan, and that these are among the sons of Gilead, who was the son of Machir, who was the son of Manasseh. The verse is part of a larger record tracing the family lines of Israel’s tribes.

This verse appears in a section where the chronicler is carefully recording the descendants of Manasseh, one of the sons of Joseph, for the returned exiles of Israel. The focus is on preserving tribal identity and heritage, showing the line from Manasseh through Machir and Gilead, down to Ulam and his son Bedan. No actions or events are described—just a record of ancestry.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 7:17

• "sons" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word means "sons" or "descendants," and it is used repeatedly to show direct lineage, emphasizing the importance of family connections in ancient Israel.
• "Ulam" (אוּלָם, ʾUlam): This is a personal name, and its inclusion marks a specific branch within the tribe of Manasseh.
• "Bedan" (בְּדָן, Bədān): Another personal name, Bedan is only mentioned a few times in the Bible, and his appearance here helps clarify the genealogy.
• "Gilead" (גִּלְעָד, Gilʿad): Both a personal name and a region, here it refers to the ancestor of this family line, grounding the genealogy in a known figure.

Why 1 Chronicles 7:17 matters

• This verse helps clarify the family tree of Manasseh, which is important for understanding the distribution of land and tribal roles in Israel’s history.
• By naming specific descendants, the chronicler connects later generations to their ancestors, reinforcing the continuity of God’s promises to the tribes.
• The verse shows the chronicler’s careful attention to detail, which was significant for the returned exiles seeking to reclaim their identity and heritage after the Babylonian exile.