And the sons of Shemida were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
1 CHRONICLES 7:19KJVWhat does 1 Chronicles 7:19 mean?
1 Chronicles 7:19 lists the sons of Shemida: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam. This verse is part of a genealogy, recording the descendants of Manasseh, one of the tribes of Israel.
The book of 1 Chronicles was written to document the family lines of Israel, especially after the exile, to help the people remember their heritage. In this section, the chronicler is naming the descendants of Manasseh, and Shemida’s sons are included to show the different family branches within the tribe. Each name represents a family group or clan that would have had its own place and role among the people of Israel.
The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 7:19
- בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means "sons" or "descendants." In genealogies like this, it often refers not just to immediate sons but to family groups or clans that come from a common ancestor.
- שְׁמִידָע (Shemida, H8061): Shemida is the ancestor whose sons are being listed. His name marks a specific family line within the tribe of Manasseh.
- אֲחִיאָן (Ahian, H291), שְׁכֶם (Shechem, H7928), לִכִּי (Likhi, H3949), עֲנִיעָם (Aniam, H593): These are the names of Shemida’s sons. Each name likely became associated with a clan or group within the tribe, and sometimes these names are found elsewhere in the Bible as place names or personal names.
Why 1 Chronicles 7:19 matters
- This verse helps clarify the structure of the tribe of Manasseh by showing the specific family lines that made up the tribe, which would have been important for land division and leadership roles.
- By listing these names, the chronicler connects the present generation of Israelites to their ancestors, reinforcing a sense of identity and continuity after the exile.
- The verse also shows that even lesser-known families were remembered and valued in Israel’s history, not just the most famous leaders or tribes.