And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.

1 CHRONICLES 7:4KJV
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1 Chronicles 7:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 7:4 mean?

1 Chronicles 7:4 describes how, in the generations after the heads of their families, there were organized groups of soldiers totaling thirty-six thousand men, because these families had many wives and sons. The verse highlights the large number of fighting men that came from these extended families due to their size.

This verse is part of a genealogical record in 1 Chronicles, where the writer lists the descendants of Issachar and details their military strength. The focus is on the practical outcome of having large families—many descendants meant a strong force of men available for war, which was significant for the tribe’s security and influence in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 7:4

  • "Generations" (תּוֹלְדוֹת, toledot): This word refers to family lines or descendants, emphasizing the ongoing legacy and growth of the tribe.
  • "Bands" (גְּדוּד, gedud): This term means organized groups or divisions, often used for military units, showing that these men were not just counted but arranged for battle.
  • "Soldiers" (צָבָא, tsava): This word means an army or host, underlining that these were not just family members but trained or organized for warfare.
  • "Many" (רָבָה, rabah): This word means numerous or great in number, explaining why the tribe could field such a large force—because of their many wives and sons.

Why 1 Chronicles 7:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the military strength of a tribe was directly connected to the size of its families, which was a practical concern in ancient Israel.
  • It helps the reader see how genealogies in the Bible are not just lists of names but also records of a tribe’s capacity and influence.
  • The verse ties into the broader passage by showing how the descendants of Issachar contributed to the defense and stability of the nation, giving context to their importance in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“bands” Hebrew H1416 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 49:19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
  • 2 Kings 6:23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:13 But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

“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;