Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,

1 CHRONICLES 8:1KJV
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1 Chronicles 8:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 8:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 8:1 states that Benjamin, one of the sons of Jacob, had three sons named Bela (his firstborn), Ashbel (his second son), and Aharah (his third son). This verse introduces the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin by listing his direct descendants.

This verse is part of a larger section where the writer is recording the family lines of the tribes of Israel. The focus here is on Benjamin’s family, setting up a detailed list of his descendants that follows in the chapter. The verse is a straightforward record, meant to establish the roots and order of Benjamin’s sons for historical and tribal purposes.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 8:1

  • בִּנְיָמִין (Binyamin): This is the Hebrew name for Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "favored son." The verse centers on his descendants, which is important for understanding the tribe’s origins.
  • יָלַד (yalad): Translated as "begat," this Hebrew verb means "to give birth to" or "to father." It signals the start of a genealogical record, showing Benjamin as the ancestor of the listed sons.
  • בְּכוֹר (bekhor): This word means "firstborn." In ancient Israel, the firstborn son often held a special status or inheritance rights, so noting Bela as the firstborn is significant for later tribal leadership and inheritance.
  • שֵׁנִי (sheni) and שְׁלִישִׁי (shelishi): These words mean "second" and "third," marking the birth order of Ashbel and Aharah. The order can matter for family roles and tribal divisions.

Why 1 Chronicles 8:1 matters

  • This verse clears up the basic family structure of Benjamin, which is important for understanding later stories about the tribe and its leaders.
  • By listing the sons in order, the verse sets up the genealogical framework that the rest of the chapter will expand, helping readers trace the lineage and connections within the tribe.
  • The mention of the firstborn and the specific order of sons highlights the importance of birth order in ancient Israelite society, which often influenced inheritance and leadership.