1 Chronicles 8:12 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 8:12 mean?

1 Chronicles 8:12 lists the sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shamed, and notes that Shamed built the towns of Ono and Lod along with their surrounding villages. This verse is part of a genealogy describing the descendants of Benjamin and highlights the role of Shamed in establishing important towns.

This verse comes from a section where the writer of 1 Chronicles is recording the family lines of the tribe of Benjamin for the people of Israel. The mention of building Ono and Lod shows that these descendants were not only part of the family tree but also played a part in founding or developing key settlements in the region, which would have been significant for the community’s history.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 8:12

• בָּנִים (banim, "sons"): This word refers to male descendants, emphasizing the genealogical focus of the passage and showing the importance of lineage in the chronicler’s record.
• בָּנָה (banah, "built"): This verb means to build or establish. Here, it highlights Shamed’s active role in founding or constructing the towns of Ono and Lod, not just living in them.
• עָרֵי (arei, "towns"): This word means "towns" or "villages," and its use here points to the smaller settlements or suburbs associated with the main towns, indicating a broader sphere of influence.

Why 1 Chronicles 8:12 matters

• This verse clarifies that some individuals listed in genealogies were also founders or builders of significant places, not just names in a family record.
• Mentioning the building of Ono and Lod connects the genealogy to real locations, grounding the family history in the physical landscape of ancient Israel.
• The verse helps readers see that the chronicler valued both family heritage and the contributions of individuals to the community’s development, showing how personal actions shaped the nation’s story.