Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 8:22 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 8:22 lists three individuals—“And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel”—as part of a genealogy. This verse is simply naming descendants within the tribe of Benjamin, continuing a longer list of family names. The book of 1 Chronicles is recording the family lines of Israel’s tribes, and chapter 8 focuses on the descendants of Benjamin. The writer is not making a statement or giving a story, but carefully preserving the names of people who belonged to this tribe. Each name represents a person whose family was part of Israel’s history, though no further details are given about Ishpan, Heber, or Eliel in this verse.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 8:22

Accepted Answer

אִישְׁפָּן (Ishpan, transliterated “Ishpan”): This name is often understood to mean “he will hide” or “hidden.” The meaning does not affect the verse’s purpose here, but it shows the personal nature of these genealogies, as each name carried meaning for the family. חֵבֶר (Heber, transliterated “Heber”): This name is commonly understood as “association” or “companion.” Again, while the verse is simply listing names, the meaning of Heber might have reflected a quality valued by his family. אֱלִיאֵל (Eliel, transliterated “Eliel”): This name means “my God is God.” The use of such a name highlights how Israelite names often expressed faith or a relationship with God, even in genealogical records.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 8:22 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse is part of a careful record-keeping tradition that was important for Israel’s sense of identity and belonging, especially after times of exile or displacement. By naming individuals, the passage affirms that every person and family had a place in the community’s story, even if nothing else is recorded about them. The verse connects to the larger context of 1 Chronicles 8, which traces the lineage leading to King Saul, Israel’s first king, showing the importance of the tribe of Benjamin in Israel’s history.

1 Chronicles 8:22 (KJV)