And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.

1 CHRONICLES 8:32KJV
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1 Chronicles 8:32 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 8:32 mean?

1 Chronicles 8:32 records that Mikloth was the father of Shimeah, and notes that these family members lived in Jerusalem alongside their relatives, positioned across from them. The verse is part of a genealogy, showing family connections and where these descendants settled.

This verse appears in a list tracing the descendants of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The chronicler is documenting the family lines and their locations, emphasizing that these Benjamite families had a presence in Jerusalem. The detail about living "over against them" suggests that these relatives lived near each other, possibly in close-knit family groups within the city.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 8:32

  • "begat" (יָלַד, yalad) means "to father" or "to become the parent of." This word is used throughout genealogies to show direct lineage.
  • "dwelt" (יָשַׁב, yashav) means "to live" or "to settle." Here, it highlights that these family members made their home in Jerusalem, not just passing through.
  • "brethren" (אָח, ach) refers to brothers or close relatives, indicating a broader family group rather than just immediate siblings.
  • "over against them" (נֶגֶד, neged) often means "opposite" or "across from." This detail suggests a physical arrangement in Jerusalem, with family groups living near but distinct from each other.

Why 1 Chronicles 8:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that members of the tribe of Benjamin, not just the tribe of Judah, had established homes in Jerusalem, showing the city's diverse tribal makeup.
  • The emphasis on family groups living near each other suggests the importance of kinship and community structure in ancient Israelite society.
  • By including these details in the genealogy, the chronicler connects the present community of Jerusalem back to its tribal roots, reinforcing a sense of heritage and belonging.

Where else these words appear

“Mikloth” Hebrew H4732 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:38 And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:4 And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.

“also” Hebrew H637 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
  • Deuteronomy 33:3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
  • 2 Kings 5:13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

“them” Hebrew H5048 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • 2 Samuel 22:25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.