1 Chronicles 8:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 8:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 8:5 lists three individuals—Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram—as part of a genealogy. The verse is part of a larger section that records the descendants of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

This verse appears in a chapter where the writer is carefully documenting the family lines of Benjamin. The names mentioned here are likely heads of families or notable descendants, included to preserve the record of tribal heritage and lineage for future generations.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 8:5

• גֵּרָא (Gera, transliterated "Gera") means "grain" or "sojourner." In this context, Gera is simply a personal name, but elsewhere in the Bible, people with this name are sometimes linked to significant family lines.
• שְׁפוּפָן (Shephuphan, transliterated "Shephuphan") is a less common name, and its meaning is uncertain, but it is included here as a distinct family head within Benjamin's descendants.
• חוּרָם (Huram, transliterated "Huram") is a name that appears elsewhere in the Bible, sometimes associated with skilled craftsmen or leaders, but here it is just a genealogical entry.

Why 1 Chronicles 8:5 matters

• This verse helps clarify the specific family branches within the tribe of Benjamin, which is important for understanding the structure and history of Israel’s tribes.
• Including these names shows the chronicler’s concern for preserving every branch of Israel’s heritage, even those that might seem minor or less known.
• The careful listing of names in this chapter connects to the broader biblical theme of remembering and honoring ancestry, which was vital for identity and inheritance in ancient Israel.