I Chronicles 9
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Commentaries
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Were reckoned by genealogies - Jarchi considers these as the words of Ezra, the compiler of the book; as if he had said: I have given the genealogies of the Israelites as I have found them in a book which was carried into Babylon, when the people were carried thither for their transgressions; and this book which I found is that which I have transcribed in the preceding chapters.
Open source ↗ORIGINAL REGISTERS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH'S GENEALOGIES. (1Ch. 9:1-26) all Israel were reckoned by genealogies--From the beginning of the Hebrew nation, public records were kept, containing a registration of the name of every individual, as well as the tribe and family to which he belonged. "The book of the kings of Israel and Judah" does not refer to the two canonical books that are known in Scripture by that name, but to authenticated copies of those registers, placed under the official care of the sovereigns; and as a great number of the Israelites (Ch1 9:3) took refuge in Judah during the invasion of Shalmaneser, they carried the public records along with them. The genealogies given in the preceding chapters were drawn from the public records in the archives both of Israel and Judah; and those given in this chapter relate to the period subsequent to the restoration; whence it appears (compare Ch1 3:17-24) that the genealogical registers were kept during the captivity in Babylon. These genealogical tables, then, are of the highest authority for truth and correctness, the earlier portion being extracted from the authenticated records of the nation; and as to those which belong to the time of the captivity, they were drawn up by a contemporary writer, who, besides enjoying the best sources of information, and being of the strictest integrity, was guided and preserved from all error by divine inspiration.
Open source ↗So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies,.... Not now by the writer of this book in the preceding chapters; for two of the tribes are not reckoned at all, and the rest but in part; but there had been kept an exact account of them: and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel; not in the canonical book or books of Kings, but in the annals, journals, and diaries, which each king took care to be kept with some exactness, often referred to in the preceding books; out of which this writer, under a divine direction, had taken what was proper to be continued, and had carried the genealogy down to the captivity of the ten tribes; but the genealogy being lost with them, he could proceed no further, nor say anything more concerning them: but Judah; for so the word should be stopped, and read according to the Hebrew accents: who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression; their idolatry, and were now returned again; of them the writer proposes to give a further account.
Open source ↗So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies,.... Not now by the writer of this book in the preceding chapters; for two of the tribes are not reckoned at all, and the rest but in part; but there had been kept an exact account of them: and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel; not in the canonical book or books of Kings, but in the annals, journals, and diaries, which each king took care to be kept with some exactness, often referred to in the preceding books; out of which this writer, under a divine direction, had taken what was proper to be continued, and had carried the genealogy down to the captivity of the ten tribes; but the genealogy being lost with them, he could proceed no further, nor say anything more concerning them: but Judah; for so the word should be stopped, and read according to the Hebrew accents: who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression; their idolatry, and were now returned again; of them the writer proposes to give a further account.
Open source ↗The first verse looks back upon the foregoing genealogies, and tells us they were gathered out of the books of the kings of Israel and Judah, not that which we have in the canon of scripture, but another civil record, which was authentic, as the king's books with us. Mentioning Israel and Judah, the historian takes notice of their being carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Let that judgment never be forgotten, but ever be remembered, for warning to posterity to take heed of those sins that brought it upon them. Whenever we speak of any calamity that has befallen us, it is good to add this, "it was for my transgression," that God may be justified and clear when he judges. Then follows an account of the first inhabitants, after their return from captivity, that dwelt in their cities, especially in Jerusalem. 1. The Israelites. That general name is used (Ch1 9:2) because with those of Judah and Benjamin there were many of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the other ten tribes (Ch1 9:3), such as had escaped to Judah when the body of the ten tribes were carried captive or returned to Judah upon the revolutions in Assyria, and so went into captivity with them, or met them when they were in Babylon, associated with them, and so shared in the benefit of their enlargement. It was foretold that the children of Judah and of Israel should be gathered together and come up out of the land (Hos 1:11), and that they should be one nation again, Eze 37:22. Trouble drives those together that have been at variance; and the pieces of metal that had been separated will run together again when melted in the same crucible. Many both of Judah and Israel staid behind in captivity; but some of both, whose spirit God stirred up, enquired the way to Zion again. Divers are here named, and many m…
Open source ↗9:1-34 The Chronicler shows how people and institutions who returned from the Exile had continuity with the past. The Levites and the priests are prominent in this summary of Israel, expressing the Chronicler’s view that they were central to the organization of the nation. They were crucial to Israel’s function and success as a nation where God was the King. The Chronicler drew upon the records of ancient times as far back as Moses and David (9:19-22) to describe each group’s homeland and rank. 9:1 The statement that all Israel was listed in the genealogical records reveals the crux of the Chronicler’s thought, that all Israel was represented by the community of Judea in the time of the Chronicler, which had continuity with Israel’s past. • The Book of the Kings of Israel is a source document that the authors of both Kings and Chronicles used but has now been lost (see also study note on 1 Kgs 14:19-20). • The people of Judah were exiled for unfaithfulness, as the other tribes had been (1 Chr 5:25-26; 6:15; see 2 Chr 36:20-21).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָחַשׂ (yâchas, H3187) — to enroll by pedigree כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire מַעַל (maʻal, H4604) — treachery, i.e. sin
Open source ↗רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi נָתִין (Nâthîyn, H5411) — the Nethinim, or Temple-servants (as given to that duty)
Open source ↗יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗עוּתַי (ʻÛwthay, H5793) — Uthai, the name of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמִּיהוּד (ʻAmmîyhûwd, H5989) — Ammihud, the name of three Israelites עׇמְרִי (ʻOmrîy, H6018) — Omri, an Israelite אִמְרִי (ʼImrîy, H566) — Imri, the name of two Israelites בָּנִי (Bânîy, H1137) — Bani, the name of five Israelites פֶּרֶץ (Perets, H6557) — Perets, the name of two Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗שִׁילוֹנִי (Shîylôwnîy, H7888) — a Shilonite or inhabitant of Shiloh עֲשָׂיָה (ʻĂsâyâh, H6222) — Asajah, the name of three or four Israelites בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זֶרַח (Zerach, H2226) — Zerach, the name of three Israelites, also of an Idumaean and an Ethiopian prince יְעוּאֵל (Yᵉʻûwʼêl, H3262) — Jeuel, the name of four Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction תִּשְׁעִים (tishʻîym, H8673) — ninety
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory סַלּוּ (Çallûw, H5543) — Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites הוֹדַוְיָה (Hôwdavyâh, H1938) — Hodavjah, the name of three Israelites סְנוּאָה (Çᵉnûwʼâh, H5574) — pointed; (used with the article as a proper name) Senuah, the name of two Israelites
Open source ↗יִבְנְיָה (Yibnᵉyâh, H2997) — Jibnejah, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְרֹחָם (Yᵉrôchâm, H3395) — Jerocham, the name of seven or eight Israelites אֵלָה (ʼÊlâh, H425) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine עֻזִּי (ʻUzzîy, H5813) — Uzzi, the name of six Israelites מִכְרִי (Mikrîy, H4381) — Mikri, an Israelite מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites שְׁפַטְיָה (Shᵉphaṭyâh, H8203) — Shephatjah, the name of ten Israelites רְעוּאֵל (Rᵉʻûwʼêl, H7467) — Reuel, the name of Moses' father-in-law, also of an Edomite and an Israelite יִבְנִיָּה (Yibnîyâh, H2998) — Jibnijah, an Israelite
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… תּוֹלְדָה (tôwlᵉdâh, H8435) — (plural only) descent, i.e. family; (figuratively) history תֵּשַׁע (têshaʻ, H8672) — nine or (ordinal) ninth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… יְדַעְיָה (Yᵉdaʻyâh, H3048) — Jedajah, the name of two Israelites יְהוֹיָרִיב (Yᵉhôwyârîyb, H3080) — Jehojarib, the name of two Israelites יָכִין (Yâkîyn, H3199) — Jakin, the name of three Israelites and of a temple pillar
Open source ↗עֲזַרְיָה (ʻĂzaryâh, H5838) — Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חִלְקִיָּה (Chilqîyâh, H2518) — Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites צָדוֹק (Tsâdôwq, H6659) — Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites מְרָיוֹת (Mᵉrâyôwth, H4812) — Merajoth, the name of two Israelites אֲחִיטוּב (ʼĂchîyṭûwb, H285) — Achitub, the name of several priests נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗עֲדָיָה (ʻĂdâyâh, H5718) — Adajah, the name of eight Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְרֹחָם (Yᵉrôchâm, H3395) — Jerocham, the name of seven or eight Israelites פַּשְׁחוּר (Pashchûwr, H6583) — Pashchur, the name of four Israelites מַלְכִּיָּה (Malkîyâh, H4441) — Malkijah, the name of ten Israelites מַעֲשַׂי (Maʻăsay, H4640) — Maasai, an Israelite עֲדִיאֵל (ʻĂdîyʼêl, H5717) — Adiel, the name of three Israelites יַחְזֵרָה (Yachzêrâh, H3170) — Jachzerah, an Israelite מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites מְשִׁלֵּמִית (Mᵉshillêmîyth, H4921) — Meshillemith, an Israelite אִמֵּר (ʼImmêr, H564) — Immer, the name of five Israelites
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חַשּׁוּב (Chashshûwb, H2815) — Chashshub, the name of two or three Israelites עַזְרִיקָם (ʻAzrîyqâm, H5840) — Azrikam, the name of four Israelites חֲשַׁבְיָה (Chăshabyâh, H2811) — Chashabjah, the name of nine Israelites מְרָרִי (Mᵉrârîy, H4847) — Merari, an Israelite
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. I found the genealogical register of those who had first returned, and I found the following written in it:
The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but could not prove that their families were descended from Israel:
And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.
So the LORD brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.
Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away to Babylon the remnant of the people who had remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to him.