Jaakobah
Jaakobah is a name that appears only in this passage, and its meaning is uncertain. It may be related to the name Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." The connection to Jacob, the patriarch, could imply a continuation of the covenant promises made to the forefathers of Israel. This highlights the importance of names and their meanings in Hebrew culture, often reflecting character or destiny.

Jeshohaiah
Jeshohaiah means "Yahweh humbles" or "Yahweh is salvation." This name underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and His role in delivering His people. The concept of salvation is central to the biblical narrative, pointing forward to the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ. The name serves as a reminder of God's power to humble and save, themes that resonate throughout the scriptures.

Asaiah
Asaiah means "Yahweh has made" or "Yahweh has wrought." This name emphasizes God's creative power and His active role in the lives of His people. Asaiah is also mentioned in 2 Kings 22:12, where he serves as a servant of King Josiah, indicating the name's association with faithful service and dedication to God's purposes. The creative aspect of God is a foundational belief, seen from Genesis through the New Testament.

Adiel
Adiel means "God is my witness" or "ornament of God." This name reflects the idea of living a life that bears witness to God's presence and glory. The concept of God as a witness is significant in the context of covenants and oaths, where God is called upon to witness agreements and promises. This name suggests a life lived in accountability to God, a theme that is echoed in the teachings of Jesus about integrity and truthfulness.

Jesimiel
Jesimiel means "God sets" or "God establishes." This name highlights God's role in establishing His people and His plans. The idea of God setting or establishing is seen in the promises to Abraham about establishing a great nation and is fulfilled in the establishment of the church in the New Testament. It underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and His ability to bring His purposes to fruition.

Benaiah
Benaiah means "Yahweh builds" or "Yahweh has built." Benaiah is a more frequently mentioned name in the Bible, notably as one of David's mighty warriors (2 Samuel 23:20). The name signifies strength and the idea of God as a builder, both of physical structures like the temple and of spiritual lives. This reflects the biblical theme of God as the ultimate architect, building His kingdom and His people, a theme that finds its fulfillment in the New Testament with the building of the church.

• 1 Chronicles 4:36 opens with this name, reminding us that God records individual lives in His Word.

• Psalm 123:1 declares, “I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven,” echoing how each person in the genealogy was meant to live with eyes fixed on the LORD.

• In the context of Simeon’s tribe (4:24, 38), Elioenai stands as evidence that God kept His promise to multiply Jacob’s sons (Genesis 46:10).

• Though mentioned only here, Jaakobah’s inclusion proves God’s interest in every believer’s name and story (Isaiah 43:1).

• Numbers 1:2–4 shows God commanding Moses to list every male by name, underscoring that individual accountability matters in the covenant community.

• His placement in the record affirms that no servant of God is overlooked.

• The string of names continues to highlight God’s saving work inside a family line.

• Isaiah 12:2 proclaims, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.” Jeshohaiah’s appearance echoes this truth: salvation is woven into Israel’s history person by person.

• Together with the surrounding verses (4:38–40), the name underlines how God preserved Simeon’s clans even during territorial shifts.

• 2 Kings 22:12–14 introduces another man named Asaiah serving King Josiah, showing that faithfulness can span generations under the same name.

• Psalm 100:3 states, “It is He who has made us, and we are His.” Asaiah in 1 Chronicles 4:36 reminds us that every family line exists because God formed it.

• His placement testifies that the tribe of Simeon contributed servants for royal and temple duties long before and after David’s reign.

• “Adiel” sits mid-list, illustrating that the middle links in a chain are as crucial as the first or last.

• 1 Samuel 12:22 assures, “For the LORD will not abandon His people.” By recording Adiel, Scripture underscores God’s ongoing commitment to a complete covenant family.

• The verse’s flow shows how God knit diverse personalities into one faithful tribe.

• Colossians 2:7 urges believers to be “rooted and built up in Him.” Jesimiel’s inclusion prefigures this New-Covenant reality: God establishes His people firmly.

• The annotation in 1 Chronicles 4:38 that these men were “leaders of their clans” signals that Jesimiel carried spiritual weight in Simeon.

• His listing reinforces that leadership within God’s people springs from heritage and obedience.

• Benaiah is a familiar name elsewhere (1 Chronicles 11:22–25), linked with valor and loyalty to David. This Benaiah keeps that legacy alive inside Simeon.

• 2 Timothy 2:3 calls believers to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Benaiah’s record anticipates such steadfastness.

• The cluster of names ends on a note of strength, showing that God’s people are built for courageous service.

1 Chronicles 4:36 is more than a roll call; it is a testimony that God sees, values, and preserves every member of His covenant family. Elioenai through Benaiah trace a lineage of faith, leadership, and courage within Simeon, fulfilling promises like Genesis 46:10 and foreshadowing New-Testament truths of personal redemption and communal strength. Each name underscores that our Lord remains faithful to generations, recording lives for His glory and equipping them for His purposes.

Parallel Commentaries ...