Lexical Summary Vashni: Vashni Original Word: וַשִׁנִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Vashni Probably from Yishmray; weak; Vashni, an Israelite -- Vashni. see HEBREW Yishmray NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originanother reading for sheni, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs וַשְׁנִי according to ᵑ0 apparently proper name, masculine son of Samuel, only הַבְּכֹר וַשְׁנִי וַאֲבִיָּה 1 Chronicles 6:13, but read הַבְּכֹר יוֺאֵל וְהַשֵּׁנִי אביה compare ᵐ5L, and "" 1 Samuel 8:2; see ThSm BeCh DrSm and others Topical Lexicon Identity and Possible Etymologyוַשִׁנִי appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (1 Chronicles 6:28). Although some take it as a proper name (“Vashni”), many scholars view it as an elided form of the phrase “and the second,” mistakenly preserved as a name in certain textual traditions. Modern translations such as the Berean Standard Bible therefore read: “The sons of Samuel: Joel the firstborn and Abijah the second” (1 Chronicles 6:28). Older versions (for example, King James Version) transliterate the consonants and present “Vashni” as Samuel’s firstborn. Genealogical Setting in 1 Chronicles 1 Chronicles 6 records the Levitical genealogies, placing Samuel in the line of Kohath and setting the stage for the temple-worship ministries developed under David. The list moves from Levi to Kohath to Elkanah to Samuel, and then to Samuel’s sons. Within this catalog, וַשִׁנִי/J-Joel stands at the head of a significant sub-line: • Levi → Kohath → Elkanah → Samuel This line is notable because Heman became one of the three principal worship leaders appointed by David (1 Chronicles 25:1, 4–6). Thus, whether the text is read “Vashni” or “Joel,” the genealogy points forward to a crucial figure in Israel’s liturgical life. Comparison with the Samuel Narratives 1 Samuel 8:1–3 names Samuel’s sons “Joel” (Hebrew Yoel) and “Abijah,” noting that “his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.” The Chronicler’s rendering—“Joel the firstborn and Abijah the second”—matches the order and names of 1 Samuel, giving strong support to the view that וַשִׁנִי is not a separate individual but a scribal preservation of the ordinal “second.” This alignment underscores the harmony rather than conflict between the historical books. Implications for Understanding Samuel’s Lineage 1. Continuity of Service Despite the moral failures of Joel and Abijah in Samuel’s lifetime, God raised up their descendants—especially Heman—to lead temple worship. The genealogy demonstrates that divine purposes can transcend human shortcomings, weaving grace through generational lines. 2. Liturgical Heritage Heman’s appointment under David links Samuel’s house to the organized musical worship of the temple. Thus, וַשִׁנִי/Joel serves as the connecting node between the prophet Samuel and the psalmic ministry that would flourish in Jerusalem. 3. Textual Reliability The presence of a minor textual ambiguity that is readily harmonized with parallel passages illustrates the self-correcting nature of Scripture’s canonical witness. The fact that the Berean Standard Bible and other modern versions resolve the difficulty without resorting to conjecture reinforces confidence in the overall integrity of the biblical text. Lessons for Ministry Application • Faithfulness and Succession A godly heritage is no guarantee of faithful offspring (1 Samuel 8:3), yet parents are called to serve faithfully, leaving results to God. The Chronicler’s record reminds leaders to labor with an eye toward future generations, trusting God’s sovereignty. • Worship Leadership The path from Samuel through וַשִׁנִי/Joel to Heman highlights God’s pattern of raising skilled, Spirit-led musicians from within the Levitical families. Churches today draw encouragement to cultivate and commission gifted worship leaders who will anchor congregational praise in the Word. • Redemption of Weakness Samuel’s disappointment in his sons did not nullify God’s plan; instead, their lineage produced a chief musician whose service accompanied the ark and later the temple. Past failures need not define a family’s future usefulness in God’s kingdom. Canonical and Christological Significance The Chronicler’s attention to precise genealogies prepares the reader for later biblical emphases on lineage, culminating in the genealogies of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1; Luke 3). The faithfulness of God to preserve worship leaders from Samuel’s line prefigures His ultimate faithfulness in preserving the royal and priestly lines that converge in Christ, the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King. In summary, וַשִׁנִי, whether read as “Vashni” or understood as “the second,” stands at a pivotal point in Israel’s worship history. The term testifies to the accuracy of Scripture’s record, the grace that redeems imperfect families, and the divine priority of raising up leaders who will guide God’s people in faithful, Word-centered praise. Forms and Transliterations וַשְׁנִ֖י ושני vashNi waš·nî wašnîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 6:28 HEB: שְׁמוּאֵ֛ל הַבְּכֹ֥ר וַשְׁנִ֖י וַאֲבִיָּֽה׃ ס KJV: the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah. INT: of Samuel the firstborn Vashni and Abijah |
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