How does 1 Chronicles 8:25 fit into the genealogy of Benjamin's descendants? Quick look at the verse “Ibneiah son of Jeroham, Elah son of Uzzi, son of Michri, and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah.” (1 Chronicles 8:25) Where this verse sits in the family tree • The Chronicler is tracing the tribe of Benjamin (8:1). • Verse 25 is deep inside one particular branch that runs: – Benjamin – Bela (firstborn of Benjamin) – 8:3 – Ehud – 8:6 – Shaharaim – 8:8–11 – Elpaal – 8:12–18 – Shashak – 8:24 – Ibneiah, Elah, and Meshullam – 8:25 Step-by-step walk-through 1. Benjamin: the youngest son of Jacob (Genesis 35:18) whose tribe produced Israel’s first king, Saul (1 Samuel 9:1–2). 2. Bela: Benjamin’s eldest son (1 Chronicles 8:1–3). His line is emphasized, showing his prominence. 3. Ehud: a chief of Geba whose clan was resettled (8:6–7). 4. Shaharaim: had children after sending away two wives, highlighting family complexities (8:8–11). 5. Elpaal: one of Shaharaim’s sons; his children built Ono and Lod (v 12), important Benjamite towns near later New-Testament Lydda (Acts 9:32). 6. Shashak: a grandson of Elpaal whose sons appear in vv 24–25. 7. Verse 25 lists three representatives of Shashak’s branch, each traced back several generations to underscore authentic historical lines. Why verse 25 matters • Completes Shashak’s household record so every significant Benjamite clan is named before the chapter pivots to the line of Saul (vv 29-40). • Demonstrates God’s faithfulness: even lesser-known families are preserved in Scripture (cf. Isaiah 49:16). • Anchors later references: relatives of Jeroham and Meshullam reappear among post-exilic residents of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:8; Nehemiah 11:7), showing continuity from pre-exile to restoration. Key observations • The precision of fathers’ names (“son of …”) verifies literal lineage, not myth. • Multiple generations in one verse reveal how quickly the Chronicler can compress data once a branch has been sufficiently anchored. • Benjamin’s tribe, though small (Judges 20:46-48), is given a long register—God values every person and family. Takeaways today • God preserves records of people the world forgets. • Seemingly obscure verses like 1 Chronicles 8:25 are bricks in the larger structure that leads to Israel’s monarchy and, ultimately, to Messiah’s story (Romans 1:3; Revelation 5:5). |
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