What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 7:24? His daughter was Sheerah • The “his” points back to Ephraim (1 Chron 7:20–23). Scripture places Sheerah in a literal genealogical line, treating her as a real historical person, not a legend. • Including a woman in a male-dominated genealogy is rare, so the Spirit draws our attention to her for a purpose—much as He does with Tamar (Genesis 38:6), Rahab (Joshua 6:25), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and others. • Her presence showcases the breadth of God’s call: men and women alike may be used mightily in His covenant plan (cf. Proverbs 31:10-31; Acts 2:17-18). who built • “Built” is plain, literal language. She personally established, fortified, or oversaw the construction of the sites that follow, paralleling how Noah “built the ark” (Genesis 6:14) and Solomon “built the temple” (1 Kings 6:1). • Women holding civic responsibility was unusual in the ancient Near East, yet Scripture records it without apology—just as it records Deborah judging Israel (Judges 4:4-5). • Her work displays initiative and stewardship, qualities prized throughout Proverbs (Proverbs 24:3-4) and echoed in Christ’s call to “count the cost” before building (Luke 14:28-30). Lower and Upper Beth-horon • These sister towns guard the ascent from the coastal plain to the hill country west of Jerusalem. Joshua later marched through this very pass in his miraculous victory (Joshua 10:10-11). • They lay inside Ephraim’s inherited territory (Joshua 16:3; 18:13) and were later given to the Levites (Joshua 21:22). Solomon fortified them centuries after Sheerah (1 Kings 9:17; 2 Chron 8:5). • By crediting her with founding or fortifying both halves of Beth-horon, Scripture marks Sheerah as a visionary planner who strengthened Israel’s defenses and commerce routes. as well as • The phrase signals that Sheerah’s achievements were not confined to existing towns; she pressed on to initiate something entirely new. • It reflects the multiplying principle we see in the Parable of the Talents: faithful builders keep expanding their stewardship (Matthew 25:20-23). Uzzen-sheerah • Literally “Portion of Sheerah,” this settlement carried her name, an enduring monument much like “Kirjath-arba (that is, Hebron)” was to Arba (Joshua 14:15). • Uzzen-sheerah is otherwise unknown outside this verse, yet its mention shows that God notices and records every act done for His people, even when history books remain silent (Hebrews 6:10). • Naming a town after her underlines her leadership and the respect she commanded—anticipating later New Testament households that met in homes led by women such as Lydia (Acts 16:14-15, 40) and Nympha (Colossians 4:15). summary 1 Chronicles 7:24 spotlights Sheerah, Ephraim’s daughter, as a literal, historic builder of three strategic towns. God purposefully embeds her name in the genealogical record to display: • His sovereign use of both men and women in advancing His kingdom purposes. • The value He places on vision, diligence, and community-minded construction. • The certainty that faithful labor—whether founding cities or serving quietly—never escapes His notice. Her story encourages every believer to steward God-given gifts boldly, trusting that, like Sheerah, our work will stand recorded before Him forever. |
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