What does 1 Chronicles 7:37 mean?
What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 7:37?

Bezer

1 Chronicles 7:37 begins with Bezer, one of the sons of Zophah, a descendant of Asher. By recording his name, Scripture preserves a real man who helped fill out the 26,000 “valiant warriors” noted in verse 40. The name also calls to mind the city of refuge called Bezer (Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8), reminding us that God provides safety for His people.

• That earlier city of refuge pointed forward to Christ, our ultimate sanctuary: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

• The genealogical detail assures us that every family line mattered to the Lord, just as each believer is “known by name” (Isaiah 43:1).


Hod

Next comes Hod. His inclusion highlights the honor and splendor God weaves into ordinary lives. The same Hebrew root underlies “Splendor and majesty are before Him” (1 Chronicles 16:27), so this name quietly celebrates God’s glory reflected in His people.

• The Asherites were praised for strength and leadership (7:40); Hod’s life contributed to that testimony.

• His listing affirms that giving honor to God begins at home and passes to future generations (Psalm 29:2).


Shamma

Shamma follows, evoking the thought of God’s abiding presence. Ezekiel 48:35 declares, “The name of the city from that time on will be: The LORD Is There.” That same assurance steadied the warriors of Asher and still steadies us.

Exodus 33:14 records God’s promise, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 28:20 anchors the New Testament believer: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Shamma’s place in the record quietly echoes these truths.


Shilshah

Shilshah’s appearance underscores generational faithfulness. The broader passage traces fathers, sons, and brothers in careful order, showing how God keeps covenant “to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

• Each successive name confirms the Lord’s steady hand from one era to the next (Psalm 145:4).

• The New Testament mirrors this pattern when Paul tells Timothy to entrust truth “to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Shilshah’s line proves that God indeed works through family succession.


Ithran

Ithran adds depth to the list. An Ithran also appears among the descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:26; 1 Chronicles 1:41), hinting that God can redeem and repurpose what once lay outside the covenant line.

Romans 11:17 celebrates grafting a “wild olive” into the cultivated tree, a picture of grace reaching beyond expected borders.

• Ithran’s inclusion therefore reassures believers that no background is beyond God’s saving, integrating work.


Beera

Finally, 1 Chronicles 7:37 closes with Beera. Another Beera, a Reubenite prince, was exiled by Tiglath-Pileser (1 Chronicles 5:6), a sober reminder that disobedience invites discipline. Yet here, Beera of Asher stands tall among warriors.

• Together with his brothers he is counted among “heads of families, choice men, valiant warriors” (7:40).

• The contrast between the two Beeras highlights both God’s justice and His mercy: those who walk with Him enjoy honor; those who rebel face correction (Hebrews 12:6).


summary

1 Chronicles 7:37 is more than a list of six obscure names. Bezer points to refuge, Hod to honor, Shamma to presence, Shilshah to generational faithfulness, Ithran to gracious inclusion, and Beera to the twin realities of discipline and reward. Together they remind us that God’s Word records real people, real families, and real promises—demonstrating His unwavering commitment to protect, glorify, dwell with, sustain, enlarge, and purify His people across every generation.

Why are genealogies like 1 Chronicles 7:36 important in the Bible?
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