What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 8:29? Jeiel the father of Gibeon • The Chronicler identifies Jeiel as “the father of Gibeon,” showing he is the patriarch of a Benjamite clan (1 Chron 8:29; compare 1 Chron 9:35). • This title places him among the descendants of Benjamin, reinforcing God’s careful preservation of tribal lines promised since Genesis 49:27 and affirmed in Numbers 1:36–40. • Genealogies in Scripture are more than lists; they trace God’s faithfulness through real people. The same emphasis appears in Matthew 1:1–17, where a lineage anchors Jesus in history. • By naming Jeiel, the text reminds readers that every family matters to God, echoing Isaiah 49:16: “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands”. Lived in Gibeon • Gibeon was a prominent city in Benjamin’s territory (Joshua 18:25), famous for the Gibeonite treaty (Joshua 9) and Joshua’s long-day miracle (Joshua 10:12–14). • Recording that Jeiel lived right where his clan originated underscores stability and covenant loyalty. Like Ruth settling in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:22), Jeiel’s residence displays God’s plan unfolding in familiar places. • Gibeon later hosted one of Israel’s key high places where Solomon worshiped (1 Kings 3:4–5). Jeiel’s presence there foreshadows how God would use that location as a meeting point between heaven and earth. • The verse quietly assures us that God plants His people where their lives will influence future generations (Psalm 90:1). His wife’s name was Maacah • Including Maacah’s name honors her role in the family line, just as Sarah (Genesis 17:15), Rebekah (Genesis 24:67), and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:20) are remembered for their faith. • “Maacah” appears elsewhere (e.g., 1 Kings 15:2), showing it was a common name; still, the Chronicler singles out this Maacah so her contribution is never lost. • Scripture’s pattern of naming women in genealogies—Tamar (Genesis 38), Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (Matthew 1)—highlights God’s inclusive grace. • By pairing Jeiel with Maacah, the text upholds the creation design of marital partnership (Genesis 2:24) and the blessing of family continuity (Psalm 128:3–6). summary 1 Chronicles 8:29 is more than a brief genealogical note. Each phrase—Jeiel’s headship, his rooting in Gibeon, and Maacah’s named presence—testifies to God’s meticulous care over individual lives and family lines. The verse assures believers that their own histories are woven into God’s greater story, just as surely as Jeiel and Maacah’s names are preserved on the sacred page. |
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