What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 8:32?

Mikloth

“Mikloth” (1 Chronicles 8:32) shows up within Benjamin’s family tree, right after the names of Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher.

• His appearance highlights that every branch—large or small—matters in God’s record (compare 1 Chronicles 8:1–4; 9:35–37).

• Genealogies in Scripture aren’t filler; they trace God’s faithfulness from generation to generation (Genesis 5:1; Matthew 1:1).

• By naming Mikloth, the text reminds us that the Lord sees individuals in the crowd, just as He later singles out Saul, also from Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:21).

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father of Shimeah

“was the father of Shimeah.”

• This short phrase preserves a vital father–son link (see the parallel list in 1 Chronicles 9:38).

• Fatherhood carries covenant responsibility: teaching the faith and modeling obedience (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:5-6).

• The Chronicle writer’s careful note says, in effect, “The baton was passed.” Each generation is to receive and relay God’s promises unchanged (2 Timothy 2:2).

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lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem

“They too lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem.”

• “They too” ties Mikloth’s household to the wider Benjamite community already resettled in the capital (1 Chronicles 8:28, 32; 9:3).

• Living near kin fostered unity and mutual support—crucial after the exile when Jerusalem needed rebuilding (Nehemiah 11:1-9; Ezra 2:1).

• God-centered community life illustrates Psalm 133:1: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!”

• The setting in Jerusalem anticipates the coming King from Benjamin’s neighboring tribe, Judah—linking everyday family life to redemptive history (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4).

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summary

1 Chronicles 8:32 may look like a simple genealogical footnote, yet it quietly celebrates three truths: God knows every name, He values each generational connection, and He gathers His people in covenant community. Mikloth and Shimeah remind us that ordinary families, rooted in the right place and living near fellow believers, play a real part in the unfolding story of redemption.