I Chronicles 7:30-40 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 7:30-40 Commentary: Why Serah? Asher's Genealogy
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
A study of the Asher genealogy: why Serah is included, the tribe's warriors, and what this list means for identity and faith.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The official record of Asher’s descendants, highlighting a notable daughter and the tribe’s military strength.
- Key words: heads, fathers’ houses, choice, mighty men, valor, princes, numbering.
- Main debate: The reason for Serah’s inclusion (Clarke: special reasons; rabbinic tradition: beauty and royal marriages).
- Theological theme: God values every person in his covenant community, including women and those otherwise unremarkable.
- Best use: To affirm identity as part of God’s family and to encourage readiness for service.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
30The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah.
31The sons of Beriah: Heber, as well as Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, and of their sister Shua.
33The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were Japhlet’s sons.
34The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram.
35The sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah:
37Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.
38The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara.
39The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.
40All these were the descendants of Asher—heads of their families, choice and mighty men of valor, and chiefs among the leaders. The number of men fit for battle, recorded in their genealogies, was 26,000.
WEB World English Bible 2000
30The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister.
31The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32Heber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
37Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.
38The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara.
39The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.
40All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. The number of them listed by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.
KJV King James Version 1769
30The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
32And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
40All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
30The sons of Asher: Imnah, and Ishvah, and Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31And the sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And the sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34And the sons of Shemer: Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35And the sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah: Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38And the sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispa, and Ara.
39And the sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rizia.
40All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. And the number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was twenty and six thousand men.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
30Son of Asher: Imnah, and Ishve, and Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31And sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel--he is father of Birzavith.
32And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath; these are sons of Japhlet.
34and sons of Shamer: Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35And son of Helem his brother: Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36Sons of Zophah: Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38And sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39And sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rezia.
40All these are sons of Asher, heads of the house of the fathers, chosen ones, mighty in valour, heads of the princes, with their genealogy, for the host, for battle, their number is twenty and six thousand men.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
30The sons of Asher: Jimnah, and Jishvah, and Jishvi, and Beriah; Serah their sister.
31And the sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
32And Heber begot Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And the sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath; these are the sons of Japhlet.
34And the sons of Shemer: Ahi, and Rohgah, and Hubbah, and Aram.
35And the sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, and Jimna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah: Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Jimrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Jithran, and Beera.
38And the sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39And the sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rizia.
40All these were the sons of Asher, heads of fathers' houses, choice men, mighty of valour, chiefs of the princes. And their number according to their genealogy, registered as fit for service for war, was twenty-six thousand men.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
30The children of Aser were Jemna, and Jesua, and Jessui, and Baria, and Sara their sister.
31And the sons of Baria: Haber, and Melchiel: he is the father of Barsaith.
32And Heber begot Jephlat, and Somer, and Hotham, and Suaa their sister.
33The sons of Jephlat: Phosech, and Chamaal, and Asoth: these are the sons of Jephlat.
34And the sons of Somer: Ahi, and Roaga and Haba, and Aram.
35And the sons of Helem his brother: Supha, and Jemna, and Selles, and Amal.
36The sons of Supha: Sue, Hernapher, and Sual, and Beri, and Jamra.
37Bosor and Hod, and Samma, and Salusa, and Jethran, and Bera.
38The sons of Jether: Jephone, and Phaspha, and Ara.
39And the sons of Olla: Aree, and Haniel, and Resia.
40All these were sons of Aser, heads of their families, choice and most valiant captains of captains: and the number of them that were of the age that was fit for war, was six and twenty thousand.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 7:30
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this genealogy serves two purposes: it connects the post-exilic community to their tribal roots, and it provides a military census of Asher’s warriors. The Cambridge Bible notes that the treatment of Asher is one of several tribe lists in the chapter, each with its own focus. Adam Clarke observes that the inclusion of Serah is rare in genealogies. Asher’s four sons listed here match Genesis 46:17, and the descendants of Beriah (Heber and Malchiel) are also found in Numbers 26:45. The closing verse describes these men as “choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes,” with a total of 26,000 fit for battle. As Keil and Delitzsch remark, the names mostly appear only in this passage, suggesting the chronicler had access to detailed records now lost. The overall thrust is to demonstrate that Asher, though often overshadowed, was a strong and organized tribe within Israel.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Serah is included because she was a notable figure in the tribe’s memory, and the genealogy emphasizes that all members of the community—including women—matter to God.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Serah's inclusion | Commentators agree it is unusual and significant; women rarely appear in genealogies. | Some (rabbinic tradition, noted by Clarke) emphasize her beauty and royal marriages; others view her as a preserved historical detail from earlier sources. |
| Census figure 26,000 | It represents the number of fighting men from Asher ready for war. | Whether this figure comes from David’s census (2 Samuel 24) or from independent tribal records is uncertain. |
| Name variants (Helem/Hotham, Shemer/Shomer) | These are likely the same individuals with variant spellings. | Keil & Delitzsch note it is impossible to determine which form is original; it may be a scribal error. |
| Purpose of the genealogy | It provides identity and continuity for the post-exilic community. | Some emphasize a military purpose (census for war), others a religious one (legitimizing temple and land claims). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The genealogies in 1 Chronicles were compiled after the exile, around 400, 350 BC, to help the returning community understand their identity as God’s people. They draw on earlier sources like the Pentateuch, the books of Samuel, and temple records. The tribe of Asher settled in the western Galilee region, a fertile area that produced olive oil (the name Asher means “blessed” or “happy”). By including the census number of 26,000 warriors, the chronicler connects Asher to David’s military organization (compare 1 Chronicles 12:36, where 40,000 from Asher joined David at Hebron).
The mention of Serah, the daughter of Asher, is striking because genealogies usually omit women. She appears already in Genesis 46:17 and Numbers 26:46, suggesting her memory was preserved. Some rabbinic traditions (noted by Clarke) claim Asher’s daughters were exceptionally beautiful and married kings or priests. The careful listing of names over several generations shows that the chronicler valued every branch of the tribe. This reflects the post-exilic concern for purity of lineage and the belief that each family had a part in God’s plan. The repeated phrase “heads of the fathers’ houses” underscores a patriarchal structure, yet Serah’s presence hints that women too could be remembered for their significance.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note several orthographic variants within the passage: Shemer/Shamer (vv. 32, 34), Helem/Hotham (vv. 32, 35), and Birzaith/Birzavith (v. 31). Keil and Delitzsch discuss the difficulty of determining which form is original. The Cambridge Bible remarks on the unequal treatment of tribes in the chapter. No variants affect the overall meaning of the passage, and the consulted sources cite no significant textual issues beyond these name forms.
Reception History
Early Jewish interpretation, reflected in rabbinic sayings preserved by Rashi and later cited by Adam Clarke, emphasized the beauty of Asher’s daughters. Reformation commentators like Matthew Henry saw in the warriors a picture of spiritual readiness, urging believers to be “mighty men of valor” in faith. Modern scholarship focuses on the chronicler’s theological purpose: affirming tribal identity and God’s faithfulness to all branches of Israel. The passage is rarely cited in doctrinal debates but serves as a rich example of how Scripture values every person in the covenant community.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God Remembers the Overlooked. Serah is one of the few women named in Israel’s genealogies. Her inclusion shows that God values every person, regardless of gender or status. In a list of warriors, a daughter stands out as a reminder that the community is more than its fighters.
- God Equips His People for Service. The phrase “mighty men of valor” describes men ready for war. This speaks to spiritual readiness: believers are called to be prepared, strong, and courageous in God’s work.
- God Keeps Covenant Community. The genealogy traces families across generations. It affirms that each person belongs to a larger story, and that God is faithful to his promises through time.
Five-point outline
- The family tree shows God’s faithfulness across generations.
- The rare mention of a daughter highlights the value of women in God’s plan.
- The military count reminds us that God’s people are called to be ready.
- The title “mighty men of valor” indicates God’s empowerment.
- The sum of 26,000 shows that every person counts in the Kingdom.
Illustration hooks
- A church directory that lists every member, including those who rarely attend. Serah is like the person you might overlook, but God includes her name.
- A family reunion where someone pulls out a yellowed scrap of paper with names handwritten decades ago. Each name carries stories, even if we don’t know them.
- A volunteer roster for a community project, each person’s role matters, from the organiser to the person making coffee.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why are there so many lists in the Bible? Do they really matter for my faith today?
- Does God care about ordinary people whose names we don’t know? This genealogy says yes.
- What can a genealogy teach me about my own place in God’s family?
Leading a Discussion
This passage might look like a list of unpronounceable names, but it teaches us that God never forgets his people. Every person represents a real family, a heritage, a place in the covenant community. As you study, think about what it means to be counted among God’s servants, and how even the overlooked are remembered.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about this genealogy? Why do you think Serah is included?
- How does this list connect Asher to earlier parts of Scripture (Genesis 46:17, Numbers 26:44-46)?
- The passage ends by describing the men as fit for battle. In what ways does that call speak to your own readiness to serve God?
- Why is it important that God records names? What does that tell you about his character?
- This genealogy includes people we know nothing else about. How does that encourage you about your own place in God’s story?
- How can we honor the contribution of women in our church communities, following the example of Serah’s inclusion?
- If you were given a “genealogy” of your spiritual family, who would be listed? What does that say about your identity in Christ?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 46:17 | The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. |
| Numbers 26:44 | The sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Berites. |
| Numbers 26:46 | The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. |
| II Samuel 24:1 | Again Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, “Go, count Israel and Judah.” |
| II Samuel 24:9 | Joab gave up the sum of the counting of the people to the king; and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. |
| I Chronicles 21:1 | Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to take a census of Israel. |
| I Chronicles 21:5 | Joab gave the sum of the census of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew a sword; and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew a sword. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights that women appear in Jewish genealogies only for exceptional reasons. The mention of Shua and the daughters of Asher is rare and meaningful, and he notes the rabbinical tradition that Asher's daughters were remarkably beautiful, later married into royalty or the priesthood.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies a translation point: the names listed here are not separate individuals but should be read as "the sons of Shamer, his brother, Rohgah, and so on." This small adjustment changes how we understand the family relationships the genealogy describes.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary draws attention to the uneven treatment of the tribes in this chapter. Some receive full genealogies with warrior counts, while Naphtali gets only a single verse and Dan is entirely missing due to a damaged text. The numbers likely refer to David's time, but firm conclusions from them are unsafe.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes highlight that Asher's descendants were not merely names in a list but heads of families, noble and valiant warriors, and chief princes. Their genealogy was counted specifically for war, totaling twenty-six thousand men ready for battle.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Jewish interpreters disagree on Birzavith: some take it as a place name meaning "pure oil," reflecting Asher's olive-rich territory, while others say it was a man whose beautiful daughters married kings and priests anointed with oil. He records both views without choosing between them.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch points out that the 26,000 men listed for Asher is not the tribe's full military strength. It refers only to able-bodied warriors from the family of Heber, whose register alone survived. The genealogy was kept for war service, not to count total population.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the omission of Dan from these genealogies is likely intentional, not a scribal mistake. He sees it as a theocratic judgment: the writer avoided naming a tribe that had seceded through idolatry. By contrast, the omission of Zebulun he regards as accidental.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that even within a dry genealogy, Scripture records a personal tragedy: Ephraim's sons killed in a raid, his prolonged mourning, and the comfort he later found. The naming of his new son Beriah, meaning "in evil," shows that the sorrow was never forgotten, yet God gave him a fresh start.