I Chronicles 7:6-11 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 7:6-11 Commentary: Benjamin's Genealogy and Warriors
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the record of Benjamin's three main families, their military strength at David's census, and how this list relates to other biblical genealogies.
Research Summary
- Meaning: This passage records the genealogical lines and military strength of Benjamin's three main families at the time of David's census.
- Key words: 'sons' (בָּנִים) often means 'descendants'; 'mighty men of valor' (גִּבּוֹרֵי חֲיָלִים); 'able to go out to war' (יֹצְאֵי צָבָא לַמִּלְחָמָה).
- Main debate: Why only three sons listed when other passages give five or ten; whether these are literal sons or later clan heads.
- Theological theme: God's faithfulness to preserve His people even after judgment (the near-extinction of Benjamin in Judges).
- Best use: Teaching on the importance of genealogies, tribal identity, and God's detailed care in redemptive history.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
6The three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael.
7The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, heads of their families—five in all. There were 22,034 mighty men of valor listed in their genealogies.
8The sons of Becher:
9Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth; all these were Becher’s sons. Their genealogies were recorded according to the heads of their families—20,200 mighty men of valor.
10The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan:
11Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. All these sons of Jediael were heads of their families, mighty men of valor; there were 17,200 fit for battle.
WEB World English Bible 2000
6The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three.
7The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor; and they were listed by genealogy twenty-two thousand thirty-four.
8The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.
9They were listed by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand two hundred.
10The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
11All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand two hundred, who were able to go out in the army for war.
KJV King James Version 1769
6The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
8And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
9And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.
10The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
11All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
6The sons of Benjamin: Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7And the sons of Bela: Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor; and they were reckoned by genealogy twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
8And the sons of Becher: Zemirah, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jeremoth, and Abijah, and Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.
9And they were reckoned by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand and two hundred.
10And the sons of Jediael: Bilhan. And the sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
11All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand and two hundred, that were able to go forth in the host for war.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
6Of Benjamin: Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7And sons of Bela: Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of a house of fathers, mighty of valour, with their genealogy, twenty and two thousand, and thirty and four.
8And sons of Becher: Zemirah, and Joash, and Eliezar, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abijah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are sons of Becher,
9with their genealogy, after their generations, heads of a house of their fathers, mighty of valour, twenty thousand and two hundred.
10And sons of Jediael: Bilhan; and sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
11All these are sons of Jediael, even heads of the fathers, mighty in valour, seventeen thousand and two hundred going out to the host for battle.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
6[The sons of] Benjamin: Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7And the sons of Bela: Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers' houses, mighty men of valour; and they were registered by their genealogy twenty-two thousand and thirty-four.
8And the sons of Becher: Zemirah, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jeremoth, and Abijah, and Anathoth, and Alemeth; all these were the sons of Becher.
9And they were registered by their genealogy by their generations, heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valour, twenty thousand two hundred.
10And the sons of Jediael: Bilhan; and the sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
11All these were the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, seventeen thousand two hundred, fit for service for war.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
6The sons of Benjamin were Bela, and Bechor, and Jadihel, three.
7The sons of Bela: Esbon, and Ozi, and Ozial, and Jerimoth and Urai, five chiefs of their families, and most valiant warriors, and their number was twenty-two thousand and thirty-four.
8And the sons of Bechor were Zamira, and Joas, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Amai, and Jerimoth, and Abia, and Anathoth, and Almath: all these were the sons of Bechor.
9And they were numbered by the families, heads of their kindreds, most valiant men for war, twenty thousand and two hundred.
10And the son of Jadihel: Balan. And the sons of Balan: Jehus and Benjamin, and Aod, and Chanana, and Zethan and Tharsis, and Ahisahar.
11All these were sons of Jadihel, heads of their kindreds, most valiant men, seventeen thousand and two hundred fifty to go out to war.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 7:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that I Chronicles 7:6-11 presents a genealogical register of Benjamin's three main branches, Bela, Becher, and Jediael, as they stood in the time of David's census. The list emphasizes the military might of each subdivision, using the phrase 'mighty men of valor' and counting those 'able to go out in the army for war' (v.11). The figures aggregate to roughly 59,400 soldiers, indicating a significant recovery for the tribe after the devastating wars of Judges 20-21 (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown).
Adam Clarke and Barnes note that 'sons' often means 'descendants' across multiple generations, explaining discrepancies with other Benjamite lists (Genesis 46:21; Numbers 26:38). Keil and Delitzsch observe that the totals exceed those from the Mosaic census (Numbers 26:41), confirming a post-Mosaic date for the register. The Chronicler's detailed record reminds us that God does not forget His people or their sacrifices.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal historical record: The names and numbers represent actual genealogical data from David's census, with 'sons' meaning descendants; discrepancies arise because other lists include later generations or other branches.
- Selective theological genealogy: The Chronicler deliberately chose to highlight only the surviving or most significant branches to emphasize God's restoration of a tribe that was nearly destroyed.
- Combined source: The list conflates material from different periods or oral traditions, which accounts for both the unique names and the large totals.
What is clear: The passage intends to demonstrate the strength and continuity of the tribe of Benjamin after a period of decline, underscoring God's faithfulness and the importance of tribal identity in the post-exilic community.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Number of sons of Benjamin | The passage lists three sons (Bela, Becher, Jediael) as the main branches of the tribe. | Other lists (Gen 46:21; Num 26:38; 1 Chr 8:1-2) include five or ten sons. Some scholars argue that the additional names are descendants rather than immediate sons; others suggest certain branches died out or were absorbed (e.g., Becher into Ephraim). |
| Meaning of 'sons' (בָּנִים) | 'Sons' can refer to descendants or clan heads across multiple generations, not necessarily direct offspring. | The debate concerns whether the three named are literal sons of the patriarch Benjamin or later chieftains representing the families that survived to David's time. |
| Historical period of the record | The numbers correspond to a census taken during David's reign (cf. 1 Chr 21). | Whether the list reflects a purely pre-exilic source preserved by the Chronicler, or whether the Chronicler adapted earlier material for post-exilic theological purposes (e.g., encouragement). |
| Militaristic emphasis | The passage focuses on counting fighting men, using terms like 'mighty men of valor' and 'able to go out for war.' | Interpreters differ on whether this reflects an actual military census for defensive purposes or a theological statement that God provides strength and restoration to His people. |
| Relationship to other genealogies | There are clear discrepancies between this list and other Benjamite genealogies in Scripture. | Explanations include: textual transmission errors (Cambridge suggests a possible scribal omission), different sources used by the Chronicler, or the Chronicler's selective focus on certain families. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The Chronicler wrote after the Babylonian exile, when Israel's tribes needed to reclaim their heritage. Genealogies like this one anchored the returning community in God's covenant promises. Benjamin held special significance: it was the tribe of King Saul, and later remained loyal to the Davidic dynasty (1 Kings 12:21). This passage records Benjamin's fighting men at the time of David's census (1 Chronicles 21:1-5).
The near annihilation of Benjamin is narrated in Judges 20-21, where the tribe was reduced to a few hundred survivors (Judges 20:46). Here, generations later, the tribe could field nearly 60,000 warriors, a remarkable restoration. The phrase 'mighty men of valor' (גִּבּוֹרֵי חֲיָלִים) was a standard military designation used in other tribal listings (1 Chronicles 7:2, 5, 40; 2 Chronicles 17:17). The Hithpael verb הִתְיַחְשָׂם ('they were enrolled genealogically') appears only in Chronicles, indicating official registration, likely for military conscription or taxation.
The list's threefold structure, Bela, Becher, Jediael, may reflect the families that survived or achieved prominence by David's day. Barnes suggests that Becher's descendants might have transferred to Ephraim (Numbers 26:35 mentions 'Bachrites' among Ephraim). The totals given (22,034; 20,200; 17,200) use the Hebrew word אֶלֶף ('thousand'), which can also mean 'clan' or 'military unit,' though here the large sums point to literal thousands. This census reminds the post-exilic community that God preserves His people through judgment and gives them strength to rebuild.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no major textual variants for this passage. The Cambridge Bible suggests a possible scribal omission of the phrase 'the sons of' at the beginning of verse 6 due to the similarity with the following word 'Benjamin,' but the overall reading is not seriously contested. The name variations between this list and other passages (e.g., Jediael appears only here) are likely due to different traditions or transmission routes rather than textual corruption.
Reception History
Early Jewish tradition, reflected in the Talmud (b. Pesachim 62b), speculated that Ezra compiled these genealogies from sometimes incomplete sources. The rabbis saw the discrepancies as evidence of Ezra's humility in preserving what he found. Christian interpreters through the ages, including Matthew Henry and John Wesley, used this passage to preach on God's providence in restoring Benjamin after its near destruction in Judges. Wesley specifically noted that only three sons are named because the others may have become extinct. In modern scholarship, the passage is studied as a key example of the Chronicler's theology: he uses genealogies to reassure post-exilic Israel that God has not abandoned them, and that every family has a place in the restored community. The emphasis on military readiness also reflects the challenges of rebuilding the nation after exile.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- God's Faithfulness to a Broken Tribe. Benjamin was nearly wiped out (Judges 20-21), yet here they field tens of thousands. God restores what seems lost.
- The Strength of Ordinary Families. Each son, each clan head is named. The military might came from families who raised their sons to serve.
- Our Identity as Part of a Larger Story. These names connect us to real people in God's redemptive plan. We, too, are part of a spiritual genealogy (Ephesians 2:19).
Five-Point Outline
- God Keeps Records of His People. The Chronicler's genealogies show that every person matters to God.
- Small Beginnings Can Lead to Great Strength. From a decimated tribe to nearly 60,000 soldiers.
- Military Might Serves a Divine Purpose. These warriors were 'able to go out for war', for defending God's land and people.
- Leadership Is Passed Through Generations. 'Heads of fathers' houses' emphasize family leadership and discipleship.
- The Chronicler's Hope for Restoration. Post-exilic readers could take heart: God rebuilds tribes and lives.
Illustration Hooks
- A family reunion where the oldest member uses a tattered photo album to tell stories of ancestors who survived famine, war, and displacement, proving the family's resilience. This passage is God's photo album for Benjamin.
- A military unit's roll call after a long campaign: each name represents sacrifice and duty. The Chronicler's roll call honors those who served.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Why does the Bible include such tedious lists of names and numbers? Does God really care about details of my family history?
- How can we understand the large numbers in light of other biblical passages, are they literal or symbolic?
- What does it mean for me to be 'mighty in valor' in a non-military context, in my workplace, home, or church?
Leading a Discussion
This passage may appear to be a dry list of names, but it carries profound meaning for God's people. It shows that God values family lines, military readiness, and tribal identity. As you study, consider what it means to belong to a 'household of faith' today and how God restores what seems broken.
Discussion Questions
- What pattern do you notice in each subsection of verses 6-11 (names, numbers, the phrase 'mighty men of valor')?
- Why do you think the Chronicler included military counts for Benjamin? What does this suggest about the period in which he wrote?
- How does the near-destruction of Benjamin in Judges 20-21 change the way you read these numbers?
- The list calls the men 'able to go out for war.' In what ways can we be 'able' to serve God's purposes today, even without literal warfare?
- What does this genealogy teach us about God's character, especially regarding faithfulness, restoration, and remembrance?
- Why might the Chronicler have chosen to highlight only three sons of Benjamin while other passages list more? Does that difference trouble or encourage you?
- How can we cultivate a sense of 'tribal identity' in our church community, knowing we are part of a spiritual family that spans generations?
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 46:21 | The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. |
| Numbers 26:38 | The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites; |
| Numbers 26:41 | These are the sons of Benjamin after their families; and those who were counted of them were forty-five thousand six hundred. |
| I Chronicles 8:1 | Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, |
| I Chronicles 8:40 | The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and grandsons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin. |
| 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. |
| II Chronicles 17:17 | From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; |
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
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that the genealogies for Benjamin use "sons" loosely to include grandsons, creating discrepancies that are not worth resolving. He mentions a rabbinical tradition that even Ezra, who compiled the records
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes interprets "son" here loosely, arguing these are not literal sons of Benjamin but later descendants who were leading men at the time of David's census. He points out that Jediael was probably a later chieftain and suggests that Becher's house may have been absorbed into Ephraim through marriage, explaining the differences among the genealogical lists.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the Chronicler treats the tribes unequally in this chapter, giving some detailed genealogies while barely mentioning others, with Dan likely lost to a text error. It also points out he replaced the pagan-sounding name Ashbel with Jediael for Benjamin's son, following the principle from Hosea against naming after false gods.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes highlight the precise military census of Benjamin's descendants, recording them as valiant warriors arranged for battle. This careful tally underscores God's orderly provision for Israel's defense and the importance of recording every family line that contributed to the nation's strength.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that the genealogical lists of Benjamin's three sons record precise numbers of fighting men, totaling 59,430 soldiers, which Joab omitted from his later census. He also observes that the personal names Anathoth and Alameth later became place names within Benjamin's territory.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the lists of Benjamin’s descendants differ because war and time reshaped the tribe. Some sons died in battle, and later generations elevated certain families over others, so the recorded names reflect changing family leadership rather than a fixed genealogy.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch argue that the most likely explanation for Becher's absence from the family register in Numbers 26 is that his descendants were too few at that time to form their own clan. By the time of the Chronicler, however, they had grown into nine father's houses with 20,200 warriors, reflecting a later period.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange examines the genealogical lists in 1 Chronicles 7 as a careful attempt to reconcile earlier biblical records, noting where names differ between Genesis, Numbers and Chronicles due to scribal errors or later developments. He draws particular attention to the intentional omission of the tribe of Dan, interpreting this as a theocratic judgment for their early idolatry.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that these detailed
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that although other passages record ten descendants, only three are listed here, either because these were the most prominent or because the other family lines had died out. He clarifies that "heads" means the leaders of each clan, likely grandchildren rather than direct sons.