1The sons of Issachar:
6The three sons of Benjamin:
13The sons of Naphtali:
14The descendants of Manasseh:
20The descendants of Ephraim:
30The children of Asher:
Northern Tribes
Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Brief entries — but every tribe counts.
1The sons of Issachar:
6The three sons of Benjamin:
13The sons of Naphtali:
14The descendants of Manasseh:
20The descendants of Ephraim:
30The children of Asher:
The genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher are recorded with varying levels of detail. Ephraim's genealogy includes a poignant note about sons killed in a cattle raid and a father's prolonged grief before the birth of a new son.
The uneven detail reflects the Chronicler's available sources and priorities. The inclusion of northern tribes is significant for a post-exilic author, maintaining the ideal of a united twelve-tribe Israel even after the north's destruction.
Even within genealogical lists, real human stories emerge. The brief account of Ephraim's grief demonstrates that the Chronicler sees individuals, not just lineages. The inclusion of all tribes reinforces the theological vision of one united people of God.
No one is invisible in God's record. Even in a list of names, moments of grief and new beginnings are noticed and preserved.
Tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and follow every cross-reference without losing your place.
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Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.