1 Chronicles 5:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-17

We have here an extract out of the genealogies, I. Of the tribe of Reuben, where we have, 1. The reason why this tribe is thus postponed. It is confessed that Reuben was the first-born of Israel, and, upon that account, might challenge the precedency; but he forfeited his birthright by defiling his father's concubine, and was, for that, sentenced not to excel, Gen. 49:4. Sin lessens men, thrusts them down from their excellency. Seventh-commandment sins especially leave an indelible stain upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1

Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel ,.... Are as follow in 1 Chronicles 5:3 where the account begins; for what comes between this and that is in a parenthesis: for he was the firstborn ; of Jacob by his wife Leah; that must be owned, and Jacob allows it, Genesis 49:3 and yet the genealogy in this book begins not with him, as might on that account be expected; the reason follows: but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed : by lying with Bilhah his concubine: his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:2

For Judah prevailed above his brethren ,.... That is, the tribe of Judah prevailed above the rest in number, in valour, and courage, and in dignity; wherefore the genealogy is not reckoned according to birthright, but dignity and dominion; hence this genealogical account began with Judah: because of him came the chief ruler ; David and the kings of Judah, his successors; and above all, from him the Prince Messiah was to spring, and did, according to Genesis 49:10 so both the Syriac... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:3

The sons, I say , of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. As in Genesis 46:9 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:4-5

The sons of Joel ,.... Who was either the son of Carmi last mentioned, or rather of Hanoch, Reuben's firstborn, since the descendants of him were the princes of the tribe: his posterity in succession were, Shemaiah, Cog, Shimei, Micah, Reaia, Baal, Beerah; of whom we know no more than their names, and by these the descent is carried down to the captivity by Tiglathpileser, as follows. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:1

The sons of Reuben the first-born - As Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, why was not his genealogy reviewed first? This verse answers the question; he lost the birth-right because of the transgression mentioned Genesis 35:22 ; Genesis 49:4 , and the precedency was given to Judah; from him therefore came the chief ruler. This appears to be the meaning of the place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:2

And of him came the chief ruler - This is, by both the Syriac and Arabic, understood of Christ: "From Judah the King Messiah shall proceed." The Chaldee paraphrases the verse thus: "Seeing Judah prevailed over his brethren, so the kingdom was taken from Reuben and given to Judah; and because he was strong, so was his kingdom. Levi also was godly, and did not transgress in the matter of the golden calf; therefore the high priesthood was taken away from the children of Reuben, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-10

EXPOSITION THE SONS OF REUBEN . The tribe of Reuben is now taken third in order by the compiler, though Reuben was the first of all the sons of Israel. The distinct statements of 1 Chronicles 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 5:2 , respecting the degradation of Reuben and his loss of the rights of primogeniture, are not to be understood, however, as mentioned in any way to account for his standing third here. That Judah takes in any genealogy the first place needs no other apology than... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:3

The four sons of Reuben here given are first enumerated in Genesis 46:9 ; then in Exodus 6:14 ; and again in Numbers 26:5-7 , where are also found the corresponding chief families of the tribe, the total of their fighting numbers amounting to 43,730, compared with 46,500 at the time of the Sinai census ( Numbers 2:11 ), a diminution due to the plague for the idolatry of Baal-peor ( Numbers 25:9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:4-6

From which of the four sons of Reuben the line came in which Joel would appear, we do not know. Juntas and Tremellius say Hanoch, others Carmi, while the Syriac Version has Carrot vice Joel. It is to be remarked that in Numbers 26:8-10 a line of descent through Pallu is given, but reaching only to the second generation, Beerah in the present list will be only ninth at furthest from Reuben, so that it is evident that it is a very fragmentary genealogy, whether the hiatus be only one,... read more

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