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Matthew Henry

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 5:12

Joel the chief ,.... In this and the following verse are reckoned up the principal men in the tribe of Gad, and the chief of all was Joel, another from him in the tribe of Reuben, 1 Chronicles 5:4 . and Shapham the next ; the second chief man, from whom, Reland F24 Palestin. Illustrat. par. 2. p. 602. conjectures, Shophan, a city in the tribe of Gad, had its name, Numbers 32:35 . and Jaanai ; from whom Danjaan might be called, as Michaelis intimates, 2 Samuel 24:6 . ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:12

Joel the chief - "Joel, prince of the Sanhedrin; and Shapham, master of the college; and Jaanai and Shaphat, judges in Mathnan." - T. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:11-17

The tribe of Gad is taken next, and occupies but few lines. Gad was born seventh in order of all the sons of Jacob ( Genesis 30:9-12 ), and first of the children of Leah's maid Zilpah. The compiler seems to pass easily on to Gad, from the mere circumstance of the name of the tribe being so constantly linked with that preceding, in the matter of local settlement on the east of Jordan, after the journeyings of the wilderness ( Joshua 13:7 , Joshua 13:8 ). The geography in 1 Chronicles... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:12

The four proper names in this verse are not known in connection with the same persons elsewhere. The Septuagint translates Shaphat as "the scribe," applying the description to the foregoing Jaanai . read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 5:12

1 Chronicles 5:12. Joel the chief The prince of the tribe, or, at least, of the family, when they were numbered, namely, in the days of Jotham, 1 Chronicles 5:17. In Bashan That is, either who dwelt in the city of Bashan, or who abode in Bashan to defend the city and country, when their brethren went out to war against the Hagarenes, 1 Chronicles 5:19. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

The eastern tribes (5:1-26)At the beginning of this section, the writer gives the reason why he listed the genealogy of Judah before that of Reuben, the firstborn. Reuben had lost his rights as the firstborn (see Genesis 35:22), so the ruling power in Israel was given to Judah instead. The firstborn’s double portion of the inheritance went to Joseph, who received two tribes in Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh). The descendants of Reuben, along with those of Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, dwelt... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

3. The families of Transjordan ch. 5Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan River. Reuben would have normally been the son of Jacob through whom the greatest blessing would come since he was the first-born. However, because of his sin (1 Chronicles 5:1), God passed him over. God blessed Joseph with the double portion of the birthright. He did this by elevating Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to equality among Jacob’s other sons, Joseph’s brothers. God’s... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

Genealogies (continued)This chapter gives lists of the descendants of Reuben, the families of Gad, and the families of the eastern division of Manasseh.1. His birthright] This was a portion of the inheritance, twice as great as that given to each of the other sons. The two children of Joseph together received the share which, in right of birth, should have been Reuben’s, each being placed on a level with their uncles, the sons of Jacob: cp. Genesis 48:5. And the genealogy] Joseph, though... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 5:11-17

(11-17) THE SONS OF GAD, THEIR CLANS, TERRITORY, AND REGISTRATION.(11) And the children of Gad dwelt over against them.—That is, adjoining them on the east of Jordan.In the land of Bashan unto Salcah.—(Joshua 13:11.) Bashan, the ancient dominion of the giant Og (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-12). Salcah now Sulkhad, on the south-east slope of Jebel Hauran in the extreme east of Gilead.(12) Joel the chief (or, first; literally, head), and Shaphan the next (or second.)—Genesis 46:15... read more

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