And their brethren of the house of their fathers ,.... Who were also men of eminence and note in them: were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Shebai, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven ; so they are as here mentioned by name. read more
And their brethren - This verse is wanting both in the Syriac and in the Arabic. read more
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
And their brethren . This chapter (see 1 Chronicles 5:7 ) seems to introduce the use of this word, which must be understood generically. The seven persons are nowhere else mentioned. read more
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
Heber. Some codices, with two early printed editions and Septuagint, read "Hehed", mistaking Resh , ("r") for Daleth, ("d"). read more
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
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
(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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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