1 Chronicles Chapter 7
D. The Other Tribes of Israel
The Descendants of Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:1–5)
The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four in all. The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty two thousand six hundred. The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah, and the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them were chief men. And with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, were thirty six thousand troops ready for war, for they had many wives and sons. Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty seven thousand in all.
Issachar was one of the tribes descended from Leah and Jacob, known in earlier Scripture for wisdom and discernment. 1 Chronicles 12:32 famously describes the men of Issachar as “men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” The Chronicler’s genealogy highlights the strength and influence of this tribe during the monarchy, especially in the days of King David.
The tribe is traced through four foundational sons: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. Tola’s descendants are given special attention, including Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, who were heads of their father’s houses. These family leaders were described as “mighty men of valor,” demonstrating that Issachar was not only known for wisdom but also for courage, military strength, and leadership. In the days of David, these men numbered twenty two thousand six hundred, which reflects a significant force within the tribal structure of Israel.
Uzzi’s son Izrahiah produced additional leaders—Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah—each recognized as “chief men.” Their families together produced thirty six thousand troops ready for war, a number attributed to their large households and many descendants. The Chronicler concludes this section by noting that all the families of Issachar together numbered eighty seven thousand mighty men of valor, demonstrating the substantial size and influence of the tribe.
Some scholars, including Payne, note that several large numbers in Chronicles may reflect the Hebrew term elep, which can mean “thousand,” “chief,” “clan,” or “military contingent.” In contexts where the number seems unusually high for the period, elep may refer to leaders or units rather than literal thousands. If so, the passage may be describing the organization and leadership structure of Issachar rather than an exact census number. Regardless, the point remains clear: Issachar was a strong, numerous, and well organized tribe with leadership capable of significant military readiness.
What stands out most in this genealogy is the combination of spiritual discernment and martial strength. Issachar contributed wise men who guided the nation and warriors who defended it. Their multiplication, influence, and valor demonstrate God’s blessing upon them and their importance within the broader fabric of Israel’s twelve tribes. The Chronicler preserves their legacy to show that every tribe had a role in the nation’s strength, worship, and governance during the united monarchy.
The Descendants of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:6–12)
The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three in all. The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five in all. They were heads of their fathers’ houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty two thousand and thirty four mighty men of valor. The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these are the sons of Becher. And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor. The son of Jediael was Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar. All these sons of Jediael were heads of their fathers’ houses, there were seventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war and battle. Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir, and Hushim was the son of Aher.
Benjamin was one of the most militarily significant tribes in Israel’s history, known for its warriors, slingers, and defenders of the southern kingdom. This genealogy emphasizes their strength and the large numbers of “mighty men of valor” within their clans. The tribe is traced through three primary sons: Bela, Becher, and Jediael. Bela’s descendants include Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, resulting in twenty two thousand and thirty four mighty warriors. Becher’s descendants form another powerful contingent of twenty thousand two hundred fighting men. Jediael’s line produced Bilhan and his sons Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar, and this branch accounted for seventeen thousand two hundred valiant warriors ready for battle. Taken together, Benjamin’s numbers reflect the tribe’s historical reputation for military force and resilience.
One of Jediael’s descendants was Ehud, the well known deliverer God raised up in Judges 3:12–30. Ehud was the left handed Benjamite who assassinated Eglon king of Moab and led Israel in victory over their oppressors. His inclusion in this genealogy links Benjamin’s warrior heritage to one of Israel’s most decisive acts of deliverance during the period of the Judges.
The passage concludes with Shuppim and Huppim, sons of Ir, and Hushim, described as “the son of Aher.” This phrase has long intrigued scholars because “Aher” in Hebrew means “another.” Many conservative commentators believe this is a veiled reference to the tribe of Dan, which is notably absent from the genealogies in this section of Chronicles. Several factors support this interpretation. First, Genesis 46:23 explicitly says, “The sons of Dan: Hushim.” Second, the next verse in 1 Chronicles 7:13 mentions the sons of Bilhah, the mother of both Dan and Naphtali, suggesting proximity in structure and theme. Third, Dan’s genealogy is otherwise missing entirely from this chapter. Fourth, some Hebrew writers historically used the word aher, meaning “another,” as a euphemism for something detestable or unworthy of naming, similar to how they avoided naming a swine and called it “another thing.”
Poole notes that Dan’s omission may reflect the tribe’s disgrace. Dan became infamous for its long standing idolatry, beginning in Judges 18 when the tribe stole Micah’s idols and established a false shrine. Dan later hosted one of Jeroboam’s two golden calves in 1 Kings 12:28–30, perpetuating idolatry for centuries in the northern kingdom. Because of this, many believe the Chronicler intentionally obscured Dan’s name as a way of expressing spiritual judgment upon a tribe that abandoned the worship of the true God for generations.
This genealogy of Benjamin, then, not only celebrates the tribe’s military strength and significant leaders but also subtly contrasts Benjamin’s valor with the shame of Dan. Benjamin produced heroes like Ehud and warriors by the tens of thousands, while Dan’s legacy was so corrupted by idolatry that its name may have been withheld. The Chronicler’s account emphasizes the enduring importance of faithfulness to the covenant, showing honor where honor is due and silence where rebellion marked a tribe’s history.
The Descendants of Naphtali (1 Chronicles 7:13)
The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
Naphtali was one of the sons born to Jacob through Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant, and his tribe inherited territory in the northern part of Israel, west of the Sea of Galilee. The genealogy here is brief, listing Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum. Though short, the Chronicler includes Naphtali to preserve the tribal identity and lineage of all Israel, demonstrating that even lesser detailed tribes remain essential in the covenant story. The brevity may reflect gaps caused by war, dispersion, or incomplete records after the Assyrian captivity, in which Naphtali’s territory was among the first to fall (2 Kings 15:29). Still, the tribe is remembered by name, affirming God’s preservation of every tribe within His redemptive plan.
The Descendants of the Western Tribe of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:14–19)
The descendants of Manasseh, his Syrian concubine bore him Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel. Machir took as his wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose name was Maachah. The name of Gilead’s grandson was Zelophehad, but Zelophehad begot only daughters. (Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. The son of Ulam was Bedan.) These were the descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. His sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
The western half of the tribe of Manasseh traces its ancestry back to Manasseh through Machir, who is repeatedly presented in Scripture as the prominent ancestor of this tribe’s leadership line. Machir’s mother was a Syrian concubine, and he became “the father of Gilead,” meaning he was the progenitor of the clan that settled the Gilead region east of the Jordan. The Chronicler continues through Gilead’s line, noting unique family connections. Machir took Maachah, the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, as his wife. These names connect Manasseh to the family lines of Benjamin, showing how inter tribal marriages influenced Israel’s genealogical structure.
One of the most significant names in this genealogy is Zelophehad, identified as Gilead’s grandson. Scripture notes, “Zelophehad begot only daughters.” This detail links directly to the inheritance case recorded in Numbers 26:33, Numbers 27:1–11, and Numbers 36:1–12. Zelophehad had five daughters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—who approached Moses and the leaders of Israel with a bold request. Because their father had no sons, they asked for the right to inherit his portion in the land. Moses brought their case before the LORD, and God commanded that daughters were allowed to inherit when no sons were present. This became a landmark ruling in Israel's legal tradition, ensuring justice and continuity of family inheritance within the tribes. The daughters of Zelophehad demonstrated faith and courage, and the LORD Himself affirmed their claim, saying in Numbers 27:7, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right.” Their story stands as an enduring testimony that God values righteousness and equity in the ordering of family and land inheritance.
The genealogy continues through other descendants of Gilead. Maachah bore two sons, Peresh and Sheresh, whose children included Ulam, Rakem, and Bedan. Gilead’s sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. These family branches highlight the spread and influence of Manasseh’s descendants across both sides of the Jordan. Notably, Abiezer appears later in Scripture as a clan associated with Gideon the judge (Judges 6:11, Judges 6:34), linking this genealogy to another major moment in Israel’s deliverance history.
The final branch listed comprises the sons of Shemida—Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam—further rounding out the western Manasseh lineage. These names demonstrate the complexity of the tribe’s structure and their prominent role in Israel’s territory and military life. Manasseh, divided between eastern and western allotments, became one of the strongest and most numerous tribes, contributing leaders, warriors, and judges throughout Israel’s history.
The Chronicler’s careful preservation of these details shows God’s steadfast attention to the covenant lines of His people. Even with the destruction, exile, and dispersion that marked Israel’s later history, the Lord ensured that the names and heritage of every tribe—including the complexities within Manasseh—remained recorded in Scripture.
D. The Other Tribes of Israel
The Descendants of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20–29)
The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in that land killed them because they came down to take away their cattle. Then Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him. And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house. Now his daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah, and Rephah was his son, as well as Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son, Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, Nun his son, and Joshua his son. Now their possessions and dwelling places were Bethel and its towns, to the east Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as Ayyah and its towns, and by the borders of the children of Manasseh were Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel.
This genealogy emphasizes both the prominence and the struggles of the tribe of Ephraim, descended from Joseph. The tribal line of Ephraim begins with Shuthelah and continues through several generations, but the Chronicler pauses the genealogical rhythm with a tragic historical note. Ezer and Elead, descendants of Ephraim, attempted to seize livestock from men of Gath, but the men of Gath killed them. The event reveals both the boldness of the Ephraimites and the dangers of conflict with the Philistine regions, especially Gath.
Ephraim’s grief is described vividly: “Then Ephraim their father mourned many days.” His mourning was public and profound, and his relatives came to comfort him. Later, he conceived another son, and gave him the name Beriah, meaning “in evil” or “in calamity,” because tragedy had befallen his house. This preserved story humanizes the genealogy and reveals the deep emotional wounds a father bore because of violent loss.
Notably, Ephraim also had a remarkable daughter named Sheerah, an exceptional woman in Israel’s history. She was responsible for building Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah. These were fortified towns guarding key ascent routes from the coastal plains into the central hill country. The fact that Scripture credits a woman with major architectural and civic accomplishments is significant, indicating her leadership and talent within the tribe.
The genealogy continues through several more generations, culminating in Elishama, Nun, and Joshua. Joshua, the successor of Moses, the conqueror of Canaan, and leader of Israel, was a direct descendant of Ephraim. This ties the tribe’s history to one of Israel’s greatest figures. The Ephraimites were often proud of this heritage and exerted considerable influence among the tribes.
The Chronicler ends this section by describing the possessions and dwelling places of Ephraim. Their territories included Bethel, Naaran, Gezer, Shechem, and extended toward towns near Manasseh’s western border such as Beth Shean, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor. These are major Canaanite city regions. Ephraim’s territory sat in the central highlands and included some of the most strategically and historically important cities in Israel.
The tribe’s reputation is captured well by Trapp: “The Ephraimites were famous for their wealth, power, and prowess, but withal they are noted for insolent, proud, and quarrelsome.” This exact blend is seen throughout the Old Testament: their strength and influence often brought them into conflict with other tribes, yet they remained central to Israel’s national life.
The Descendants of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:30–40)
The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. And Heber begot Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua. The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the children of Japhlet. The sons of Shemer were Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. And the sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Jithran, and Beera. The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara. The sons of Ulla were Arah, Haniel, and Rizia. All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle, their number was twenty six thousand.
Asher, one of Jacob’s sons through Zilpah, is listed with a detailed genealogy. The tribe produced numerous leaders and warriors. Asher’s descendants include Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and notably their sister Serah, who is also listed earlier in Genesis 46:17. Later, a second woman, Shua, is mentioned, showing that the Chronicler deliberately includes notable women in this tribe’s lineage.
Clarke records a Jewish tradition about these women: “The rabbins say that the daughters of Asher were very beautiful, and were all matched with kings or priests.” Whether or not this is historically firm, the Chronicler’s inclusion of female names is significant. It highlights the stature and reputation of certain women in Asher’s tribal history.
The tribe’s branches through Beriah, Heber, Japhlet, Shemer, and others demonstrate a large and influential network. Many of the names listed appear again throughout Scripture in various contexts, showing Asher’s integration in the broader life of Israel. Asher’s territory in the northern coastal plain was fertile and prosperous, and Moses’ blessing in Deuteronomy 33:24–25 spoke of Asher’s abundance and strength.
The passage concludes by noting that Asher’s descendants were “choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders,” and that twenty six thousand of them were registered for war. Though a smaller number compared to tribes like Judah or Issachar, these warriors were elite, disciplined, and respected. Asher’s military reputation was not based on overwhelming numbers but on the quality of its fighting men.
The Chronicler emphasizes that each tribe, even those sometimes overlooked, contributed strength, leadership, and heritage to the nation. Asher’s genealogy reinforces God’s preservation of every tribe, reminding the reader that faithfulness, valor, and blessing were found across the breadth of Israel.
