1 Chronicles 7 Study Notes

Ro’sh basically signifies a human (Gn 3:15) or animal (Lv 8:18) head. It denotes leaders (Ex 18:25), masters (2Kg 2:3), and household heads (Nm 1:4). It suggests tops of mountains (Gn 8:5) and beginnings of time periods (Ex 12:2). Ro’sh appears as best (Dt 33:15), first (Pr 8:26), highest (Jb 22:12), chief (Jr 52:24), and leading (2Sm 23:13). It signifies sum (Ps 139:17) or entirety (Ps 119:160), so implying full (Lv 6:5). “Lift the head” signifies act arrogantly (Ps 83:2), pardon (2Kg 25:27), or take a census/count (Ex 30:12; Nm 31:26). Ro’sh can mean each (Jdg 5:30) or connote a life (Dn 1:10). It is a scepter’s tip (Est 5:2) or pole’s end (1Kg 8:8). It describes the head of a street (Lm 4:1) and forks in roads (Ezk 21:19). Heads can suggest source (Gn 2:10) and be divisions (1Sm 11:11), companies (Jdg 7:16), or units (Jdg 9:44).

7:15 Zelophehad and his daughters made an important contribution to the culture of Israel. In Nm 27:1-6, Zelophehad’s five daughters asked Moses to give them their inheritance in the land, and Moses granted their request. This event set a precedent that women could inherit property, something that most surrounding cultures did not allow.

7:20-29 Ephraim was one of the leading tribes, a consistent rival to Judah. When the kingdom split, Ephraim was foremost among the ten northern tribes so that “Ephraim” is often synonymous with the entire northern kingdom. The deaths of Ezer and Elead must have happened while the Israelites were in Egypt, so that these men had ventured north to Gaza. But the Chronicler often does not mention that geographical and historical setting, even though he was clearly aware of it (2Ch 9:28). Several of the towns inhabited by the Ephraimites, such as Beth-shean and Megiddo, were important because they were heavily fortified.

7:30-40 Asher’s tribe, located in the north on the coast, was of secondary importance. However, a descendant of Asher—the prophetess Anna—praised God in the temple for the birth of Jesus.