The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 Benjamin's firstborn son was Bela, followed by Ashbel, Aharah,
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Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,
2 Nohah, and Rapha - five in all.
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Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3 Bela's sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud,
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And Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
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Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.
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Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.
6 These are the families of Ehud that lived in Geba and were exiled to Manahath:
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These are the sons of Ehud (they were heads of fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and they were carried into exile to Manahath):
7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who led them to exile and had Uzza and Ahihud.
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Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, that is, Heglam, who fathered Uzza and Ahihud.
8 In the land of Moab, Shaharaim had children after he divorced his wives Hushim and Baara.
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And Shaharaim fathered sons in the country of Moab after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives.
9 From his new wife Hodesh he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
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He fathered sons by Hodesh his wife: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
10 Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah - sons who became heads of families.
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Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ houses.
11 From his earlier wife Hushim he had Abitub and Elpaal.
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He also fathered sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal.
12 Elpaal's sons were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with all their villages.
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The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns,
13 Beriah and Shema were family chiefs who lived at Aijalon. They drove out the citizens of Gath.
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and Beriah and Shema (they were heads of fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who caused the inhabitants of Gath to flee);
14 Their brothers were Shashak and Jeremoth.
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and Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth.
15 The sons of Beriah were Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
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Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
16 Michael, Ishpah, and Joha.
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Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were sons of Beriah.
17 The sons of Elpaal were Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
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Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
18 Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab.
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Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.
19 The sons of Shimei were Jakim, Zicri, Zabdi,
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Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
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Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
21 Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath.
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Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
22 The sons of Shashak were Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
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Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
23 Abdon, Zicri, Hanan,
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Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
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Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
25 Iphdeiah, and Penuel.
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Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
26 The sons of Jeroham were Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
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Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
27 Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zicri.
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Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.
28 These were the chiefs of the families as listed in their family tree. They lived in Jerusalem.
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These were the heads of fathers’ houses, according to their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem.
29 Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife's name was Maacah.
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Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon, and the name of his wife was Maacah.
30 Abdon was his firstborn son, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
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His firstborn son: Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31 Gedor, Ahio, Zeker, and Mikloth.
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Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
32 Mikloth had Shimeah. They lived in the neighborhood of their extended families in Jerusalem.
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and Mikloth (he fathered Shimeah). Now these also lived opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen.
33 Ner had Kish, Kish had Saul, and Saul had Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.
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Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal;
34 Jonathan had Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal had Micah.
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and the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.
35 Micah's sons were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
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The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36 Ahaz had Jehoaddah and Jehoaddah had Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri had Moza and
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Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri fathered Moza.
37 Moza had Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
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Moza fathered Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
38 Azel had six sons named Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan.
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Azel had six sons, and these are their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39 His brother Eshek's sons were Ulam his firstborn, followed by Jeush and Eliphelet.
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The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40 Ulam's sons were warriors well known as archers. They had lots of sons and grandsons - at least 150. These were all in Benjamin's family tree.
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The sons of Ulam were men who were mighty warriors, bowmen, having many sons and grandsons, 150. All these were Benjaminites.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025