1 Chronicles 5:1-8

1 The family of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Though Reuben was Israel's firstborn, after he slept with his father's concubine, a defiling act, his rights as the firstborn were passed on to the sons of Joseph son of Israel. He lost his "firstborn" place in the family tree.

2 And even though Judah became the strongest of his brothers and King David eventually came from that family, the firstborn rights stayed with Joseph.

3 The sons of Reuben, firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

4 The descendants of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

6 and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took into exile. Beerah was the prince of the Reubenites.

7 Beerah's brothers are listed in the family tree by families: first Jeiel, followed by Zechariah:

8 then Bela son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel. Joel lived in the area from Aroer to Nebo and Baal Meon.

1 Chronicles 5:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 5

This chapter relates the genealogy of the tribes that lived on the other side Jordan; of the Reubenites, 1Ch 5:1-10, of the Gadites, 1Ch 5:11-17 of the half tribe of Manasseh, 1Ch 5:23,24 and of their war with the Hagarites, in conjunction with each other, and their conquest of them, 1Ch 5:18-22 and who for their sins were all carried captive by the king of Assyria, 1Ch 5:25,26.