Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 8:13
and Beriah and Shema (who were the heads of families living in Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath).
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records a genealogical list of Benjamin’s descendants, identifying specific family leaders active in the post-exilic tribal inventory. The passage functions as a territorial and administrative marker within the broader Benjamite lineage.
The words — רָאשֵׁי הָאָבֹת (ra.Shei ha.'a.Vot) = chiefs of the fathers, denoting the recognized leaders of extended family units. לְ/יוֹשְבֵ֖י אַיָּל֑וֹן (le./yo.she.Vei 'ai.ya.Lon) = of the inhabitants of Aijalon, specifying their settled location.
The thread — Aijalon reappears in Joshua 19:42 as a designated Benjamite inheritance town. The region’s military significance is noted in Joshua 10:12 during the campaign against the Amorites.
Why it lands — The text records that Beriah and Shema held family leadership in Aijalon and expelled Gath’s residents. Readers must note the explicit claim of territorial displacement before assessing its historical or theological implications.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:
Cross-references
- Joshua 10:12 On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
- Joshua 19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
- 1 Chronicles 2:49 She was also the mother of Shaaph father of Madmannah, and of Sheva father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Acsah.
- 1 Chronicles 2:52 These were the descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim: Haroeh, half the Manahathites,
- 1 Chronicles 4:4 Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and the father of Bethlehem.