Discovery Box1 Chronicles 5:1-9
Context5:1 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn –
(Now he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s bed, 1 his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel’s son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records. 2 5:2 Though Judah was the strongest among his brothers and a leader descended from him, 3 the right of the firstborn belonged to Joseph.)
5:3 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn:
Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
5:4 The descendants of Joel:
His son Shemaiah, his son Gog, his son Shimei, 5:5 his son Micah, his son Reaiah, his son Baal, 5:6 and his son Beerah, whom King Tiglath-pileser 4 of Assyria carried into exile. Beerah 5 was the tribal leader of Reuben.
5:7 His brothers by their clans, as listed in their genealogical records:
The leader Jeiel, Zechariah, 5:8 and Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel.
They lived in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal Meon. 5:9 In the east they settled as far as the entrance to the desert that stretches to the Euphrates River, for their cattle had increased in numbers in the land of Gilead.
[5:1] 1 sn The phrase when he defiled his father’s bed refers to Reuben having sexual relations with his father Jacob’s concubine Bilhah. This incident is recorded in Gen 35:22.
[5:1] 2 tn Heb “and not to be listed in the genealogical records as (having) the right of the firstborn.”
[5:2] 3 tn Heb “and [one] for a leader [was] from him.” This probably refers to the Davidic king.
[5:6] 4 tn Heb “Tilgath-pilneser,” a variant spelling of Tiglath-pileser (also in v. 26).
[5:6] 5 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Beerah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
