1 chronicles 7:11 - All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand two hundred, who were able to go out in the army for war.
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What does "1 chronicles 7:11" mean?
This verse, 1 Chronicles 7:11, is part of a genealogy listing various tribes and families of Israel. It specifically describes the descendants of Jediael and highlights their strength and military prowess. Let's break down the meaning:
"All these were sons of Jediael...": This clearly identifies the group of people being described as descendants of Jediael. Jediael was likely a significant figure, possibly the founder or leader of a clan within the tribe of Benjamin.
"...according to the heads of their fathers’ households...": This emphasizes that the listing is organized by family units. The information is likely derived from official records or censuses kept by the heads of each household (patriarchs). This detail underscores the importance of lineage and tribal affiliation in ancient Israelite society.
"...mighty men of valor...": This is a crucial phrase. It indicates that the descendants of Jediael were known for their courage, strength, and skill in combat. They were not just ordinary people; they were warriors. "Mighty men of valor" is a common expression used to describe brave and capable soldiers in the Old Testament.
"...seventeen thousand two hundred...": This is the number of men belonging to these families who were considered fit for military service. It's a significant number, suggesting that the descendants of Jediael formed a sizable and potentially important contingent within the Israelite army.
"...who were able to go out in the army for war.": This clarifies that the number refers to men who were physically and mentally capable of serving as soldiers. "Able to go out in the army for war" implies they met certain criteria (age, health, training, etc.) that made them eligible for military duty. This was a society where defense and warfare were critical, and having a large number of capable warriors was highly valued.
In summary, this verse is essentially saying:
> "The descendants of Jediael, counted by their family heads, comprised 17,200 brave and skilled warriors who were eligible to serve in the army."
Significance:
This type of verse, though seemingly dry, serves several purposes in the biblical narrative:
Demonstrates God's Blessing: A large and strong population, particularly of fighting men, was often seen as a sign of God's favor and a blessing upon a tribe or family.
Highlights Military Strength: The emphasis on military prowess underscores the importance of defense and warfare in the historical context of ancient Israel.
Establishes Lineage: It connects individuals to their ancestors, solidifying their place within the tribal structure and emphasizing the importance of family and heritage.
Provides Historical Information: Although numbers may be debated by scholars, these verses offer insight into the population size and military capabilities of different groups within ancient Israel.
Justifies Land Allocation: Often, information like this was tied to allocating land within Israel. Having a large number of fighting men potentially justified a larger land allocation for that tribe.
It's important to remember that these genealogies were not simply lists of names. They served a vital function in defining identity, establishing rights, and preserving the history of the Israelite people.
1 chronicles 7:11 - All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand two hundred, who were able to go out in the army for war.
What does "1 chronicles 7:11" mean?
This verse, 1 Chronicles 7:11, is part of a genealogy listing various tribes and families of Israel. It specifically describes the descendants of Jediael and highlights their strength and military prowess. Let's break down the meaning:
"All these were sons of Jediael...": This clearly identifies the group of people being described as descendants of Jediael. Jediael was likely a significant figure, possibly the founder or leader of a clan within the tribe of Benjamin.
"...according to the heads of their fathers’ households...": This emphasizes that the listing is organized by family units. The information is likely derived from official records or censuses kept by the heads of each household (patriarchs). This detail underscores the importance of lineage and tribal affiliation in ancient Israelite society.
"...mighty men of valor...": This is a crucial phrase. It indicates that the descendants of Jediael were known for their courage, strength, and skill in combat. They were not just ordinary people; they were warriors. "Mighty men of valor" is a common expression used to describe brave and capable soldiers in the Old Testament.
"...seventeen thousand two hundred...": This is the number of men belonging to these families who were considered fit for military service. It's a significant number, suggesting that the descendants of Jediael formed a sizable and potentially important contingent within the Israelite army.
"...who were able to go out in the army for war.": This clarifies that the number refers to men who were physically and mentally capable of serving as soldiers. "Able to go out in the army for war" implies they met certain criteria (age, health, training, etc.) that made them eligible for military duty. This was a society where defense and warfare were critical, and having a large number of capable warriors was highly valued.
In summary, this verse is essentially saying:
> "The descendants of Jediael, counted by their family heads, comprised 17,200 brave and skilled warriors who were eligible to serve in the army."
Significance:
This type of verse, though seemingly dry, serves several purposes in the biblical narrative:
Demonstrates God's Blessing: A large and strong population, particularly of fighting men, was often seen as a sign of God's favor and a blessing upon a tribe or family.
Highlights Military Strength: The emphasis on military prowess underscores the importance of defense and warfare in the historical context of ancient Israel.
Establishes Lineage: It connects individuals to their ancestors, solidifying their place within the tribal structure and emphasizing the importance of family and heritage.
Provides Historical Information: Although numbers may be debated by scholars, these verses offer insight into the population size and military capabilities of different groups within ancient Israel.
Justifies Land Allocation: Often, information like this was tied to allocating land within Israel. Having a large number of fighting men potentially justified a larger land allocation for that tribe.
It's important to remember that these genealogies were not simply lists of names. They served a vital function in defining identity, establishing rights, and preserving the history of the Israelite people.