1 Chronicles 4:36

KJV

And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Elioenai {H454}, and Jaakobah {H3291}, and Jeshohaiah {H3439}, and Asaiah {H6222}, and Adiel {H5717}, and Jesimiel {H3450}, and Benaiah {H1141},

Complete Jewish Bible

Elyo'einai, Ya'akovah, Y'shochayah,'Asayah, 'Adi'el, Y'simi'el, B'nayah,

Berean Standard Bible

Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

American Standard Version

and Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 4:36 meticulously lists seven individuals—Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, and Benaiah—as part of the extensive genealogy of the tribe of Simeon. This verse, embedded within the Chronicler's comprehensive record of Israel's tribal lineages, serves to affirm the enduring identity, historical continuity, and divine preservation of God's covenant people in the post-exilic era, thereby underscoring the Lord's detailed knowledge and profound care for every individual within His overarching redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the extensive genealogical records that comprise the first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles, which serve as the foundational historical and theological preamble to the Chronicler's narrative of Israel's monarchy. Specifically, it falls within the detailed account of the tribe of Simeon, which commences in [1 Chronicles 4:24](/1-chronicles/4-24 "1 Chronicles 4:24 - Descendants of Simeon"). The Chronicler meticulously traces the lineage of Simeon's sons and their families, their settlements, and their eventual expansion, culminating in the account of their victorious conquest of territory in [1 Chronicles 4:39-43](/1-chronicles/4-39-43 "1 Chronicles 4:39-43 - Simeon's Expansion and Conquest"). Verse 36, along with verses 34-37, presents a specific list of family heads or prominent individuals within the Simeonite clan, likely those who led the expansion or were significant in their generations, serving to concretize the tribal identity and historical continuity essential for the post-exilic community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was composed for the post-exilic community in Jerusalem, most likely in the late 5th or early 4th century BCE. After the traumatic return from Babylonian captivity, a paramount concern was the re-establishment of national, religious, and social identity. Genealogies in ancient Israel were far more than mere historical records; they functioned as crucial legal and social documents. They confirmed tribal affiliation, established rights to land inheritance (a vital issue after the disruption of exile), validated claims to priestly or Levitical service, and affirmed one's legitimate place within the covenant community. For the returning exiles, these meticulous lists provided a tangible, unbroken link to their heritage, assuring them that they were indeed the true heirs of God's promises to Abraham, despite the profound rupture of the exile.

* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of such detailed genealogies, even seemingly obscure names like those in [1 Chronicles 4:36](/1-chronicles/4-36 "1 Chronicles 4:36 - Simeonite Genealogy"), highlights several profound theological themes. First, it underscores the **Divine Preservation and Continuity** of God's people. Despite the exile, dispersion, and apparent desolation, God faithfully maintained a remnant and preserved their lineages, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant. Second, these lists emphasize **Identity and Inheritance**, providing the returning exiles with a clear understanding of who they were as a people, their tribal affiliations, and their rightful claims to the land and temple service. Finally, the meticulous detail, extending even to individual names, reveals God's **Sovereignty in Detail** and His profound, personal care for every individual within His grand redemptive narrative, affirming that no one is forgotten in His divine plan, a truth beautifully echoed in [Psalm 139:16](/psalm/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elioenai (Hebrew, _ʼElyᵉhôwʻêynay'_):** Meaning "towards Jehovah (are) my eyes" or "Unto the Lord are my eyes." This name beautifully expresses a posture of dependence, hope, and worship directed towards God. In a genealogical context, it might reflect the parents' faith or a hope for their child's future orientation towards divine reliance, subtly reinforcing the overarching theme of God's centrality in the lives of His people and the Chronicler's theological agenda.
* **Benaiah (Hebrew, _Bᵉnâyâh'_):** Meaning "Jah has built" or "The Lord has built." This is a common and significant name in the Old Testament, often associated with individuals who played crucial roles, such as David's mighty warrior ([2 Samuel 23:20](/2-samuel/23-20 "2 Samuel 23:20 - Benaiah, Son of Jehoiada")). The name signifies God's active involvement in establishing, strengthening, and prospering, whether a family, a nation, or an individual life, thereby highlighting divine providence, blessing, and the foundational role of God's creative and sustaining power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,"**: This clause presents a simple enumeration of seven distinct individuals. Each name represents a specific person, likely a head of a household, a prominent figure, or a significant ancestor within the Simeonite tribe during a particular period. The repetitive use of the conjunction "and" (the Hebrew _waw_) serves to link these names together, forming a continuous list that emphasizes the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the genealogical record. While the text provides no further biographical details about these specific individuals, their inclusion signifies their importance in maintaining the tribal lineage and contributing to the historical fabric of God's people. The very act of listing them underscores the Chronicler's purpose: to affirm the unbroken chain of descent and the continued existence of the Simeonite families within Israel, reinforcing their identity and claim to their heritage.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Chronicles 4:36 is **Enumeration**, which is the simple, sequential listing of items or names. This technique is characteristic of genealogical passages, serving the straightforward purpose of recording and preserving lineage with precision. The repeated use of the conjunction "and" before each name exemplifies **Polysyndeton**, creating a rhythmic, cumulative effect that emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the record and the distinct identity of each individual within the collective. Furthermore, the entire passage functions as a **Genealogy**, a specific literary genre crucial in ancient Israel for establishing identity, land rights, and covenantal standing. While not explicitly stated, the inherent meanings of some of the names (e.g., Elioenai, Benaiah) introduce a subtle layer of **Onomastics**, where the study of names provides an implicit theological commentary on the hopes, beliefs, or circumstances of the individuals or their parents, enriching the otherwise terse list with deeper spiritual resonance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly dry list of names in 1 Chronicles 4:36 carries profound theological weight, testifying to God's meticulous memory and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Far from being insignificant, each name represents a vital thread in the intricate tapestry of salvation history, affirming that God's plan unfolds through specific individuals and their lineages, often in ways unseen by human eyes. The Chronicler's emphasis on these genealogies served to reassure the post-exilic community of their legitimate heritage and their indispensable place within God's ongoing redemptive narrative. It highlights that God is not a God of chaos, but of divine order and meticulous detail, actively involved in the seemingly mundane aspects of human history to bring about His ultimate purposes. The preservation of these family lines underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, even when His people stray or face hardship, ensuring the continuity of the covenant community until the appointed time.

* [Genesis 46:8-27](/genesis/46-8-27 "The Sons of Jacob Entering Egypt")
* [Ezra 2:59-63](/ezra/2-59-63 "Ezra 2:59-63 - Exclusion from Priesthood Due to Unverified Genealogy")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalm/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a simple list of names, 1 Chronicles 4:36 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that every individual, regardless of their perceived prominence or obscurity, holds immense significance in God's eyes and within His grand redemptive plan. Just as God meticulously recorded these ancient names, He knows each of us intimately—our past, present, and future—as powerfully declared in [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalm/139-13-16 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us"). This verse encourages us to embrace our own unique place in God's story, recognizing that our lives, too, are part of a larger, divinely orchestrated narrative. It fosters a deep sense of spiritual heritage, connecting us to the faithful lineage of God's people throughout history, and reinforcing our identity as children of God through Christ, which is a far greater and more enduring lineage than any earthly one. Ultimately, it calls us to trust in God's meticulous care, knowing that if He remembers ancient, seemingly obscure names, He certainly remembers and cares for us with an unfathomable love and precision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous recording of names in Scripture challenge our perception of "insignificant" individuals in God's plan?**
* **In what ways does understanding your spiritual lineage (the history of God's people) strengthen your own faith and identity today?**
* **What does God's attention to detail in these genealogies reveal about His character and His active involvement in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Why are these genealogies so long and seemingly tedious?**

Answer: These genealogies, while appearing tedious to a modern reader, served multiple crucial purposes for the ancient Israelite community, especially the post-exilic audience of Chronicles. They were vital legal documents, establishing tribal identity, validating claims to land inheritance, and confirming eligibility for priestly or Levitical service. Theologically, they demonstrated God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people despite exile and dispersion, providing a tangible link to their historical roots and the promises made to Abraham. They also underscored the continuity of the nation and the divine order within God's plan, showing that God remembers and cares for every individual within His grand narrative.

**Do these names have any prophetic significance?**

Answer: Generally, the individual names listed in 1 Chronicles 4:36 do not carry direct prophetic significance in the sense of foretelling specific future events. Their primary purpose is historical and genealogical. However, the *existence* and *preservation* of these lineages are profoundly significant for the broader prophetic narrative, as they contribute to the unbroken line through which the Messiah would eventually come. Furthermore, as explored in the "Key Word Analysis," the meanings of some names (e.g., "My eyes are toward the Lord," "Yahweh has built") can offer subtle theological insights into the faith or hopes of the parents, or even reflect God's character and activity in their lives, subtly reinforcing the overarching divine narrative of God's redemptive work.

**How do we apply a verse like this to our lives today?**

Answer: While not a direct command or moral teaching, 1 Chronicles 4:36 offers several powerful applications. First, it reminds us of God's profound care for every individual; if He meticulously recorded these names, He certainly knows and values each one of us. Second, it encourages us to appreciate our spiritual heritage and the long line of faith that precedes us, finding our ultimate identity not in earthly lineage but in being children of God through Christ, as described in [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God"). Third, it reinforces the truth that God is a God of order and detail, actively involved in the seemingly small and ordinary aspects of life and history, giving us confidence that He is at work in our own lives, even in ways we may not perceive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous genealogies found throughout 1 Chronicles, including the seemingly obscure list in [1 Chronicles 4:36](/1-chronicles/4-36 "1 Chronicles 4:36 - Simeonite Genealogy"), find their ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus of Nazareth. While this specific verse lists Simeonite descendants, the overarching purpose of all biblical genealogies is to trace the lineage that culminates in the Messiah. The preservation of these tribal records, particularly the line of Judah, was absolutely essential for the coming of the promised "seed" ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed Refers to Christ")), through whom all the nations would be blessed. The Chronicler's profound emphasis on the continuity and divine preservation of the people of Israel directly points to God's unwavering faithfulness in preparing the way for His Son. Jesus Christ, as the ultimate Son of David and Son of Abraham, is the culmination of all these genealogies, as affirmed in the New Testament accounts of His lineage in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"). He is the one in whom all the promises made to Israel find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2-corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), providing the ultimate identity and eternal inheritance for all who believe, thereby fulfilling the very purpose for which these ancient records were meticulously kept.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.