1 Chronicles 5:22

KJV

For there fell down many slain, because the war [was] of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.

KJV (with Strong's)

For there fell {H5307} down many {H7227} slain {H2491}, because the war {H4421} was of God {H430}. And they dwelt {H3427} in their steads until the captivity {H1473}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Many were slaughtered, because the war was of God, and they lived in their territory until the captivity.

Berean Standard Bible

and many others fell slain, because the battle belonged to God. And they occupied the land until the exile.

American Standard Version

For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their stead until the captivity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Chronicles 5:22 encapsulates a pivotal moment for the Transjordanian tribes, highlighting a resounding military victory over the Hagarites. The verse attributes this triumph directly to God's intervention, declaring that "the war was of God," thereby emphasizing divine sovereignty as the ultimate source of their success and security. Simultaneously, it introduces a poignant historical marker, noting that these tribes "dwelt in their steads until the captivity," a subtle yet profound foreshadowing of their eventual exile due to later unfaithfulness, underscoring the conditional nature of sustained blessing within the covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** First Chronicles 5:22 is embedded within the extensive genealogies of the Transjordanian tribes—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—which span [1 Chronicles 5](/1_chronicles/5 "1 Chronicles 5 - Genealogies of Transjordanian Tribes"). The preceding verses, specifically [1 Chronicles 5:18-21](/1_chronicles/5-18 "1 Chronicles 5:18-21 - The War Against the Hagarites"), detail the military prowess of these tribes and their successful engagement against the Hagarites and their allies. This victory serves as a narrative highlight within the genealogical record, illustrating God's active involvement in the lives of His people and validating their inheritance of the land. The Chronicler’s inclusion of this specific event emphasizes divine favor and faithfulness as foundational to Israel's identity and historical trajectory, even amidst the recounting of lineage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Transjordanian tribes, having settled east of the Jordan River, faced constant threats from nomadic groups like the Hagarites who inhabited the desert regions to their east. This particular conflict was not merely a territorial dispute but a struggle for survival and the secure possession of the land promised by God. The Hagarites were a formidable confederation, likely of Arab descent, known for their raiding. For the post-exilic audience of the Chronicler, who had themselves experienced the trauma of exile and dispersion, this account of a divinely orchestrated victory and subsequent secure dwelling served as a powerful reminder of God's past faithfulness and His capacity to restore and protect His people. It offered both encouragement and a cautionary tale regarding the conditions for remaining in the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty in Battle**, asserting that God is not merely an ally but the initiator and decisive factor in Israel's military engagements. This concept is foundational to the Chronicler's theology, consistently portraying God as actively involved in the nation's history, as seen in [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - God Fights for His People") and [2 Chronicles 20:15](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15 - The Battle is God's"). Another crucial theme is **Covenant Faithfulness and its Consequences**. The immediate blessing of dwelling securely in the land is juxtaposed with the ominous "until the captivity," subtly reminding the reader that divine favor is contingent upon sustained obedience. This foreshadows the Assyrian deportation of these very tribes, a direct consequence of their idolatry and unfaithfulness, as detailed in [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Assyrian Captivity of Israel"). The verse thus encapsulates both God's immediate blessing for seeking Him and the long-term consequences of straying from His covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **War (Hebrew, _milḥāmâ'_):** This term refers to armed conflict or battle. In this context, its significance is amplified by the accompanying preposition "of God," transforming it from a mere human conflict into a divinely ordained and executed event. It implies a struggle where God's power is the decisive factor, not human strength or strategy.
* **Of God (Hebrew, _mê'elohîm'_):** This crucial phrase, using the preposition _min_ (מִן) meaning "from" or "out of," indicates origin, source, or cause. It is not merely that God was on their side, but that the war itself originated from God, was directed by Him, and its outcome was entirely dependent on His divine will and power. This underscores God's absolute sovereignty over historical events, particularly those involving His covenant people.
* **Captivity (Hebrew, _gālâ'_):** While the KJV uses "captivity," the underlying Hebrew root (גלה) means "to uncover," "to go into exile," or "to deport." Here, it refers specifically to the forced deportation of the Transjordanian tribes by the Assyrians, a historical event that marked the end of their independent dwelling in their land. Its inclusion serves as a somber reminder that even divinely granted blessings and victories are not permanent if the people fail to maintain their covenant faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For there fell down many slain":** This clause describes the immediate, decisive outcome of the battle. The sheer number of casualties on the enemy side signifies a crushing defeat for the Hagarites and a resounding victory for the Israelite tribes. It emphasizes the effectiveness and completeness of the triumph, directly setting the stage for the explanation of its cause.
* **"because the war [was] of God":** This is the explanatory clause, providing the theological rationale for the overwhelming victory. It asserts that the success was not due to the Israelites' superior numbers, strategy, or strength, but solely because God Himself initiated, empowered, and fought the battle on their behalf. This statement elevates the event from a mere military engagement to a demonstration of divine power and faithfulness.
* **"And they dwelt in their steads":** This phrase describes the immediate positive consequence of the divinely granted victory. The tribes were able to securely inhabit and maintain possession of their allotted territories. "Steads" refers to their places or habitations, indicating a period of peace, stability, and prosperity in the land they had conquered.
* **"until the captivity":** This concluding phrase introduces a stark and sobering note of historical and theological significance. It functions as a temporal marker, indicating that their secure dwelling was not eternal but had a definitive end point—the Assyrian deportation. This serves as a prophetic warning and a reminder to the post-exilic audience that blessings, while divinely granted, are often conditional upon continued faithfulness to God's covenant, and disobedience ultimately leads to loss of privilege.

#### Literary Devices
First Chronicles 5:22 employs several potent **Literary Devices**. **Causality** is central, as the phrase "because the war was of God" directly explains the "many slain," establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between divine intervention and military success. This highlights God's active agency in human affairs. The phrase "until the captivity" functions as a striking instance of **Foreshadowing** or **Prolepsis**, subtly hinting at a future, tragic event (the Assyrian exile) that contrasts sharply with the immediate triumph. This creates a sense of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader, knowing the historical outcome, understands the temporary nature of the victory and dwelling, which the characters in the narrative would not have fully grasped. The verse also demonstrates **Conciseness** and **Juxtaposition**, packing a complete narrative arc—from divine victory to eventual judgment—into a single, compact sentence. This powerful compression underscores the Chronicler's theological message about God's consistent involvement in Israel's history, both in blessing and in consequence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Chronicles 5:22 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty, demonstrating that God is not merely a distant observer but an active participant in the affairs of His people, especially in their struggles and triumphs. The declaration "the war was of God" elevates the victory beyond human capacity, attributing it entirely to divine power and purpose. This principle underscores that true success and security for God's people stem from His favor and intervention, not from their own might or wisdom. However, the verse also carries a crucial caveat: the "until the captivity" clause. This serves as a stark reminder that while God is faithful to His covenant promises, the experience of His blessings, particularly the secure dwelling in the land, is contingent upon the people's sustained faithfulness and obedience. It highlights the biblical tension between God's unchanging character and the conditional nature of certain covenant blessings, emphasizing that disobedience ultimately leads to loss and judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - God Fights for Israel")
* [Joshua 23:15](/joshua/23-15 "Joshua 23:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Joshua 23:16](/joshua/23-16 "Joshua 23:16 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Psalm 44:6](/psalms/44-6 "Psalm 44:6 - Trust in God, Not Strength")
* [Psalm 44:7](/psalms/44-7 "Psalm 44:7 - Trust in God, Not Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 1 Chronicles 5:22 offers enduring lessons on the nature of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. When we face our own "battles"—whether they are personal struggles, professional challenges, or spiritual conflicts—this verse calls us to recognize that ultimate victory and security do not come from our own strength, intellect, or resources, but from God's direct intervention and empowerment. It encourages a posture of profound dependence, urging us to surrender our anxieties and efforts to the One who orchestrates all things for His purposes. Furthermore, the sobering phrase "until the captivity" serves as a powerful reminder that while God's grace is boundless, our continued experience of His blessings is often tied to our faithfulness and obedience. It prompts us to examine our lives, ensuring that we are not taking God's favor for granted, but rather walking in consistent devotion and adherence to His will. This verse challenges us to live with an awareness of both God's mighty hand in our present circumstances and the long-term consequences of our choices, fostering a deeper commitment to a life of sustained faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty over your life's "battles" change your approach to facing challenges?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to relinquish control and trust that "the war is of God"?**
* **What lessons can you draw from the "until the captivity" clause regarding the importance of sustained faithfulness in your walk with God?**
* **How does the Chronicler's emphasis on God's direct involvement in ancient Israel's history encourage you in your contemporary circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does "the war was of God" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase signifies far more than God merely supporting the Israelite tribes. It means that the war itself was initiated, orchestrated, empowered, and ultimately decided by God. He was not just an ally but the primary agent and source of the conflict's outcome. The victory was entirely His doing, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over historical events and military engagements. It underscores that the Israelites' success was due to divine intervention, not their own strength or strategy.

**Which captivity is referred to here?**

Answer: The "captivity" mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:22 refers specifically to the Assyrian deportation of the northern tribes of Israel, including Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who dwelt east of the Jordan. This event occurred in several phases, primarily around 733-722 BC, under the Assyrian kings Tiglath-Pileser III and Shalmaneser V. It marked a tragic end to their secure dwelling in the land and was a direct consequence of their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, as detailed in [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Assyrian Deportation of Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 5:22 describes a physical war fought by ancient Israel, its deeper theological truths find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The declaration that "the war was of God" foreshadows the ultimate spiritual battle waged and won by Jesus Christ. He came not merely to assist humanity in its struggle against sin and death, but to engage in and decisively win the war that was truly "of God"—the cosmic conflict against the powers of darkness. Just as God delivered Israel from the Hagarites, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), entered the fray, conquering sin on the cross and triumphing over principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His victory secures for believers a dwelling place not merely in a physical land, but in the spiritual realm of God's grace and ultimately in the New Heavens and New Earth, where God will [dwell with His people forever](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God's Dwelling with Humanity"). The "captivity" in 1 Chronicles 5:22 serves as a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness under the Old Covenant, but in Christ, believers are freed from the captivity of sin and death ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death")), securing an eternal inheritance through His once-for-all victory. Our spiritual warfare today is not fought in our own strength, but by standing firm in the victory Christ has already won, wielding the [armor of God](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-12 - The Armor of God") and proclaiming His triumph.

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.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 32:8

With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Joshua 23:10

One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

Romans 8:31

¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

2 Kings 15:29

In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

2 Kings 17:6

In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

1 Chronicles 6:26

[As for] Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,

1 Chronicles 4:41

And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because [there was] pasture there for their flocks.