1 Chronicles 5:6

KJV

Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away [captive]: he [was] prince of the Reubenites.

KJV (with Strong's)

Beerah {H880} his son {H1121}, whom Tilgathpilneser {H8407} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} carried away {H1540} captive: he was prince {H5387} of the Reubenites {H7206}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and his son Be'erah. Tilgat-Piln'eser king of Ashur carried him away captive; he was leader of the Re'uveni.

Berean Standard Bible

and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria carried into exile.

American Standard Version

Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse, nestled within the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Reuben, highlights Beerah, a Reubenite prince, and pinpoints a pivotal historical event: the deportation of the Transjordanian tribes by Tilgathpilneser, king of Assyria. It serves to ground the biblical narrative in verifiable ancient history, underscoring the profound impact of exile on the Israelite tribes, even as it notes the continuity of leadership within the affected community despite such devastating circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 5 is part of a larger genealogical section (1 Chronicles 1-9) that meticulously traces the lineages of Israel from Adam to the post-exilic community. Specifically, chapter 5 focuses on the tribes east of the Jordan River: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The chronicler's primary purpose in compiling these genealogies was not merely to list names but to establish continuity between the past and the present for the returning exiles, reinforcing their identity as God's covenant people. This verse, therefore, serves to anchor the Reubenite lineage in a significant historical event, demonstrating God's sovereign hand even in the midst of national catastrophe and the dispersal of His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria" refers to Tiglath-Pileser III, who reigned from 745-727 BC. He was a formidable Assyrian monarch renowned for his aggressive military campaigns and a systematic policy of mass deportation of conquered peoples. This strategy aimed to break national identity, prevent rebellion, and integrate new territories into the Assyrian Empire. The "carrying away captive" of the Reubenites, along with other Transjordanian tribes and parts of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, occurred in the mid-8th century BC, as also recorded in [2 Kings 15:29](/2_kings/15-29 "2 Kings 15:29 - Tiglath-Pileser III's Deportation of Northern Israel"). Beerah's designation as "prince of the Reubenites" suggests that even amidst the trauma of foreign conquest and forced relocation, some form of tribal leadership or identity persisted, at least in the chronicler's record.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty over History**, demonstrating that God's purposes unfold even through the actions of pagan kings like Tilgathpilneser, who unwittingly serve as instruments of His judgment or preservation. Secondly, it subtly points to the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as the exile of the northern tribes was a direct result of Israel's persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness to God's covenant, a theme extensively explored in prophetic books (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience")). Thirdly, the meticulous recording of Beerah's lineage, even in exile (cf. [1 Chronicles 5:26](/1_chronicles/5-26 "1 Chronicles 5:26 - Captivity of the Transjordanian Tribes")), underscores the **Preservation of Identity and Lineage** of God's people, emphasizing His enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises despite their failures and displacement. Finally, Beerah's role as "prince" speaks to the theme of **Leadership in Adversity**, showing that even in times of profound national crisis, leadership figures continued to exist within the tribal structures.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tilgathpilneser (Akkadian, _Tukulti-apil-Esharra'_):** Meaning "My trust is in the son of Esharra," this is the Akkadian name of the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III. His inclusion here is a crucial historical anchor, firmly connecting the biblical narrative to well-documented extra-biblical history. His reign (745-727 BC) was marked by aggressive expansion and the systematic deportation of conquered populations, making his mention a precise and verifiable historical detail that confirms the biblical account of the northern tribes' exile.
* **Carried away (Hebrew, _gālāh'_):** This verb signifies "to go into exile," "to be deported," or "to be led into captivity." It precisely describes the Assyrian policy of forced displacement, where entire populations were uprooted from their homelands and resettled in distant parts of the empire. This act was designed to break national identity and prevent rebellion, representing a profound loss of land, freedom, and cultural continuity for the Israelites.
* **Prince (Hebrew, _nāśî'_):** This term denotes a "chief," "leader," or "prince." Beerah's title indicates that he held a position of authority or prominence within the Reubenite tribe. His designation as "prince" even as he was "carried away captive" highlights the tragic reality that even tribal leadership was subjected to Assyrian power, yet it also suggests a continued, albeit diminished, recognition of internal tribal structure or identity amidst the catastrophe of exile.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Beerah his son":** This phrase identifies Beerah as a direct descendant within the Reubenite lineage, connecting him to the preceding genealogical list (1 Chr 5:1-5). The meticulous tracking of these family lines was vital for the chronicler to establish the continuity of tribal identity and heritage for the post-exilic community, reinforcing their connection to God's covenant promises.
* **"whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away [captive]:"** This clause provides the critical historical context for Beerah's life and the fate of the Reubenite tribe. It directly links their experience to the devastating Assyrian deportations of the 8th century BC, a major turning point for the Northern Kingdom of Israel and its Transjordanian territories. This act of forced displacement was a severe judgment and a profound disruption to the life of the Israelite tribes.
* **"he [was] prince of the Reubenites."** Despite the calamitous circumstances of being "carried away captive," Beerah is explicitly identified as holding a leadership role. This detail is significant because it implies that even under the oppressive hand of a foreign empire and during the traumatic experience of exile, some form of tribal structure, identity, and recognized authority persisted. It speaks to the resilience of God's people and the chronicler's interest in preserving the record of their leadership, even in adversity.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in this verse, and indeed the broader context, is **Genealogy**. The chronicler uses genealogical lists not merely for historical record-keeping but as a theological framework to establish continuity from creation to the post-exilic community, reinforcing the covenant and God's faithfulness to His people despite their failures. The direct mention of "Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria" serves as a powerful **Historical Allusion**, grounding the biblical narrative in a specific, verifiable moment in ancient Near Eastern history. This lends credibility to the biblical account and demonstrates the chronicler's awareness of the broader geopolitical landscape. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Juxtaposition** between Beerah's status as "prince" and his fate of being "carried away captive." This highlights the tragic reality of leadership facing overwhelming foreign power, yet it also subtly underscores the persistence of internal tribal identity despite external subjugation and the enduring nature of God's plan for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though brief and seemingly a mere historical detail, encapsulates profound theological truths. It demonstrates God's sovereign control over nations and their rulers, even those who act with seemingly autonomous power. The Assyrian exile, a consequence of Israel's persistent idolatry and covenant breaking, was ultimately within God's permissive will, serving His disciplinary purposes. Yet, even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and maintains His covenant promises, as evidenced by the meticulous recording of these lineages. The mention of a "prince" amidst captivity speaks to the enduring nature of God's people and His plan, even through severe trials. It reminds us that God's purposes are not thwarted by human failure or historical upheaval, but rather unfold through them.

* [2 Kings 15:29](/2_kings/15-29 "2 Kings 15:29 - Tilgath-Pileser III's Deportation of Northern Israel")
* [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument of Judgment")
* [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - God's Plan for Restoration After Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 5:6, despite its seemingly dry genealogical nature, offers rich ground for reflection for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our personal and communal histories are woven into God's larger redemptive narrative. Even in moments of profound suffering, displacement, or perceived loss of control, God remains sovereign. The exile of the Reubenites under a powerful foreign king serves as a historical testament to the consequences of disobedience, yet also to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people, preserving their lineage and identity. For us today, it encourages a deep trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances are bleak, and a recognition that even in the midst of trials, God can sustain leadership and preserve His people for His purposes. It also underscores the importance of knowing our spiritual heritage and the historical foundations of our faith, understanding that God works through all circumstances—good and bad—to accomplish His ultimate will and preserve His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over historical events, even those involving suffering and exile, impact your trust in His plan for your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be preserving or working through "leadership amidst crisis" in your community or the world today?**
* **What does the chronicler's meticulous record-keeping of genealogies, even through exile, teach us about the value God places on identity and continuity for His people?**

### FAQ
**Who was Tilgathpilneser, and why is his mention significant in this verse?**

Answer: Tilgathpilneser III was a powerful king of Assyria (reigned 745–727 BC), known for his aggressive military campaigns and policy of mass deportation. His mention in [1 Chronicles 5:6](/1_chronicles/5-6 "1 Chronicles 5:6 - Beerah and Tilgathpilneser") is highly significant because it provides a precise historical anchor, linking the biblical narrative to verifiable extra-biblical history. It confirms the historical reality of the Assyrian conquest and deportation of the northern Israelite tribes, including Reuben, as also recorded in [2 Kings 15:29](/2_kings/15-29 "2 Kings 15:29 - Assyrian Deportation of Northern Israel"). This detail underscores the historical accuracy and reliability of the biblical record, demonstrating that the events described in Scripture are deeply rooted in actual historical occurrences.

**What does it mean that Beerah was "prince of the Reubenites" despite being carried away captive?**

Answer: The designation of Beerah as "prince of the Reubenites" indicates that he held a position of leadership or authority within his tribe. His being "carried away captive" by Tilgathpilneser signifies that he, along with his people, was subjected to forced deportation by the Assyrian Empire. This seemingly contradictory detail highlights the tragic reality of the exile: even tribal leaders were not immune to the Assyrian policy. However, it also suggests that despite the profound disruption, some form of tribal identity and recognized leadership persisted, even if diminished, during or after the initial phases of the deportation. It speaks to the resilience of the Israelite identity even under foreign domination, a theme relevant to the chronicler's post-exilic audience, who also faced questions of identity and continuity after their return from Babylonian exile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 5:6 is a genealogical and historical detail, it subtly points to the broader narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even through judgment and exile. The preservation of lineage, even amidst the scattering of the tribes, foreshadows God's ultimate plan for a unified people redeemed not by earthly kings or tribal princes, but by the true King, Jesus Christ. The "carrying away captive" reflects humanity's universal bondage to sin, a spiritual exile from which no earthly prince or human effort could deliver. Christ, the ultimate "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), enters into humanity's fallen condition, not to be carried away captive, but to conquer captivity itself. His atoning death and glorious resurrection deliver His people from the spiritual exile of sin and death, gathering them into His eternal kingdom ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). The meticulous tracking of Israel's lineage throughout the Old Testament culminates in the genealogies of Jesus found in the Gospels ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus")), demonstrating that God's promises, preserved through centuries of human failure and historical upheaval, find their perfect and complete fulfillment in Him. He is the one who truly gathers His scattered flock ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")) and establishes an everlasting kingdom ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - Everlasting Dominion")) that will never be carried away captive.

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

1 Chronicles 5:26

And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

2 Kings 16:7

So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

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 Chronicles 28:20

And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.