1 Chronicles 7:21

KJV

And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath [that were] born in [that] land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Zabad {H2066} his son {H1121}, and Shuthelah {H7803} his son {H1121}, and Ezer {H5827}, and Elead {H496}, whom the men {H582} of Gath {H1661} that were born {H3205} in that land {H776} slew {H2026}, because they came down {H3381} to take away {H3947} their cattle {H4735}.

Complete Jewish Bible

his son Zavad and his son Shutelach; also 'Ezer and El'ad, whom the men of Gat born in the land killed when they came down to raid their cattle.

Berean Standard Bible

Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the natives of Gath, because they went down to steal their livestock.

American Standard Version

and Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in the land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 7:21, situated within the detailed genealogies of the tribe of Ephraim, recounts a poignant and tragic incident. It describes how Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer, and Elead, descendants of Ephraim, were slain by the native inhabitants of Gath—a prominent Philistine city. This fatal encounter occurred because the Ephraimites had "come down to take away their cattle," indicating an aggressive raid for resources that resulted in a deadly confrontation. This brief narrative interlude stands out in the otherwise list-like genealogical record, underscoring the harsh realities and violent struggles faced by the Israelite tribes during their early settlement in the land of Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a striking narrative interlude within the otherwise meticulous and often dry genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles 7, specifically within the lineage of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-29). The Chronicler, known for his detailed attention to Israelite heritage and tribal organization, typically provides names and brief familial connections. However, verses 20-22 interrupt this pattern to highlight a significant, albeit tragic, event in Ephraim's early history. The inclusion of this incident, rather than just names, signals its importance to the Chronicler's audience, perhaps explaining the subsequent birth of Beriah, whose name means "in evil" or "in sorrow," as recorded in [1 Chronicles 7:23](/1_chronicles/7-23 "1 Chronicles 7:23 - Birth of Beriah"). This narrative pause emphasizes the struggles and sacrifices involved in the establishment of the tribes in the Promised Land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event described in 1 Chronicles 7:21 likely occurred during the tumultuous period of Israel's settlement in Canaan, possibly pre-monarchy or during the Judges era. The "men of Gath" refer to the Philistines, one of the formidable "Sea Peoples" who settled the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan. Gath was one of their five principal cities, known for its military prowess and later as the home of Goliath ([1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath of Gath")). The phrase "born in that land" emphasizes the Philistines' established presence and claim to the territory, contrasting with the Israelites who were in the process of settling. Raiding for cattle ("to take away their cattle") was a common, albeit dangerous, practice in the ancient Near East, serving as a means of acquiring wealth, sustenance, or asserting dominance, and often leading to violent retribution, as seen in this account. The Ephraimites, whose territory was in the central highlands, would have "come down" from their elevated settlements into the lower plains where Gath was located, indicating an offensive maneuver.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the **struggle for the land** and the constant conflict faced by the Israelite tribes as they contended with indigenous peoples for territory and resources, a theme echoed throughout [the book of Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Unconquered Peoples"). Secondly, it highlights the severe **consequences of unsanctioned aggression or raiding**, demonstrating how attempts to seize resources through violence could lead to tragic loss of life. The immediate and fatal outcome of the Ephraimites' raid serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of inter-group conflict. Thirdly, despite the tragedy, the inclusion of this event within the genealogy, followed by the birth of Beriah, subtly underscores the **resilience and continuity of God's covenant people**. Even amidst sorrow and setback, God's plan for Israel's lineage and their inheritance of the land continued, reflecting a broader biblical theme of divine faithfulness amidst human struggle and failure, as seen in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gath (Hebrew, _Gat_):** One of the five principal Philistine cities (along with Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron), located in the Shephelah region. Gath was a major military and cultural center of the Philistines, often a formidable adversary to Israel, famously associated with Goliath. Its mention here immediately signals a powerful, established, and hostile presence.
* **Slew (Hebrew, _harag_):** This verb is a common, direct term for killing or slaying, often in a violent context. Its straightforward use here conveys the brutal and unequivocal nature of the confrontation, emphasizing the finality of the act without euphemism.
* **Cattle (Hebrew, _miqneh_):** Refers broadly to livestock, including sheep, goats, and oxen. In the ancient world, livestock represented significant wealth, sustenance, and status. The attempt to "take away their cattle" was an act of economic warfare or plunder, a direct assault on the Philistines' livelihood and property.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead":** This clause identifies the specific Ephraimite victims by name, emphasizing the personal and familial cost of the incident. The repetition of "his son" links Zabad and Shuthelah directly to Ephraim's lineage, highlighting the loss within the tribal family unit.
* **"whom the men of Gath [that were] born in [that] land slew":** This part identifies the perpetrators as the indigenous inhabitants of Gath, stressing their native claim to the territory ("born in that land"). This detail subtly contrasts with the Israelites who were newcomers, highlighting the underlying conflict over land ownership and sovereignty. The act of "slew" is direct and violent.
* **"because they came down to take away their cattle":** This final clause provides the explicit reason for the conflict. The phrase "came down" suggests a descent from the Israelite highlands into the Philistine plains, indicating an offensive maneuver. The motive—plundering livestock—reveals a common cause of ancient conflicts: disputes over resources and wealth, which in this case led to lethal consequences.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this terse but impactful verse. The most prominent is **Narrative Interruption**, where a brief, tragic story suddenly breaks the otherwise monotonous genealogical list. This abrupt shift draws immediate attention to the event, highlighting its significance beyond a mere name. There is also an element of **Irony** in the Ephraimites, who are meant to inherit the land, being killed by "those born in the land" while attempting to seize resources, underscoring the challenges of the conquest. The **Conciseness** of the verse, delivering a poignant tragedy in a single sentence, makes its impact all the more stark. Furthermore, the conflict with the "men of Gath" can be seen as **Foreshadowing** the much larger and more significant conflicts between Israel and the Philistines that would characterize the periods of the Judges and early monarchy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly minor genealogical detail carries significant theological weight, illustrating the harsh realities of Israel's early existence in the Promised Land. It underscores that the inheritance of the land was not a seamless, effortless process, but one fraught with conflict, loss, and human failure. While God had promised the land to Abraham's descendants ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land to Abram")), its possession often required costly struggles, sometimes initiated by Israel's own aggressive actions. The incident reveals the consequences of human sin—greed and violence—even within the covenant community. Yet, the Chronicler's inclusion of this tragedy, followed by the birth of Beriah, subtly points to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring the continuation of the lineage despite setbacks. This resilience in the face of death and conflict is a recurring theme, demonstrating that God's purposes are not thwarted by human weakness or tragedy.

* [Joshua 17:14-18](/joshua/17-14 "Joshua 17:14-18 - Ephraim's Complaint about Land")
* [Judges 1:19](/judges/1-19 "Judges 1:19 - Judah's Inability to Drive Out Philistines")
* [1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath of Gath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 7:21, though a brief historical note, offers profound insights into human nature and the complexities of life. It reminds us that conflict, often driven by desires for resources or power, is a persistent reality in a fallen world. The tragic outcome of the Ephraimites' raid serves as a sober warning about the destructive consequences of unsanctioned aggression and the high cost of violence. It challenges us to consider our own motives when engaging in disputes, whether personal, communal, or national. Furthermore, the verse, when read in context with the subsequent birth of Beriah, speaks to the theme of resilience and the continuation of life and purpose even in the face of profound loss and sorrow. It prompts us to reflect on how we navigate setbacks, how we mourn, and how we find hope and continuity amidst life's inevitable tragedies, trusting in a God who works even through difficult circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this brief, tragic account challenge our assumptions about the "Promised Land" and Israel's early settlement?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the consequences of unsanctioned aggression or raids for resources in our own lives or in contemporary society?**
* **In what ways does God demonstrate His faithfulness and the continuation of His purposes, even in the midst of human failure and loss, as seen here and in broader biblical narratives?**

### FAQ
**Why is this specific incident included in a genealogy, which typically just lists names?**

Answer: The inclusion of this specific, tragic event in a genealogical list is highly unusual and therefore significant. It serves as a narrative interlude that breaks the monotonous flow of names to highlight a pivotal moment in Ephraim's early history. Primarily, it explains the subsequent birth of Beriah (1 Chronicles 7:23), whose name likely means "in evil" or "in sorrow," indicating he was born after this tragic loss. This detail underscores the cost of Israel's settlement in Canaan and the struggles faced by the tribes. It also emphasizes the resilience of the lineage and God's faithfulness in ensuring its continuation despite severe setbacks, providing both historical context and theological depth to the Chronicler's record.

**Who were the "men of Gath" and what was their significance to Israel?**

Answer: The "men of Gath" were Philistines, one of the powerful "Sea Peoples" who settled the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan around the 12th century BC. Gath was one of their five major city-states and a formidable adversary to Israel throughout much of its early history. They were known for their military strength, particularly their use of iron weaponry, which gave them an advantage over the Israelites (e.g., [1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine Control of Iron")). The mention of Gath here immediately signals a powerful, established, and often hostile presence that Israel had to contend with, foreshadowing later major conflicts like the one involving [David and Goliath](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath").

**What does "came down to take away their cattle" imply about the Ephraimites' actions?**

Answer: The phrase "came down to take away their cattle" implies an act of aggressive raiding or plundering. "Came down" suggests movement from the higher elevations of Ephraim's central highland territory to the lower plains where the Philistine city of Gath was located. This was not a defensive action but an offensive one, an attempt to seize valuable livestock, which was a primary form of wealth and sustenance in the ancient world. Such raids were common in the ancient Near East but were high-risk endeavors that often led to violent retribution, as tragically demonstrated in this verse. It highlights a moment of human initiative and aggression that had fatal consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 7:21 recounts a specific historical tragedy within a tribal genealogy, its underlying themes resonate deeply with the broader narrative of redemption culminating in Christ. The death of these Ephraimite men, victims of human aggression and the pursuit of earthly resources, starkly illustrates the brokenness of a fallen world, where sin leads to violence and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Yet, the Chronicler's immediate follow-up with the birth of Beriah, ensuring the continuation of the lineage despite sorrow, subtly points to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises—promises that ultimately find their "Yes" and "Amen" in Jesus Christ ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). Jesus, the true "seed" of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham")), is the one who finally triumphs over the spiritual "men of Gath"—the powers of sin, death, and the devil—not through violent conquest or resource raids, but through His sacrificial death and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). He establishes a new covenant where true peace is found, not through human aggression, but through reconciliation with God and one another ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). The resilience of the Ephraimite lineage in the face of death foreshadows the ultimate victory of life over death secured by Christ, offering eternal hope beyond all earthly tragedies ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")).

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.