1 Chronicles 7:32

KJV

And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Heber {H2268} begat {H3205} Japhlet {H3310}, and Shomer {H7763}, and Hotham {H2369}, and Shua {H7774} their sister {H269}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hever fathered Yaflet, Shomer, Hotam and their sister Shua.

Berean Standard Bible

Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, and of their sister Shua.

American Standard Version

And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 7:32, embedded within the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Asher, meticulously records the descendants of Heber: Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua. This seemingly brief verse serves as a crucial thread in the larger tapestry of Israel's post-exilic identity, affirming tribal lineage, validating claims to land and heritage, and underscoring God's faithful preservation of His covenant people through generations, even down to individual family units.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 7:32 is situated within the expansive genealogical records that dominate the first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles. Specifically, chapter 7 focuses on the genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. These lists are not mere dry records but foundational documents for the returning exiles, re-establishing their national and religious identity. The mention of Heber's children, including a sister, is part of a detailed accounting of the tribe of Asher, which highlights the meticulous nature of the Chronicler's work in tracing the continuity of Israel's families and their place within the twelve tribes. This verse, like others in these chapters, acts as a building block in demonstrating the unbroken lineage from Adam to the post-exilic community, providing a sense of historical continuity and divine purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was likely compiled during or shortly after the Babylonian exile, a period of profound disruption and identity crisis for the Jewish people. Having lost their land, temple, and monarchy, the returning exiles desperately needed to re-anchor themselves in their heritage. Genealogies were vital in ancient Israelite society for several reasons: they established tribal membership, which was crucial for land inheritance (as seen in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Allotment by Tribe")); they validated claims to priestly and Levitical service in the rebuilt temple (as emphasized in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Genealogical Purity for Priests")); and they confirmed one's place within God's covenant people. The meticulous record-keeping, even of seemingly minor family lines like Heber's, underscores the cultural importance placed on ancestry and continuity, ensuring that the post-exilic community understood their roots and their enduring connection to the promises made to Abraham and David.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **God's continuity and preservation** of His people. Despite exile and dispersion, God remained faithful to His covenant, ensuring the survival and re-establishment of the Israelite tribes. Secondly, it speaks to **divine order and meticulous record-keeping**. The inclusion of specific names, even those without prominent narratives, suggests that God's sovereignty extends to every individual and every detail of history, orchestrating the unfolding of His plan with precision. This divine attention to detail underscores the truth that every person has a place in God's grand design, however seemingly small, a theme echoed in the broader biblical emphasis on God's knowledge of each individual (e.g., [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalm/139-13 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Intimate Knowledge")). Finally, the specific mention of "Shua their sister" subtly highlights **the value of every individual**, including women, within God's meticulously preserved lineage. While genealogies are often male-centric, the occasional inclusion of a female name signifies her unique importance or role within that specific family unit, perhaps related to inheritance or the continuation of a specific family line.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Begat (Hebrew: יָלַד, _yalad_):** This verb is the standard term used throughout biblical genealogies to denote the act of fathering or giving birth. While simple in its literal meaning, its repeated use in these lists carries profound theological weight. It signifies continuity, the unbroken chain of generations, and the faithful transmission of life and heritage. In the context of Israel's genealogies, _yalad_ underscores God's active role in preserving the lineage of His chosen people, ensuring the fulfillment of His covenant promises through successive generations. It is a testament to divine faithfulness in the face of human transience.
* **Sister (Hebrew: אָחוֹת, _'achot_):** The inclusion of "Shua their sister" is noteworthy because female names are less frequently recorded in these male-dominated genealogical lists. While the primary purpose of genealogies was often to establish male lines for inheritance and tribal identity, the specific mention of a sister indicates her particular significance within this family unit. This could be due to her being an heiress if there were no male heirs (as seen in the case of the daughters of Zelophehad in [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-11 - Daughters of Zelophehad")), or simply a recognition of her unique place and contribution to the family's identity and continuity. It subtly broadens the scope of divine attention beyond just male lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham":** This clause follows the typical genealogical formula found throughout Chronicles and other biblical books. It establishes Heber as the patriarch and lists his male offspring. This formulaic presentation emphasizes the orderly progression of generations, vital for establishing tribal identity and land claims for the returning exiles. It grounds the current generation in a traceable past, connecting them to the covenant promises made to their forefathers.
* **"and Shua their sister":** The addition of Shua, the sister, to the list of male children is a significant detail. In a patriarchal society where genealogies primarily focused on male lines for inheritance and tribal continuity, the explicit mention of a daughter suggests her particular importance within this family. This could imply her role in carrying on the family name or property, or simply highlights the Chronicler's meticulousness in recording all significant members of the lineage, affirming the value of each individual within God's comprehensive plan for His people.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 7:32, and indeed throughout the opening chapters of Chronicles, is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a list but a structured literary form that serves profound theological and historical purposes. It functions as a foundational narrative, establishing the identity, continuity, and legitimacy of the Israelite people, particularly for the post-exilic community. Through the meticulous listing of "begats," the Chronicler employs **Repetition** to create a rhythmic, authoritative cadence, reinforcing the unbroken chain of generations and the reliability of the historical record. The specific **Inclusion** of "Shua their sister" can also be seen as a subtle literary device, breaking the typical male-centric pattern to draw attention to a particular individual, perhaps hinting at her unique significance within her family's lineage or for the broader tribal record. This meticulous accounting underscores the Chronicler's intent to present a comprehensive and divinely ordered history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 7:32, though a single line in a vast genealogy, profoundly connects to the overarching biblical theme of God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous sovereignty over history. It reminds us that God's plans are not abstract but unfold through real people, real families, and real historical lines. Every individual, even those briefly mentioned, plays a part in God's grand narrative of redemption. The preservation of these lineages, particularly after the trauma of exile, serves as a powerful testament to God's commitment to His covenant people and His promise to maintain a remnant. It lays the groundwork for the ultimate fulfillment of His promises through the lineage of David, culminating in the Messiah.

* [1 Chronicles 9:1](/1_chronicles/9-1 "1 Chronicles 9:1 - Purpose of Genealogies")
* [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Genealogical Purity for Priestly Service")
* [Psalm 100:5](/psalm/100-5 "Psalm 100:5 - God's Enduring Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of names might seem distant to the modern reader, 1 Chronicles 7:32 offers profound spiritual lessons. It invites us to consider the meticulous care God exercises over every detail of His creation and His plan. Just as He knew and recorded Heber's children, including Shua, He knows and cares for every individual life, even those who may feel insignificant or overlooked in the grand scheme of things. This verse encourages us to appreciate our own heritage, recognizing that our lives are part of a larger story, often shaped by the faith and choices of those who came before us. It challenges us to live faithfully, knowing that our "small" contributions can contribute to God's unfolding purposes across generations. Ultimately, it reminds us that we are not random accidents but are known, valued, and purposed by a God who orchestrates history with infinite precision and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulousness of biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 7:32, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His involvement in human history?**
* **In what ways can recognizing your own "lineage" (whether biological, spiritual, or communal) provide a deeper sense of identity and purpose?**
* **How might the inclusion of "Shua their sister" encourage you to recognize the value and significance of individuals who might otherwise be overlooked or marginalized in various contexts?**
* **What does this seemingly "minor" verse teach us about God's faithfulness to His promises, even when they seem to unfold slowly or through seemingly ordinary people?**

### FAQ
**Why are these genealogies so extensive and seemingly mundane?**

Answer: These extensive genealogies, including 1 Chronicles 7:32, were far from mundane for their original audience. They served several critical purposes for the returning exiles. Firstly, they re-established **national and tribal identity** after the Babylonian captivity, helping people understand their place within the twelve tribes of Israel. Secondly, they were crucial for **land claims**, as inheritance was tied to tribal and family lineage (e.g., [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Allotment by Tribe")). Thirdly, they **validated priestly and Levitical lines** for service in the rebuilt temple, ensuring only those with legitimate heritage could perform sacred duties (as seen in [Nehemiah 7:64](/nehemiah/7-64 "Nehemiah 7:64 - Genealogical Purity for Priests")). Finally, on a theological level, they demonstrated God's **faithfulness in preserving His covenant people** and the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, ensuring continuity despite historical upheaval.

**Why is Shua, a sister, specifically mentioned in a genealogy that primarily lists male descendants?**

Answer: The mention of "Shua their sister" is indeed notable because biblical genealogies typically focus on male lines for the purpose of tracing inheritance, tribal affiliation, and the continuation of the family name. Her specific inclusion suggests a particular significance. This could be because she was an heiress in the absence of male heirs, a practice established for the daughters of Zelophehad in [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-11 - Daughters of Zelophehad"), ensuring family property remained within the tribe. Alternatively, her mention might simply reflect the Chronicler's meticulousness in recording all significant members of a family unit, or perhaps she played a unique role in the family's history or the continuation of a specific sub-lineage within the tribe of Asher. It highlights that even in male-dominated records, God's attention extends to every individual, affirming their value within His divine plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 7:32 appears to be a simple record of lineage within the tribe of Asher, its true Christ-centered fulfillment lies in its contribution to the broader biblical narrative of God's meticulous preservation of a chosen people, ultimately leading to the Messiah. These seemingly dry genealogies, spanning from Adam to the post-exilic community, serve as the historical backbone demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Every "begat" is a divine act of faithfulness, ensuring the continuity of the human family from which the "seed of the woman" would come ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")). The meticulous record-keeping, even of seemingly minor figures like Heber and his children, underscores God's sovereign control over history, guiding every generation towards the ultimate heir. This divine precision culminates in the New Testament genealogies of Jesus Christ, as recorded in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), which meticulously trace His lineage through Abraham and David, fulfilling the ancient prophecies. Thus, 1 Chronicles 7:32, though not directly mentioning Christ, is a vital thread in the vast tapestry of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating the divine faithfulness that ensured the arrival of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the very fulfillment of all God's promises to His people.

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.