1 Chronicles 7:4

KJV

And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, [were] bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand [men]: for they had many wives and sons.

KJV (with Strong's)

And with them, by their generations {H8435}, after the house {H1004} of their fathers {H1}, were bands {H1416} of soldiers {H6635} for war {H4421}, six {H8337} and thirty {H7970} thousand {H505} men: for they had many {H7235} wives {H802} and sons {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

With them, by their generations, in their fathers' clans, were army troops organized for war, 36,000 of them, because they had many women and children.

Berean Standard Bible

Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. All five of them were chiefs. In addition to them, according to their genealogy, they had 36,000 troops for battle, for they had many wives and children.

American Standard Version

And with them, by their generations, after their fathers’ houses, were bands of the host for war, six and thirty thousand; for they had many wives and sons.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Chronicles 7:4 provides a specific detail within the extensive genealogies of Israel, highlighting the military strength of the tribe of Issachar. It records that from their generations, following their ancestral houses, they could muster an impressive thirty-six thousand soldiers for war. The verse explicitly attributes this substantial military capacity to their numerous families, stating "for they had many wives and sons," underscoring how fertility and large families were directly linked to a clan's and tribe's power and readiness for conflict in ancient Israelite society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** First Chronicles 7:4 is situated within the lengthy genealogical records that dominate the initial nine chapters of 1 Chronicles. These chapters serve as a foundational preamble to the historical narrative that follows, meticulously tracing the lineages of the twelve tribes of Israel, with particular emphasis on Judah, Benjamin, Levi, and later, the northern tribes. Chapter 7 specifically enumerates the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Verse 4 immediately follows the detailed listing of Issachar's sons and their family heads in [1 Chronicles 7:1-3](/1_chronicles/7-1 "1 Chronicles 7:1-3 - Sons of Issachar"), providing a summary of their collective military might and the demographic reason for it. For the post-exilic community to whom Chronicles was addressed, these genealogies were crucial for re-establishing identity, confirming land rights, validating priestly and Levitical lines, and demonstrating the unbroken continuity of God's covenant promises to His people despite the exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Chronicles was likely compiled in the post-exilic period, possibly by Ezra, for a community returning to Judah. In this context, the emphasis on tribal identity, lineage, and military strength was paramount for rebuilding a nation. In ancient Israelite society, a large family was not merely a personal blessing but a societal asset, contributing labor for agriculture, ensuring continuity of the family name, and providing potential soldiers for defense. The phrase "after the house of their fathers" highlights the patrilineal structure of society, where identity and inheritance flowed through the male line. The ability to field "bands of soldiers for war" was a direct measure of a tribe's vitality and its contribution to the collective security of Israel. The explicit link between "many wives and sons" and military capacity reflects the cultural value placed on fertility as a sign of prosperity and divine favor, echoing the foundational command to [be fruitful and multiply](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate to Be Fruitful and Multiply") given to humanity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive in Chronicles. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Genealogical Preservation and Identity**, showing how the careful record-keeping of lineages was essential for the restored community to understand its heritage and place within God's covenant people. Secondly, it highlights **Military Strength and Divine Blessing**, positing large families and the resulting military capacity as a tangible sign of God's favor and faithfulness to His promises of multiplication. This connects to the broader biblical understanding that children are a gift and a source of strength, as eloquently expressed in [Psalm 127:3](/psalms/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children are a Heritage from the Lord"). Thirdly, the verse subtly points to **Covenant Continuity**, demonstrating how God sustained and multiplied His people even through challenging times, ensuring the ongoing fulfillment of His promises to Abraham regarding his numerous descendants (cf. [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise to Abraham of Numerous Descendants")). The military readiness of the tribes underscores their role in the ongoing narrative of God's people in the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bands (Hebrew, _gedud_):** This term (גְּדוּד) refers to a troop, band, or raiding party. While it can imply a smaller, more mobile unit, in this context, when combined with "soldiers for war" (צָבָא לַמִּלְחָמָה, _tzava lamilchamah_), it denotes organized military contingents or divisions. It emphasizes their readiness and structured nature as a fighting force, rather than just a collection of individuals.
* **generations (Hebrew, _toldot_):** The Hebrew word (תּוֹלְדוֹת) literally means "begettings" or "descendants." It is a crucial term in biblical genealogies, often used to introduce a new section detailing the offspring or historical development of a person or group (e.g., "these are the generations of..."). Here, it underscores the systematic tracing of lineage and the accumulation of military strength through successive family lines.
* **sons (Hebrew, _banim_):** The term (בָּנִים) refers to male children. In a patrilineal society like ancient Israel, sons were vital for continuing the family line, inheriting property, and, as this verse highlights, contributing to the military strength of the tribe. The emphasis on "many wives and sons" directly links the number of male offspring to the size of the available fighting force.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers":** This opening clause establishes the lineage-based nature of the census. "With them" refers to the Issacharites mentioned in the preceding verses. "By their generations" emphasizes the cumulative strength derived from the successive offspring of the tribe. "After the house of their fathers" highlights the patrilineal structure, where identity and affiliation were traced through the male head of the household, reinforcing the tribal organization.
* **"[were] bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand [men]":** This is the core statement of military strength. It specifies the impressive number of thirty-six thousand (36,000) men from Issachar who were organized as "bands of soldiers for war." This indicates a significant and formidable fighting force, demonstrating the tribe's substantial contribution to Israel's collective defense or offensive capabilities. The KJV's bracketed "were" and "men" are supplied for clarity, reflecting the Hebrew's concise nature.
* **"for they had many wives and sons":** This concluding phrase provides the direct causal explanation for the large number of soldiers. It is a factual statement about the demographic reality of the tribe of Issachar. In a society where military strength was directly proportional to the number of available men, a high birthrate, facilitated by "many wives and sons," was the primary means of generating such a large fighting force. This also implicitly connects to the concept of divine blessing, as fertility was often seen as a sign of God's favor.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 7:4 is **Enumeration** or **Census**, which is characteristic of the genealogical sections of Chronicles. The precise detailing of numbers (thirty-six thousand men) serves to quantify the strength and vitality of the tribe. Closely related is **Causality**, explicitly stated by the conjunction "for" (כִּי, _ki_), which directly links the large number of soldiers to the demographic factor of "many wives and sons." This causal statement provides insight into the ancient Israelite worldview, where human procreation was seen as a fundamental source of national power. Furthermore, the verse employs **Synecdoche**, where "sons" (a part) represents the broader concept of a large family or progeny (the whole) as the source of military might. The overall tone is one of **Factual Reporting**, presenting a straightforward account of tribal strength and its basis.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Chronicles 7:4, while seemingly a dry genealogical detail, carries profound theological and thematic weight. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the Abrahamic covenant to multiply his descendants into a great nation, as seen in [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise to Abraham to Multiply His Descendants"). The sheer numbers of fighting men from Issachar, attributed to their large families, serve as a tangible manifestation of this divine blessing and the ongoing vitality of God's people. This verse implicitly teaches that strength, whether national or spiritual, often stems from foundational elements like family, community, and growth, which God sovereignly orchestrates. It highlights the biblical value placed on life and procreation, not just for individual blessing but for the collective strength and continuity of the covenant community. The ability to muster such a force for "war" also reminds us that God's people were called to be prepared, both physically and spiritually, for the challenges of their existence, relying on God's provision for their numbers and strength.

* [Numbers 1:2-3](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2-3 - Census of Fighting Men in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 127:3-5](/psalms/127-3 "Psalm 127:3-5 - Children as a Heritage from the Lord")
* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate to Be Fruitful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer measure our strength by the number of soldiers our physical families can provide, the underlying principles of 1 Chronicles 7:4 remain profoundly relevant for individuals and communities of faith today. This verse challenges us to consider what constitutes true strength and blessing in our lives and in the church. Just as ancient Israel's vitality was linked to its ability to raise up future generations, the spiritual health and impact of the church depend heavily on its commitment to nurturing, discipling, and empowering the next generation of believers. It calls us to invest in spiritual growth, both individually and corporately, recognizing that God's blessing often manifests in multiplication—not necessarily of physical bodies, but of spiritual fruit, disciples, and kingdom impact. We are reminded that God builds His kingdom through people, and our readiness for spiritual "war" against sin and darkness is enhanced when we are united, growing, and committed to passing on a vibrant faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our modern understanding of "strength" or "blessing" in a community or church context?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or communities of faith, invest in the "next generation" to ensure spiritual continuity and strength, similar to how ancient families ensured tribal strength?**
* **What does the emphasis on "generations" in this passage teach us about our responsibility to pass on a spiritual legacy, and how might we practically do so?**

### FAQ
**Why are these genealogies so detailed in Chronicles, and what was their purpose for the original audience?**

Answer: The genealogies in 1 Chronicles, particularly in chapters 1-9, are meticulously detailed for several critical reasons, especially for the post-exilic community returning to Judah. Firstly, they served to re-establish **identity** and a sense of belonging for a people who had lost their land and temple. Knowing one's lineage confirmed one's place within the covenant community. Secondly, they were crucial for confirming **land rights** and tribal inheritances, as the returning exiles sought to reclaim their ancestral lands. Thirdly, they were vital for validating **priestly and Levitical lines**, ensuring that only those with legitimate lineage could serve in the rebuilt temple (cf. [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests Unable to Prove Their Lineage")). Finally, these genealogies demonstrated the **continuity of God's covenant promises** to Abraham, David, and all Israel, assuring the people that despite the exile, God remained faithful to His plan for His chosen people.

**What is the significance of "many wives and sons" in this context, and does it imply a divine endorsement of polygamy?**

Answer: The phrase "for they had many wives and sons" in 1 Chronicles 7:4 is a descriptive statement of fact, providing the demographic reason for the large number of fighting men. It reflects the cultural reality of ancient Israelite society, where polygamy was practiced, though not explicitly commanded or universally endorsed by God's Law. The significance here is purely pragmatic: more wives meant more children, and more sons directly translated into a larger pool of potential soldiers, thus increasing the tribe's military and economic strength. It was seen as a sign of prosperity and divine blessing, aligning with God's original command to [be fruitful and multiply](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate to Be Fruitful") and His promise to Abraham of countless descendants ([Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise to Abraham of Numerous Descendants")). The verse does not offer a theological endorsement of polygamy as an ideal, but rather observes its outcome in contributing to tribal strength in that historical context.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 7:4 speaks of physical lineage and military might, its themes find profound spiritual fulfillment in Christ. The meticulous tracing of generations in the Old Testament, including this verse, ultimately points to the Messiah, whose own lineage is carefully recorded in the New Testament (e.g., [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus")). The "bands of soldiers for war" foreshadow the spiritual army of God's people, the Church, which is not built on physical progeny or human strength, but on spiritual rebirth through Christ. The emphasis on "many sons" in the Old Testament finds its ultimate spiritual reality in Christ, who is the "firstborn among many brothers" ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Firstborn Among Many Brothers")), calling a vast multitude from every tribe and nation into God's family. The blessing of fertility, once understood primarily in terms of physical offspring, is transformed into the spiritual fruitfulness of the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")) and the multiplication of disciples as the gospel spreads ([Acts 6:7](/acts/6-7 "Acts 6:7 - The Word of God Increased and the Number of Disciples Multiplied")). Ultimately, the true strength and security of God's people are found not in human numbers or military prowess, but in Christ alone, who empowers us for spiritual battle and enables us to do all things through Him who strengthens us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")).

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 12:32

And of the children of Issachar, [which were men] that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them [were] two hundred; and all their brethren [were] at their commandment.