1 Chronicles 8:17

KJV

And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Zebadiah {H2069}, and Meshullam {H4918}, and Hezeki {H2395}, and Heber {H2268},

Complete Jewish Bible

Z'vadyah, Meshulam, Hizki, Hever,

Berean Standard Bible

Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,

American Standard Version

and Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hizki, and Heber,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 8:17, a concise enumeration of four Benjaminite individuals—Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hezeki, and Heber—serves as a vital link within the extensive genealogies of chapter 8. This verse, part of a larger record detailing the descendants of Benjamin, underscores the Chronicler's meticulous preservation of tribal lineages. It highlights God's faithfulness in maintaining the continuity of His covenant people, providing a foundational sense of identity and belonging for the post-exilic community, and affirming the divine order in the unfolding of salvation history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 8:17 is embedded within a lengthy and detailed genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin, specifically from verses 1 to 40. This chapter stands out for its extensive focus on Benjamin, contrasting with the more concise genealogies of other tribes. The names in verse 17—Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hezeki, and Heber—are presented as sons of Elpaal, a descendant of Shaharaim (1 Chronicles 8:8-12), and are further identified as heads of fathers' houses who lived in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 8:28). The immediate literary flow is a continuous list of family lines, demonstrating the intricate web of relationships within the tribe and their eventual settlement in key locations like Jerusalem and Gibeon, which are significant for the post-exilic community's re-establishment. The Chronicler's emphasis on these genealogies, starting from [Adam](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles 1 - Genealogies from Adam") and tracing through [Abraham](/1_chronicles/1-27 "1 Chronicles 1:27 - Abraham's Lineage"), David, and the Levitical priesthood, provides a historical and theological anchor for the returning exiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was likely composed in the post-exilic period, possibly between 450 and 400 BCE. Following the Babylonian exile, the returning Jewish community faced the immense task of rebuilding their nation, their temple, and their identity. Genealogies were not merely historical curiosities; they were foundational documents. They served critical legal and social functions, determining land inheritance, tribal affiliation, eligibility for priestly and Levitical service, and even marriage alliances. For a community striving to re-establish itself in the land of Israel, knowing one's precise lineage was paramount for affirming their place within the covenant people of God and ensuring the purity of their heritage. The meticulous detail, even for seemingly minor figures like those in 1 Chronicles 8:17, reflects the cultural importance placed on ancestry and the desire to demonstrate continuity with the pre-exilic community and the promises made to their forefathers.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous recording of names in 1 Chronicles 8, including those in verse 17, contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Genealogical Continuity and Preservation**, highlighting God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people through generations, even through the devastating period of exile. Each name represents an unbroken link in the chain of God's covenant promises. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Identity and Belonging**, providing a crucial framework for the post-exilic community to understand who they were as the people of God and their rightful place within the restored nation. This sense of belonging was vital for rebuilding communal life and worship in Jerusalem, as seen in the later chapters of Ezra and Nehemiah, where genealogies are also critical for determining who belongs to the community that [rebuilds the wall](/nehemiah/3 "Nehemiah 3 - Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem"). Thirdly, the detailed nature of these records speaks to **Divine Sovereignty and Meticulousness**, illustrating that God is intimately aware of every individual within His plan, and His purposes unfold with precision across centuries. Even seemingly insignificant individuals are known and recorded in God's grand narrative, reflecting the truth that [the Lord knows those who are his](/2_timothy/2-19 "2 Timothy 2:19 - God's Firm Foundation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zebadiah (Hebrew, _Zebadyah_):** This name means "Yahweh has bestowed" or "Gift of Yahweh." It is a theophoric name, incorporating the divine name "Yahweh" (often shortened to "Yah" or "Yahweh"), which was common in ancient Israelite naming conventions. The prevalence of such names reflects a deep-seated theological understanding that children were a gift from God and that God was the source of all blessings. The name itself serves as a miniature confession of faith by the parents.
* **Meshullam (Hebrew, _Meshullam_):** Meaning "repaid," "reconciled," or "at peace," this name suggests a state of completeness or restoration. It could reflect a family's experience of divine recompense or a desire for wholeness. In a post-exilic context, it might subtly hint at the community's longing for full restoration and peace after their return from captivity.
* **Hezeki (Hebrew, _Chizqi_):** This is a shortened form of Hezekiah (חִזְקִיָּהוּ, _Chizqiyahu_), meaning "Yahweh strengthens" or "My strength is Yahweh." Like Zebadiah, it is a theophoric name, emphasizing reliance on God for strength and sustenance. The inclusion of such a name in a genealogy underscores the enduring belief in God's power and His active involvement in the lives of His people across generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Zebadiah":** This introduces the first of four individuals listed in this specific genealogical segment. As discussed, the name "Zebadiah" carries the meaning "Yahweh has bestowed," immediately imbuing the individual with a theological significance as a gift from God.
* **"and Meshullam":** The second name, "Meshullam," meaning "reconciled" or "at peace," follows, suggesting a theme of completeness or restoration. The simple conjunction "and" links these individuals as part of a continuous lineage, emphasizing their collective identity within the Benjaminite tribe.
* **"and Hezeki":** The third name, "Hezeki," a shortened form of "Hezekiah" meaning "Yahweh strengthens," continues the pattern of names that affirm God's character and active role. The repetition of "and" reinforces the enumerative style, highlighting the meticulous nature of the Chronicler's record-keeping.
* **"and Heber,":** The final name in this specific list, "Heber," meaning "associate" or "companion," concludes the enumeration. The comma indicates that this is a partial list or a segment within a larger enumeration of descendants, pointing to the broader family tree that the Chronicler is painstakingly documenting. The simplicity of the list belies its profound purpose: to demonstrate the unbroken chain of God's people.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 8:17, and indeed throughout much of 1 Chronicles, is **Enumeration** and **Genealogy**. The verse is a straightforward list of names, serving to meticulously record and preserve the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin. This extensive use of lists creates a sense of **Verisimilitude** and historical accuracy, grounding the post-exilic community in their past. While not employing complex metaphors or similes, the very act of listing names functions as a form of **Symbolism**, where each name represents a link in the unbroken chain of God's covenant faithfulness. The repetition of the conjunction "and" (polysyndeton) emphasizes the continuity and comprehensiveness of the record, ensuring that no individual or family line is overlooked. The overall structure of the chapter, moving from broader categories to specific descendants and their settlements, demonstrates a highly organized and purposeful **Narrative Structure**, even within a non-narrative genre.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly dry list of names in 1 Chronicles 8:17 carries profound theological weight. It speaks to God's meticulous care for His people, demonstrating that every individual, even those whose lives are not detailed, is known and remembered by Him. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the divine commitment to covenant promises, showing that God faithfully preserves a remnant through whom His redemptive plan will unfold. For the returning exiles, these genealogies were not just historical documents but affirmations of their identity and belonging within the covenant community, reminding them that despite exile and dispersion, God's purposes for Israel remained steadfast. The very existence of these names testifies to the enduring nature of God's faithfulness across generations.

* [Psalm 139:16](/psalms/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days") - "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
* [Malachi 3:16](/malachi/3-16 "Malachi 3:16 - The Book of Remembrance") - "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name."
* [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - The Great Cloud of Witnesses") - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of names might not immediately stir the heart, 1 Chronicles 8:17, when understood in its broader context, offers rich opportunities for reflection and application. It reminds us that God is a God of detail, who knows each of us intimately. Just as He meticulously recorded these lineages to preserve the identity of His people, so too does He know our individual stories, our struggles, and our contributions. We are not lost in the vastness of humanity; we are known, loved, and purposed by a sovereign God. This verse challenges us to appreciate our spiritual heritage, recognizing that we are part of a grand narrative of God's faithfulness that spans millennia. It encourages us to live in a way that honors this heritage, contributing to the ongoing story of God's work in the world, knowing that our lives, like those of Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hezeki, and Heber, are significant in His eyes and recorded in His eternal plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 8:17, challenge your perception of God's involvement in individual lives?**
* **In what ways does understanding your spiritual heritage (your faith tradition, the history of God's people) strengthen your sense of identity and belonging today?**
* **What "legacy" or "lineage" of faith are you contributing to for future generations, and how does your daily life reflect this?**
* **If God remembers seemingly "minor" figures in history, how might this knowledge encourage you in your own walk of faith, especially in moments when you feel insignificant?**

### FAQ
**Why are genealogies, like the one in 1 Chronicles 8:17, so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Genealogies are crucial for several reasons in the biblical narrative. Primarily, they establish **identity and legitimacy**, especially for the post-exilic community in Ezra and Nehemiah, confirming who belonged to the covenant people of Israel, who could inherit land, and who was qualified for priestly or Levitical service. They also demonstrate **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, showing how He preserved a remnant and fulfilled His word across generations, particularly in tracing the lineage of the Messiah. Furthermore, genealogies provide a **historical framework**, connecting individuals and events to a larger divine plan, ensuring the continuity of the narrative from creation to the coming of Christ, as seen in the genealogies of [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). They affirm that God's plan unfolds through real people in real history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 8:17 is a simple list of names within an Old Testament genealogy, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the grand narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, culminating in Jesus Christ. The meticulous preservation of these lineages, particularly those of Judah and Benjamin, underscores God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, which required a specific lineage through which the Messiah would come. Just as these names affirmed the identity of the post-exilic community, so too do the genealogies of [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") establish Jesus's rightful claim as the Son of David and the promised Messiah. In Christ, the concept of a "chosen lineage" transcends ethnic boundaries, as believers from every tribe and nation are now grafted into the family of God through faith in Him, becoming spiritual descendants of Abraham ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The names in 1 Chronicles 8:17, signifying "Gift of Yahweh," "reconciled," and "Yahweh strengthens," find their ultimate embodiment in Jesus, who is God's supreme gift to humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")), who reconciles us to God ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Ministry of Reconciliation")), and who is our strength and salvation ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). Ultimately, the preservation of these names points to the Lamb's Book of Life, where all those who are truly in Christ are eternally recorded ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those Written in the Book of Life")).

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.