1 Chronicles 8:21

KJV

And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;

KJV (with Strong's)

And Adaiah {H5718}, and Beraiah {H1256}, and Shimrath {H8119}, the sons {H1121} of Shimhi {H8096};

Complete Jewish Bible

'Adayah, B'rayah and Shimrat were the sons of Shim'i.

Berean Standard Bible

Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

American Standard Version

and Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimei,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 8:21 is a concise yet significant entry within the extensive genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin, specifically identifying Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath as sons of Shimhi. This verse, embedded in a meticulous account of Israelite lineage, serves not merely as a historical roster but as a testament to God's detailed knowledge of His covenant people, underscoring the importance of identity, heritage, and the continuity of the divine plan through successive generations in the post-exilic community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles opens with nine chapters dedicated almost entirely to genealogies, tracing the lineage of Israel from Adam through the various tribes. This meticulous record-keeping establishes the historical continuity of God's covenant people. Chapter 8 specifically focuses on the tribe of Benjamin, detailing its prominent families, their settlements, and their descendants. Verses 1-40 provide a comprehensive list of Benjamin's sons and their progeny, including those who settled in Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 8:21 is a small but integral part of this larger genealogical tapestry, specifically listing three individuals as sons of Shimhi, a descendant of Benjamin, thereby placing them within the intricate tribal structure and demonstrating the meticulous nature of the record. This verse follows a list of other Benjamite families and precedes further details about their dwelling places and notable warriors.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The genealogies in 1 Chronicles were compiled primarily for the post-exilic community returning to Judah. After the Babylonian exile, there was a critical need to re-establish identity, confirm land claims, and reorganize society, including the temple service. These records provided a vital link to their past, affirming their heritage as God's chosen people. For ancient Israel, lineage was paramount; it determined tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, and eligibility for specific roles (e.g., priesthood for Levites). The meticulous nature of these lists reflects a culture where oral tradition and written records of family lines were crucial for social, religious, and political organization. The mention of specific individuals like Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath, even if they are not prominent figures in other narratives, underscores the importance of every family unit within the larger national identity.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of such detailed genealogies, even down to individual names like those in 1 Chronicles 8:21, contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout 1 Chronicles. First, it highlights the **Divine Meticulousness** and sovereignty of God, demonstrating His profound attention to every individual within His covenant people and His oversight of human history. Second, it underscores the **Importance of Identity and Heritage** for the post-exilic community, helping them reconnect with their roots and understand their place in God's ongoing plan. These lists served to preserve the distinct identities of the tribes, reinforcing their connection to God's promises and their ancestral lands, as seen in the broader account of [Benjamin's lineage](/genesis/46-21 "Genesis 46:21 - Descendants of Benjamin"). Finally, these seemingly mundane lists are vital threads in the tapestry of biblical history, demonstrating the **Continuity of God's Redemptive Plan**. They show an unbroken line of God's people through whom His covenant promises would be fulfilled, ultimately leading to the [Messiah's lineage](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adaiah (Hebrew, _ʿădayāh_):** This name, meaning "Jehovah has adorned" or "Jehovah has passed over," suggests a theological perspective embedded in the very naming conventions of ancient Israel. It reflects a recognition of God's active involvement in the lives of individuals, either by bestowing favor and beauty or by providing deliverance and protection. While the text does not elaborate on Adaiah's life, his name itself is a silent testimony to the faith and worldview of his parents, acknowledging divine agency.
* **Beraiah (Hebrew, _bĕrāyāh_):** Meaning "Jehovah has created," this name points to God as the ultimate Creator and Giver of life. It is a powerful affirmation of divine sovereignty and the recognition that human existence is a direct result of God's creative power. In a genealogical context, it subtly reinforces the idea that each generation, each individual, is a new act of God's creation, continuing the lineage according to His design.
* **Shimhi (Hebrew, _shimʿî_):** This name, likely meaning "my renown" or "my hearing/obedience," appears in various forms and contexts in the Old Testament. In 1 Chronicles 8, Shimhi is presented as a significant patriarch within the tribe of Benjamin, serving as the father to several individuals listed in this extensive genealogy. His name, like his sons', would have carried a personal and collective significance, perhaps reflecting a hope for a distinguished lineage or a life characterized by attentiveness to God's word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath":** This segment introduces three distinct individuals, brothers, whose names are preserved in this genealogical record. Their inclusion, though without further narrative detail, signifies their place within the tribal structure and their contribution to the continuity of the Benjamite lineage. The simple conjunction "and" links them together as a unit within Shimhi's family.
* **"the sons of Shimhi":** This phrase directly identifies the paternal lineage of the three named individuals. Shimhi is established as their immediate father, anchoring them firmly within a specific branch of the tribe of Benjamin. This direct familial connection is crucial for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and the overall integrity of the genealogical record for the post-exilic community.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 8:21, and indeed throughout the genealogical sections of 1 Chronicles, is **Listing** or **Cataloguing**. This systematic enumeration of names serves a specific purpose: to establish and preserve the historical and tribal identity of Israel. While seemingly dry, this meticulous listing is a form of **Historical Documentation**, providing a foundational record for the returning exiles. The very act of naming, as seen in the potential meanings of "Adaiah" and "Beraiah," also employs subtle **Symbolism** or **Etymological Significance**, where names themselves carry embedded theological statements about God's character or actions. This highlights a cultural practice where names were not arbitrary but often reflected hopes, circumstances, or acknowledgments of divine intervention. The repetitive structure of "X, and Y, and Z, the sons of A" creates a rhythmic **Repetition** that reinforces the genealogical pattern and the interconnectedness of families within the tribe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Though a simple genealogical entry, 1 Chronicles 8:21 powerfully connects to core theological themes. It underscores God's **sovereign knowledge and care** for every individual within His covenant community, affirming that no one is overlooked in His grand design. The meticulous preservation of these names, even those of seemingly minor figures, speaks to the **enduring faithfulness of God** to His promises, maintaining a chosen lineage through generations despite human failings and historical upheavals. This verse, therefore, is not just a historical record but a theological statement about God's commitment to His people and His meticulous orchestration of history to fulfill His redemptive purposes. It reminds us that our individual lives, like those of Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath, are woven into a larger divine narrative.

* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God Knows His People by Name")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalms/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days")
* [Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - The Book of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often values prominence and achievement, a verse like 1 Chronicles 8:21, which simply lists names, offers profound spiritual nourishment. It reminds us that God's valuation of individuals transcends human metrics. Just as Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were known and recorded, so too are we known intimately by our Creator. This deep knowledge should instill in us a sense of profound worth and security, knowing that our lives, however seemingly ordinary, are significant in God's eyes and play a part in His unfolding story. Furthermore, this verse encourages us to appreciate our own heritage—spiritual, familial, and cultural—recognizing the threads that connect us to those who came before and the legacy of faith passed down. It calls us to live intentionally, understanding that our lives contribute to a larger narrative, and to faithfully steward the identity and purpose God has given us, knowing that every detail matters to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 8:21, challenge your perception of God's knowledge and care for individuals?**
* **In what ways does understanding your personal or spiritual heritage inform your identity and purpose today?**
* **How might acknowledging that every detail of your life is known to God impact your daily walk and decisions?**

### FAQ
**Why are genealogies so prevalent in 1 Chronicles, and what is their purpose?**

Answer: Genealogies, like the one containing 1 Chronicles 8:21, are central to 1 Chronicles, particularly in chapters 1-9. Their primary purpose for the post-exilic community was multifaceted. They served to re-establish national and tribal identity after the Babylonian exile, confirming land rights and tribal boundaries. They also validated qualifications for priestly and Levitical service in the rebuilt temple, ensuring proper worship according to the Law. Furthermore, these lists underscored the continuity of God's covenant promises, demonstrating an unbroken lineage from Adam to the returning exiles, thereby reinforcing their status as God's chosen people and providing a historical foundation for their future. They also served to trace the lineage of important figures, ultimately pointing towards the coming Messiah, as seen in the detailed genealogies of [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus").

**Do the names in genealogies like 1 Chronicles 8:21 have specific meanings, and if so, is that significant?**

Answer: Yes, many Hebrew names in the Bible, including those found in genealogies like Adaiah ("Jehovah has adorned/passed over") and Beraiah ("Jehovah has created") in 1 Chronicles 8:21, carried significant meanings. While the biblical text doesn't always explicitly state these meanings or their direct relevance to the individual's life, the practice of naming children with meaningful names was common in ancient Israel. These names often reflected the parents' hopes, circumstances, or theological beliefs, serving as a form of silent testimony to God's character or actions. For instance, the name "Beraiah" would have been a constant reminder of God as the Creator. This practice subtly reinforces the pervasive presence of faith and divine acknowledgment in the daily lives of the Israelites, even in seemingly mundane details like a birth record. This attention to detail reflects God's own meticulous nature, as seen in His knowledge of every individual, even before birth, as [Psalm 139:16](/psalms/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days") suggests.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 8:21 is a simple genealogical entry, its deeper significance finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The meticulous preservation of these names within Israel's lineage foreshadows the ultimate culmination of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. The very purpose of these genealogies was to establish the continuity of God's covenant people, a lineage through which the promised Messiah would come. Jesus, as the [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and the [Son of Abraham](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ, the Seed of Abraham"), is the ultimate fulfillment of all these ancestral promises. In Christ, the meticulous divine knowledge of individuals, hinted at in the recording of Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath, is fully realized. He is the Good Shepherd who [knows His sheep by name](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep"). Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice, Christ establishes a new spiritual lineage, where believers are adopted as [sons and daughters of God](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Sons of God Through Faith") and are written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Lamb's Book of Life"). Thus, this seemingly obscure verse points to a God who meticulously orchestrates history, preserving a lineage not for its own sake, but as the vessel for the Incarnation, bringing salvation and a new identity to all who believe in His Son.

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.