1 Chronicles 8:24

KJV

And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hananiah {H2608}, and Elam {H5867}, and Antothijah {H6070},

Complete Jewish Bible

Hananyah, 'Eilam, 'Anatotyah,

Berean Standard Bible

Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,

American Standard Version

and Hananiah, and Elam, and Anthothijah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 8:24 is a concise entry within the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin, meticulously recorded by the Chronicler. This verse, listing Hananiah, Elam, and Antothijah, serves as a testament to the detailed preservation of Israel's tribal lineages, particularly for the post-exilic community. It underscores the importance of identity, continuity, and the unwavering faithfulness of God in maintaining His covenant people through generations, providing a vital link in the historical and theological narrative of Israel's restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 8 is dedicated entirely to the genealogy of Benjamin, a tribe of significant historical and theological importance, especially given its connection to Israel's first king, Saul, and its later role in the unified kingdom alongside Judah. The preceding verses in chapter 8 trace Benjamin's descendants from the patriarch himself, often highlighting those who were "heads of fathers' houses" and lived in Jerusalem. This meticulous listing, including individuals like Hananiah, Elam, and Antothijah in verse 24, is not merely a dry record but a deliberate theological statement by the Chronicler. It emphasizes the continuity of God's people and their legitimate claim to the land and their heritage, particularly vital for a community returning from exile and seeking to re-establish its identity and order. The chapter culminates with a focus on Saul's lineage, further cementing Benjamin's historical prominence within the narrative of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was likely composed during the post-exilic period (late 5th to early 4th century BCE), a time when the Jewish community was returning to Judah and rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. In this context, genealogies were far from incidental; they were foundational documents. They served to legitimate claims to land, establish tribal and family identities, confirm priestly and Levitical lines for Temple service, and reinforce the sense of belonging for a people who had experienced significant displacement and cultural assimilation. Knowing one's lineage was crucial for social standing, inheritance, and participation in the re-established covenant community. The detailed enumeration of names, even seemingly obscure ones, reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of meticulously preserving family records, often for legal, administrative, and religious purposes, ensuring the integrity of the community's structure and its connection to its past.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of verse 24 within the broader genealogies of 1 Chronicles contributes to several overarching themes. First, it highlights the **Preservation of Lineage**, emphasizing God's faithfulness in maintaining a remnant of His people despite exile and upheaval, ensuring the continuity of the covenant promises. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the divine hand in history, meticulously tracing the family lines that would ultimately lead to the Messiah, as seen in the later genealogies of [Matthew](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). Second, these lists reinforce **Identity and Belonging** for the returning exiles, grounding them in their ancestral heritage and connecting them to the historical unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Knowing their place within the tribes provided a sense of stability and purpose. Finally, the very existence of such detailed records, even for individuals whose specific contributions are not elaborated upon, speaks to **God's Meticulous Care and Sovereignty**. It suggests that every individual within His covenant community, no matter how seemingly minor, plays a part in His grand design, reflecting the truth that God knows and cares for each of His people, as affirmed in passages like [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalms/139-13-16 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hananiah (Hebrew, _Chănanyâh'_):** This name, meaning "Jah has favored" or "Yahweh has been gracious," is a theological statement in itself. Its presence in the genealogy underscores the foundational belief that the very existence and continuation of this family line, and indeed Israel as a whole, is a testament to God's undeserved kindness and benevolence. For the post-exilic community, such names served as powerful reminders of God's enduring faithfulness despite their past failures and present challenges.
* **Elam (Hebrew, _ʻÊylâm'_):** Meaning "hidden" or "distant," this name's significance in a personal context is less immediately theological than the others, often referring to a geographical region or a son of Shem. However, within a genealogy, its inclusion highlights the meticulous record-keeping of the Chronicler, ensuring that every branch and individual, even those whose names do not carry an explicit theological meaning, is accounted for within the broader tapestry of God's people. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of the tribal records.
* **Antothijah (Hebrew, _ʻAnthôthîyâh'_):** This name, meaning "answers of Jah" or "Yahweh's answers," directly incorporates the divine name "Jah" (a shortened form of Yahweh). It suggests that the individual's birth or the family's history was perceived as a direct answer to prayer or a manifestation of God's responsiveness. Like Hananiah, it imbeds a theological affirmation within the very identity of the person, reinforcing the theme of God's active involvement and attentiveness to His covenant people throughout their generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,"**: This phrase constitutes the entirety of the verse, presenting three names as a continuation of the genealogical list of Benjamin's descendants. The repeated "and" (Hebrew _waw_ conjunction) emphasizes the additive nature of the list, linking each individual as part of a continuous, unbroken lineage. The absence of further descriptive information about these individuals highlights that their significance in this context is primarily their inclusion in the tribal record. Their names serve as markers in a meticulous accounting of the family lines, affirming the continuity of the tribe of Benjamin and its members. In a broader sense, their presence signifies the ongoing life and procreation within the covenant community, ensuring the preservation of the people through whom God's promises would be fulfilled.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 8:24, and indeed throughout much of 1 Chronicles, is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a dry list but a highly structured literary form with significant theological purpose. Genealogies establish identity, legitimize claims, trace lineage, and provide a framework for understanding historical continuity. In this verse, the specific names function as individual units within a larger, interconnected web of relationships that define the tribe of Benjamin. Furthermore, the use of **Repetition** of the conjunction "and" (Hebrew _waw_) creates a rhythmic, cumulative effect, emphasizing the exhaustive and meticulous nature of the record-keeping. The Chronicler's commitment to **Meticulous Detail** in listing these names, even without further narrative, underscores the importance of every individual within God's plan and the historical accuracy of the covenant community's heritage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly mundane listing of names in 1 Chronicles 8:24 carries profound theological weight, connecting the meticulous record-keeping of Israel's past to God's overarching plan for salvation. It demonstrates God's sovereign hand in preserving a remnant of His people through generations, ensuring the continuity of the covenant promises made to Abraham and David. This divine faithfulness in maintaining specific family lines ultimately points to the coming of the Messiah, through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen." The very act of recording these names, even those of individuals about whom little else is known, speaks to God's attention to detail and His valuing of every person within His redemptive narrative, affirming that no life or lineage is insignificant in His grand design.

* [Genesis 10:1-32](/genesis/10-1-32 "Genesis 10:1-32 - The Table of Nations")
* [Numbers 1:1-46](/numbers/1-1-46 "Numbers 1:1-46 - The Census of Israel")
* [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 1 Chronicles 8:24 might initially appear as a mere historical record, its inclusion in the inspired Word of God invites us to reflect on its enduring relevance. It reminds us that our personal histories and family lineages, no matter how ordinary, are woven into a larger tapestry of God's ongoing work in the world. The meticulous nature of these biblical genealogies reflects God's own careful attention to detail and His profound care for every individual within His creation. For us today, this verse can prompt gratitude for our own heritage—whether familial, cultural, or spiritual—and a recognition that we are part of a continuous story. More profoundly, it calls us to embrace our spiritual lineage as adopted children of God through Christ, connecting us to a vast family of faith that transcends time and earthly boundaries. Our identity is ultimately found not in our physical ancestry alone, but in our relationship with the God who knows us intimately and has meticulously planned our place in His eternal family.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 8:24, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His attention to detail?**
* **In what ways does knowing your own family or spiritual heritage contribute to your sense of identity and belonging today?**
* **How does the concept of "God's faithfulness" in preserving a lineage, as seen in this verse, encourage you in times of uncertainty or displacement?**

### FAQ
**Why are these long lists of names included in the Bible, and are they still relevant for us today?**

Answer: These extensive genealogical lists, including 1 Chronicles 8:24, serve several crucial purposes. Historically, they were vital for establishing tribal identities, land claims, and the legitimacy of priestly and royal lines in ancient Israel, especially for the post-exilic community seeking to re-establish its order. Theologically, they demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through generations, ensuring the continuity of His promises. They meticulously trace the lineage that would ultimately lead to the Messiah. For us today, they remind us of God's meticulous care for every individual, His sovereign plan unfolding through history, and the importance of our own spiritual heritage as part of God's family through Christ. While we may not relate directly to the specific names, the underlying themes of identity, belonging, faithfulness, and God's detailed providence remain profoundly relevant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly dry list of names in 1 Chronicles 8:24, like all biblical genealogies, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The meticulous preservation of the tribe of Benjamin's lineage, alongside those of Judah and Levi, underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, particularly the promise of a coming deliverer. Every name recorded, every generation accounted for, served as a link in the chain that would ultimately lead to the birth of the Messiah. Jesus, as the [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), embodies the culmination of all these ancestral hopes and promises. He is the true heir of all the tribes, the one through whom God's family is no longer defined by earthly lineage but by spiritual adoption. Through His atoning work, believers from every tribe and nation are grafted into His spiritual family, becoming [children of God](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God") and [fellow citizens with the saints](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints"). Thus, 1 Chronicles 8:24, by demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving a physical line, foreshadows the even greater faithfulness by which He establishes a spiritual lineage, with Christ as its head, uniting all who believe into one glorious, eternal family, as described in [Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28-29 "Galatians 3:28-29 - One in Christ Jesus").

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.