1 Chronicles 8:26

KJV

And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Shamsherai {H8125}, and Shehariah {H7841}, and Athaliah {H6271},

Complete Jewish Bible

Shamsh'rai, Sh'charyah,'Atalyah,

Berean Standard Bible

Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,

American Standard Version

and Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 8:26 presents three names—Shamsherai, Shehariah, and Athaliah—as part of the extensive genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin. This verse, like many others in the early chapters of 1 Chronicles, serves to meticulously document the lineage and family structures of the Israelite people, emphasizing continuity, tribal identity, and the divine preservation of God's covenant nation through generations, even in seemingly simple lists of individuals.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the lengthy genealogical sections that dominate the initial nine chapters of 1 Chronicles. Following the universal genealogies from Adam to the patriarchs (chapters 1-2) and the detailed lineage of Judah (chapters 3-4), chapter 8 focuses specifically on the tribe of Benjamin. This chapter meticulously traces Benjamin's descendants, particularly those who settled in Jerusalem, highlighting their prominence and family heads. Verse 26 appears within a list of "chief men, heads of the fathers" (1 Chronicles 8:28) who lived in Jerusalem. The immediate preceding verses (1 Chronicles 8:21-25) enumerate other Benjamite families, making 1 Chronicles 8:26 a continuation of this detailed enumeration of the tribe's prominent individuals and their familial connections. The purpose is not merely a dry list but a foundational record for tribal identity and land claims.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The compilation of these detailed genealogies in 1 Chronicles is generally understood to have occurred in the post-exilic period, likely after the return from Babylonian captivity. For the returning exiles, establishing and verifying their lineage was critically important. It served multiple vital functions: confirming tribal identity, validating land inheritance claims (as outlined in books like [Numbers](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - Census and Land Distribution")), determining eligibility for priestly and Levitical service (as seen in [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Exclusion from the Priesthood")), and tracing the royal line of David. These lists provided a sense of continuity and legitimate connection to their ancestral heritage and God's covenant promises, reinforcing their identity as the chosen people in a time of rebuilding and re-establishment.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in 1 Chronicles 8, and indeed in the book's opening chapters, is the **importance of lineage and heritage**. These genealogies are not just historical records but theological statements about God's faithfulness in preserving His people and fulfilling His covenant. They underscore the **continuity of God's people** through history, demonstrating that despite exile and dispersion, the chosen nation endures. Furthermore, even in the meticulous detail of names, there is an implicit theme of **divine order and oversight**; God cares about the individual lives and the collective history of His people. The focus on Benjamin is significant, as this tribe was historically important, producing Israel's first king, Saul ([1 Samuel 9:1](/1_samuel/9-1 "1 Samuel 9:1 - Saul's Benjamite Lineage")), and later playing a crucial role in the kingdom of Judah. The detailed records of those dwelling in Jerusalem (as in [1 Chronicles 9](/1_chronicles/9 "1 Chronicles 9 - Residents of Jerusalem")) further highlight the re-establishment of the community around the holy city.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Names (Hebrew, _shemot_):** The "key words" in 1 Chronicles 8:26 are the proper nouns themselves: Shamsherai, Shehariah, and Athaliah. While the precise etymological meaning of every name in a genealogy is not always the primary interpretive key, their very presence signifies individual identity and historical existence. The inclusion of these names underscores the meticulous nature of the chronicler's record-keeping, emphasizing that each person, even those not prominent in grand narratives, holds a place in the divine tapestry of Israel's history. The name Athaliah, for instance, is famously associated with a wicked queen of Judah (2 Kings 11), but here it refers to a male Benjamite, highlighting that names could be shared and do not necessarily imply a direct connection or character trait with other biblical figures bearing the same name.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Shamsherai":** This introduces the first individual in this specific enumeration. The conjunction "And" (וְ, _ve_) links this name to the preceding list of Benjamite descendants, indicating a continuation of the tribal record. Shamsherai is simply presented as one of the prominent men within the tribe of Benjamin.
* **"and Shehariah":** The second individual listed, further expanding the roll call of Benjamite family heads. The repetition of "and" reinforces the enumerative style, creating a cumulative effect that emphasizes the vastness and detail of the tribal lineage.
* **"and Athaliah":** The third and final individual named in this short verse. As noted, Athaliah is a name with other significant biblical associations, but here it simply denotes another distinct person, a male Benjamite, contributing to the comprehensive record of the tribe's members. The listing of these names, without further descriptor in this verse, points to their established identity and importance within the community for the original audience.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 8:26, and indeed throughout the genealogical sections of Chronicles, is **Enumeration**. The chronicler meticulously lists names, often in a repetitive, rhythmic fashion ("and X, and Y, and Z"), to convey a sense of completeness and historical accuracy. This systematic listing also constitutes a form of **Genealogy** as a literary genre, which serves not merely as a historical record but also as a theological statement about continuity, identity, and the fulfillment of divine promises through generations. The repetitive use of the conjunction "And" (וְ, _ve_) at the beginning of each name creates a subtle **Anaphora**, reinforcing the cumulative nature of the list and emphasizing each individual's inclusion in the larger tribal record. This seemingly simple device contributes to the overall impression of exhaustive detail and the enduring nature of the Israelite lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While a verse consisting solely of names might appear mundane, it carries profound theological weight. It underscores God's meticulous care for His people, even down to the individual. The preservation of these names, centuries after their lives, testifies to the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel and His faithfulness in maintaining a chosen lineage through whom His redemptive plan would unfold. It reminds us that every person, known or unknown to broader history, is significant in God's grand narrative. These genealogies were not just about bloodlines but about the continuation of the covenant community, a living testament to God's promise to Abraham to make him a great nation.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Promise to Abraham")
* [Exodus 32:13](/exodus/32-13 "Exodus 32:13 - God's Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob")
* [Nehemiah 7:5](/nehemiah/7-5 "Nehemiah 7:5 - Finding the Register of Genealogies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 8:26, though a brief enumeration of names, invites us to reflect on the profound significance of our own heritage and identity within God's ongoing story. Just as these individuals were meticulously recorded and remembered, so too are our lives known and valued by God. This verse challenges us to appreciate the continuity of faith across generations, recognizing that we are part of a larger spiritual family, built upon the faithfulness of those who came before us. It encourages us to consider our place in the lineage of faith, whether through biological heritage or spiritual adoption, and to live in a way that honors this legacy. It reminds us that God is a God of detail, caring about the individual lives that make up His vast and eternal plan, and that our seemingly small contributions are woven into His grand design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping of names in Scripture, like those in 1 Chronicles 8:26, challenge our modern understanding of "insignificant" individuals?**
* **In what ways does understanding our own heritage, whether biological or spiritual, connect us more deeply to God's ongoing story of redemption?**
* **What does God's care for the details of ancient genealogies teach us about His care for the details of our own lives today?**

### FAQ
**Why are there so many lists of names in the Bible, especially in books like 1 Chronicles?**

Answer: The extensive lists of names, particularly in books like 1 Chronicles, serve several crucial purposes for the ancient Israelite community. Primarily, they were vital for establishing and preserving **tribal identity** and **lineage**, which were foundational to Israelite society. These genealogies confirmed land inheritance claims (as seen in [Joshua 13-19](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13-19 - Division of the Land")), determined eligibility for priestly and Levitical service (only those of specific lineages could serve, as highlighted in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests with Disputed Genealogies")), and traced the royal line, especially that of King David, from whom the Messiah was promised to come. For the post-exilic community, these records were essential for re-establishing their national and religious identity and demonstrating their legitimate connection to the covenant promises of God, providing a sense of continuity and hope after the disruption of exile. They also underscore God's faithfulness in preserving His people through generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 8:26, with its list of Benjamite names, might seem far removed from Christ, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the Messiah. The meticulous preservation of these genealogies in the Old Testament, including those of Benjamin, underscores the divine commitment to maintaining a chosen people through whom the promised deliverer would come. Jesus' own lineage is carefully traced in the New Testament, notably 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"), demonstrating His legitimate claim as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, fulfilling centuries of prophetic expectation. Furthermore, Christ's work transcends physical lineage; through His sacrifice, He inaugurates a new spiritual family, the church, where identity is no longer primarily defined by tribal affiliation but by faith in Him. As [Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28-29 - One in Christ Jesus") declares, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile... for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Thus, the detailed genealogies of the Old Testament ultimately point to the one who fulfills all promises and invites all people into His eternal family, a family whose names are written in the [Lamb's book of life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - 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.