1 Chronicles 8:3

KJV

And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Bela {H1106} were, Addar {H146}, and Gera {H1617}, and Abihud {H31},

Complete Jewish Bible

Bela had sons: Adar, Gera, Avihud,

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Bela:

American Standard Version

And Bela had sons: Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 8:3 is a concise genealogical entry, stating, "And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud." This verse meticulously lists three direct descendants of Bela, who was the firstborn son of Benjamin. Positioned within the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:1-40), this verse serves a vital role in the Chronicler's broader purpose of preserving the tribal identities, affirming the continuity of God's covenant people, and establishing the historical foundations for the post-exilic community of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the foundational genealogical chapters of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9), which meticulously trace the lineage of Israel from Adam through the various tribes. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 8 focuses entirely on the descendants of Benjamin, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. The detailed listing of Bela's sons in [1 Chronicles 8:3](/1-chronicles/8-3 "1 Chronicles 8:3 - Sons of Bela") follows the initial mention of Benjamin's sons in [1 Chronicles 8:1-2](/1-chronicles/8-1 "1 Chronicles 8:1-2 - Benjamin's Sons"). The Chronicler's emphasis on Benjamin's lineage is significant, as this tribe was historically intertwined with the Davidic monarchy and the southern kingdom of Judah. The narrative flow within this chapter is a systematic enumeration, moving from the patriarch Benjamin to his immediate offspring and then expanding to their descendants, often noting their dwelling places and significant individuals, such as Saul, Israel's first king, who hailed from this tribe (see [1 Chronicles 8:33](/1-chronicles/8-33 "1 Chronicles 8:33 - Saul's Genealogy")). This meticulous record serves to connect the returning exiles to their ancestral roots and tribal heritage.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was likely compiled in the post-exilic period, around the 5th to 4th centuries BCE, after the Jewish community had returned from Babylonian captivity. For this community, establishing and affirming their identity was paramount. Genealogies were not mere historical records but crucial legal and social documents. They validated claims to land inheritance, ensured proper priestly succession, confirmed tribal affiliations, and legitimized the Davidic monarchy, which was central to their hope for future restoration. The detailed mention of Bela's sons in [1 Chronicles 8:3](/1-chronicles/8-3 "1 Chronicles 8:3 - Sons of Bela") would have been vital for Benjaminite families seeking to re-establish their place and rights in the land. This meticulous record keeping reflects a deep cultural value placed on ancestry and continuity, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people, whose lineage could be traced back to Abraham and Jacob, as seen in earlier accounts like [Genesis 46:21](/genesis/46-21 "Genesis 46:21 - Benjamin's Sons in Jacob's House") and [Numbers 26:38](/numbers/26-38 "Numbers 26:38 - Bela's Descendants in the Wilderness Census").

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous recording of names in [1 Chronicles 8:3](/1-chronicles/8-3 "1 Chronicles 8:3 - Sons of Bela") and throughout the genealogies underscores several key themes central to the Chronicler's message. Firstly, it highlights the **continuity and lineage** of God's covenant people. Despite the exile and dispersion, God's promises to Abraham and Jacob remained unbroken, and the preservation of these family lines demonstrated His faithfulness across generations. Secondly, these lists provided a concrete foundation for **identity and heritage** for the returning exiles. Knowing their specific tribal affiliation and their place within the larger story of Israel helped them rebuild their national and spiritual identity, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose in the land. Finally, the very act of meticulously recording individual names, even in seemingly dry lists, speaks to **God's meticulous care and sovereign hand in human history**. Every person, no matter how briefly mentioned, is part of His grand design, demonstrating that God remembers His people and works through their generations to fulfill His ultimate purposes, a theme echoed in the divine remembrance of His covenant (e.g., [Psalm 105:8](/psalm/105-8 "Psalm 105:8 - God Remembers His Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bela (בֶּלַע, _Bela‘_):** The firstborn son of Benjamin. The name can mean "swallowing" or "destruction," possibly indicating a characteristic or circumstance surrounding his birth. As the progenitor of a significant clan within Benjamin, his name marks the beginning of this particular lineage within the tribal record.
* **Addar (אַדָּר, _’Addar_):** Listed as one of Bela's sons. This name is related to concepts of "nobility" or "magnificence." It is also the name of a month in the Hebrew calendar, suggesting a connection to strength or prominence. His inclusion here signifies a distinct branch of Bela's descendants.
* **Abihud (אֲבִיהוּד, _’Avihud_):** Another son of Bela. This name beautifully translates to "my father is majesty" or "father of glory." Such names often expressed reverence for the father, a hope for the child's future greatness, or a theological statement about God as the ultimate Father of glory. Its presence highlights the familial and theological significance embedded in ancient Hebrew nomenclature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Bela were":** This introductory clause establishes the primary subject of the verse: the direct male offspring of Bela. It clearly delineates the lineage being traced, moving from the father to his immediate children, a standard formula in biblical genealogies for clarity and precision.
* **"Addar":** The first son named, indicating his specific identity within Bela's family. His singular mention here sets him apart as a distinct individual and progenitor of his own line, which would be further detailed in the subsequent verses if relevant to the Chronicler's purpose.
* **"and Gera":** The second son listed. The conjunction "and" links him directly to Addar, maintaining the enumeration. Gera is a name that appears elsewhere in Benjamin's lineage (e.g., [Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - Ehud, Son of Gera")), suggesting a common name within the tribe or a specific connection the Chronicler intends to highlight, even if not explicitly stated here.
* **"and Abihud":** The third and final son named in this verse. His inclusion completes the enumeration of Bela's immediate sons as recorded here, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the genealogical record and ensuring that all significant branches of Bela's family are accounted for, at least at this foundational level.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 8:3, and indeed throughout the initial chapters of Chronicles, is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a list of names but a structured literary form that serves to establish historical continuity, tribal identity, and theological claims. The meticulous **Enumeration** of names ("Addar, and Gera, and Abihud") is a key feature of this device, providing a precise and verifiable record. The repetitive use of the formula "the sons of [father] were [son 1], and [son 2], and [son 3]" demonstrates a consistent pattern of **Anaphora** and **Parallelism** across the genealogical lists, which aids in clarity and emphasizes the systematic nature of the Chronicler's record-keeping. While seemingly dry, this precise naming and linking of generations serve a profound purpose: to underscore the unbroken chain of God's covenant people and to provide a tangible link for the post-exilic community to their past, their land, and their divine heritage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While 1 Chronicles 8:3 appears as a simple list of names, its theological significance is profound, especially within the broader context of the Chronicler's work. This verse, like all genealogies, affirms God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating that despite human failures, exile, and the passage of centuries, God preserves a remnant and meticulously maintains the lineage through whom His redemptive plan will unfold. It underscores the concept of corporate identity, where individuals are part of a larger, divinely chosen family, and their personal existence contributes to a grander narrative of salvation history. The very act of recording these names speaks to God's intimate knowledge and care for each individual, even those seemingly lost to time, reminding us that every life holds significance in His sovereign plan. The meticulous preservation of these records also serves as a testament to the reliability of God's word and His commitment to His people, ensuring that the lineage leading to the Messiah would be clearly traceable.

* [Genesis 46:21](/genesis/46-21 "Genesis 46:21 - Benjamin's Sons in Jacob's Descent to Egypt")
* [Numbers 26:38](/numbers/26-38 "Numbers 26:38 - Census of Benjamin's Descendants")
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane list of names in 1 Chronicles 8:3 offers surprisingly rich ground for reflection and application in the life of faith today. It reminds us that our lives, though perhaps not recorded in ancient genealogies, are known and valued by God. Just as He meticulously tracked the lineage of Israel, He knows every detail of our existence, affirming our individual significance within His grand narrative. This verse also invites us to consider our own spiritual heritage. As believers, we are grafted into the family of God, part of a lineage that extends back through Christ to Abraham, and ultimately to Adam. Understanding this spiritual heritage provides a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and continuity with God's ongoing work in the world. It encourages us to appreciate the long, patient work of God through generations, reminding us that we are part of an unfolding story that began long ago and will continue until God's ultimate purposes are fulfilled in the new heavens and new earth. Our present faithfulness contributes to this eternal legacy, echoing the faithfulness of those who came before us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous recording of names in biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 8:3, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's care for individuals?**
* **In what ways does understanding your spiritual heritage in Christ provide you with a sense of identity and belonging today?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's patience and faithfulness in working through generations to accomplish His purposes?**
* **How can we, in our own lives, contribute to the spiritual legacy and continuity of faith for future generations?**

### FAQ
**Why are biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 8:3, so important, even though they seem like mere lists of names?**

Answer: Biblical genealogies are far more than simple lists; they serve crucial theological, historical, and social functions. Theologically, they demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, showing how He meticulously preserved the lineage through which His redemptive plan, culminating in the Messiah, would unfold. They affirm the continuity of God's people, even through periods of exile and dispersion, as seen in the post-exilic context of Chronicles. Historically, these lists provided a verifiable record of tribal identity, land claims, and priestly succession, which were vital for the re-establishment of the community in Israel. Socially, they connected individuals to their ancestral heritage, providing a sense of belonging and purpose. For example, the detailed record of Benjamin's descendants in [1 Chronicles 8](/1-chronicles/8 "1 Chronicles 8 - The Sons and Descendants of Benjamin") would have been essential for families returning from Babylon to reclaim their rightful place and inheritance in the land. They underline the biblical truth that every individual, no matter how briefly mentioned, plays a part in God's overarching story of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 8:3 details the physical lineage of Bela, a son of Benjamin, its deeper significance finds profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The meticulous preservation of these genealogies in the Old Testament ultimately points to the necessity of a traceable human lineage for the Messiah, who would be born "of the seed of David according to the flesh" ([Romans 1:3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Concerning His Son, Jesus Christ")). Jesus, as the true Son of God and Son of Man, embodies the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises to His covenant people. He is the one through whom true spiritual identity and belonging are found, not through physical lineage alone, but through faith in Him ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The emphasis on continuity in 1 Chronicles 8:3 foreshadows the unbroken spiritual lineage of believers, who are now adopted into God's family through Christ, becoming "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")). He is the true "Father of Glory" (a meaning of Abihud), through whom all glory is revealed ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). Thus, the seemingly dry list of names in 1 Chronicles 8:3 ultimately contributes to the grand narrative of God's faithfulness, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who brings all of history and every individual into His redemptive purpose, establishing a new, eternal lineage of faith ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")).

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

Genesis 46:21

And the sons of Benjamin [were] Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.

Numbers 26:40

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: [of Ard], the family of the Ardites: [and] of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.