1 Chronicles 7:14

The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: ([but] his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:

The sons {H1121} of Manasseh {H4519}; Ashriel {H844}, whom she bare {H3205}:( but his concubine {H6370} the Aramitess {H761} bare {H3205} Machir {H4353} the father {H1} of Gilead {H1568}:

The descendants of M'nasheh: his concubine the woman from Aram bore Makhir the father of Gil'ad; Asri'el [Gil'ad's son] was descended from her.

The descendants of Manasseh: Through his Aramean concubine, Asriel, as well as Machir the father of Gilead.

The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his concubine the Aramitess bare; she bare Machir the father of Gilead.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:14 is part of an extensive genealogical record within the book of 1 Chronicles, focusing specifically on the descendants of Manasseh, one of Joseph's two sons and a prominent tribe of Israel. This verse details two of Manasseh's sons, Ashriel and Machir, highlighting their respective mothers and Machir's significant progeny.

Context

The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles are largely devoted to genealogies, tracing the lineage from Adam through the patriarchs and the twelve tribes of Israel. This meticulous record served a crucial purpose for the post-exilic community, helping to re-establish tribal identities, land claims, and priestly lines after their return to Judah. The inclusion of Manasseh's descendants here underscores the Chronicler's commitment to documenting the full scope of God's people. Manasseh was a large and influential tribe, with territory divided on both sides of the Jordan River, and its lineage was vital for understanding the tribal landscape of ancient Israel.

Key Themes

  • Genealogical Preservation: The primary theme is the careful preservation of family lines. In ancient Israel, genealogies were not just dry lists; they were vital documents for inheritance, tribal identity, and understanding one's place within God's covenant people. This meticulous record-keeping is evident throughout 1 Chronicles, as seen also in Matthew 1:1 in the New Testament.
  • Inclusion of Diverse Lineage: The verse explicitly mentions Manasseh's "concubine the Aramitess." This detail acknowledges that the lineage of Israel, while distinct, sometimes incorporated individuals from various backgrounds through marriage or relationships, reflecting the complex social realities of the time. Despite foreign origins, these individuals and their descendants became integral parts of the Israelite tribes.
  • Machir's Prominence: Machir is singled out as "the father of Gilead," indicating his significant role and the importance of his descendants. The region of Gilead, east of the Jordan, was a key territory for the tribe of Manasseh. This designation suggests Machir was a foundational figure, and his descendants played a vital role in settling and developing that land, as further detailed in Numbers 32:39 and Joshua 17:1.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Aramitess" refers to a woman from Aram, or Syria. This indicates her ethnic background and highlights the occasional intermingling of Israelites with neighboring peoples. While the Mosaic Law later prohibited marriages with certain foreign nations (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:3), such unions did occur, particularly in earlier periods, and their descendants were often integrated into the tribal structure.

Practical Application

While genealogies might seem remote to modern readers, they offer profound insights. They demonstrate God's meticulous care for His people and His detailed knowledge of each individual's place within His larger plan. For believers today, this can be a reminder that:

  • God knows our individual stories and places us in a larger, divine narrative.
  • Our heritage, whether biological or spiritual, connects us to a greater community.
  • God works through diverse individuals and circumstances, even those that might seem unconventional, to fulfill His purposes.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 32:30 (3 votes)

    But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.

  • Numbers 32:42 (3 votes)

    And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

  • Numbers 26:29 (2 votes)

    Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead [come] the family of the Gileadites.

  • Numbers 26:34 (2 votes)

    These [are] the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

  • Genesis 50:23 (2 votes)

    And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third [generation]: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.

  • Judges 5:14 (2 votes)

    Out of Ephraim [was there] a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

  • Joshua 13:31 (2 votes)

    And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, [were pertaining] unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, [even] to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.