1 Chronicles 7:28

And their possessions and habitations [were], Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:

And their possessions {H272} and habitations {H4186} were, Bethel {H1008} and the towns {H1323} thereof, and eastward {H4217} Naaran {H5295}, and westward {H4628} Gezer {H1507}, with the towns {H1323} thereof; Shechem {H7927} also and the towns {H1323} thereof, unto Gaza {H5804} and the towns {H1323} thereof:

Their possessions and settlements were Beit-El with its towns; Na'aran to the east; and to the west, Gezer with its towns; also Sh'khem with its towns, as far as 'Ayah and its towns;

Their holdings and settlements included Bethel and its villages, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its villages as far as Ayyah and its villages.

And their possessions and habitations were Beth-el and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Azzah and the towns thereof;

Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:28 provides a detailed geographical description of the territories and habitations belonging to the descendants of Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel. This verse, part of the extensive genealogies in the book of Chronicles, meticulously lists key cities and their surrounding towns, outlining the extent of their inheritance within the Promised Land.

Context

This verse is situated within a lengthy section of genealogies (1 Chronicles 1-9) that traces the lineage of Israel from Adam through the various tribes. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 7 focuses on the tribes of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Verse 28 is part of the record for the tribe of Ephraim, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise of land to the descendants of Joseph. The Chronicler, writing after the Babylonian exile, emphasized these genealogies to remind the returning exiles of their identity, their covenant relationship with God, and their rightful inheritance in the land, providing a sense of continuity and hope for the future of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Inheritance: The detailed list of cities like Bethel, Shechem, Gezer, and Naaran underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan. This verse serves as a tangible record of their actual possessions, reinforcing the idea of God's provision and the certainty of His word.
  • Tribal Identity and Boundaries: For ancient Israel, land ownership was intrinsically linked to tribal identity and social structure. These geographical markers defined the tribe of Ephraim's sphere of influence and habitation, distinguishing them from neighboring tribes and peoples. It highlights the ordered and specific way the land was distributed among the tribes, as detailed in books like Joshua.
  • Historical Record and Continuity: The Chronicler's inclusion of such specific geographical details demonstrates a commitment to preserving the historical record of Israel. It serves as a vital historical document, confirming the lineage and territorial claims of the post-exilic community, connecting them directly to their ancestral roots and the original distribution of the land.

Linguistic Insights

The term "habitations" (Hebrew: moshav) simply refers to dwelling places or settlements, emphasizing the established presence of the Ephraimites in these areas. The names of the cities themselves often carried significant historical and spiritual weight. For instance, Bethel means "house of God," a place of great spiritual significance from the time of Jacob. Shechem was also a key city for covenant renewals and historical events, such as Joshua's final address to Israel. The mention of "unto Gaza" indicates the southern reach or claim of Ephraim's territory, extending towards the Philistine plain, though this border was often contested.

Practical Application

While a list of ancient cities might seem dry, 1 Chronicles 7:28 reminds us of several important truths:

  • God's Promises are Concrete: God's faithfulness is not abstract; He fulfills His promises in tangible ways, whether it's land for a nation or spiritual blessings for believers today. This verse provides a historical anchor for God's reliable character.
  • Value in Details: Even seemingly mundane details in Scripture have purpose. They affirm historical accuracy, demonstrate God's precise ordering, and provide context for understanding His larger narrative and the fulfillment of His plans.
  • Our Spiritual Inheritance: Just as ancient Israel received a physical inheritance in the land, believers in Christ have a secure spiritual inheritance that is promised by God (Ephesians 1:11). This verse can prompt reflection on the certainty of God's provision and the rich blessings we receive through Christ.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 16:2 (2 votes)

    And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,

  • Joshua 16:3 (2 votes)

    And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.

  • Judges 1:22 (2 votes)

    And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD [was] with them.

  • Genesis 28:19 (2 votes)

    And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city [was called] Luz at the first.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:66 (2 votes)

    And [the residue] of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:67 (2 votes)

    And they gave unto them, [of] the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; [they gave] also Gezer with her suburbs,