1 Chronicles 7:14-16
The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore; she bore Machir the father of Gilead. And Machir took a wife for Huppim and for Shuppim. The name of his sister was Maacah. And the name of the second was Zelophehad, and Zelophehad had daughters. And Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even in a straightforward genealogy, we see how God's people were sometimes intertwined with other cultures, a subtle reminder that faithfulness isn't about isolation but about living out God's story within the world as it is. Notice how the text explicitly mentions the "Aramean concubine," highlighting the human and sometimes complex origins of lineage, but still centers the lineage of Manasseh through her. This verse points to the enduring thread of God's covenant and blessing, tracing it through all of life's messy details.
This verse appears amidst a long list of genealogies, tracing the descendants of Israel's sons. It’s describing the lineage of Manasseh, Joseph's son, and specifically names his sons and one of his concubines. The text is simply laying out family connections that are crucial for understanding tribal inheritances and relationships in ancient Israel, preparing the way for later accounts of their roles and territories.
How do we navigate complex family histories? This verse, tucked away in a genealogy, reveals a truth about how blessings and complexities can intertwine across generations.
This verse introduces us to the lineage of Manasseh, son of Joseph. It's easy to skim over genealogies, but they are vital for understanding God's unfolding plan. We see that Manasseh had a son named Asriel, and importantly, that Asriel's mother was an Aramean concubine. This detail isn't just trivia; it highlights how God's people, even in their early stages, were interacting with surrounding cultures, sometimes through less-than-ideal circumstances.
A Mixed Heritage
The fact that the mother was an Aramean concubine points to potential complexities in relationships and societal status. Yet, God still works through these lines. From this union, a line of descendants continued, leading to important figures like Machir, who became the father of Gilead. This shows us that even when our family stories have difficult or complicated chapters, God's promises and purposes are not thwarted.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 1 Chronicles 7:14-16 is available in the Sola app.
The term 'concubine' might sound strange or even problematic to us today. What does it reveal about family structures and inheritance in biblical times?
In the ancient Near East, a concubine was a wife of secondary status, often a slave or a woman from a foreign land. While not having the same legal standing or rights as a primary wife, her children could still inherit, especially if the primary wife had no sons.
Social and Legal Standing
This status meant that relationships involving concubines were often socially and legally distinct from marriage between equals. For Asriel's mother to be an Aramean concubine signifies a relationship that was likely entered into under specific cultural norms, perhaps even involving a degree of vulnerability for her.
God's Inclusion
Despite the societal nuances, the Bible records these relationships matter-of-factly. God includes these lines in the lineage of His chosen people, demonstrating His sovereign hand in all circumstances and His commitment to working through the reality of human relationships, however complex they may be.
Understand the original words
pilegesh · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a woman who was a secondary wife or a woman of lower social status in an ancient Near Eastern household. While distinct from a primary wife, concubines were recognized in the lineage of families, particularly in the patriarchal narratives of Israel.
ben · Hebrew Noun
A familial term describing a male offspring or descendant, often used in genealogies to establish lineage, inheritance rights, and covenantal connection.
ishshah · Hebrew Noun
A female spouse joined to a husband in covenantal union; in biblical genealogy, it denotes maternal lineage within a family line.
ach · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting a male sibling sharing the same parents or lineage; in genealogies, it often refers to clan members or close tribal relations.
qara shem · Hebrew Verb
A legal and social act of naming a child, signifying authority, identity, and frequently the parent's perception of God's providence or the child's destiny.
The genealogy in 1 Chronicles, particularly for the half-tribe of Manasseh living in Gilead, reminds us that even after the exile and scattering by Assyria, the memory of their ancestral lineage and place within the larger Israelite story was preserved and recounted.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham Called by God
God calls Abraham from Ur, initiating the lineage of Israel through his descendants. Abraham's grandson Jacob (also named Israel) would have twelve sons, who become the patriarchs of the twelve tribes.
c. 1700 BC
Joseph Sold into Egypt
Joseph, a son of Jacob and Rachel, is sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. This event eventually leads the entire family of Jacob to migrate to Egypt.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Under Moses' leadership, the Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of enslavement. They wander in the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua, the Israelites conquer and divide the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes, including Manasseh and Ephraim (the sons of Joseph).
c. 1050 BC
Establishment of the Monarchy
Saul is anointed king, followed by David, unifying the tribes and establishing a centralized kingdom. The tribe of Manasseh is part of this united kingdom.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united monarchy splits into two kingdoms: Israel (the northern ten tribes, including Manasseh) and Judah (the southern tribes of Benjamin and Judah).
c. 722 BC— this verse
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel and deports many of its inhabitants, including the tribe of Manasseh. This marks the end of the northern kingdom as a distinct entity.
This passage lists the sons of Manasseh, directly linking to the lineage mentioned in 1 Chronicles and confirming the relationship between Manasseh, Asriel, and Machir.
Joshua 17:1-3This passage details the inheritance of Manasseh's descendants, providing context for the importance of these family lines and their place in the promised land.
Numbers 26:29-34This census record also lists the families descended from Manasseh, reinforcing the genealogical importance and demonstrating how these lines were accounted for within Israel.
1 Chronicles 7:1-5This broader section provides the genealogy of Manasseh's tribe, highlighting the numerous descendants and the significance of their place in Israel's history.
Even in a straightforward genealogy, we see how God's people were sometimes intertwined with other cultures, a subtle reminder that faithfulness isn't about isolation but about living out God's story within the world as it is. Notice how the text explicitly mentions the "Aramean concubine," highlighting the human and sometimes complex origins of lineage, but still centers the lineage of Manasseh through her. This verse points to the enduring thread of God's covenant and blessing, tracing it through all of life's messy details.
This verse appears amidst a long list of genealogies, tracing the descendants of Israel's sons. It’s describing the lineage of Manasseh, Joseph's son, and specifically names his sons and one of his concubines. The text is simply laying out family connections that are crucial for understanding tribal inheritances and relationships in ancient Israel, preparing the way for later accounts of their roles and territories.
This verse appears amidst a long list of genealogies, tracing the descendants of Israel's sons. It’s describing the lineage of Manasseh, Joseph's son, and specifically names his sons and one of his concubines. The text is simply laying out family connections that are crucial for understanding tribal inheritances and relationships in ancient Israel, preparing the way for later accounts of their roles and territories.
"The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore; she bore Machir the father of Gilead. And Machir took a wife for Huppim and for Shuppim. The name of his sister was Maacah. And the name of the second was Zelophehad, and Zelop…" — Even in a straightforward genealogy, we see how God's people were sometimes intertwined with other cultures, a subtle reminder that faithfulness isn't about isolation but about living out God's story…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
