1 Chronicles 7:20
The descendants of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son,
The descendants of Ephraim:
Ephraim was one of the two sons of Joseph, born to him in Egypt. Ephraim and his brother Manasseh were adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thus receiving a portion of the inheritance among the tribes of Israel. Ephraim's descendants became one of the most prominent tribes in Israel, often representing the northern kingdom. The tribe's territory was centrally located in the land of Canaan, which included significant sites such as Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located for a time.

Shuthelah:
Shuthelah is listed as a direct descendant of Ephraim. His name appears in other genealogical records, such as Numbers 26:35, where the family of the Shuthelahites is mentioned. This indicates the establishment of a clan within the tribe of Ephraim, contributing to the tribe's growth and influence.

Bered his son:
Bered is noted as the son of Shuthelah. The genealogical records in Chronicles often serve to establish the continuity and legitimacy of tribal lines. While not much is known about Bered specifically, his inclusion underscores the importance of maintaining detailed family records in Israelite culture.

Tahath his son:
Tahath is another link in the genealogical chain. The repetition of names like Tahath in the genealogy may indicate the common practice of naming descendants after ancestors, reflecting a desire to honor family heritage and maintain continuity within the tribe.

Eleadah his son:
Eleadah is listed as the son of Tahath. The genealogies in Chronicles often highlight the faithfulness of God in preserving the lineage of His people, despite the challenges and disruptions they faced throughout history.

Tahath his son:
The repetition of the name Tahath suggests a cyclical pattern in the genealogy, which may symbolize the enduring nature of the tribe of Ephraim. This pattern can also be seen as a reflection of the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring the survival and prosperity of His chosen people through successive generations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ephraim
The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt. Ephraim was blessed by Jacob, who prophesied that his descendants would become a multitude of nations.

2. Shuthelah
A descendant of Ephraim, mentioned as the first in the genealogy listed in this verse.

3. Bered
The son of Shuthelah, continuing the lineage of Ephraim.

4. Tahath
Mentioned twice, indicating a generational repetition or a common name within the family line.

5. Eleadah
Another descendant in the line of Ephraim, showing the continuation of the family tree.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy
Genealogies in the Bible serve to connect God's promises through generations. They remind us of God's faithfulness and the continuity of His plan.

Legacy and Heritage
The listing of names emphasizes the importance of family heritage and the impact of our ancestors. We are encouraged to consider the legacy we are leaving for future generations.

God's Sovereignty in History
The genealogies show that God is actively involved in the unfolding of history. Each name represents a life that played a part in God's redemptive plan.

Identity in Christ
While genealogies were crucial for identity in ancient Israel, as Christians, our primary identity is found in Christ. This shifts our focus from earthly lineage to spiritual heritage.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy of Ephraim in 1 Chronicles 7:20 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises made to the patriarchs?

2. In what ways can understanding our own family history and heritage impact our faith journey today?

3. How does the blessing of Ephraim by Jacob in Genesis 48 relate to the significance of his descendants listed in 1 Chronicles 7:20?

4. What can we learn from the repetition of names like Tahath in the genealogy, and how might this apply to our understanding of family and tradition?

5. How does the concept of spiritual heritage, as seen in the New Testament, transform our understanding of genealogies like the one in 1 Chronicles 7:20?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 48
This chapter provides the background of Ephraim's blessing by Jacob, which is foundational to understanding the significance of his descendants.

Numbers 1:33
This verse lists the descendants of Ephraim as part of the census of the tribes of Israel, showing their role in the nation.

Joshua 16
Describes the land inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim, connecting the genealogical record to the physical land they occupied.
Divine CompensationsW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 7:20-24
GenealogiesF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 7, 8
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abiah, Abiezer, Abijah, Aher, Ahi, Ahian, Ahishahar, Aiah, Alameth, Alemeth, Amal, Ammihud, Anathoth, Aniam, Ara, Arah, Aram, Asher, Ashriel, Ashvath, Asriel, Becher, Bedan, Beera, Bela, Benjamin, Bered, Beri, Beriah, Bezer, Bilhah, Bilhan, Bimhal, Birzavith, Chenaanah, Dan, David, Ehud, Eladah, Elead, Eliezer, Elioenai, Elishama, Ezbon, Ezer, Guni, Hammoleketh, Haniel, Hanniel, Harnepher, Heber, Helem, Hod, Hotham, Huppim, Huppites, Hushim, Hushites, Imna, Imnah, Imrah, Iri, Ishiah, Ishod, Ishuai, Issachar, Isshiah, Isuah, Ithran, Izrahiah, Jahmai, Jahziel, Japhlet, Jashub, Jediael, Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Jehubbah, Jephunneh, Jeremoth, Jeriel, Jerimoth, Jether, Jeush, Jezer, Jibsam, Jimna, Jimnah, Joash, Joel, Joseph, Joshua, Laadan, Likhi, Maacah, Maachah, Machir, Mahalah, Mahlah, Malchiel, Manasseh, Michael, Naphtali, Non, Nun, Obadiah, Omri, Pasach, Peresh, Pispah, Puah, Rakem, Rekem, Rephah, Rephaiah, Resheph, Rezia, Rohgah, Samuel, Serah, Shallum, Shamer, Shamma, Shaul, Shelesh, Shemer, Shemida, Shemidah, Shemuel, Sherah, Sheresh, Shillem, Shilshah, Shimrom, Shimron, Shomer, Shua, Shual, Shuppim, Shuppites, Shuthelah, Suah, Tahan, Tahath, Tarshish, Telah, Tharshish, Tola, Ulam, Ulla, Uzzi, Uzziel, Zabad, Zelophehad, Zemira, Zethan, Zophah
Places
Ayyah, Bethel, Beth-horon, Beth-shan, Dor, Gath, Gezer, Gilead, Heshbon, Megiddo, Naaran, Shechem, Taanach, Upper Beth-horon, Uzzen-sheerah
Topics
Bered, Eladah, Eleadah, Ele-a'dah, Ephraim, E'phraim, Shuthelah, Shuthe'lah, Sons, Tahath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 7:14-40

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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