1 Chronicles 5:26
And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
אֱלֹהֵ֨י
And the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֨י
And the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 29
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
H7307
ר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 29
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
פּ֣וּל
of Pul
H6322
פּ֣וּל
of Pul
Strong's:
H6322
Word #:
6 of 29
pul, the name of an assyrian king and of an ethiopian tribe
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
8 of 29
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
H7307
ר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
10 of 29
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
פִּלְנֶ֙סֶר֙
of Tilgathpilneser
H8407
פִּלְנֶ֙סֶר֙
of Tilgathpilneser
Strong's:
H8407
Word #:
12 of 29
tiglath-pileser or tilgath-pilneser, an assyryrian king
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
14 of 29
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
וַיַּגְלֵם֙
and he carried them away
H1540
וַיַּגְלֵם֙
and he carried them away
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
15 of 29
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֣י
even the Reubenites
H7206
לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֣י
even the Reubenites
Strong's:
H7206
Word #:
16 of 29
a reubenite or descendant of reuben
וְלַגָּדִ֔י
and the Gadites
H1425
וְלַגָּדִ֔י
and the Gadites
Strong's:
H1425
Word #:
17 of 29
a gadite (collectively) or descendants of gad
שֵׁ֣בֶט
tribe
H7626
שֵׁ֣בֶט
tribe
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
19 of 29
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
20 of 29
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וַ֠יְבִיאֵם
and brought
H935
וַ֠יְבִיאֵם
and brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
21 of 29
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וּנְהַ֣ר
and to the river
H5104
וּנְהַ֣ר
and to the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
25 of 29
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
27 of 29
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
2 Kings 17:6In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.2 Kings 15:19And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.2 Kings 18:11And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:2 Kings 15:29In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.1 Chronicles 5:6Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.Isaiah 37:12Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Telassar?2 Kings 19:12Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar?2 Kings 16:7So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.2 Chronicles 33:11Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
Historical Context
Post-Exilic Context: The Chronicler wrote during the Persian period (450-400 BCE) to a community returned from Babylonian exile, struggling with identity and purpose. These genealogies answered crucial questions: Who are we? What is our relationship to ancient Israel? Do God's promises still apply to us?
The historical setting influences the text's emphasis on Trans-Jordanian tribes: Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued genealogies for establishing land rights, royal legitimacy, and tribal identity. Chronicles' genealogies served similar functions while adding theological depth. The inclusion of specific names and details reflects the author's access to temple archives, royal records, and earlier biblical texts.
Archaeological evidence from Persian-period Judah shows a small, struggling community centered around Jerusalem and the rebuilt temple. The genealogies reinforced their connection to the glorious past and provided hope for future restoration through God's covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding genealogies as theological statements rather than mere historical records change your reading of Chronicles and other biblical genealogies?
- What does this verse teach about God's faithfulness across generations, and how does that apply to your own family's spiritual legacy?
- How does Consequences of covenant unfaithfulness connect to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises?
Analysis & Commentary
Genealogical Significance: This verse appears within the Trans-Jordanian tribes and their failures section of Chronicles' genealogical framework. The Hebrew term מַעַל (ma'al) - unfaithfulness/treachery is central to understanding this passage's purpose. The Chronicler, writing to post-exilic Israel (c. 450-400 BCE), uses these genealogies not merely as historical records but as theological statements about covenant continuity and divine faithfulness.
The genealogical structure serves multiple purposes:
The selection and arrangement of names is intentional, highlighting Consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.
Chronicles diverges from Genesis and Samuel-Kings in its genealogical presentation, reflecting the Chronicler's distinct theological agenda. Where earlier texts focus on narrative history, Chronicles emphasizes continuity, legitimacy, and hope for restoration. This verse contributes to the larger argument that the post-exilic community is the rightful heir of God's ancient covenant promises.