1 Chronicles 5:6
Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
Original Language Analysis
בְנ֔וֹ
his son
H1121
בְנ֔וֹ
his son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶגְלָ֔ה
carried away
H1540
הֶגְלָ֔ה
carried away
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
4 of 11
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
פִּלְנְאֶ֖סֶר
whom Tilgathpilneser
H8407
פִּלְנְאֶ֖סֶר
whom Tilgathpilneser
Strong's:
H8407
Word #:
6 of 11
tiglath-pileser or tilgath-pilneser, an assyryrian king
אַשֻּׁ֑ר
of Assyria
H804
אַשֻּׁ֑ר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
8 of 11
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
ה֥וּא
H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Historical Context
Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC) transformed Assyria into empire, implementing mass deportation policies to prevent rebellion. The 734-732 BC campaigns decimated northern Israel, deporting Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, Manasseh) before Samaria's final fall in 722 BC. Archaeological evidence from Assyrian records confirms these deportations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Reuben's loss of birthright followed by exile warn against presuming covenant privilege excuses unfaithfulness?
- What hope does God's preservation of exiled leaders' names offer when you face consequences of past failures?
Analysis & Commentary
Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites—בְּאֵרָה (Beerah) means 'well' or 'spring,' while תִּלְגַּת פִּלְנֶאסֶר (Tilgath-pilneser) renders Tiglath-Pileser III, the Neo-Assyrian king who deported northern tribes (734-732 BC, 2 Kings 15:29). Beerah's designation as נָשִׂיא (nasi, 'prince' or 'tribal chief') indicates leadership status, making his exile particularly significant for Reuben's tribe.
Reuben, Israel's firstborn, lost birthright blessings through sin (Genesis 35:22, 49:3-4, 1 Chronicles 5:1), and now lost land through exile—fulfilled judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. Yet even recording exiled leaders preserves hope: God remembers His people even in judgment. The exile wasn't annihilation but discipline, positioning eventual restoration (Ezra-Nehemiah). Judgment doesn't negate identity in God's covenant memory.