1 Chronicles 7:8
And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵי
All these are the sons
H1121
בְּנֵי
All these are the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וֶֽ֠אֱלִיעֶזֶר
and Eliezer
H461
וֶֽ֠אֱלִיעֶזֶר
and Eliezer
Strong's:
H461
Word #:
5 of 15
eliezer, the name of a damascene and of ten israelites
וְאֶלְיֽוֹעֵינַ֤י
and Elioenai
H454
וְאֶלְיֽוֹעֵינַ֤י
and Elioenai
Strong's:
H454
Word #:
6 of 15
eljehoenai or eljoenai, the name of seven israelites
וִֽירֵמ֣וֹת
and Jerimoth
H3406
וִֽירֵמ֣וֹת
and Jerimoth
Strong's:
H3406
Word #:
8 of 15
jerimoth or jeremoth, the name of twelve israelites
וַֽאֲבִיָּ֔ה
and Abiah
H29
וַֽאֲבִיָּ֔ה
and Abiah
Strong's:
H29
Word #:
9 of 15
abijah, the name of several israelite men and two israelitesses
וַֽעֲנָת֖וֹת
and Anathoth
H6068
וַֽעֲנָת֖וֹת
and Anathoth
Strong's:
H6068
Word #:
10 of 15
anathoth, the name of two israelites, also of a place in pal
וְעָלָ֑מֶת
and Alameth
H5964
וְעָלָ֑מֶת
and Alameth
Strong's:
H5964
Word #:
11 of 15
alemeth, the name of a place in palestine and of two israelites
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Benjamin's tribe occupied the strategic hill country between Ephraim and Judah, including Jerusalem's northern suburbs. Though the smallest tribe (Judges 20-21 nearly destroyed them), Benjamin produced Israel's first king (Saul), joined Judah after the schism (930 BC), and maintained identity through exile. The Chronicler, emphasizing Judah-Benjamin continuity, shows post-exilic Jerusalem's population as legitimate heirs of pre-exilic Israel. Anathoth, mentioned in this genealogy, became a priestly city hosting Abiathar's descendants after Solomon's purge (1 Kings 2:26).
Questions for Reflection
- How do the theophoric names in Becher's genealogy ('Yahweh has given,' 'God is help') testify to faith formation through naming practices?
- What encouragement does Benjamin's recovery from near-extinction (Judges 21) to prominence offer regarding God's redemptive purposes for broken communities?
Analysis & Commentary
The sons of Becher—this genealogy catalogs Benjamin's clan through Becher (בֶּכֶר 'young camel' or 'firstborn'). The eight sons listed—Zemira (זְמִירָה 'song'), Joash (יוֹעָשׁ 'Yahweh has given'), Eliezer (אֱלִיעֶזֶר 'God is help'), Elioenai (אֶלְיוֹעֵינַי 'to Yahweh are my eyes'), Omri (עָמְרִי 'sheaf' or 'pupil'), Jerimoth (יְרִימוֹת 'heights'), Abiah (אֲבִיָּה 'Yahweh is father'), and Anathoth (עֲנָתוֹת 'answers')—form a theological catechism in names, emphasizing Yahweh's provision, help, fatherhood, and attentive hearing.
The name Anathoth gains special significance as Jeremiah's hometown (Jeremiah 1:1), a Levitical city in Benjamin's territory. That Becher's descendant bore this name before the city's prominence shows God's providential preparation—centuries before Jeremiah, a Benjamite bore the name 'answers,' anticipating the prophet who would answer God's call in Israel's darkest hour. This genealogical 'easter egg' rewards careful readers with Christological connections (Jeremiah prefigured Christ's rejection by his hometown, Luke 4:24).
All these are the sons of Becher—the summarizing formula emphasizes completeness. Benjamin's prominence (Paul's tribe, Romans 11:1; the temple sat in Benjamin's land) roots in extensive, blessed genealogy. Despite being Jacob's youngest and Rachel's last son, Benjamin became numerically and strategically significant through covenant multiplication (Genesis 49:27).