1 Chronicles 7:18
And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽאֲחֹת֖וֹ
And his sister
H269
וַֽאֲחֹת֖וֹ
And his sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
1 of 9
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
יָֽלְדָה֙
bare
H3205
יָֽלְדָה֙
bare
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
3 of 9
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Manasseh's tribe split between west Jordan (this branch) and east Jordan territories. Hammoleketh's sons settled west of Jordan, likely in the hill country that later hosted Gideon's exploits against Midianite raiders (Judges 6-8, c. 1200 BC). For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, Manasseh's tribal identity was fragmented—the eastern half had been exiled by Assyria (732 BC) and never returned, while western Manasseh merged with Ephraim's territory in the northern kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Hammoleketh's inclusion in this patrilineal genealogy teach about God's regard for women's roles in covenant history?
- How does Gideon's descent from Abiezer ('father of help') illustrate God's pattern of achieving mighty victories through weak, unlikely instruments?
Analysis & Commentary
And his sister Hammoleketh (הַמֹּלֶכֶת 'the queen' or 'the reigning one')—this rare feminine genealogical entry appears in Manasseh's tribal register. Most biblical genealogies trace patrilineal descent, but Hammoleketh's inclusion suggests she had inheritance rights (cf. Zelophehad's daughters, Numbers 27:1-11) or bore sons of special significance. Her name's meaning, 'the queen,' may indicate royal connections or simply high status within the clan.
She bare Ishod (אִישְׁהוֹד 'man of majesty'), Abiezer (אֲבִיעֶזֶר 'father of help'), and Mahalah (מַחְלָה 'disease' or 'weakness'). Abiezer's clan gained fame through Gideon, who came from Ophrah of the Abiezrites (Judges 6:11). Gideon, whose weakness God used to defeat Midian with 300 men, perfectly embodied his ancestor's name 'father of help'—divine strength perfected in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The juxtaposition of names—Ishod ('majesty'), Abiezer ('help'), Mahalah ('weakness')—creates theological tension: majesty coexists with weakness when God provides help. This anticipates Paul's paradox: 'when I am weak, then I am strong' (2 Corinthians 12:10). That these sons trace through their mother rather than father breaks patriarchal convention, showing God's kingdom purposes transcend cultural gender norms.