1Ch 5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Chr 5:1-24: 5:1-24 Chapter 5 records the genealogies for Reuben (5:1-10 ; cp. Gen 46:9 ), Gad (1 Chr 5:11-17 ), and Manasseh (5:23-24 ), the tribes of Israel that settled in Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan River). Summary for 1Chr 5:1-2: 5:1-2 Although Reuben was the oldest son of Israel, he did not receive his birthright because he had sexual relations with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22 ). Jacob transferred this right to Joseph when he elevated Ephraim and Manasseh to full membership among the tribes (Gen 48:5 ). This gave Joseph the double portion that traditionally belonged to the firstborn (Deut 21:15-17 ). As Jacob foresaw, Judah surpassed his brothers and became the forefather of the ruling tribe (Gen 49:8-10 ). However, Reuben is still listed first (1 Chr 2:1 ).

Summary for 1Chr 5:1-24: 5:1-24 ^a Chapter 5 records the genealogies for Reuben (5:1-10 ^b; cp. Gen 46:9 ^c), Gad (1 Chr 5:11-17 ^d), and Manasseh (5:23-24 ^e), the tribes of Israel that settled in Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan River).
Summary for 1Chr 5:1-2: 5:1-2 ^f Although Reuben was the oldest son of Israel, he did not receive his birthright because he had sexual relations with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22 ^g). Jacob transferred this right to Joseph when he elevated Ephraim and Manasseh to full membership among the tribes (Gen 48:5 ^h). This gave Joseph the double portion that traditionally belonged to the firstborn (Deut 21:15-17 ⁱ). As Jacob foresaw, Judah surpassed his brothers and became the forefather of the ruling tribe (Gen 49:8-10 ^j). However, Reuben is still listed first (1 Chr 2:1 ^k).
5:3 ^l The sons of Reuben are also listed in Gen 46:9 ^m; Exod 6:14 ⁿ; Num 26:5-6 ^o.
Summary for 1Chr 5:4-8: 5:4-8 ^p The exact relationship between the descendants of Joel and the rest of the tribe of Reuben is unknown.
5:6 ^q Tiglath-pileser was king of Assyria (744–727 BC); he attacked the tribes of Transjordan during King Pekah’s reign (752–732 BC), taking the people into captivity (see 5:25-26 ^r; 2 Kgs 15:29 ^s).
5:10 ^t The tribes of Transjordan, including the Reubenites, expanded their settlements to the north and east in conjunction with their war with the Hagrites in the days of Saul (see 5:18-22 ^u; Ps 83:6 ^v). Later, the Hagrites were among David’s men (see 1 Chr 11:38 ^w; 27:31 ^x).
Summary for 1Chr 5:18-22: 5:18-22 ^y The account of the war against the Hagrites develops the elements introduced in 5:10 ^z. It was a struggle among shepherds over grazing territory. All three tribes were participants; the Chronicler details their prowess, military qualifications, and numbers. With God ... fighting against the enemy, the victory resulted in enormous spoils and total possession of the territory.
Summary for 1Chr 5:25-26: 5:25-26 ^aa The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh went into permanent exile because of unfaithfulness.