1Ch 5:1-10 | 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).