1Ch 5:1-10 | Clarke | STEP | The genealogies of Reuben, . Of Gad, . The exploits of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, . The genealogy of the half tribe of Manasseh, , . The idolatry of these tribes and their captivity by the Assyrians, , . Verse 1 The sons of Reuben the first-born - As Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, why was not his genealogy reviewed first? This verse answers the question; he lost the birth-right because of the transgression mentioned ; , and the precedency was given to Judah; from him therefore came the chief ruler. This appears to be the meaning of the place.

1 Chronicles 5:1-10

Introduction

The genealogies of Reuben, 1Chr 5:1-10. Of Gad, 1Chr 5:11-17. The exploits of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 1Chr 5:18-22. The genealogy of the half tribe of Manasseh, 1Chr 5:23, 1Chr 5:24. The idolatry of these tribes and their captivity by the Assyrians, 1Chr 5:25, 1Chr 5:26.

Verse 1

The sons of Reuben the first-born - As Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, why was not his genealogy reviewed first? This verse answers the question; he lost the birth-right because of the transgression mentioned Gen 35:22; Gen 49:4, and the precedency was given to Judah; from him therefore came the chief ruler. This appears to be the meaning of the place. Verse 2

And of him came the chief ruler - This is, by both the Syriac and Arabic, understood of Christ: "From Judah the King Messiah shall proceed." The Chaldee paraphrases the verse thus: "Seeing Judah prevailed over his brethren, so the kingdom was taken from Reuben and given to Judah; and because he was strong, so was his kingdom. Levi also was godly, and did not transgress in the matter of the golden calf; therefore the high priesthood was taken away from the children of Reuben, and on their account from all the first-born, and given to Aaron and his sons. The custody of the sanctuary belonged to the Levites, but the birthright to Joseph." - T. Verse 6

Beerah his son - After their separation from the house of David the ten tribes continued to have princes of the tribes; and this continued till the time that Tiglath-pileser carried them captives into Assyria. At that time Beerah was their prince or chief; and with him this species of dominion or precedency terminated. According to the Targum, Beerah was the same as Baruch the prophet. Verse 8

Who dwelt in Aroer - This town was situated on the river Arnon; and Nebo was both a city and a mountain in the same country. They both lay on the other side of Jordan. Verse 10

And they dwelt in their tents - The Hagarites were tribes of Nomade, or Scenite, Arabs; people who lived in tents, without any fixed dwellings, and whose property consisted in cattle. The descendants of Reuben extirpated these Hagarites, seized on their property and their tents, and dwelt in their place.