1 Chronicles 9
PATKish, and Baal, and Nadab. Between Baal and Nadab, there is mention of another son called Ner, chap. ix. 36. Vcr. 31. And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.] Who is called Zechariah in chap. ix. 37. where another son is added, called Mikloth, whose posterity here follows. Vcr. 32. And Mikloth begat Shimeah.] Who is called Shimeam, chap. ix. 38. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against thernJ] These families likewise were settled at Jerusalem, as well as the forcnamed: and dwelt in a part of the city directly over against the other. A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. IX. and their brethren: Shallum was the chief.] The next verse tells us, at what places these guards exercised their office. ward wall, beforcmentioncd, ver. 24. For, as the same learned man observes, neither priests nor Levites had any lodgings in the gates of the courts: nor did the Levites open those doors, but the priests.
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&0 all Israel tvere reckoned by genealogies. As much as to say, Thus I have summarily reckoned up the genealogies of all the tribes; as I found them in the public registers. A7id, behold, they we7*e written in the book of the Kings of Israel a7id of Judah.] For, let it be noted, they were so careful to preserve their genealogies, that they were kept in the public records, not only of the Jews, but of the Israelites: whose kings Mere not negligent in this matter. Who were carried away to Babylo7ifor their transgression.] These last mentioned, of the tribe of Judah, were carried thither; as the Israelites had been before into remote countries, upon the same account of their idolatry. In which captivity there was, no doubt, a great confusion made in their families: but Ezra, by the help of the prophets Haggai and Malachi (as the Jews think), undertook to set them right, by giving an account of what he found remaining in his time. Though there is a great difference of names in Nehem. xi. from those who are here mentioned: Malachi, also, and Ezra did not live in the same time.
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Now the first inhabita7its, that dwelt in their possessions in their cities, tvere. He speaks of those that came back to their own country with Zerubbabel. The Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.] The first inhabitants that came and settled in their country, out of which they had been carried captive, he comprehends under four sorts of persons, Israelites, priests, Lcvites, and Nethinims. The first of these seems to comprehend not only all those of the ten tribes, who were carried captive with Judah and Benjamin, but those also who were carried into Assyria aud Media by Tiglath-pileser and Shalmanascr. For the edict of Cyrus extended to them, as well as to Judah and Benjamin; and, as the prophets had foretold, (see Jer. v. 3, 4. 10. and xxi.) some of them did return, though too many (as the Jews also did) continued where they were settled in their captivity. But that the word Israelites is here a distinct name from the Jews, is apparent from what follows, vcr. 3. The last of these, viz. the Nethinims, are generally thought by the Jewish interpreters to be tho same with the Giheonites, who performed the lower offices in the temple, being hewers of wood and drawers of water. (See Josh, ix. 27.) But Ezra hath given us a better account of them, chap. viii. 20. where he informs us they were given by David to minister to the Levites (which is the original of their name), as tho Levites were given by God to help the priests. And therefore in all places they arc mentioned with holy persons.
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And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh. This shews that some of the ten" tribes returned with those of Judah and Benjamin. For the proclamation of Cyrus excepted none, but gave all the people of that nation liberty to return to their own country. And Josephus says expressly, that the edict of Cyrus was sent by Zerubbabel to those of Assyria and Media. Many, indeed, neglected that favour (as I said before), and continued.where they were settled; but those that did return were united to the Jews without distinction. Insomuch, that at Jerusalem, which belonged to the tribes*of Judah and Benjamin, some of Ephraim and Manasseh were per-’ mittcd to make their abode. For several of those tribes, being left in the land of Samaria, when the ten tribes, were carried away, joined with Judah, (2 Chron. xxxi. 1. xx’xii. 1. xxxi v. 9, &c.) and were carried with. them: to Babylon, and returned with them.
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Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the soil oflmri, the son of Bant, oftlte children ofPharez the. son of Judah. Now he sets down their names; and first those of the tribe of Judah, in this and the two following verses. But their names, arc so different from those in Nehem. xi. that it is an argument they speak of quite, different persons, who lived in different times.
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And of the Shilonites. Who are called Shelanites in Numb. xxvi. 20. Asaiah the first-born, and his sons. 1 ] The eldest. of that family, and those descended from him.
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And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel and his brethren. By brethren are meant near relations, as ver. 9. 13. 21. Six hundred and ninety.] This was the whole number of the children of Judah, who dwelt in Jerusalem, after they came out of their captivity.
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And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Ilasenuah. This Meshullam is said to be descended from quite different ancestors, than are mentioned Nehem. xi. 7. And therefore this is a quite different person from the other, though of the same name. Though some think that one of these authors gives an account of his remote ancestors, and the other of his more immediate: which is not probable.
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And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son ofReuel, the son oflbnijah.
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And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. By brethren, as I said before, are meant their near kindred. All these men.] That is, the seven mentioned above, (ver. 4. 8.) Were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.] They are called chief fathers, because they were principal governors in their families. Nehemiah mentions no more than nine hundred twenty and eight, who came with these; therefore gives an account of different persons; or some before his time were dead, or removed to some other place. The first is most likely.
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And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin. These arc the second, sort of inhabitants that first settled in their possessions after the captivity, mentioned ver. 2.
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And Azariah the son of Hilkiah. Not he in the days of Josiah, (2 Kings xxii. 8.) but another of the same name; whose son Seraiah lived in the time of Nehe-* miah, xi. 11…". TJie son of Meshullam, the son ofZadok, the sonofMeraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God.] This last person is thought by Pellicanus to have’ been the high-priest: but both Ezra and Haggai tell us, Jeshua (or Joshua) was high-priest, (Ezra III. 2. Haggai i. 1.)- This’ therefore was not the ruler, but a nderin God’s house (as the words should be translated); not the principal ruler, but one in great authority under him: perhaps he that was called the sagan (who was vicar to the high-priest; and performed, his office when Jie was sick, or otherwise hindered), or he was the head of one of the courses of the priests, that attended in their turns, at the house of God. Here it is to be noted, that by the house of God in this place, we are taught by ver. 23. to understand the house of the tabernacle. For as, before the first temple was built, there was a tabernacle for Divine, service; so, after the second was founded, they erected a tabernacle, till thisl temple could be fiuished: without which they could not have performed the several parts of the worship of God, which were annexed to the several parts of the holy places, according to the law. >.’..'
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And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son ofMeshillemith, the son oflmmer.] There were three between that Jeroham and Pashur mentioned in Nehemiah: and therefore he was either his great-grandson, or they were different persons, though of the same name.’•
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And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work, of the service of the house of God. In the Hebrew they are called mighty men of valour. For the service of the house of God required not only great strength of body, but great courage and resolution of mind; especially at that time when they were newly come out of captivity. There was a famous instance of this courage before the captivity, in. Azariah: who resisted the king himself, when he would have profaned the holy place, (2 Chron. xxvi. 17, 18, &c.)
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AndoftheLevites; ShemaiahthesonofHasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari. These are the third sort of persons, mentioned ver. 2. Ver. 15: And Bakbakkar, Heresh,’ and Gala I, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph.] This last was descended, it is likely, from that, Asaph who lived in David’s time, (2 Chron. xx. 14.)’. Ver. 1G. And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the, son of Galal, the son of Jeduthnn, and perechiah the son of Asa, the son ofElkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.~\ He speaks ofElkanah, not of Berechiah: for he dwelt at Jerusalem. But there was not room for them all there; therefore Elkanah, and those that belonged to him, dwelt in these villages, till their own cities, were rebuilt. They.were in the tribe of Judah, (chap. ii. 54.) and waited at Jerusalem in their courses, though they did not dwell there.
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And the porters. Or rather the guards, as the Hebrew word signifies, and not porters. Were Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, 4C
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(Who hitherto ivaited in the king’s gate eastward). That is, where the king’s gate formerly was; which shews that the tabernacle thoy had erected was not on Mount Moriah, but in Zion, since their return from captivity. They were porters.] That is, the four persons abovementioncd. In the companies of the children of Levi.] That were at the four sides of the tabernacle, Jerusalem being without walls. Vcr. 19. And Shallum.] Mentioned ver. 17. - The son ofKore, the son ofEbiasaph, the son ofKorah, and his brethren (of the house of his father).] That is, the rest of that family. The Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle.] Their service was. to be keepers of the porches of the tabernacle; From which it appears again, that the Jews (as I said before) did pitch a tabernacle upon Mount Zion, till they had rebuilt the temple on Mount Moriah. And their fathers, being ovei* the host of the Lord.] Here the principal person among them attended, taking care of the tabernacle and all its appurtenances, which some think is meant by the host of the Lord. Were keepers of the entry.] More especially.they took care of the court, that none should enter into it but such as the law allowed.. Vcr. 20. And Phinehas the son ofEleazar was the ruler over them in time past.] So we rightly translate the last word, lepanim; which, as It. David Gauz observes in his Tzemoth David, (ad A. M. 2892.) doth not signify that Phi-, nchas was now living, but he was ruler of them in time past when he was living. And thus that Hebrew word is rendered, Ruth iv. 7. Psal. cii. 2G. But that he should be ruler over this sort of officers seems unlikely, being the son of tho high-priest, and after Elcazar high-priest himself: which raised him far above such a low employment. Besides, it is evident he is here spfeaking of the Levites,not of the priests, and therefore itis probable this Phinehas was only a Lcvite, called, as his father was, by the ancient name of a high-priest. (Sec Sclden,dc Success, in Pontificatum, lib. i. cap. 2. fol. 117. 119.) And the Lord was with him.] In the Targum, the Word of the Lord was his helper. From which Beckius frames this argument against the present Jews, That if he who was with Phinehas was Jehovah the true God, and this Word was with Phinehas, then the Word, in the opinion of this paraphrast,,was Jehovah the true God. Vcr. 21. And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the’ congregation.] Here again the tabernacle is mentioned, which, as I said, the first inhabitants of the country, after their return from captivity, erected, till the temple could be built. For they would not bo without the public worship of God, and a place was necessary for it By the door of the tabernacle, I suppose, is meant the door which let into the court of the priests; for the Lcvites might not go into, that court; and therefore this is not meant of the door of the sanctuary, as some have thought. Vcr. 22. All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve.’] Who came in their turns to discharge this office.’’ Tliese were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages.] Sec ver. 16. Whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain.] All things (that is, alter their return from captivity), were put into that order at the Iiouse of God, which Samuel projected, and David, when he was settled in peace, put in execution. (Scio chap.‘xxiii. 5.) For there had been very great confusion, no doubt, in the service of God, in the days of the judges, as there had been in all other things. But when Samuel came to govern, he designed to put things in good order: and especially to make the attendance of God’s ministers nt his house more regular than it had been. For which end he contrived, in all likelihood, that method of the priests and Lcvites waiting in their courses; which (Saul being rejected by God) he imparted unto David, whom he anointed by God’s appointment to be king over Israel. Who accordingly, in the latter end of his reign, disposed their services at the tabernacle. In their set office.] Or rather (as it is in the margin) in their trust; for the Hebrew word signifies fidelity: importing, that their attendance at the house of God was no longer confused and disorderly (as it had bebn formerly, when there were sometimes too n^any, and sometimes too few waiting there; or, they had no certain work assigned them, or were negligent for want of overseers), but they every one in their course obediently went about their proper work, and faithfully discharged it.
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So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the Lord, namely, the house of the tabernacle. This verse plainly instructs us that they built a tabernacle for the worship of God, (as I noted ver. 10.) after their return from Babylon, till the temple was finished: arid here th6 priests and Lcvites attended; as in the house of the Lord. 2?y wards.] According to the courses that David appointed; as it is explained, ver. 25.
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In four quarters were the porters, towards the east’, ivest, north, and south. On the four sides of the tabernacle, as I observed on ver. 18. After the temple was built, these guards were kept, as Dr. Lightfoot notes, on the four quarters of the outward wall, For the wall that encompassed the courts had no gate on the west. (See Prospect of the Temple, chap. 4. sect. 3.) Vcr. 25. And their brethren, which were in the villages, were to come after seven days.] Every week a new course came to attend the service of the house of God, and to relieve their brethren. From time to time with them.] They came to wait their week under the government of the chief porters: who seem to have constantly dwelt at Jerusalem, to sec the courses disposed according as David had ordained. So it here follows.’ Vcr. 2G. For these Levites, the four chief porters, werein their set office.] The principal porters were four, one at each gate, (ver. 241) to whom was committed the care of the rest of their brethren to sec that they did their duty. And were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.] This I shall explain upon chap. xxvi. 20. where it is more distinctly mentioned. Vcr. 27. And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.] Round about the out-
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And certain of them had the charge of ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. For the use of the priests when they ministered: who returned, when they had done their work, the same number to the Levites, which they had received from them. This was another duty of the Levites.
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Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the mine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.] See upon chap. xxvi. 20.
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And some of the sons of the.priests made the ointment of the spices. Or rather, but some of the sons of the priests, &c. For though the Levites had the custody of the spices of which the ointment was made, yet none but the priests could compound them and make the ointment.
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And Mattithiah, one of the Levites (who was the first-born ofShallum the Korahite), had, the set office (or trust) over the things that were made in the pans. To prepare fine flour and oil for the mincha, or meat-offering that was offered every morning and evening, as we read Lev. ii.5, 6. The LXX. (who herein follow the Talmudists) will have this peculiarly refer to the mincha offered by the high-priest for himself and his family: which was the tenth part of an ephah; half in the morning, and half in the evening, (Lev. vi. 20, &c.).
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And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shew-bread, to prepare it every sabbath. AVhen it was set new upon the table in the holy place, and the old taken away. (See upon Exod. xxv.30.)
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And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul. I observed before, ver. 30. that Ner was one of the sons of Gibeon (or Jehiel), who did not beget (in the common signification of the word) Kish; but educated him, and bred him up. For Kish was the son of Abiel: but different from him mentioned 1 Sam. xiv. 51. who was his brother. The Targum here saith, that Ner and Abiel were the same men, who had two names: Abiel was his proper name, but he was called Ner (which signifies a light), because he was illustrious upon some accounts which the Jews mention. Sec upon 1 Sam. ix. 1. where there is a large account of the ancestors of Abiel, none of which are here mentioned. Upon whicn Conradus Pellicanus makes this reflection: €€ That hence we may learn, it is an unnecessary labour scrupulously, to inquire after these things, from which we can reap no fruit, and of which we may be ignorant without danger. Especially in the matter of these genealogies; the reason of which is long ago expired, together with the tribes to which they belong. As for the certainty of our belief, which depends upon the authority of the Holy Scriptures, that stands firm and constant, though some things by the length of time be so obscure, that they are not now exactly understood, especially in the difference we find in the proper names of persons and places, which without any prejudice to the faith may be neglected." Thus he. And Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shiia, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.] Who is called also Ish-boshcth. (See 2 Sam. ii. 8. And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were f reel] Others of the Levites, and principal persons among them, were appointed to be singers, and attended nothing else: but dwelt in some chambers about the temple, free from all other employment. And the reason why they dwelt there was, that’ they might not be defiled, and so made unfit at any time for. that ministry: and that they might be ready at hand to attend upon it. For they were employed in that work day and night.] In learning and teaching to sing, and to play upon instruments both wind and stringed: as appears from chap. xxvi. This was wholly a new thing, Moses having ordained nothing concerning singing and music in the houSe of God, and seems (as it is objected in the book of Cosri) to be contrary to what he commanded, Deut. xii. 32. Thou shalt not add unto it (that is, to the law), nor take from it: but they answer very well, that this command concerned the people only, who were forbidden out of their own heads, as we speak, to innovate any thing, and frame laws to themselves out of their own reasonings. But it did not oblige prophets and Divine men, such as Moses was: and therefore David had authority from God (who had not bound up himself to add nothing) to do what he did; as Solomon afterward had to set up another altar in the midst of the court, upon a special occasion, (2 Chron. vii. 7 — 9.) and Nehemiah to require but a third part of a shekel of the pcoplo, chap! x. 32. (Thus Scpher Cosri, par. iii. sect. 11, 12,)
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And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah. This son of Jonathan is called commonly Mephibosheth. (See in the forenamed place.). Tliese chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations.] These were principal persons, among whose families had always been eminent men, who were chosen for this service. Tliese dwelt at Jerusalem.] They were settled there, for the greater convenience of attending the morning and evening service at the temple, without much trouble. But these words seem to comprehend a great deal more; viz. that not only these chief of the Levites, but all those whom he hath mentioned from ver. 3. unto this verse, lived at Jerusalem, and came back with Zerubbabel.
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And the sons of Micah were Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. The third of these is called Tahrea,.chap. ix. 41. And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Je- Mel, whose wife’s name was Maachah.] Ffom hence to the end of the chapter tho same genealogy is set down again, which we had in the foregoing chapter, (ver. 29, 30, &c.) and in the same words: and therefore I shall not here transcribe them. Of this I can give no account, but that this narrative of the descent and family of Saul is repeated, the better to join the following history to it, concerning the death of that king. But if we could give no account of it, Conradus Pellicanus thinks it is not irreligious to acknowledge that in these Jewish genealogies, which are very long and useless to us, some errors may have crept in by the negligence of transcribers. Who, in copying of them might not attend sometimes, but be drowsy, as we are apt to be, when we are about any tedious work and not very profitable, in which, if there be any error, the church suffers no. damage by it. But there is no need of this.
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And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza.
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And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his so7i, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
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And Obed begat Jehu, and Jehu begat Azariah. And Azel had six sons, ivhose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and.Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Oba~ diah, and Hanan. All these were the soiis ofAzeL
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And Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat Eleasah. And the sons ofEshek his brother were Vlam his first-born, Jehush the second, and Eliphekt the third. We read nothing of Eshck before, unless he be the same with JEleasah, ver. 37. Thus the family of Saul, though he was rejected by God from being king of Israel, was blessed with a numerous progeny, which sprung from his great-grandchild ]Micah, whose posterity is here largely recorded in honour of Jonathan.
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And Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai begat Shallum. * • * And the soyis of Warn were mighty men of valour, archers.". In the Hebrew the word for archers is, those that tread the bow, because their steel bows (which were much in use among them) were so strong, that they could not bend them with their arms; but sat down, and pressing them with their feet, pulled the arrow with both hands, that it might fly with greater force. And had many sonsa?idsons f sorts a hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin."] Who, it appears by Judg. xx. were a very valiant tribe: and this family, in particular, were noted to be very great, both in number and valour.
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And Shallum begat Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begat Elishama. We cannot now understand why so long a genealogy should be inserted here of the descendants of Sheshan’s daughter by an Egyptian. - The Jews imagine it is the genealogy of Ishmael (who slew Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon left the governor of the land after he had taken Jerusalem), who they fancy was the son ofNethaniah the son of Elishama,\iist mentioned, (as Jeremiah describes him, chap. xli. 1.) which we might have believed, if this genealogy had so concluded: in which, as there is no mention of Nethaniah, as the son of Elishama (but the genealogy ends with Elishama, and goes no further), so it is not probable, that the descent of so infamous a person, though of the seed-royal, should be deduced thus largely.
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Now the sons of Caleb. Called Chelubai, ver. 9. The brother of Jerahmeel.] This is added to shew he speaks of the same Caleb there mentioned, and ver. 18. Were Mesha his first-born.’] By a third wife; for his children by Azubah and Ephrath are named before. The father of Ziph.] The prince of Ziph, as some understand it. There were two places of this name, in the tribe of Judah. (See Josh. xv. 24, 25.) And the sous ofMareshah, the father of Hebron.,] Hebron here is the name of a man, not of a place: for his posterity is immediately mentioned: but Kimchi makes this to be the sense of these and the foregoing words: The sons of Ziph were Mareshah, th^ father of Hebron. Which is very natural.
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Tlie sons of Hebron; Korah, and Tappuah, and Jlekem, andShema.
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And Shema begat Raham, the father ofJorkoam; and Rekem begat Shammai.
And the son of Shammai was Maon: and Maon was the father of Beth-zur. Who gave name to aplace in the tribe of Judah, (Josh. xv. 58.) Which Josephus saith was in the mountainous part of it, as the word imports. Maon also is a well-known name to a wilderness in this tribe.
And Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez. Besides his forenamed wives, he married a concubine: whieh was an inferior sort of wife, as I have shewn upon Gen. xxv. G. And Haran begat Gazez.] This is another Gazez; to whom Haran gave the name of his younger brother.
And the sons of JaMai; Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph. We read nothing of Jahdai in the foregoing genealogy: but the Jews take him for one of the sons of Ephah beforenamed; and most probably Moza, next brother to Haran: whose posterity is here set down, as Haran’s was before. Moza therefore had two names; which’was not unusual among the Jews. Vcr.48. AndMaachah, Caleb’s concubine,bareSheber,and Tirhanah.] This Caleb was a great man, and could maintain many wives; which he took, and had a numerous issue by them.
She bare also Shaaph the father ofMadmauuah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea. By the word father in this versfe, in all likelihood, is meant the prince or ruler of these places. For Gibea was a city in the tribe of Judah; and so was Madmannah, (Josh, xv. 31. 57.) And the daughter of Caleb was Achsa.] Who is mentioned in the books of Joshua and Judges: but it is not said by what wife he had her. She was married to a great man, Othniel, (Josh. xv. 17. Judg. i. 12.)
These tvere the sons of Caleb the son ofHur, the first-born of Ephr at ah. This was* another Caleb, dc* scended from the foregoing, by Hur his son by Ephrath, (ver. 19.) who had this son, whom he called Caleb, after the name of his grandfather. Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim."] The Targum translates it the prince of Kirjath-jearim: which is a place, as Beth-lehem, and Beth-gader were, of which two other persons arc presently after said to be the father. But Kimchi takes the word father in the proper sense, and thinks Shobal’s posterity possessed the city of Kirjath-jearim.
Salma the father of Beth-lehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader. It is not material, which way we understand this; cither as the Targum or as Kimchi expounds the word father in the foregoing verse. •
Shobal, the father of Kirjath-jearim, had sons; Haroeh, and half of the Manahethites. The Hebrew words being Haroeh, Hatzi, Hammenioth, the LXX. expound them, as if Shobal had three sons, Araa, and Aisi, and Ammanith. But Kimchi takes the last word for the name of a.place; which is evident from ver. 54. where the other half of it is mentioned: and of one half he thinks Haroeh was the lord and governor. But Jacehiades follows the LXX. and leaves Kimchi’s explication.
And the families of Kirjath-jearim; the Ithrites, and the Pnhites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites. The inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim were divided into several families (as Kimchi interprets it), and these here mentioned were the heads of families, denominated from Ithra or Jether, and Puhah, &c. as from Jimna came the family of the Jimnites, and from Beriah the family of the Berites, in Numb. xxvi. 44. Of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites.] The same Kimchi observes, that Zarah and Eshtaol were. two cities in the tribe of Judah; which were built by two Qf Kirjath-jearim of this name. Who inhabited these places, and left two great families, who were from them called Zareathites, and Eshtaulites.
And the sons of Salma; Beth-lehem y and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, and the Zorites. This Salma, the son of Caleb the younger, (ver. 51.) had a numerous posterity. For from him descended the inhabitants of Beth-lehem (so we are to understand this word, for Beth-lehem was the name of a place, not of a man), the Netophathites, and those of Ataroth, and Beth-Joab (so these words we translate the house of Joab should bo rendered; for he is not speaking of Joab’s family, but of Caleb’s), and half of the Manahethites, and the Zorites, who were a people possessed of a town called Zorah: where the other half dwelt.
And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez. This place, Kimchi thinks, might possibly be built byJabez,(an honourable person, mentioned chap, iv. 9.) in Microsoft ® A.COMMENTARY UPON [chap. in. which some doctors of the law dwelt, who were of the family of Salma; for of these he is still speaking. The Tirathites, the Shimeatkites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came ofllemath, the father of the house of Recital.] These Kenites, as R.Solomon thinks, were the inhabitants of a place called Cani, in the tribe of Judah: (Josh. xv. 57.) though it must be acknowledged also, some of the Kenites, the posterity of Jethro, did settle in the same tribe, (Judg. i. 16.) of whom, some think, Ezra here speaks. And then Hemath descended from Jethro, who was the father, that is, the prince, of Beth-Rechab; so the last words may be understood. There were other Kenites, descended from Heber, who dwelt in the tribe of Naphtali, or Manasseh, (Judg. iv. 11.)