The Chronicler's Genealogies:

Towards an Understanding of 1 Chronicles 1-9

James Thomas Sparks

MTh (Hons); BTh (Hons); GradDipMin

23 Ewing Street

Bentley, Western Australia

Australia

This thesis is presented for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

of Murdoch University

2007

I declare that this thesis is my own account of my research and contains as

its main content work which has not previously been submitted for a degree

at any tertiary education institution.

....................................

Abstract

The genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9 have typically been viewed as the work of a

redactor or redactors with no internal consistency, purpose or plan, and little, if

any, relation to the narrative portions of Chronicles.

In contrast to these opinions, this study shows that the genealogical section of

the Chronicler's work is an ordered, well structured, unified whole. The

Chronicler presents his genealogies chiastically, with the central focus of the

chiasm upon the proper cultic officials, performing the proper cultic duties, in the

proper cultic place.

Each of the supporting levels of the chiasm build to this climax by declaring the

inability of kings and armies to maintain the people within their land. The

genealogies indicate that, in spite of the best efforts of leaders or people, society

is sent into exile because of the unfaithfulness of the people and their leaders.

The genealogies also declare the way out of exile. Humility and prayer are

shown to bring blessing, prosperity and land, while periods of mourning over

unfaithful behaviour results in the blessings of children and the building of cities.

In the centre of it all is the cult. The cult is the means by which atonement is

made for past acts of unfaithfulness, and without the cult, atonement for

unfaithfulness is impossible.

The genealogies indicate that the cult must be at the centre of the lives of the

people. It cannot be neglected, but must be fully maintained and supported.

Each of the cultic guilds must be present for the cult to function properly. Each

guild must perform its function, and must do so in the place authorised by

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Yahweh. Only then can atonement for the people be made, and only then can

the people possess their land.

Acknowledgements

Any work of this length, which has occupied a person’s life for the period in

which it has been worked upon, owes its completion to the efforts and

encouragement of many people.

As the bibliography attests, I owe much to those individuals who have grappled

with the meaning and understanding of the Hebrew Bible in general, and the

work of the Chronicler in particular. Although I have only personally met a

handful of these individuals, their works have informed, stimulated, and

challenged my thinking. I have not always agreed with their conclusions, but I

have always appreciated their scholarship, and their commitment to

understanding and explaining the Biblical text.

To my supervisor, Dr. Jim Trotter, I owe an unpayable debt of thanks for his

encouragement, patience, understanding, and guidance through the ups and the

many downs of the past years. Without his ongoing support, this work would not

have been accomplished.

To Sabine Wiertz, my German teacher at Central TAFE in Perth, who patiently

tried to teach me the German language so that I might understand the works of

Oeming, Rudolph, Rothstein & Hänel, Kartveit, and others, I say “danke für alle

deine Hilfe”. She, of course, is not to be blamed for any mistranslations or

misunderstandings of the German text encountered.

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I am grateful to my good friend Philip Friend who proofread the entire text with

an English teacher’s eye for spelling and grammar. He also is not to be blamed if

I ignored or overlooked his advice.

My friend of many years, Stan Sheldon, bought me a new computer so that I

might be able to produce this thesis. I am grateful for his kindness.

To Len and Maxine Kenny, who supported me financially and with ongoing

prayer and encouragement throughout my undergraduate and post-graduate

studies, I say “thank you”. Most of all, I am grateful to them for allowing me to

marry their only daughter.

Finally, to my wonderful wife Stephanie, who has done so much, and put up

with so much, to help me achieve this goal, I can only say, “I love you immensely

for all that you have done, and for all that you are”.

Table of Contents

Abstract i

Acknowledgements iii

Table of Contents v

Table of Figures xiv

Chapter 1

Introduction: The Content of the Genealogies 1

The Trouble with Genealogies 1

Approaches to the Genealogies 8

Wilson's Study of Tribal Genealogies 14

Genealogical Terms and Terminology 22

Genealogy 23

Segmented Genealogy 25

Linear Genealogy 26

Depth & Breadth 28

Fluidity 29

Determining the Purpose of the Chronicler's Genealogies 34

The Structure of the Genealogical Section 36

Balance 38

Inversion 38

Intensification 39

Chiasm as an Aid to Understanding 40

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The Chiastic Structure of 1 Chronicles 1-9 46

Balance 47

Inversion 48

Intensification 49

The Central Theme of 1 Chronicles 1-9 50

Procedure 52

Chapter 2

F: 1 Chronicles 6:48-49: The Cultic Personnel In Their Duties 54

Introduction 54

The Limits of the Section 55

The Contrasting Functions of Levites and Sons of Aaron 62

The Centrality of Cultic Functions 65

Atonement: The Purpose of the Cult 71

The Place of Moses 80

Presentation of Moses and David 89

The Future of Moses and David 95

Conclusion 96

Chapter 3

F1: 1 Chronicles 6:35-38 [6:50-53]: The Cultic Leaders 97

The Place of the Passage in the Genealogies 97

The List of the Sons of Aaron 99

Interpretations of the List of the Sons of Aaron 102

A High Priest List 102

The Legitimisation of Zadok 104

The Need for Legitimisation 104

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The Background in Ezekiel 106

The Genealogical Evidence 109

Ezra's Genealogy 115

Why Legitimise Zadok? 121

Conclusion 127

Chapter 4

E: 1 Chronicles 6:1-47: The Descendants of Levi 129

Introduction 129

Structure 130

The Order of Listing 134

Clarifying Notes for Figure 4.2 134

Observations on the Data 137

Form of the Lists 144

Samuel as Levite 150

The Relationship Between the Lists of Levites and Singers 152

The Gershomite Lists 152

The Kohathite Lists 157

Amminadab: The Son of Kohath? 161

1 Chronicles 5:27-41 [6:1-15]: A High Priest List? 165

The Structure of the List of the Sons of Aaron 176

The Purpose of the Lists of the Sons of Levi 180

Conclusion 186

Chapter 5

E1: 1 Chronicles 6:54-81: The Descendants of Levi in Their Land 188

Introduction 188

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The Relation of 1 Chronicles 6:39-66 [6:54-81] to Joshua 21 194

1 Chronicles 6 is Shorter Than the List in Joshua 21 199

1 Chronicles 6 is More Disordered and "Natural" than Joshua

21

203

MT 1 Chronicles 6 is Closer to the LXX Joshua 21 than to MT

Joshua 21

211

Scenario 1 211

Scenario 2 212

Scenario 3 213

Scenario 4 213

Textual Evidence for the Priority of Joshua 21 229

The Function of the List in 1 Chronicles 6 233

Conclusion 241

Chapter 6

Level D: 1 Chronicles 4:24 – 5:26: Tribes of Israel in Victory and

Defeat

243

The Structure of the Lists 245

Sources 252

The Battle Accounts 259

“To This Day” and the Chronicler’s Plan 265

Conclusion 275

Chapter 7

D1: 1 Chronicles 7:1-40: Tribes of Israel in Defeat and Restoration 276

Introduction 276

Structure and Content of 1 Chronicles 7 277

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The Armies of Yahweh 282

The People of Yahweh in Their Generations and in their Land 290

Naphtali 291

Manasseh 292

Ephraim 295

The Land 300

Retribution Upon the Wicked and the Provision of a Godly

Warrior

301

The Deaths of Ezer and Elead 301

The Genealogy of Joshua 304

Restoration and Rebuilding 306

Concluding Observations 309

Excursus 1

The Place of Dan 314

Chapter 8

C: 1 Chronicles 2:3 – 4:23: Judah – the Tribe of King David 320

Introduction 320

Content of the Judahite Genealogy 323

Familial Terminology in the Judahite Genealogy 326

Leaders of Judahite Communities 328

Domestic Terminology in the Judahite Genealogy 331

Retribution in the Judahite Genealogy 332

Foreign Elements in the Judahite Genealogy 334

Understanding the Structure of the Judahite Genealogy 340

Random Textual Growth 340

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A Chiastic Structure 343

The Judahite Genealogy as Presenting Alternative Paths 353

The Focus on Jerahmeel 365

Judah: First Among His Brothers 369

Concluding Observations 373

Chapter 9

C1: 1 Chronicles 8:1-40: Benjamin – the Tribe of King Saul 374

Introduction 374

Content of the Benjaminite Genealogy 376

Familial Terminology 378

Leaders 378

Domestic Terminology 378

Retribution 379

Foreign Elements 381

Observations on the Content of the Benjaminite Genealogy 382

The Structure of the Benjaminite Genealogy 384

The Significance of the Benjaminite Structure 386

Concluding Observations on Benjamin 390

Excursus 2

The Conflicting Genealogies of the Sons of Benjamin 392

Chapter 10

Levels B and B1: 1 Chronicles 2:1-2; 9:1a: "All Israel" 401

Introduction 401

The Text of 1 Chronicles 9:1a 403

The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah 408

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All Israel 417

The Order of the Sons of Israel 426

Conclusion 431

Excursus 3

The Chronicler's Use of His Sources 433

Introduction 433

The Chronicler as Copier of His Source Material 440

The Chronicler as Editor of His Source Material 447

The Chronicler as Summariser of His Source Material 449

The Chronicler as Interpreter of His Source Material 453

The Chronicler: Changing the Emphasis of His Source Material 458

Conclusions and Implications 466

Appendix E3.A: Types of Differences Between 1 Chronicles 1 &

Genesis

468

Chapter 11

A: 1 Chronicles 1:1-54: The World Before Israel 473

Introduction 473

What 1 Chronicles 1 is Not 475

1 Chronicles 1 as Commentary 476

1 Chronicles 1 as Presenting "Divine Election" 476

1 Chronicles 1 as Encouragement to the Postexilic

Community

478

What 1 Chronicles 1 Is 482

The Barrenness of 1 Chronicles 1 484

Concluding Observations 491

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Chapter 12

A1: 1 Chronicles 9:2-34: Israel Re-established 495

Introduction 495

Determining the Chronicler's Source 496

The Relationship Between 1 Chronicles 9 and Nehemiah 11 500

The Similarities Between the Texts 501

The Differences Between the Texts 504

The Different Contexts of the Lists 504

The Different Totals in the Census of the Various Groups 505

The “Elimination” of Leaders 507

The Alternate Genealogies 508

The Descendants of Judah 509

The Descendants of Benjamin 511

The Priests 512

The Levites 513

The Gatekeepers 514

Concluding Observations on the Similarities and Differences 516

The Common Form of the Texts 518

The Purpose of 1 Chronicles 9 520

Settlers or Resettlers? 524

Concluding Observations 531

Chapter 13

Conclusion 533

Introduction 533

The Chiastic Structure of 1 Chronicles 1-9 533

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Balance 534

Inversion 535

Intensification 536

Observation 538

Implications for Future Research 538

The Priority of the Cult 540

Community Support for the Cult 541

The Davidic Kings 543

The Place of the Persian Kings in the Chronicler's Yehud 544

All Israel 546

Final Comments 547

Bibliography 548

Table of Figures

Figure 1.1 Genealogical Depth and Breadth 28

Figure 1.2 The Chiastic Structure of 1 Chronicles 1-9 46

Figure 3.1 Ezekiel and the Zadokites 107

Figure 3.2 Priestly Families in 1 Chronicles 9 // Nehemiah 11 112

Figure 3.3 Priestly Genealogies in Chronicles; Ezra; Nehemiah 116

Figure 3.4 The Family of Eli 123

Figure 4.1 Parallel Texts of the Sons of Levi 132

Figure 4.2 The Order of Listing in the Postexilic Community 135

Figure 4.3 The Order of Listing in Nehemiah 143

Figure 4.4 The Family of Samuel 147

Figure 4.5 The Gershomite lists 153

Figure 4.6 The Kohathite Lists 158

Figure 4.7 Persons Given the Title "High/Chief Priest" 167

Figure 4.8 The Sons of Aaron 168

Figure 4:9 l[;m;/l[;m' in Chronicles 182

Figure 5.1 The Order of Joshua 21 // 1 Chronicles 6 Compared 204

Figure 5.2 The Four Scenarios of Textual Relationship of Joshua

21 // 1 Chronicles 6

214

Figure 5.3 LXX Joshua 21 = MT 1 Chronicles 6 Against MT

Joshua 21

216

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Figure 5.4 MT Joshua 21 = MT 1 Chronicles 6 Against LXX

Joshua 21

217

Figure 5.5 Joshua 21 MT = Joshua 21 LXX Against 1 Chronicles

6 MT

218

Figure 5.6 Towns Named in the Different Levitical Towns Lists 221

Figure 5.7 Different Town Names in the Levitical Town Lists 226

Figure 6.1 Order of Presentation in the Simeonite and

Transjordan Lists

246

Figure 6.2 The Cities of the Tribe of Simeon 250

Figure 6.3 The Transjordanian Tribal Allotments 251

Figure 6.4 The Source of 1 Chronicles 5:3 253

Figure 6.5 The Clans of Simeon 255

Figure 7.1 The Chiastic Structure of 1 Chronicles 7 278

Figure 7.2 Building Texts 312

Figure E1.1 The Offspring of Dan and Naphtali 318

Figure 8.1 Familial Terms in the Genealogies of the Sons of

Israel

327

Figure 8.2 ba' as Town Leader in the Genealogies 330

Figure 8.3 The Chronicler's Sources for the Judahite Genealogy 348

Figure 8.4 Williamson's Structure of the Judahite Genealogy 350

Figure 8.5 The Structure of the Jabez Narrative 359

Figure 8.6 The Alternate Paths of the Judahite Genealogy 366

Figure 9.1 The Structure of the Benjaminite Genealogy 385

Figure E2.1 Genesis 46:21 (MT) 392

Figure E2.2 Genesis 46:21 (LXX) 393

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Figure E2.3 Numbers 26:38-41 393

Figure E2.4 1 Chronicles 7:6-11 394

Figure E2.5 1 Chronicles 8:1-7 395

Figure E2.6 Variations in Names in the Benjamin Traditions 396

Figure 10.1 Book of the Kings 409

Figure 10.2 "All Israel" - Identical to the Chronicler's Source 418

Figure 10.3 "All Israel" - the Chronicler's Unique and Added

Material

419

Figure 10.4 "All Israel" - Modified from the Chronicler's Source 421

Figure 10.5 "All Israel" - Removed by the Chronicler 422

Figure 10.6 Which Kingdom is "All Israel" 424

Figure 10.7 The Recorded Order of the Sons of Israel 428

Figure E3.1 McIver's Group Organisation 434

Figure E3.2 Parallel Passages in 1 Chronicles 1 and Genesis 441

Figure E3.3 Sequences of Exactly the Same 16 or More Words 442

Figure E3.4 Sequences of Exactly the Same 16 or More Words

With Allowances for Plene Spelling and Misreading

Letters

444

Figure E3.5 Sequences of Exactly the Same 16 or More Words

With Allowances for Minor Variations

445

Figure E3.6 The Chronicler Following Genesis Rather than J/P 446

Figure E3.A1 Plene Spelling 468

Figure E3.A2 Misread Letters 469

Figure E3.A3 Conjunction w 469

Figure E3.A4 Transposed Letters 470

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Figure E3.A5 Alternate Word Endings 470

Figure E3.A6 Preposition 470

Figure E3.A7 Direct Object Marker 470

Figure E3.A8 "These"/ hl,ae 471

Figure E3.A9 Additional Words 471

Figure E3.A10 Alternate Words 472

Figure 11.1 Oeming's Narrowing Focus on the Temple 493

Figure 12.1 1 Chronicles 9 // Nehemiah 11 498

Figure 12.2 Similar Names in the Lists 503

Figure 12.3 Group Totals 507