THE GENEALOGIES OF THE NORTHERN TRIBES Despite the fact that the author of the two books of Chronicles did not care much for the northern kingdom concerning the political status; yet he presented to us a record of the history of its tribes, for which he greatly cared. The present chapter refers to the genealogies of the remaining six tribes: Issachar, Benjamin, Nephtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher; all of whom were taken into the Assyrian captivity. He did not mention the genealogy of ‘Dan’ and of ‘Zebulun’. Concerning Dan, Reproach and shame dwelt upon them, on account of that idol-worship started in the portion of Dan, where Jeroboam set one of his golden calves. That is why Dan was omitted from the list of the book of revelation. Concerning Zebulon, the reason is unknown. The genealogies here are not as complete as those of Judah and Levi; on account of that none of the tribes of the northern kingdom were a part of royalty or priesthood. And it so seems that the author had no records like those he has of the southern kingdom; beside the fact that the records of the northern kingdom were scattered when they fell into the Assyrian captivity in the year 722 BC. 1- Issachar, the working tribe 1 - 5 2- Benjamin the ravenous wolf 6 - 12 3- Naphtali 13 4- Manasseh 14 - 19 5- Ephraim 2- - 29 6- Asher, who enjoys the oil of grace 3- - 40 1- ISSACHAR, THE WORKING TRIBE: Jacob likened his son Issachar to a strong donkey (Genesis 49: 1); on account of that the tribe of Issachar were perpetually working, always finding pleasure in their tents (Deuteronomy 33: 18). Here he says that they had many wives and sons (4); were mighty men of valor (5); Yet their great number did not cause them trouble, for they were creative, and none of them was idle. Concerning working with diligence, however old, man may be, Ben Sirach says: “Do not hate hard labor or farm work, which was created by the Most High” (Sirach 7: 15) “Stand by your agreement and attend to it; and grow old in your work; …. Do not say: ‘What do I need, and what further benefit can be mine?... Do not say: ‘I have enough, and what harm can come to me now?’” (Sirach 11: 20, 23, 24) “The idler is like a filthy stone, and everyone hisses at his disgrace. The idler is like the filth of dunghills; anyone that picks it up will shake it off his hand” (Sirach 22: 1, 2). + Idleness is the teacher of every sin. (St. John Chrysostom) + It is not befitting of a Christian to be without discipline; He who is able, is committed not to eat the bread of idleness; and he who works, let him work well for the glory of Christ. (St. Basil the Great) + The apostle says: “Make sure to be at peace”; Meaning, stay in your cell, and do not preoccupy yourself with rumors, that are spread by the idle, who disturb themselves and cause disturbance to the others. + “Drowsiness (idleness) will clothe a man with rags” (Proverb 23: 21 – the Septuagint version). The idle will surely not be worthy of being clothed with the incorruptible or the non-worn out garment, about which the apostle says: “Put on the Lord Christ” (Romans 13: 14); or of “putting on the breastplate of faith” (1 Thessalonians 5: 8); of which the Lord Himself talked on the tongue of the prophet, addressing Jerusalem, saying: “Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion” (Isaiah 52: 1). It is befitting of whoever is overcome by the slumber of slothfulness or boredom, to be clothed, not by his work and strife, but by the rags of idleness.. (St. John Cassian) “The sons of Issachar were: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron – four in all” (1) In the details concerning the tribe of Issachar in Genesis 46: 13, and Numbers 26: 23-25), the numbers according to the census (Numbers 1, 26) were less than what came here. They were characterized by: a- Having many wives and sons, the number of men of war in this tribe steadily increased since the establishment of royalty. In the days of David, they were 22,600 men; then increased to 36,000 men; and finally they reached 87,000 men b- They cared to record their genealogies (5). c- The tribes of Issachar, Benjamin, and Asher, bound together, were capable of going up to war “Tola”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a warm), or (purple textile); the firstborn of Issachar, and ancestor of the children of Tola... “Puah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (strength); a son of Issachar and ancestor of the children of Pua (7: 1); the name a;so came as ‘Fuah’. “Jashub”; A Hebrew name, meaning (who comes back) “Shimron”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a watcher or guard); founder of the Shimronite family. “The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sons of Tal were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred” (2) “Uzzi”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah is power); Two bore this name: 1- The son of Tola the son of Issachar, a head of his father’s house and a mighty man of valor (2, 3) 2- The son of Bela, of the children of Benjamin, and a head of his father’s house (7) “Rephaiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah healed) (2) “Jeriel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God sees) (2) “Jahmei”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah protects) (2) “Jibsam”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God is power) (2) “Shemuel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (His name is God). In the Hebrew origin, this is the same name that came in the Arabic versions as ‘Samuel’; a chief in Issachar of the Tola family (2) According to some, the word ‘eleph’ in Hebrew means a division of a tribe, whatever its number is, like the different military terms defining the divisions of an army. “The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah, and the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them were chief men” (3) “Izrahiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Johavah shines) (3) “Michael”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Who is like God?”; A chief of Issachar in the days of David . “Obadiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a slave of Jehovah) (3) “Joel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah is God) (3) “Ishiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah forgets). “And with them, by their generations, according to their father’s houses were thirty-six thousand troops of the army ready for war; for they had many wives and sons” (4) “Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty-seven thousand in all” (5) “Issachar”; A Hebrew name, meaning (works for a wage); the ninth of Jacob’s sons, and the fifth from Leah, in whom the prophecy of Jacob was realized; as the children of Issachar were known for their diligence in work of agriculture; and were often invaded by nomadic tribes. According to the census in the days of David, their number was 87,000 (5) 3- BENJAMIN, THE RAVENOUS WOLF: In spite of the fact that this tribe has weakened, and its number came to be 600 men, because of their foolishness (Judges 20: 470; Yet it so seems that they got stronger and more numerous with time. In this chapter, he concentrated on Benjamin concerning their relationship with the people; Yet in the following chapter, he talks of Benjamin concerning their relationship with king Saul and Jerusalem. Calling Benjamin “a ravenous wolf” (Genesis 49: 27); Jacob probably refers here to Saul the son of Kish the Benjamite, who became the first king of Israel; who, being unfaithful to God, he treated the people like a ravenous wolf devouring lambs, instead of caring for them like a father for his children. Yet, many Benjamite mighty men of valor around Saul were drawn to David, and showed every loyalty and faithfulness toward him (1 Chronicles 12); And when the kingdom was divided, the tribe of Benjamin was bound to the kingdom of Judah in the southern kingdom.. David did not close the door in the face of the tribe of Benjamin on account of the behavior of king Saul, but gained Jonathan, Saul’s son, as well as many mighty men of valor to his side. + Among the fiercest oppressors, you may find certain individuals who could become your friends. (St. Augustine) + By your love of an enemy, you would become a friend of God; and even His son; according to the words of the Lord Himself, saying: “Love your enemies, … do good to those who hate you; … that you may be sons of your father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 44-45). (Father Caesarius, bishop of Arle) + When he says: “Be kindly affectionate to one another” (Romans 12: 10), the apostle means: Be friendly to him Do not wait for him to love you, but jump to be the initiator, yourself; to gain the wages of his love in return. To show why we are committed to love one another; and to tell us about the way by which affection would abide; he adds: “in honor, giving preference to one another” (Romans 12: 10). … Nothing would create friends for man, like jealously seeking to honor his neighbor (St. John Chrysostom) According to some, what came here concerning the tribe of Benjamin (6-11), was probably a mistake while editing; writing ‘Benjamin’ instead of ‘Zebulun’, the way it actually came in the Greek documents. No reference to Zebulon came in the first book of the Chronicles ; unless the text here concerns him. As it came in Genesis 49: 13, Zebulun is located on the Mediterranean cost, south of Phoenicia; a fact that shows in the mention of “Tarshish’ (10), the name of an ancient port ‘Cadiz’ that received the ships coming from the west side of Mediterranean Sea (Spain). “The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher,and Jediel – three in all” (6) Bela”; A Hebrew name, meaning (swallowing) “Becher”; A Hebrew name, meaning (the firstborn), (the first) or (the early). “Jediel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (known in God), a head of a family (6, 10, 11) “The sons of Bela were: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri – five in all. They were heads of their fathers’ houses; and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor” (7) “Ezbon”; A Hebrew name of unknown meaning (7) Jerimoth”; A Hebrew name, meaning (swollen), (huge) or (tall); Two bore this name: 1- A Benjamite son of Bela (7) 2- A Benjamite son of Becher (8) “Iri”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a guard); also called “Er’ “The sons of Becher were: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth; All these are the sons of Becher” (8) “Zemirah”; A Hebrew name meaning (a hymn) or (an elegant un-bearded young man of little stature) (8) “Joash”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah rescued); a head of a Benjamite family in the days of David (8) “Eliezer”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God is Help)(8) “Elioenai”; A Hebrew name, meaning (My eyes are toward Jehovah); the head of his father’s house. (8) “Omri”; A Hebrew name , probably meaning (successful) “Abijah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God is a Father), or (God is my Father) “Anathoth”; A Canaanite name, plural of Anath; a head of his father’s house; “Alemeth”; A Hebrew name, meaning (hiding) (8) “And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor” (9) They cared to record their genealogies (9); beside their consistent attachment to the tribe of Judah, even when the kingdom was divided; they never separated from Judah; refering to those who attach themselves to the Lion coming from the tribe of Judah, our Lord Jesus Christ. “The son of Jediael was Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar” (10) “Bilhan”; meaning (foolish or simple); a Benjamite chief (10) “Jeush”; A Hebrew name, meaning (He helps); a head of his father’s house, in the days of David (10) “Benjamin”; A Hebrew name, meaning (son of the right hand); A chief (10) “Ehud”; A Hebrew name, probably an abbreviation of the name ‘Abihud’ “Chenaanah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (toward Canaan) “Zethan”; A Hebrew name, meaning (an olive tree), A Benjamite chief, “Tharshish”; A Phoenician name, meaning (A refinery lab) “Ahishahar”; meaning (the brother of dawn) “All these sons of Jediael were heads of their fathers’ houses; there were seventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war and battle” (11) “Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir, and Hushim was the son of Aher” (12) “Shuppim or Shuppam or Shuppan”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a serpent; a chief of a Shuppamite family. “Huppim or Huppam”; A Hebrew name of unknown meaning; a son, or a far grandson of Benjamin, founder of a family in that tribe (12, 15). “Hushim”; A Hebrew name, meaning (haste) or (excitement); According to some, it refers to the tribe of Dan referred to in (Genesis 46: 23), a “Aher”; A Hebrew name, meaning (another) (12) 4- NAPHTALI: “The sons of Naphtali were: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah” (13) Only the first generation of the fathers of this tribe, and none of their descendants, were mentioned; their records were probably lost. Naphtali, with his love of freedom, was likened by his father Jacob to a doe (a female dear) roaming with swiftness in an open wilderness with no obstacles, to wherever it wants; saying: “Nephtali is a doe let loose, that bears lovely fawns”. Yet this freedom, not to become a chance for corruption and evil; the tribe committed itself to have good relationships with the rest of the tribes; offering “lovely fawns” . In the book of judges, Deborah the prophetess sang: “Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield” (Judges 5: 18); probably referring to the extent of their strife in war. And the prophet Moses, before his death, blessed them, saying: “O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full of the blessing of the Lord, Possess the west and the south” (Deuteronomy 33: 23)… Naphtali, therefore has become an example of the gentle soul in their dealings with their brethren by the blessing of the Lord. + We do not consider the free man, according to his position in the society, but according to his nature and way of life; … The freedom and beatitude of the soul are a result of a true purity and the despise of temporal things. + The free man is he who is not enslaved by pleasures, but who controls his body with good discernment and chastity, satisfied with what God gives him, whatever few it may be; giving Him thanks from all his heart. (St. (Abba) Anthony) In this tribe, it is to be noticed: a- One of them got married to a Srian or Aramite concubine (14) b- ‘Macher’, who came a fruit of this marriage, learned from his father’s fault, and married a Benjamite girl (15) “Naphtali”; the son of Bilhah, Leah’s concubine, the book did not any care for his genealogy (13); had few men of war; the list of Naphtali conforms to what came in (Genesis 46: 24) and (Numbers 26: 48). “Jahziel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God ordains); the firstborn of Naphtali (13) “Goni”; A Hebrew name, meaning (painted) or (light red); founder of the family of Gonites . “Shallum” A Hebrew name, meaning (a reward); also called ‘Shallim’, meaning (God makes reward) “ “Jezer”; A Hebrew name, meaning (creation) or (purpose); a head of a family. “Bilhah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (half-wit) 5- MANASSEH: We already spoke about the children of Manasseh who inhabited east of the Jordan, in Gilead and Bashan (5: 23-24). We shall deal here with those who inhabited in Canaan, west of the Jordan. Of the descendants of Manassah was ‘Zelophehad’ who had no sons, but only daughters, who sought their right of inheritance (Joshua 17: 3). “The descendants of Manasseh, his Syrian concubine bore him: Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel” (14) The list of Manasseh includes both sides of the tribe; and refers to their relationship with Syria. It is obvious that some Hebrew women married Syrian rulers. The list shows that the half-tribe of Manasseh, who inhabited the east bank of the Jordan, having become like a political extension of Syria; have suffered its destiny, when ‘Tiglath-Pileser’ appeared in the year 734 BC. In these few verses (14-19), the reference to the genealogies of women are noticed, because of the desolation that dwelt upon Israel in the period of captivity; as it is referred here to 13 women, including the five daughter of ‘Zelophehad” (15). “Asriel” (In Arabic); or (Israel in Hebrew); A Hebrew name, probably meaning (God strives); the son of Gilead, a head of his father’s house. “Machir”; A Hebrew name , meaning ((sold), the firstborn of Manasseh, and his only son from his Aramic concubine. “Machir took as his wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose name was Maachah, The name of Gilead’s grandson was Zelophehad, but Zelophehad had only daughters” (15) “Maachah”; A Semite name of a Benjamite woman who married Machir the son of Manasseh. “Zelophehad”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a protection against fear); the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh (Joshua 17: 3) “The daughters of Zelophehad”; had their special importance in Israel’s history ; for Fear that, on account of that they had no brother, the name of the family would accordingly be wiped out, they, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting sought the inheritance of their father before Moses, Eleazar the high priest, the rulers, and all the congregation. Daringly, they sought that their father’s name would not be wiped out because he had no sons. Hence the statute came giving the daughters the right to inherit their father, if there is no male heir to set his father’s name (Numbers 27: 1-11); with one condition that they do not get married outside their own tribe; lest the inheritance would move to another tribe The daughters of Zelophehad were mentioned five times in the Holy Bible (Numbers 26: 33; 27: 1-11; 36: 3-12; Joshua 3-6; 1 Chronicles 7: 15). Their names were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah (Numbers 26: 33). Despite their confession that their father, although he did not partake of the rebellion of the Korah group, yet he died in the wilderness with his sin; (Numbers 27: 3), yet they intended to keep his name alive. Being truly daughters of Israel; and appreciating their genealogies, they sought from Moses to raise their claim before the Lord. Because of their zeal, God responded to them, and turned their claim into a statute for the children of Israel. And in (Numbers 36) we see the whole tribe of Manasseh intercede in their favor. It is befitting of the believer to marry from within his own tribe, namely to marry from among the girls of God; And of the women believers to marry from among the sons of God; lest they would lose their heavenly inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad actually got married to their cousins; and sought from Joshua their rights in the inheritance according to the command of God. + O Repentant! Do not delay your return, to bring pleasure to the Father, and to earn the inheritance waiting for you; The Father does not anticipate an application from you; but only seeks from you to return to Him to receive You; Although your application would not fulfill the handwriting requirements of your debt, yet the mercies of God will receive you if you repent; Although the supplications would not wipe out your iniquity, yet God’s compassion would do that without your seeking; It remains for you to keep away from offenses; and God’s mercies will cover all these issues, for the sake of your consummation; Behold; baptism clothes you with the garment of glory; And Behold, by faith, the King’s ring is in your hand; Behold, the fattened calf of life is slain for you for your spiritual enjoyment; All these things are yours; it is only you who delay your return. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) “Maachah the wife of Macir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem” (16) `”Peresh”;A Hebrew name, meaning (discernment) (16) ”Sheresh”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (origin) or (a plantlet) “Ulam”; A Hebrew name, meaning (first) (16-17) “Rakem”; A Hebrew name meaning (formation) or (coloration) “The son of Ulam was Bedan. These were the descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh” (17) Bedan”; He probably is the same ‘Bedan’ referred to as one of the rescuers of Israel mentioned in (1 Samuel 12: 11) “His sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah” (18) “Hammoleketh”; A Hebrew name, meaning (queen); sister of Gilead, and daughter of Machir the son of Manasseh; her sons had importance in the history of the Hebrews “Ishhod”; A Hebrew name, meaning (s man of glory) “Abiezer”; A Hebrew name, meaning (father of help), or (father is help); a father of a prominent family that produced ‘Gideon’, the judge who saved Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6-8) “Mahlah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (sickness); anephew of Gilead. “And the sons of Shemidah were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam” (10) “Shemidah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (his name will be known); head of the Shemidites “Ahian”; A Hebrew name, meaning (my brother or my little brother); a Shemidite. “Shechem”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a shoulder); son of Shemidiah. “Likhi”; a descendant of Manasseh, a Shemidite.. “Aniam”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (I am an uncle), or (people’s lamentation) 6- EPHRAIM: We read great things about the tribe of Ephraim; through whose genealogies, the author presented the position of Joshua the son of Nun (27), the most prominent person in that huge tribe; who was a symbol of Jesus Christ on several aspects (20-29). In this part we see the only woman about whom the holy Book said she built a city (24). “The sons of Ephraim were Shethulah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son” (20) “Shethulah”; Two bore this name: 1-The son of Ephraim; founder of the Shethulites (20) 2- Another descendant of Ephraim (21) “Bered”; When a cloud suddenly passes through a very cold current, its water particles turn into solid ice; which are sometimes tiny ; and sometimes are big particles of hail that could cause harm to man, cattle, and plants. Tahath”; A Hebrew name, meaning (What is underneath). Two bore this name: 1- An Epraimi, the son of Bered; a Shethulite (20) 2- The son of Eladah, a descendant of Tahath (20) “Eladah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (beautified by God); the son of Tahath. “Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in that land killed them because they came down to take away their cattle” (21) That event was not mentioned anywhere else in the Holy Book; There are different views concerning it; of which are: a- According to some, that event took place while the tribe of Ephraim were still in Egypt, during the days of Ephraim, Joseph’s son himself; While, according to others, Ephraim here is another person from the same tribe; and those who were killed were his descendants and not his direct children. b- Who initiated the attack on the other side? According to some, the children of Ephraim, assuming that it was high time for them to realize the divine promise, came down to Gath and attacked its men to possess Canaan; Then God allowed the men of Gath to kill them, on account of that they moved against reason without consulting the Lord, or waiting for the time designated by Him; So He used the men of Gath as His tool to knock them out. As obviously, the children of Ephraim were shepherds of sheep in Gasan, with no military experience; it is difficult to imagine that they came down to Gath to take away their cattle; But it is more probable that it was the other way round; namely, the men of Gath came down to Egypt and killed the children of Ephraim to take their cattle away. Later on, God granted the faithful men of Ephraim the chance to drive the inhabitants of Gath out (1 Chronicles 8: 13) The tree of this tribe grew, and the divine promise on Jacob’s tongue was realized: “His younger brother shall be greater than him, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations” (Genesis 48: 19). “Zabad”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God granted) or (a grant); an Ephraimi killed by the men of Gath (21) “Ezer”; A Hebrew name, meaning (help). “Gath”; A Hebrew name, meaning (winepress) It is more probable that those who were killed by the men of Gath were Ezer, Elead, and there servants; on whom their father Ephraim mourned many days. “Then Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him” (22) Nothing would grieve a father’s heart like the death of his children, particularly when their death is by shedding their blood. His brethren came to comfort him, the way Job’s friends came to comfort him when his sons and daughters died. But the comfort of men is helpless; and as Job said to his friends: “Miserable comforters are you all” (Job 16: 2). Most probably they tried to comfort Ephraim by reminding him of his father Jacob’s blessing on him, when he put his right hand on his head, refusing to move it to that of his older brother Manasseh; confirming to their father Joseph that his descendants will be a multitude of nations (Genesis 48: 19). “And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house” (23) Being granted a son; although it gave him some comfort, yet his tragedy was so tough that he called the newborn ‘Beriah’ “Beriah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (in labor) or (a grant). Four persons in the Holy Book bore this name. God did not grant him a son to replace those he thought he had lost; because no man would replace another; and everyone has his own unique personality, talents, and mission. Hence, when God gave back to job double what he has lost, he did not give him double the number of his sons and daughters who died, because they are never lost. Of the faulty expressions said by some in case of the death of a son or a daughter: [May the Lord grant you what will take his or her place]. God may give us back what we lost of possessions or honor; but we do not lose those who departed, to grant us someone else to replace them. “Now his daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah” (24) “The upper Beth Horon”; A Hebrew name, meaning (house of the cave); a name by which two villages are called, on the border between Ephraim and Benjamin, 12 miles north of Jerusalem, also called ‘lower and upper Beth Horon’; on account of that one of them was built on high land, while the other was built on low land. “Sheerah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a relative); daughter of Ephraim; who built the lower and upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah (24) “Uzzen Sheerah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (the portion of Sheerah); the name of a village built by Sheerah, daughter of a man of Ephraim, also called Ephraim (24); its location is where Beth Serah is nowadays, 3 miles south-west of the lower Beth Horon. “and Rephah was his son, as well as Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son” (25) “Rephah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (wealth) (25) “Reshaph”; A Hebrew name, meaning (flame) “Telah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a break); an Ephrami, most probably from Beriah’s side (25) “Tahan”; A Hebrew name, meaning (camp); a founder of a family. “Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishamah his son” (26) “Laadan”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (thick-necked); an Ephraimi name, an ancestor of Joshua. “Ammihud”; A Hebrew name, meaning (my uncle is honorable); father of Elishah, grandfather of Joshua; head of an Ephraimi during the maze of the wilderness (26) “Elishamah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God heard); son of Ammihud, and one of the heads of Ephraim at the beginning of their journey in the wilderness; an ancestor of Joshua (26) “Nun his son, and Joshua his son” (27) “ Joshua (or Yehoshua, or Jeshua) the son of Nun”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah is salvation), an eye-witness of God’s work with Moses and Aaron, during the plagues on Egypt, and the exodus from it. He was a disciple of the prophet Moses, and his personal assistant, all along the time of the wilderness; chosen by God to replace Moses after his death (Joshua 1: 1; Numbers 27: 18-23); brought forth the people of God into the promised land, and drove out the pagan nations. He most probably refers to Jesus Christ, who, alone, opens the gates of heaven before us, and brings us forth into the heavenly Canaan, and gave us the right of eternal inheritance. He was chosen by Moses to be one of those whom he sent to spy the promised land; and, together with Caleb the son of Jephunneh, came back to invoke the spirit of hope in the people, contrary to what the other spies did, who stirred up in them the spirit of terror. He took over the task of dividing the promised land, and got his own portion, after all the other tribes had theirs; for the successful leader would always give the priority to others. + Joshua the son of Nun, who became a perfect disciple of Moses the great teacher, was beautiful as well; He also intended to have in himself the love of life; and to approach God by perfection; He kept his purity during his ministry in the dome of time (the tabernacle of meeting); and to the people he came to be the second Moses He fought to plant the word of God in the peoples; And the powers he did, testified to how exalted his beauty was. + Come and see the beauty of Joshua the son of Nun; and the astonishing wonders and powers done on his hands; How, when he cried out to the swift river, it checked its running, as though by a wall; How he divided the river, and crossed as though on dry land; followed by the people in great wonder (Joshua 3: 17); How, crying out to the high walls of Jericho, they fell down before him (Joshua 6: 20 How God stood on his side to destroy the Amorite kings (Joshua 2: 10) How, by a command of God, stones of hail came down to destroy the Canaanites (Joshua 10: 11) How he commanded the sun to hide her mighty power; and the moon responded to his word, and checked its path (Joshua 10: 13) How he directed his voice toward the stratosphere, checked its speed, and stopped the movements of the stars. (St. (Mar Jacob El-Serougi) “Now their possessions and habitations were Bethel and its towns; to the east Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as Ayyah and its towns” (28) “Naaran”; a town in Ephraim (28); nowadays called ‘Ein-Dok’, in the valley of the Jordan, 5 miles north of Jericho. “Gezer”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a portion), or a (bride’s dowry) “And by the border of the children of Manasseh were Beth Shean and its towns, Tanaach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel” (29) “Beth Shean”;A Hebrew name, meaning (house of tranquility), a town 5 miles from the western side of the Jordan; It belonged to the children of Issachar; then was given to the tribe of Manasseh (29). After the captivity, it became the capital of ‘Decapolis’ (the ten cities), and was called (Skethopolis) “Tanaach”;A Canaanite name, meaning (sandy land); a Canaanite city, mentioned about the year 1600 BC, when Pharaoh Tohetmus the third came against Magiddo; Its king was defeated and slain by Joshua the son of Nun; located within the border of Issachar, but was given to Manasseh (29). “Magiddo”;A city of Manasseh, within the territory of issachar; was before a royal Canaanite city, then overcome by Joshua (29) “Dor”; A Canaanite name, meaning (a dwelling place). 7- ASHER WHO ENJOYS THE OIL OF GRACE: Jacob, his father, prophesied that he will have a multitude of goods; And Moses prophesied that he will dip his foot in oil (Deuteronomy 33: 24). Both prophesies were realized; as the tribe of Asher enjoyed a fertile lands rich with olive trees, from which oil is extracted. The produce of his land was so rich to export to the other tribes. Even though his portion was geographically more distant from Jerusalem than the other tribes, yet, being located on the coast, they could import merchandise and sell it to the other tribes. This tribe refers to the flood of grace in the life of those who spiritually strive. + Let Your grace, O Lord, the life-giving Spirit, the player on the strings of my heart, to produce a harmonious tune. + For the grace, there is an eternal house; for which she cares and would never forsake, as a compassionate mother. Like an infant who thinks that there is no other woman in the world but she who suckles him; so the soul that loves God thinks of Him… Wherever a true Christian is, he dwells in God, and God dwells in him. + Grace, having become a mother for the earth, she supplicated to the Lord, saying: [Enough of folly for the earth! Come on down, O Lord, and save it from vanity]. … Her request was well received before the divine presence; and the Merciful Physician was sent to the sick. + Grace established the world, and carries it, lest it would fall. She is like a hen that stretch its wings over its chicks to gather and keep them. She portrays a model of the Divinity who spread His mercies over all creation to protect them. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) “The sons of Asher were: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Sarah” (30) “Imnah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (prosperity and success); the firstborn of Asher; and a chief of a tribe (30) “Ishvah”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (equal); Ashir’s second son. “Ishvi”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (equal); Ashir’s third son. “Beriah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (clever) “Sarah”; A Hebrew name; claimed to be the only daughter of Asher, or she is mentioned because of her strong personality and great beauty. “The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith” (31) “Heber”; A Hebrew name, meaning (partnership) or (a partner) “Malchiel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God reigns); grandson of Asher (31) “Birzaith” A Hebrew name, meaning (fountain of olives) “And Heber begot Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua” (32) “Japhlet”; A Hebre name, meaning (God rescues) (33) “Shomer”; A Semite name, meaning (A Keeper or guard); also called “Shamer” “Hotham”; A Hebrew name, meaning (A seal or a ring) “Shua”;A Semite name; Heber’s daughter. “The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashphath; these were the children of Japhlet” (33) “Pasach”; A name, most probably Aramite, meaning (divider) “Bimhal; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (at my ease) “Ashphath”; son of Japhlet; grandson of Heber “The sons of Shemer were Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram” (34) “Ahi”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (my brother), or an abbreviation of Ahia (34) “Rohgah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (dust) or (loud noise); A chief of the children of Asher “Jehubbah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (hides); A chief of Asher; sometimes came as Hubbah “And the sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal” (35) “Helem”; A Hebrew name, meaning (strength); he is probably ‘Hotham’, mentioned in (32) “Zophah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a Jug) or (a jar); a chief of Asher “Imna”; A Hebrew name, meaning (he denies) “Shelesh”; A Hebrew name, meaning (obedient); a hero among the children of Asher “Amal”; A Hebrew name, meaning (work); a contemporary of David. “The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, and Imrah” (36) “Suah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (sweeper) “Harnephar”; probably an Egyptian name referring to Horus “Shual”; A Hebrew name, meaning (fox) “Imrah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (resists) “Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Jithran, and Beera” (37) “Bezer”; A Hebrew name, meaning ( a stronghold) “Hod”; A Hebrew name, meaning (glory); A head of his father’s house; a mighty man of valor; and a leader of a company in war (37-39) “Shamma”;A Hebrew name, meaning (desolation); a chief of Asher “Shilshah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (triple or triangle); A chief of Asher “Jithran”; A Semite name, meaning (favor); the same ‘Jether’ (38) “Beera”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a well) “The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara” (38) “Jether”; A Hebrew name, meaning (favor); Two bore this name: 1- A man whose name came in the genealogies of Judah, then disappeared after Ezra (37) 2- A son of Asher 938); most probably ‘Jethran the son of Zophah (37) “Jephunneh”; A Hebrew name, meaning (arranges); A chief of Asher “Ara”; A Hebrew name, meaning (lion); A chief of Asher “The sons of Ulla were Arah, Haniel, and Rizia” (39) “Ulla”; Head of his father’s house in Asher (39) “Arah”: A Hebrew name, meaning (a traveler). A chief of Asher. “Haniel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Grace of God) or (Compassion of God) “Rizia”; A Hebrew name, meaning (cheerful); a chief of Asher “All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number was twenty-six thousand” (40) Although the number of the men of war of the whole tribe would not compare to those of the other tribes; yet according to some, the tribe of Asher was distinguished for their wisdom; who cared, not for the great number, as much as for being mighty men of valor. ------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM 1 CHRONICLES 7 YOUR COMFORTS, O LORD, BRING PLEASURE TO MY SOUL + The tribe of Issachar were distinguished for strength and diligence in work; He was not offended when his father likened him to a donkey; For he was strong, and never ceased working; None among them knew the spirit of slothfulness or idleness; I do not seek a specific work; But grant me the perpetual faithfulness in practicing the work; Let me hear Your voice, saying “You have been faithful with a few things, I will put yo in charge of many things” (Matthew 25: 21) + You do not despise the work of any man; But You set on Your right hand in Your kingdom, him who is honest and faithful; Let me work by Your Holy Spirit, who grants me faithfulness + I shall never suffer despair, because of my low position in the society or in the church; And I shall not fall into pride because of an authority You granted me; But I shall cherish honesty, faithfulness, love, and fellowship; I shall cherish You, o Source of every virtue. + If king Saul turned into a ravenous wolf; Yet, by sound love without hypocrisy, David earned the love of Jonathan Saul’s son; He, as well, earned the love of many mighty men of valor, relatives of Saul; Grant me, O Lord, to love all mankind; You are able to turn the ravenous wolves into meek lambs; I trust Your grace; wil bring forthl “Out of the eater, something to eat; Out of the strong, something sweet” (Judges 14:14) Grant me not to hasten to judge men; For many have turned like Your angels in their last moments; Grant me to imitate You, O Son of David; To close the door of friendship before no one; By You I would jump with love into the hearts of many, to let them become my, and Your friends; + Ephraim’s brothers could not comfort him when his sons were killed; You gave him a son, yet not to replace his killed sons; For they were still living with their souls that death cannot kill; + How amazing! The wild animals mostly cooperate with, and support their own race; While mankind devour one another With Your compassion, You did not provide us with the fangs of lions; So as not to tear one another apart; Nor the huge size of elephants, So as not to suffocate their breath; The wild animals live in peace with their own race; As for man, his enemies are the members of his own household. + Grant me, O Lord, the true freedom, together with the tribe of Naphtali; To set forth by the wings of the Spirit, as though to heaven; Where the ancient serpent cannot reach me to swallow me up; And where the love of the world cannot hinder my path; Let me fly to You, together with my brethren, to find comfort in Your divine bosoms; + Grant me, together with the daughters of Zelophehad, of the children of Manasseh. To seek the eternal inheritance; For You are only preoccupied with letting me settle down in Your bosoms forever. + Grant me, together with Joshua the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, To hear Your voice, saying: “As I was with Moses, I shall be with you”; So as not to be disturbed by the afflictions, nor be confused because of the weak; For the church is Your body, you bring forth up to Your heavens; On her, You pour Your splendor, to become the subject of wonder and amazement in the sight of the heavenly creatures; + Let me be attached to You; For Your fatherly bosoms, give warmth to my life; Pour the oil of Your grace in my depths; Like a mother to me; You would never let me in need of anything; How amazing is the motherhood of Your grace; That embraces every true believer, as though he is its only child; Let Your grace work in me; To bear the spirit of compassionate motherhood toward all mankind.
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