Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 7:40
All these [were] the children of Asher, heads of [their] father’s house, choice [and] mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war [and] to battle [was] twenty and six thousand men.
40. of their fathers’ house ] R.V. of the fathers’ houses.
the number to battle was ] R.V. the number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was, etc.
twenty and six thousand ] In 1Ch 12:36 the men of war of Asher are reckoned at forty thousand (cp. Num 1:41; Num 26:47, where still higher reckonings are given). The numbers here and in 1Ch 7:5 ; 1Ch 7:7; 1Ch 7:9 ; 1Ch 7:11 (as well as in 1Ch 7:2, which see) seem to refer to the time of David. The numbers may be based on family traditions, but it would be unsafe to draw any important conclusions from them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 40. The children of Asher] The rabbins say that the daughters of Asher were very beautiful, and were all matched with kings or priests. Several things relative to the subjects in this chapter may be found explained in the parallel places marked in the margin.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house,…. Principal men in their tribe, and respective families:
choice and mighty men of valour; these were some selected from others, being eminent for their courage and valour:
chief of the princes; or chief princes; the Vulgate Latin version is, dukes of dukes, they were heads of their fathers’ families:
[and] the number throughout the genealogy that were apt to war, and to battle, [was] twenty and six thousand [men]; that is, in the days of David, 1Ch 7:4, this was the number, not of their chief men, nor of all the people in the tribe, but of their militia.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(40) The summing up of the list. All these were sons of Asher, picked chiefs of the father-houses, valiant warriors, chiefs of the princes. This declares that the names in the foregoing series are those of the chiefs of the different Asherite clans. They are called choice, picked men, eximii, and chiefs of the princes or emirs. The clans appear to be identified with their chieftains.
And the number throughout the genealogy.Better, and their census, in the host, in the battletheir number in men was 26,000. Perhaps we should render in the case of service in war. The census here given has reference only to the number of males qualified for military service. In the Mosaic census (Num. 1:41) the total of males of the tribe of Asher was 41,500; and a generation later, the fighting men were 53,000 (Num. 26:47). The date of the present census is not assigned. If it be that of David, which appears likely, the tribe may have declined in numbers and importance by his day. (Comp. Jdg. 5:17. Asher continued at the sea-shore, and abode on his creeks; i.e., did not bestir himself for the war).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
IT is hardly possible to trace the subject of the genealogy of men, in the succession of fathers and sons, through so many generations, without feeling the mind drawn out and exercised in the contemplation of the insignificancy of man in all his boasted strength and power. Well may everyone exclaim with the apostle, in the view of it, for what is your life? it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away!
But, Reader, is there no relief to the mind under the exercise of such humiliating views of human life? Is there no resource, no comfort, no asylum, or house of mercy, to take shelter in, from the universal wreck of our poor dying and dead nature? Oh thou, precious, ever-living, and life-giving Jesus! Oh! thou who hast proclaimed thyself, and proved thyself to be the resurrection and the life; who hast said, and confirmed it also by the most palpable evidence, that he who believeth thee, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in thee, shall never die: dost thou ask me, dearest Jesus, as thou didst the sorrowful sister, whether I believe this? Yes yes? thou Almighty Lord, I do, I do believe! Blessed be thy name, it is thou which hast given me to believe. And do thou at all times help mine unbelief. The consciousness that thou livest, and that because thou livest all thy people shall live also, bears up my soul above all the dying circumstances of myself, and a world around me. Though this body of mine goeth daily down to the grave, yet in thee, my soul forever liveth, and shall never die. Thou art the Author of life, the Restorer and Maintainer of my spiritual life, and thou wilt, by and by, be the Perfecter of my eternal life, both soul and body together. Hail then, thou glorious, gracious, lovely, and loving Lord Jesus! Thy love is better than wine. For though wine may comfort the heavy heart, yet no wine can raise the dead: but thy love hath done both. And when flesh, and heart, and all things shall fail, thou wilt be the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 7:40 All these [were] the children of Asher, heads of [their] father’s house, choice [and] mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war [and] to battle [was] twenty and six thousand men.
Ver. 40. Chief of the princes. ] Duces ducum, to whom the princes were to give an account. See Dan 6:1-2 .
Was twenty and six thousand.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the number: 1Ch 21:1-5, 2Sa 24:1-9