In this chapter we have some account of the genealogies, I. Of Issachar, ver 1-5. II. Of Benjamin, ver 6-12. III. Of Naphtali, ver 13. IV. Of Manasseh, ver 14-19. V. Of Ephraim, ver 20-29. VI. Of Asher, ver 30-40. Here is no account either of Zebulun or Dan. Why they only should be omitted we can assign no reason; only it is the disgrace of the tribe of Dan that idolatry began in that colony of the Danites which fixed in Laish, and called Dan, and there one of the golden calves was set up by Jeroboam. Dan is omitted, Rev 7.
Jasub, or Job. See Genesis xlvi. 13., and Numbers xxvi. 23. (Calmet) — Simeron, elsewhere Samron and Semran; (Menochius) which shews, either that the names have been differently pronounced, or that the transcribers have erred. (Haydock)
Who also is called Job, Gen. 46:13 . Or, Punah.
Who also is called Job, Gen. 46:13 . Or, Punah.
Genealogies.
Chiefs. They were at the head of distinct families. (Menochius) — David. We know that David took an account of his fighting men, 2 Kings xxiv. But it is not certain that this register was made at that time; as we read that Benjamin was not numbered, chap. xxi. 6. These lists were probably made when some expedition was intended by David. The author was not, perhaps, able to recover the accounts of Nephthali, Manasses, and Ephraim, no more that the genealogies of Dan (ver. 12) and Zabulon, which do not appear in this book. (Calmet)
- Here is no account either of Zebulun or Dan. We can assign no reason why they only should be omitted; but it is the disgrace of the tribe of Dan, that idolatry began in that colony which fixed in Laish, and called it Dan, ( Judges 18 ) and there one of the golden calves was set up by Jeroboam. Dan is omitted, ( Revelation 7 ) . Men become abominable when they forsake the worship of the true God, for any creature object.
I. Of the tribe of Issachar, whom Jacob had compared to a strong ass, couching between two burdens (Gen 49 14), an industrious tribe, that minded their country business very closely and rejoiced in their tents, Deut 33 18. And here it appears, 1. That they were a numerous tribe; for they had many wives. So fruitful their country was that they saw no danger of over-stocking the pasture, and so ingenious the people were that they could find work for all hands. Let no people complain of their numbers, provided they suffer none to be idle. 2. That they were a valiant tribe, men of might (v. 2, 5), chief men, v. 3. Those that were inured to labour and business were of all men the fittest to serve their country when there was occasion, The number of the respective families, as taken in the days of David, is here set down, amounting in the whole to above 145,000 men fit for war. The account, some think, was taken when Joab numbered the people, 2 Sam 24. But I rather think it refers to some other computation that was made, perhaps among themselves, because it is said (1 Chron 27 24) that that account was not inserted in the chronicles of king David, it having offended God.