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
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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