1 Chronicles 8:36
And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
1 Chronicles 8:36 (KJV)
Context
This verse belongs to a long genealogy of Benjamin, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. The chronicler wrote these records after the Babylonian exile to help the returning people know their families, their land, and their place among God’s covenant people. Such lists were not dry records; they protected inheritance rights and kept tribal identity clear. They also preserved the memory of God’s faithfulness through centuries of change.
Meaning
The names here trace a direct line: Ahaz, Jehoadah, Alemeth, Azmaveth, Zimri, and Moza. Each name stands for a real person whom God knew and preserved. The parallel list in 1 Chronicles 9:42 calls Jehoadah by the name Jarah, a variant of the same man. This small difference reminds readers to compare Scripture carefully and shows that the records are trustworthy. The near-identical wording in both chapters confirms the reliability of the genealogical record.
Biblical connections
Genealogies in Chronicles do more than list names. They show God’s faithfulness in keeping His people through generations, even through people who are not famous. The line of Benjamin connects to the broader story of Israel and ultimately to the coming of the Messiah. Every name, however brief, has a place in that unfolding purpose. These records also link the returned exiles to their ancestors, reminding them that God had preserved their community through judgment and restoration.
Application
These verses teach us to value our spiritual heritage. The faithfulness of earlier believers shapes the present, just as these ancestors shaped the tribe of Benjamin. We also learn that no life is too small for God’s plan. A person mentioned only once still mattered to God, and so does each believer today. Our spiritual heritage is rooted in the faithfulness of God across generations, and we are called to pass it on.
Honor the heritage of faith you received from those who came before you.
See your daily choices as part of a story that reaches beyond your own lifetime.
Trust that God guides history and individual lives toward His good purposes.
Reflection
God’s care for obscure names assures us that He sees and values every person. The same God who preserved this family line is at work in your life, weaving your story into His redemptive plan. Be faithful in your place, knowing that your life contributes to the continuity of God’s people. Just as these names were recorded for future generations, your life is part of a story that will be remembered in God’s eternal purposes.
