1 Chronicles 8:8

And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.

1 Chronicles 8:8 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles, a book that traces the tribes of Israel, especially Judah and Benjamin. The chronicler records Shaharaim, a descendant of Benjamin, who had children in Moab after sending away his wives Hushim and Baara. The Hebrew phrase for “sent them away” is understood by many translations as divorce, though the text does not explain the reasons. Moab lay east of the Jordan River and was inhabited by the descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, making them distant relatives of Israel.

Meaning

Shaharaim’s presence in Moab shows that some Benjaminites lived outside the Promised Land. The naming of Hushim and Baara reflects the practice of polygamy common in ancient times, though it was not God’s original design for marriage (Genesis 2:24). By listing these wives, the chronicler preserves a fuller family record. The mention of Moab also indicates that some families moved due to hardship, as Elimelech did during a famine (Ruth 1:1). Even in a foreign land, God’s providential care continued, and the family line was not lost.

Biblical connections

Living in a foreign land recalls how Elimelech moved to Moab during a famine (Ruth 1:1). Yet even outside Israel, God’s care continued. Shaharaim later had sons by a wife named Hodesh (1 Chronicles 8:9), and Hushim bore him Abitub and Elpaal (1 Chronicles 8:11). These details show that lineages were carefully kept, ensuring tribal heritage remained intact. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles establish tribal and family heritage for Israel, showing that every individual had a place in God’s redemptive history.

Application

This verse reminds us that God’s purposes are not limited by geography or difficult circumstances. Families may face displacement, separation, or hardship, yet God preserves their story. The careful recording of names teaches that every person matters to Him, even those whose lives seem obscure. God’s providential care extends to those in foreign lands, and He remains faithful even when our circumstances are uncertain.

Reflection

Genealogies can appear dry, but they reveal God’s faithful work through ordinary people. Shaharaim’s account encourages us to trust that our own lives, with their joys and struggles, are part of a larger redemptive history. God sees every generation and remains faithful to His promises. Even when we feel far from home or forgotten, He is at work, preserving His people and fulfilling His purposes.