(8) Three other Benjamite houses.

Ibneiah is much the same name as "Ibnijah" at the end of the verse. Both mean "Jah buildeth," i.e., maketh offspring. (Comp. Assyrian Ea-Ibni, "Ea made," i.e., a son.)

Son of Jeroham.--The sons of Jeroham dwelt in Jerusalem before the exile as well as after it (1Chronicles 8:27).

Michri should perhaps be Zichri. (Comp. 1Chronicles 8:19; 1Chronicles 8:23; 1Chronicles 8:27.)

1Chronicles 9:7-9 correspond to Nehemiah 11:7-9; but after tracing the ascending line of Sallu son of Meshullam (1Chronicles 9:7) through six degrees, the latter account continues (Nehemiah 11:8): "And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight." This apparently is quite a different statement from that of our 1Chronicles 9:8. Gabbai, Sallai, however (note the absence of a conjunction), may be corrupt. Gabbai perhaps conceals Bani or Ibni, a contracted form of lbneiah; and Sallai might have originated out of Shallum or Meshullam, under the influence of the preceding Sallu (1Chronicles 9:7). Nehemiah 11:9 continues, "And Joel son of Zikri was their overseer, and Judah son of Hasenuah was over the second part of the city." "Joel son of Zikri" may be our "Elah son of Uzzi son of Michri" (1Chronicles 9:8); for Joel ("Jah is El") may be compared with Elah, which is perhaps a disguise of Elijah ("El is Jah;" only yod, the smallest Hebrew letter, is wanting). "Judah son of Hasenuah," may be the equivalent of "Hodaviah son of Hasenuah." If these combinations be accepted, the list here is brought into strict harmony with its parallel--five Benjamite clans being named in each, viz., Sallu, Hodaviah (Judah), Ibneiah (Bani), Joel (Elah), and Meshullam.

And their brethren, according to their generations.--The members of the five Benjamite clans amounted to nine hundred and fifty-six, according to their family registers. Nehemiah 11:8 gives a total of nine hundred and twenty-eight. If the numbers are both genuine, our text may refer to a date a little subsequent to the time intended in Nehemiah.

All these men.--Translate, all these men were chiefs of their respective clans. This appears to be the subscription to 1Chronicles 9:4-9. It states that the proper names are representatives of clans, and, so to speak, collective personalities.

9:1-44 Genealogies. - This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Re 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham,.... Who with two more, Elah and Meshullam, whose ancestors are given, of whom we have no mention elsewhere, were all of the tribe of Benjamin, said to settle at Jerusalem.