1 Chronicles 7:21and Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their livestock.
The setting
Ancient Canaan, ~1400 BC. Ephraim's sons attempt cattle raid on Philistine city of Gath (modern-day Tell es-Safi, Israel). Local defenders kill the raiders...
The emotion here: carefully recording painful family history
The original word
harag (הָרַג) — to kill violently, often in battle or conflict
Why it matters
Gath was one of five major Philistine cities, located about 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Chronicles 7:21
This was a cattle raid gone wrong — Ephraim's sons were the aggressors, not innocent victims
Common misconceptionPeople assume this was unprovoked violence, but the text shows Ephraim's sons were raiders who died attempting theft
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Chronicles 7:21
Bible Genome reading
1 Chronicles 7:21 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Chronicles 7:21 comes from the book of 1 Chronicles, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include violence, loss, family tragedy. Notable phrases: men of Gath; killed.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 1 Chronicles 7:21 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.