Synopsis of the Chapter
The sons, that is descendants, of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher.
Verse 3: The Sons of Uzzi ¶
3. THE SONS OF UZZI. — 'Sons' means son; for only one is named, namely Izrahiah, because Ezra wished to trace the lineage of him alone, as being distinguished: for it is likely that Uzzi had more sons, but less famous ones. For it is certain that in these ten chapters the names of many descendants of the Patriarchs are passed over in silence; for it would have been prolix and practically endless to enumerate them all. Therefore only some of the more illustrious are listed here, the rest are passed over. Thus Genesis XLVI, 23, says: 'The sons of Dan: Hushim.' 'Sons' means son; for he had only one, from whom the whole Tribe of Dan was propagated.
Verse 6: The Sons of Benjamin ¶
6. THE SONS OF BENJAMIN: BELA, BECHER, AND JEDIAEL, THREE. — These three were the most illustrious: for in total there were ten, who are listed in Genesis XLVI, 21.
Verse 18: His Sister Hammolecheth ¶
18. HIS SISTER HAMMOLECHETH BORE ISHHOD. — The Hebrew says: 'and his sister Molechet bore Isehod.' So the Septuagint, Pagninus, Vatablus, and others; but our Translator rendered the proper names by their meanings in his customary way: for Molechet means 'queen,' and Isehod means 'man of splendor.' See what was said at chapter IV, verses 22 and 23.
Verse 21: The Sons of Ephraim Slain by Gath ¶
21. THE MEN OF GATH WHO WERE BORN IN THE LAND KILLED THEM (the sons of Ephraim, the firstborn of Joseph), BECAUSE THEY CAME DOWN TO TAKE THEIR POSSESSIONS. — It is likely that Pharaoh gave Joseph, whom he had placed over Egypt because of the famine he averted, some possessions there, especially on its borders, and in the land of Goshen which he had assigned to his brothers for feeding their cattle. Joseph on his death left these possessions to his son Ephraim; and Ephraim passed them on to his sons; but the Gathites, neighbors of Egypt, killed them and seized their possessions, and this is what is said here. The Chaldean Paraphrast mentions this slaughter at Canticles II, 7, but in his usual manner mixes many fables with the truth.
Verse 24: Sheerah Who Built Beth-horon ¶
24. HIS DAUGHTER WAS SHEERAH, WHO BUILT BETH-HORON. — 'Daughter' means granddaughter or rather great-granddaughter: for a daughter of Ephraim dwelling with him in Egypt could not have built Beth-horon and two other cities that were in Canaan.