Definition: And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife’s name [was] Maachah:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 9:35. It's a fascinating and slightly mysterious passage that speaks about the origins of a specific place in ancient Israel. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that the original location of Gibeon, a significant city in Judah, was settled by a man named Jehiel. His wife was named Maachah. Let's unpack it piece by piece: 1 Chronicles 9:35: This is the key part – it’s a specific phrase from a larger story in the Book of Chronicles. "And in Gibeon dwelt..." : This means that the original settlement of Gibeon was located in the region of Gibeon, which is now part of Israel. "...the father of Gibeon..." : This establishes who the person is – Jehiel was the ancestor of the people who founded Gibeon. "...whose wife’s name [was] Maachah:" : This is where it gets interesting. The verse continues with a bit of poetic language: "whose wife’s name Maachah." The quotation marks around “Maachah” are crucial. What does this suggest? Ancient Origins: This phrase points to the very beginnings of Gibeon’s history, suggesting it might be older than we think. A Lineage: It implies a lineage – Jehiel and his wife had descendants who established the city. Mystery & Storytelling: The quotation marks around "Maachah" add an element of mystery. It's not just a simple name; it’s part of a larger narrative about how the land was shaped. It's likely that this woman held a significant role in the early history of Gibeon. Important Note: The exact story behind Maachah is debated by scholars. Some believe she might have been a royal figure or someone important to the founding of Gibeon, while others suggest it’s more symbolic. In short, this verse tells us that Gibeon originated with a man named Jehiel and his wife, Maachah, and that's where it began. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the Bible verse? Discuss the significance of the location of Gibeon? Explore why this story is considered mysterious?