Benjamin, and Ehud] The error in verse 6 by which this Zebulunite list becomes ostensibly Benjamite must have been very early. When once it had arisen, the tendency to introduce names which were to be expected in a Benjamite genealogy was inevitably strong. This is the ground on which the names Anathoth and Alemeth (verse 8) are to be explained, as also Shuppim and Huppim (verse 12). Most clearly, however, is the tendency illustrated by the present verse, where the reading Benjamin and Ehud most probably has its origin in a marginal addition “and Ehud the Benjamite” (from Judges iii. 15) which was later inserted in the text as two separate names.
Tarshish] It is said of Zebulun in Genesis xlix. 13 that he shall be “a haven for ships,” and Tarshish, absolutely unknown as a Hebrew personal name, is regularly used in the Old Testament in connection with ships and commerce by sea. It would be astonishingly out of place in a genealogy of Benjamin, but is appropriate in one of Zebulun (compare Genesis xlix. 13 “Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea”).
¹¹All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valour, seventeen thousand and two hundred, that were able to go forth in the host for war.
11. able to go forth] the total number of warriors is here 59,434; compare 50,000 in xii. 33; and compare Numbers i. 37, xxvi. 41.
¹²Shuppim[¹] also, and Huppim, the sons of Ir[²], Hushim, the sons of Aher[³].
[¹] In Numbers xxvi. 39, Shephupham and Hupham.
[²] In verse 7, Iri.
[³] In Numbers xxvi. 38, Ahiram.
12. Shuppim also, and Huppim] for the spelling compare viii. 5, Numbers xxvi. 39, and Genesis xlvi. 21. These Benjamite names are an addition, and illustrate the tendency referred to above in the note on Benjamin and Ehud, verse 10.
12b.
The Genealogy of Dan.