In Srub>7ub>Geub>6ub> and Baub>7ub>Geub>6ub> the Ge atoms are arranged as Geub>2ub> dumbbells and Geub>4ub> four-membered atom chains. Their crystal structures cannot be rationalized according to the (8-N) rule. In contrast, Baub>3ub>Snub>2ub> presents Snub>2ub> dumbbells as a main structural motif and thereby can be described as an electron precise Zintl phase. The chemical bonding situation in these structures is discussed on the basis of partial and total Density Of States (DOS) curves, band structures including fatbands, topological analysis of the Electron Localization Function (ELF) as well as Bader analysis of the bond critical points using the programs TB-LMTO-ASA and Wien2k. While Baub>3ub>Snub>2ub> reveals semiconducting behaviour, all germanides Aeub>7ub>Geub>6ub> (Ae=Ca, Sr, and Ba) show metallic properties and a considerable 蟺-bonding character between the Ge atoms of the four-membered chains and the dumbbells. The 蟺-bonding character of the germanides is best reflected by the resonance hybrid structures {[Ge-Ge]6鈭?/sup>/[GeGeGeGe]8鈭?/sup>}鈫攞[Ge=Ge]4鈭?/sup>/[Ge-Ge-Ge-Ge]10鈭?/sup>}.