1 Chronicles 23:1--26:32
old <02204> [A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015. An. Ex. Is. 476. old.]
Solomon <08010> [he made.]
assembled <0622> [he gathered.]
Levites <03881> [the Levites.]
thirty .......... 38,000 <08083 07970> [thirty and eight.]
24,000 <06242> [twenty.]
direct <05329> [set forward. or, oversee.]
officials ... judges <08199 07860> [officers and judges.]
gatekeepers <07778> [porters.]
praise ....... I supplied <01984> [praised.]
instruments <03627> [the instruments.]
[See on]
divided <02505> [divided.]
groups <04256> [courses. Heb. divisions.]
<01648> [Gershon.]
Gershon, [Gˆrsh“m <\\See definition 01648\\>,] is called [Gˆreshown <\\See definition 01647\\>,] Gershom, in the parallel passage, simply by the mutation of [N–wn,] {noon,} into [Mˆm,] {mem.}
[Gershom.]
Gershonites <01649> [Gershonites.]
Ladan <03936> [Laadan.]
Laadan and Libni, seem to have been two distinct names of this person; but the variation of Shimi and Shimei exists only in the translation, the original being uniformly [Shim'iy <\\See definition 08096\\>.]
[Libni, Shimi.]
Jehiel <03171> [Jehiel.]
Joel <03100> [Joel.]
Zina <02126> [Zina.]
Zina seems to be a mistake for Zizah; for both the LXX. and Vulgate read uniformly [Ziza,] Ziza.
[Zizah.]
Zizah <02125> [Zizah.]
many sons <07235 01121> [had not many sons. Heb. did not multiply sons.]
sons ... Kohath <06955 01121> [sons of Kohath.]
sons .......... descendants <01121> [The sons.]
chosen <0914> [separated.]
consecrate <06942> [sanctify.]
offer sacrifices <06999> [to burn incense.]
praise <01288> [to bless.]
man <0376> [the man.]
descendants <01121> [his sons.]
Gershom <01647> [Gershom.]
Shebuel <07619> [Shebuel.]
[Shubael.]
oldest <07218> [the chief. or, the first.]
many <04605 07235> [were very many. Heb. were highly multiplied.]
Shelomith <08019> [Shelomith.]
[Shelomoth.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
Merari <04847> [Merari.]
Mahli ....... Mahli <04249> [Mahli.]
[Mahali.]
sons ....... sons <01121> [had no sons.]
cousins <0251> [brethren. or, kinsmen. took them.]
Jeremoth <03406> [Jeremoth.]
[Jerimoth.]
descendants ... Levi .............................. old <03878 01121> [the sons of Levi.]
families ..................... temple <01004> [after the house.]
individually <01538> [by their polls.]
descendants ................................ old <01121> [from the age.]
At first David appointed the Levites to serve from thirty years old and upwards; but considering, probably, that the temple which was about to be built, with its courts, chambers, etc., would require a more numerous ministry, he fixed this period, by this subsequent regulation, at twenty years and upwards. In the time of Moses, the age was from thirty years to fifty: here this latter period is not mentioned, probably because the service was not so laborious now; for the ark being fixed, they had no longer any burdens to carry; and therefore even an old man might continue to serve. See the Note on Nu 8:24.
twenty <06242> [twenty.]
Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
settled ... Jerusalem <07931 03389> [that they may dwell in Jerusalem. or, and he dwelleth in]
Jerusalem.
carry <05375> [carry.]
final <0314> [by the last.]
counted <04557> [numbered. Heb. numbers.]
ceremonial <03027 04612> [office was to wait, etc. Heb. station was at the hand of]
Aaron.
service ............................ service <05656> [for the service.]
purification <02893> [purifying.]
bread <03899> [for the shewbread.]
It was the priests' office to place this bread before the Lord; and it was their privilege to feed on the old loaves when they were replaced by the new.
flour <05560> [the fine flour.]
unleavened <04682> [unleavened.]
round cakes <04227> [pan. or, flat plate. for all manner of measure.]
The standards of all weights and measures were in the sanctuary; and therefore the Levites had the inspection of weights and measures of every kind, that no fraud might in this way be committed. Honesty is inseparably connected with piety; and hence the Levites, being sufficiently numerous, were employed to superintend the former, as well as the latter.
stood <05975> [stand.]
morning <01242> [every morning.]
Sabbath <07676> [in the sabbaths.]
festivals ... assemblies <04150> [set feasts.]
in charge <08104> [keep.]
in charge ........... helped ..... descendants <04931 01121> [the charge of the sons.]
divisions <04256> [the divisions.]
descendants ...... sons <01121> [The sons.]
Nadab <05070> [Nadab.]
died <04191> [died.]
Eleazar <0499> [Eleazar.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
Ahimelech <0288> [Ahimelech.]
This was Abiathar, who appears to have had the name of Ahimelech, as well as his father.
more <07227> [more.]
descendants ... Eleazar ....... descendants ........... descendants ... Eleazar <0499 01121> [sons of Eleazar.]
descendants <01004> [according.]
divided .... lots <01486 02505> [they divided by lot.]
officials ....... officials <08269> [the governors.]
scribe <05608> [the scribe.]
leaders ......... family <01 01004> [principal household. Heb. house of the father.]
Jehoiarib <03080> [Jehoiarib.]
[Joiarib. to Jedaiah.]
Harim <02766> [Harim.]
Mijamin <04326> [Mijamin.]
[Miniamin.]
Abijah <029> [Abijah.]
As the Evangelist Luke mentions the course of Abia, it is evident that these courses of the priests, established by David, no doubt under Divine direction, were continued, with some alterations, till the days of Christ: these records must therefore have been very useful after the Babylonian captivity.
[Abia.]
[Jeshuah.]
Eliashib <0475> [Eliashib.]
Immer <0564> [Immer.]
assigned <06486> [the orderings.]
given ...... Aaron <03027 0175> [under Aaron.]
Amram <06019> [Amram.]
Shubael ............ Shubael <07619> [Shubael.]
[Shebuel.]
Rehabiah ...... Rehabiah <07345> [Rehabiah.]
Isshiah <03449> [Isshiah.]
Probably Isshiah is a contracted form, or a corruption, of Jeshaiah.
[Jeshaiah.]
Izharites <03325> [Izharites.]
The original is uniformly Izharites.
[Izeharites. Shelomoth.]
The variation of [Shel“mŒyth ] Shelomith, and Shelomoth, arises from the mutation of [Vƒv,] {wav} and [Y“wd,] {yood}.
[Shelomith.]
Jeriah <03404> [Jeriah.]
The following variations exist only in the translation, the original being uniformly [YerŒyƒh ] or [YerŒyƒh–w ] Jerijah, [MŒykƒh] Michah, and [YishshŒyƒh ] Isshiah.
[Jerijah.]
Micah ....... Micah <04318> [Michah.]
[Micah.]
Isshiah ....... Isshiah <03449> [Isshiah.]
[Jesiah. Zechariah.]
sons ...... Beno <01121> [sons.]
sons <01121> [who had no sons.]
Mushi <04187> [Mushi.]
lots <01486> [lots.]
leaders ............. oldest <07218> [even the principal.]
The whole company being ranged according to their families, with the proper number of divisions, the order of their courses was assigned them by lot, without respect to rank or seniority.
officers <08269> [the captains.]
That is, the chief of the several orders; not military captains.
Asaph <0623> [Asaph.]
<05012> [prophesy.]
The word prophesy, here, seems to mean no more than praising God by singing inspired prophetical hymns.
stringed instruments <03658> [harps.]
Asaph .......... Asaph ..... Asaph <0623> [Asaph.]
Asarelah <0841> [Asarelah.]
"Otherwise called Jesharelah. ver. 14."
supervision <03027> [under the hands.]
king's supervision <03027 04428> [according to the order of the king. Heb. by the hands of the king.]
Jeduthun ................ Jeduthun <03038> [Jeduthun.]
Gedaliah <01436> [Gedaliah.]
Zeri <06874> [Zeri.]
[Izri. Jeshaiah.]
Mattithiah <04993> [Mattithiah.]
six <08337> [six.]
"With Shimei, mentioned ver. 17." Shimei is not only mentioned in the parallel passage, but is supplied here by the Arabic version.
giving thanks <03034> [to give thanks.]
Heman <01968> [Heman.]
Bukkiah <01232> [Bukkiah.]
Mattaniah <04983> [Mattaniah.]
Uzziel <05816> [Uzziel.]
[Azareel.]
Shebuel <07619> [Shebuel.]
[Shubael. Jerimoth.]
Hananiah <02608> [Hananiah.]
Hanani <02607> [Hanani.]
Eliathah <0448> [Eliathah.]
Giddalti <01437> [Giddalti.]
Romamti-Ezer <07320> [Romamti-ezer.]
Joshbekashah <03436> [Joshbekashah.]
Mallothi <04413> [Mallothi.]
Hothir <01956> [Hothir.]
king's prophet <04428 02374> [the king's seer.]
promised <01697> [words. or, matters. to lift up.]
This may denote that he presided over those who used wind instruments.
God ............. God gave <05414 0430> [God gave.]
supervision .............................. supervision <03027> [under the hands.]
musicians <07892> [for song.]
supervision .............................. supervision .... king <04428 03027> [according to the king's order. Heb. by the hands of the king.]
Asaph <0623> [Asaph.]
two hundred <03967> [two hundred.]
These two hundred and eighty-eight, being twenty-four courses of twelve each, were more skilful than the other Levites; and being placed under the twenty-four sons of the chief singers, they had the four thousand before mentioned divided among them, to officiate by courses, according to their instructions: ch. 23:5.
cast lots <01486 05307> [cast lots.]
responsibilities <04931 05980> [ward against ward.]
teacher <0995> [the teacher.]
Even among the twenty-four leaders, some were more expert than others; some were teachers, and others were scholars; but every one was taken by the solemn casting of lots, without any regard to these distinctions. Thus all things were disposed for the preserving of order, and avoiding all disputes about precedence: there being no respect had, in this divine distribution, to birth, but the younger in course preceded the elder.
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
second <08145> [the second.]
Dr. Geddes, chiefly on the authority of the Arabic, adds, "who with his sons and brethren were twelve."
Zaccur <02139> [Zaccur.]
Izri <03339> [Izri. [YitsrÅ’y <\\See definition 03339\\>.]]
Izri, seems to be called [TserŒy <\\See definition 06874\\>,] Zeri, by the aph‘resis of [Y“wd,] {yood.}
[Zeri.]
Nethaniah <05418> [Nethaniah.]
Jesharelah <03480> [Jesharelah.]
This variation rises from the mutation of ['Aleph,] {aleph,} and [Y“wd,] {yood;} the word being written in the parallel passage ['Asar'ˆlƒh <\\See definition 0841\\>,] {Asarelah,} and here, [Yesar'ˆlƒh <\\See definition 03480\\>,] Jesarelah.
[Asarelah.]
Azarel <05832> [Azareel.]
Probably this person was called by both names; or Uzziel may be a mistake for Azareel. In the Syriac and Arabic, the name is nearly the same in both places.
[Uzziel.]
Hashabiah <02811> [Hashabiah.]
Shubael <07619> [Shubael.]
[Shebuel.]
Mahazioth <04238> [Mahazioth.]
divisions <04256> [the divisions.]
There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven. The eastern gate fell to Shelemiah; the northern to Zechariah, (ver. 14;) the southern to Obed-edom, (ver. 15;) and the western to Shuppim and Hosah, (ver. 16.) These several persons were captains of these porter-bands, or door-keepers, at the different gates. There were probably a thousand men under each of these captains; as we find, from ch. 23:5, that their whole number was four thousand.
gatekeepers <07778> [the porters.]
Korahites <07145> [Korhites.]
Meshelemiah <04920> [Meshelemiah.]
[Shelemyƒhuw <\\See definition 08018\\>,] Shelemiah, is merely an abbreviation of [Meshelemyƒh <\\See definition 04920\\>,] Meshelemiah, by the aph‘resis of [Mˆm,] {mem.}
[Shelemiah. Asaph.]
This variation arises from the rejection of the word [Ab <\\See definition 01\\>,] {av,} "father," and the mutation of [Y“wd,] {yood,} into ['Aleph,] {aleph;} being written in the parallel passages [Ebyƒcƒph <\\See definition 043\\>,] Ebiasaph, and here [Acƒph <\\See definition 0623\\>,] Asaph.
[Ebiasaph.]
Obed-Edom's <05654> [Obed-edom.]
[him.]
"That is, Obed-edom, as ch. 13:14."
highly respected <02428 01368> [mighty men of valour.]
They were not only porters, or door keepers, in the ordinary sense of the word, but they were a military guard to the gate, as Dr. Delaney suggests that the word {shâ€Æ’rim} should be rendered here: and perhaps in this sense alone are we to understand their office, which appears to have been of considerable dignity, and conferred only on men of the first rank. They were appointed to attend the temple, to guard all the avenues to it, to open and shut all the outer gates, and attend at them, not only for state but for service. They were also required to direct and instruct those who were going to worship in the courts of the sanctuary in the conduct they were to observe, to encourage those who were timid, to send back the strangers and unclean, and to guard against thieves and others who were enemies to the house of God.
men capable <02428 0376> [able men.]
Meshelemiah <04920> [Meshelemiah.]
Hosah <02621> [Hosah.]
father <01> [his father.]
responsibilities <04931> [wards.]
That is, classes against each other. Ward formerly signified a class or division: we still apply the term to the different apartments in hospitals, and to the more extensive districts into which the city of London is divided.
young ... old <06996 01419> [as well the small as the great. Heb. or, as well for the small as for the great.]
Shelemiah <08018> [Shelemiah.]
[Meshelemiah. Zechariah.]
storehouses <0624> [Asuppim. Heb. gatherings. <\\See definition 0624\\>.]
Or collections; probably the place where either the supplies of the porters, or the offerings made for the priests and Levites, were laid up. Obed-edom is said to have had the charge of the treasures, etc., in 2 Ch 25:24.
Hosah <02621> [Hosah.]
Shalleketh <07996> [Shallecheth.]
That is, ejection; probably the gate through which all the filth which from time to time might accumulate in the temple and its courts, was cast out.
road <04546> [causeway.]
guard ... adjacent ... another <04929 05980> [ward against ward.]
That is, their stations were opposite to each other; as the north to the south, and the east to the west.
east <04217> [Eastward.]
storehouses <0624> [Asuppim.]
court ................ court <06503> [Parbar.]
{Parbar} is most probably the same as {parwar,} which denotes suburbs, (2 Ki 23:11,) in which sense it is often used in the Chaldee Targums; and consequently this may be considered as leading to the suburbs.
Korah <07145> [Kore.]
Kore, or rather, Kohri, [QorchŒy <\\See definition 07145\\>,] is essentially the same with [Q“rach <\\See definition 07141\\>,] Korah, merely having a paragogic [Y“wd,] {yood.}
[Korah.]
storehouses ....... storehouses <0214> [treasures.]
consecrated items <06944> [dedicated things. Heb. holy things.]
Ladan ........ Ladan ......... Ladan <03936> [Laadan.]
[Libni.]
Jehieli <03172> [Jehieli.]
Jehieli, [YechŒy'ˆlŒy <\\See definition 03172\\>,] is the same as Jehiel, [Yechav'ˆl <\\See definition 03171\\>,] with the addition of [Y“wd,] {yood.}
[Jehiel. over the treasures.]
Amramites <06020> [Amramites.]
Shebuel <07619> [Shebuel.]
The difference between [Sh–wbƒ'ˆl <\\See definition 07619\\>,] Shubael, and [Shˆb–w'ˆl <\\See definition 07619\\>,] Shebuel, simply arises from the elision of [Vƒv,] {wav} and a change of vowels.
[Shubael.]
Eliezer <0461> [Eliezer.]
Rehabiah <07345> [Rehabiah.]
<08019> [Shelomith.]
storehouses <0214> [over all the treasures.]
plunder <07998> [Out.]
plunder .... battles <04421 07998> [spoils won in battles. Heb. battles and spoils. to maintain.]
Samuel <08050> [Samuel.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
Joab <03097> [Joab.]
Izharites <03325> [Izharites.]
outside <02435> [the outward.]
officers <07860> [officers.]
Hebronites <02276> [the Hebronites.]
relatives ... respected men <01121 02428> [men of valour.]
assigned responsibilities <06486> [officers. Heb. over the charge.]
Jeriah <03404> [Jerijah.]
[Jeriah. fortieth.]
Jazer <03270> [Jazer.]
relatives .... respected <01121 02428> [men of valour.]
family leaders <07218 01> [chief fathers.]
Reubenites <07206> [Reubenites.]
matters pertaining <01697> [and affairs. Heb. and thing.]
There were more Levites employed as judges with the two tribes and half on the other side of Jordan, than with all the rest of the tribes; there were two thousand seven hundred, whereas on the west side of Jordan there were only one thousand seven hundred. Either those remote tribes were not so well furnished as the rest with judges of their own, or because they lay farthest from Jerusalem, on the borders of the neighbouring nations, and were thus much in danger of being infected with idolatry, they most needed the help of Levites to prevent their running into the abominations of the idolaters.
