1 Chronicles24
New American Standard
1 Now the divisions of the descendants of Aaron were these: the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3 David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their ministry.
4 Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them this way: there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar, and eight of the descendants of Ithamar according to their fathers’ households.
5 So they were divided by lot, the one as the other; for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God, both from the descendants of Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar.
6 Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and the Levites; one father’s household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.
7 Now the first lot came out for Jehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah,
8 the third for Harim, the fourth for Seorim,
9 the fifth for Malchijah, the sixth for Mijamin,
10 the seventh for Hakkoz, the eighth for Abijah,
11 the ninth for Jeshua, the tenth for Shecaniah,
12 the eleventh for Eliashib, the twelfth for Jakim,
13 the thirteenth for Huppah, the fourteenth for Jeshebeab,
14 the fifteenth for Bilgah, the sixteenth for Immer,
15 the seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth for Happizzez,
16 the nineteenth for Pethahiah, the twentieth for Jehezkel,
17 the twenty-first for Jachin, the twenty-second for Gamul,
18 the twenty-third for Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth for Maaziah.
19 These were their offices for their ministry when they entered the house of the Lord according to the ordinance given to them through their father Aaron, just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
20 Now for the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah, the first.
22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
24 Of the sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.
25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
26 The sons of Merari, Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah, Beno.
27 The sons of Merari: by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.
28 By Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29 By Kish: the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel.
30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ households.
31 These also cast lots just as their relatives, the sons of Aaron did in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of fathers’ households as well as those of his younger brother.
People in this chapter — 65
All people →Study
1 Chronicles 24Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 24. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The divisions of the priests and Levites. (1-31).
vv1-31
When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.
Key Words
מַחֲלֹקֶת: a section (of Levites, people or soldiers)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אַהֲרוֹן: Aharon, the brother of Moses
נָדָב: Nadab, the name of four Israelites
אֲבִיהוּא: Abihu, a son of Aaron
אֶלְעָזָר: Elazar, the name of seven Israelites
אִיתָמָר: Ithamar, a son of Aaron
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
1 Chronicles 24Explicitly details the death of Nadab and Abihu before Aaron without children.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, belonged to the course of Abijah (the eighth course).
Supported by Matthew Poole
The account of Nadab and Abihu dying by fire before the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Corroborates Zadok and Ahimelech son of Abiathar serving together as priests.
Supported by JFB
Relates to the weekly rotation system of the priests entering the temple.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lists the sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The ultimate deposition of Abiathar (Ithamar line) and sole appointment of Zadok.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the use of lots to distribute offices solemnly and prevent jealousy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The principle of casting lots to refer the decision entirely to God's disposal.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions Rehabiah as the son of Eliezer.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Shelomoth as the son of Izhar among the Levites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Jeriah and the other sons of Hebron.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms that Eleazar the son of Mahli died having no sons.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lists the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
Supported by Matthew Poole