1 Chronicles24
New International Version
1 These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests.
3 With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelek a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering.
4 A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than among Ithamar’s, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar’s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar’s descendants.
5 They divided them impartially by casting lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar.
6 The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelek son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar.
7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9 the fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shekaniah,
12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17 the twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18 the twenty-third to Delaiah and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19 This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the Lord, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
20 As for the rest of the descendants of Levi: from the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.
21 As for Rehabiah, from his sons: Ishiah was the first.
22 From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath.
23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.
24 The son of Uzziel: Micah; from the sons of Micah: Shamir.
25 The brother of Micah: Ishiah; from the sons of Ishiah: Zechariah.
26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno.
27 The sons of Merari: from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zakkur and Ibri.
28 From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29 From Kish: the son of Kish: Jerahmeel.
30 And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth. These were the Levites, according to their families.
31 They also cast lots, just as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelek, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest.
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