1 Chronicles 12:27 kjv
And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
1 Chronicles 12:27 nkjv
Jehoiada, the leader of the Aaronites, and with him three thousand seven hundred;
1 Chronicles 12:27 niv
including Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, with 3,700 men,
1 Chronicles 12:27 esv
The prince Jehoiada, of the house of Aaron, and with him 3,700.
1 Chronicles 12:27 nlt
This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had 3,700 under his command.
1 Chronicles 12 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 33:10 | "They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law... " | Levites' teaching and priestly role. |
| Num 1:49 | "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not enroll... among the people of Israel." | Levites exempt from general military census. |
| Num 3:6 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest... " | Levites set apart for sacred service. |
| Num 8:24-26 | "...Levites enter service to perform the work in the tent of meeting." | Levites' specific duties in the tabernacle. |
| Josh 21:3 | "...the Levites cities... with their pasturelands..." | Levites' inheritance was cities, not land. |
| 1 Sam 8:20 | "...that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles." | Desire for a king to lead in battle. |
| 1 Chr 9:18-29 | "who were gatekeepers... with charge of the implements... work of the tabernacle." | Levites' administrative and musical roles. |
| 1 Chr 12:1 | "Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag... " | Previous mention of valiant men joining David. |
| 1 Chr 12:23 | "These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops..." | Context of assembling a united force. |
| 1 Chr 12:26 | "...of Simeon, 7,100, mighty men of valor." | Neighboring tribes also contribute mighty men. |
| 1 Chr 23:4 | "Of these, 24,000 were to have oversight of the work of the house of the Lord... " | Levites' administrative roles in the temple. |
| 1 Chr 23:5 | "...4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were to offer praises... " | Levites' varied temple duties, including music. |
| 1 Chr 26:29 | "Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to outside duties... " | Levites engaged in various public duties. |
| Neh 11:16 | "...Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight..." | Levites' leadership and oversight roles. |
| Ps 122:3-4 | "Jerusalem... where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord..." | Emphasis on unity of tribes for worship. |
| Eph 4:11-13 | "And he gave the apostles... teachers, to equip the saints..." | Different roles contribute to the body of Christ. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | "For as in one body we have many members... one body in Christ..." | Unity in diversity of functions. |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." | All members of the spiritual body have a role. |
| Heb 7:11-12 | "...perfection were through the Levitical priesthood... " | The Old Testament priesthood foreshadows Christ. |
| Phil 2:1-2 | "If there is any encouragement in Christ... then complete my joy by being of the same mind..." | Exhortation to unity and shared purpose. |
1 Chronicles 12 verses
1 Chronicles 12 27 Meaning
1 Chronicles 12:27 states that among those who came to David at Hebron to make him king, there were 4,600 individuals from the tribe of Levi. This verse enumerates the contingent from Levi, highlighting their significant numerical contribution to the unified force gathering around God's chosen leader.
1 Chronicles 12 27 Context
First Chronicles Chapter 12 details the mighty men and warriors from various tribes of Israel who joined David, first at Ziklag when he was still an outlaw, and later at Hebron, where all Israel gathered to make him king. The overarching theme of the chapter is the increasing and unified support for David as God's divinely appointed ruler, culminating in a massive and diverse assembly of trained and dedicated individuals.
The verse 1 Chronicles 12:27 is part of a list of tribal contingents (verses 23-40) who arrived in Hebron with the specific purpose of anointing David as king over all Israel. This gathering was not just a military rally but a national assembly, marking the culmination of David's transition from an exile to the undisputed king. The historical context is David's ascent to the throne, consolidating power and uniting the formerly divided kingdom under Saul and later Ish-bosheth. The participation of all tribes, including Levi, underscored the national consensus and divine legitimacy of David's rule.
1 Chronicles 12 27 Word Analysis
- and (וּמִלֵּוִי, u'mi-Lewi): The conjunctive "and" seamlessly connects this entry with the preceding tribal listings, indicating that the Levites are part of the same unified assembly gathering at Hebron. It emphasizes continuity and inclusivity in the national support for David.
- of (מִ, mi): This prefix denotes "from" or "of," specifying the origin or affiliation of the counted individuals as being "from" the tribe of Levi.
- Levi (לֵוִי, Lewi): Refers to the tribe descended from Levi, the son of Jacob. This tribe was uniquely consecrated by God for special service in the tabernacle and later the temple. Their primary duties involved priestly functions, teaching the Law, caring for sacred items, and leading in worship. They were traditionally not numbered among those for military service (Num 1:49). Their presence here, therefore, signifies more than just military contribution.
- 4,600 (אַרְבַּעַת אֲלָפִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת, arba'at alafim v'shesh me'ot): This is a specific and significant numerical figure. It represents a substantial contingent, indicating a full and formal representation from the tribe of Levi, not merely a symbolic handful.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "and of Levi 4,600": The inclusion of 4,600 Levites among the armed men converging on Hebron is highly significant. Typically, Levites were set apart for religious duties and exempt from military musters. Their presence among those described as "men of war, ready for the battle" (1 Chr 12:38) suggests several possibilities:
- United National Support: It demonstrates the widespread and unanimous support for David, encompassing even the spiritual leadership of Israel. Their participation conferred legitimacy and divine sanction on David's reign.
- Diverse Roles: While not primarily soldiers, these Levites may have filled various roles within the assembled host. They could have served as administrators, scribes (keeping records), logistical coordinators, teachers, advisors, or spiritual leaders. Their presence ensured the proper observance of God's commands and provided spiritual counsel to the nascent kingdom.
- Moral and Spiritual Authority: Their large number indicates the spiritual backbone endorsing David. It signifies that even those consecrated for sacred duties recognized David's anointing and supported the unity of the kingdom under God's chosen king.
1 Chronicles 12 27 Bonus Section
The counting of Levites among the forces assembling for David, when they were typically not part of military conscriptions, provides additional insights. In ancient Israel, Levites performed vital public services beyond their sanctuary duties. They were often scribes and registrars for the community (e.g., 1 Chr 23:4), keepers of tribal genealogies, educators, and judges (e.g., 1 Chr 26:29-32). Their inclusion in this register for David's coronation likely highlights their role in administrative and support capacities crucial for establishing a unified kingdom, not necessarily frontline combat. Their large number points to their indispensable role in validating the new monarchy through their adherence to the Law and their symbolic religious authority, lending a spiritual dimension to David's earthly kingship. It was a comprehensive gathering of Israel's capabilities and spiritual backing for their new sovereign.
1 Chronicles 12 27 Commentary
The registration of 4,600 Levites among the men of war gathering to make David king is a profound statement about the comprehensive nature of his support and the divine mandate upon his reign. Unlike other tribes whose numbers predominantly signify their military prowess, the Levites' contribution points to a different dimension of strength—spiritual legitimacy and organizational capacity. Their very presence underscored the theological understanding that David's kingdom was not merely a secular entity but one established by divine providence and meant to serve God's purposes. It indicates that the spiritual segment of the nation fully embraced David, bringing their administrative skills, theological insight, and spiritual authority to bolster the new king's rule. This unified national effort, bringing together both temporal and spiritual spheres, was essential for laying the foundation of a kingdom "strong in might" (1 Chr 12:8) and unified "with a loyal heart" (1 Chr 12:38). It beautifully illustrates how diverse callings within God's people converge to serve His larger redemptive plan.