1 Chronicles 15:9 kjv
Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:
1 Chronicles 15:9 nkjv
of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and eighty of his brethren;
1 Chronicles 15:9 niv
from the descendants of Hebron, Eliel the leader and 80 relatives;
1 Chronicles 15:9 esv
of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, with 80 of his brothers;
1 Chronicles 15:9 nlt
From the descendants of Hebron, 80, with Eliel as their leader.
1 Chronicles 15 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:19 | The sons of Kohath by their families were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. | Identifies Hebron as a son of Kohath, a Levite. |
| Num 4:4-15 | The service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting… | Kohathites responsible for sacred articles. |
| Deut 10:8 | At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark… | Levites are divinely chosen to carry the Ark. |
| 1 Chr 13:7-10 | And they carried the ark of God on a new cart... and the Lord struck Uzzah. | The failed, improper transport of the Ark. |
| 1 Chr 15:2 | Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites…” | David's specific instruction after the failure. |
| 1 Chr 15:4-8 | David gathered the sons of Aaron and the Levites… of the sons of Kohath… | Lists other Levitical families involved. |
| 1 Chr 15:11-13 | David called for Zadok…and for the Levites… and said to them… because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us… | David's directive to sanctify and carry correctly. |
| 2 Sam 6:13 | And when those who carried the ark of the Lord had gone six paces… | Parallel account showing Levites carrying the Ark. |
| Exod 25:14-15 | You shall put poles into the rings… The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed. | Specific instructions for carrying the Ark by poles. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | Nadab and Abihu…offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them… and fire came out… and consumed them. | Judgment for improper worship/service. |
| Exod 19:22 | And let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves… | Importance of sanctification for God's presence. |
| Ps 24:3-4 | Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? …He who has clean hands and a pure heart. | Emphasizes the need for purity to approach God. |
| Isa 52:11 | Go out from there…Purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the Lord. | Call for purity among those serving God. |
| Ezra 8:28 | Then I said to them, “You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy…” | Emphasizes the holiness of the carriers and articles. |
| Heb 9:1-5 | For a tabernacle was prepared, the first section… and the ark of the covenant… | Describes the Ark and its sacred contents in the tabernacle. |
| Rom 12:1 | presenting your bodies a living and holy sacrifice…acceptable to God… | Principle of acceptable worship/service in NT. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation… | New Testament understanding of priestly role for all believers. |
| Col 2:16-17 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you… as to food or drink… which are a mere shadow of what is to come… | Old Covenant regulations as shadows pointing to Christ. |
| Heb 8:5 | Who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God… | Old Covenant rituals foreshadow heavenly realities. |
| 1 Chr 16:1 | And they brought the ark of God and set it in the midst of the tent… | Culmination of the Ark's successful transfer. |
| John 4:24 | God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. | New Testament emphasis on spiritual worship. |
| 2 Tim 2:21 | Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master… | Readiness for honorable service in the New Covenant. |
1 Chronicles 15 verses
1 Chronicles 15 9 Meaning
1 Chronicles 15:9 specifies a particular Levitical lineage, "of Hebron and his relatives," along with their numerical contribution, "800," to the contingent appointed by King David to carry the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This verse underscores the meticulous preparations and the strict adherence to divine instructions for handling the sacred Ark, especially after the previous disastrous attempt where the Ark was transported improperly. It highlights the principle of order, purity, and proper delegation in the service of God's holy presence.
1 Chronicles 15 9 Context
First Chronicles 15 is pivotal in narrating David's second, successful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, marking a significant restoration of proper worship after the tragic failure documented in 1 Chronicles 13. The earlier incident saw Uzzah struck dead for touching the Ark when it was being transported improperly on a cart. Learning from this severe divine correction, David recognized the absolute necessity of adhering to God's specific instructions, as detailed in the Mosaic Law concerning the handling of the sacred Ark.
The entire chapter of 1 Chronicles 15 highlights David's meticulous preparations: building a designated place for the Ark, summoning the priests (descendants of Aaron) and Levites, and instructing them to sanctify themselves and carry the Ark on poles as prescribed (Num 4). Verse 9, specifically mentioning "of Hebron and his relatives, 800," is part of a detailed enumeration of the Levites and their chiefs who were appointed for this task. The chronicler's emphasis on such specifics underscores the importance of legitimate lineage, designated roles within the tribal structures (especially the Levites), and strict adherence to ceremonial purity for approaching God's holy presence. For the post-exilic community, this record served as a reminder of their heritage, the enduring Davidic covenant, and the essential nature of ordered, proper worship.
1 Chronicles 15 9 Word analysis
(of) Hebron: Hebrew: mibnei Chevrōn (מִבְּנֵי חֶבְרוֹן). This literally means "from the sons of Hebron." Hebron was one of the four sons of Kohath, who was a son of Levi (Exod 6:18, Num 3:19). The Hebronites were a distinct branch of the Kohathite Levites (Num 3:27), whose primary sacred duty involved carrying the tabernacle's most holy furnishings, including the Ark, after the priests had wrapped them (Num 4:4-15). The precise mention of this specific lineage confirms David's obedience to God's established order for handling sacred objects, demonstrating a correct understanding of divine protocol. It also highlights the Chronicler's theological emphasis on genealogy and legitimate service.
and his relatives: Hebrew: wᵉʾeḥāyv (וְאֶחָיו). This phrase refers to the broader kin, brethren, or members of his clan/family unit. It indicates the collective participation of this entire ancestral subdivision of the Levites, implying not just one person but the whole recognized family branch acting together under their head for this important service. It signifies communal responsibility in carrying out divine duties.
800: Hebrew: shᵉmônēh mēʾôt (שְׁמוֹנֶה מֵאוֹת). This precise numerical figure demonstrates the careful census-taking and organizational effort put into this sacred event. The Chronicler frequently uses numbers to signify order, magnitude, and divine arrangement within Israel's life. While the exact census figures for Hebronites might vary in different biblical contexts (e.g., Numbers 3:27-28 for all male Hebronites from a month old), "800" here likely represents the number of eligible adult males selected or prepared for this specific duty of carrying the Ark, a significant contingent from this family line, showcasing their substantial involvement.
1 Chronicles 15 9 Bonus section
The chronicler’s detailed genealogies and numerical accounts, as seen in 1 Chronicles 15:9, serve a crucial theological and historical purpose. For the post-exilic Jewish community, this information reinforced their connection to a divinely established past, validating their lineage and the continued roles of priests and Levites in temple service. The meticulous record-keeping demonstrated that the service of God was not arbitrary but followed an ordered, God-given structure. The repeated emphasis on specific Levitical families like Hebron highlights the long-standing continuity of their divine appointment to service, connecting the restored community to the sacred history of Israel. It also underlines David’s commitment to restoring legitimate worship that would continue through Solomon and subsequent generations, shaping the spiritual identity of Israel.
1 Chronicles 15 9 Commentary
1 Chronicles 15:9 provides a granular detail in David's meticulously organized retrieval of the Ark of the Covenant, underscoring the shift from presumption to precise obedience. After the tragedy of Uzzah, David understood that God's presence, symbolized by the Ark, demanded reverence, sanctity, and strict adherence to divine instructions for handling. The specific mention of "Hebron and his relatives, 800" highlights several critical aspects. Firstly, it reaffirms the exclusive privilege and responsibility of the Levites—and within them, the Kohathite descendants like the Hebronites—to carry the Ark, as prescribed in Mosaic Law (Numbers 4). This detail underscores that David did not merely rectify a procedural error, but implemented God's very specific, divinely established order. Secondly, the numerical count emphasizes the structured, disciplined nature of this sacred task. It wasn't a haphazard gathering but a carefully organized event, with designated individuals performing their ancestral duties. This attention to detail speaks to David's earnest desire to honor God correctly, contrasting with the prior episode's irreverence. For believers today, this verse remains a timeless reminder that while worship flows from the heart, it must also conform to God's revealed will and principles. Proper reverence, holiness, and attention to biblical instructions are paramount in our approach to God and our service in His kingdom.