1 Chronicles 23 7

1 Chronicles 23:7 kjv

Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.

1 Chronicles 23:7 nkjv

Of the Gershonites: Laadan and Shimei.

1 Chronicles 23:7 niv

Belonging to the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei.

1 Chronicles 23:7 esv

The sons of Gershon were Ladan and Shimei.

1 Chronicles 23:7 nlt

The Gershonite family units were defined by their lines of descent from Libni and Shimei, the sons of Gershon.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

1 Chronicles 23 7 Meaning

This verse specifies two principal family heads, Laadan and Shimei, who belonged to the Gershonite branch of the Levites, being enumerated as part of King David's extensive reorganization for temple service. It highlights the precise classification of Levitical families to ensure order and dedicated service in the future temple.

1 Chronicles 23 7 Context

First Chronicles chapter 23 begins King David's extensive and meticulously detailed organization of the Levites for the future temple service, as he nears the end of his reign. Realizing he would not build the temple, David dedicated significant effort to preparing the personnel, materials, and plans for his son Solomon. This chapter specifically details the numbering of the Levites and their classification into various groups based on their ancestral houses. Verses 4-6 introduce the categories of service: supervisors of temple work, officers, judges, gatekeepers, and musicians.

Verse 7 marks the beginning of the actual enumeration of the Levites by their specific family heads within the major clans of Levi—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—starting with Gershon. The purpose of such detailed lineage and assignments was to ensure that every function in the divinely ordained temple service was adequately staffed and managed, preventing chaos or unauthorized participation. This emphasis on order and inherited duty stands as a testament to God's desire for an organized and dedicated approach to worship and service. Historically, the careful preservation of genealogies was critical for identifying those legitimate to perform priestly and Levitical duties, maintaining the purity and continuity of the sacrificial and worship system established by God.

1 Chronicles 23 7 Word analysis

• Of the Gershonites (הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֕י - hagGershunni):

  • Word: Gershonites refers to the descendants of Gershon, the first son of Levi (Exo 6:16). They were one of the three major divisions of the Levites, alongside the Kohathites and Merarites.
  • Significance: Originally, during the wilderness wandering, the Gershonites were responsible for carrying the tabernacle's coverings, curtains, screens, and cords (Num 3:25-26, 4:24-26). With the establishment of a fixed temple, their roles shifted, but their identity through lineage remained crucial. Their involvement here in the comprehensive reorganization underscores the continuity of Levitical service, albeit with adapted responsibilities in the permanent temple structure, potentially encompassing roles as temple administrators, treasurers (as implied in 1 Chr 26:20), or assistants in various duties as listed in 1 Chr 23:28-32. The adherence to family lines demonstrates God's consistent plan for ordered service.

• were:

  • Significance: This is an implied verb in Hebrew, signifying existence, identity, or belonging. It states a direct fact of classification: Laadan and Shimei belonged to or were the family heads of the Gershonites. It asserts their authoritative position within their respective family divisions.

• Laadan (לַעְדָּ֖ן - La'dan):

  • Word: Laadan is a personal name.
  • Significance: In other significant Levitical genealogies (e.g., Exod 6:17; Num 3:21; 1 Chr 6:17, 26:20), this figure is often identified as Libni (לִבְנִי - Libni), the son of Gershon. This variation is common in ancient Near Eastern naming conventions, where individuals might have alternative names, or names might evolve. The crucial point is the consistent identification of a foundational Gershonite lineage through this person. His mention here indicates a specific patriarchal head chosen to represent a sub-family branch for organizational purposes in the new temple administration.

• and Shimei (וְשִׁמְעִֽי - w'Shimei):

  • Word: Shimei is also a personal name, frequently appearing in Old Testament genealogies.
  • Significance: Like Laadan, Shimei is listed as another son of Gershon in other genealogies (Exod 6:17; Num 3:21; 1 Chr 6:17). His inclusion here as another head alongside Laadan signifies the existence of at least two primary branches within the Gershonite clan that required distinct recognition and allocation for the organized temple service. This illustrates the meticulous and thorough nature of David's administrative planning, ensuring every major family division was accounted for and had assigned leadership.

• Of the Gershonites were Laadan and Shimei:

  • Words-group analysis: This phrase collectively emphasizes the granular level of detail in David's organization of the Levitical service. It moves beyond simply "Levites" or "Gershonites" to specify the exact family heads designated. This precision reflects a divinely inspired desire for order and accountability in worship, ensuring that every facet of service in God's house would be managed by authorized and specifically identified individuals, flowing from established and legitimate lineage. It underscores the importance of proper lineage and representation within the covenant community's service structure.

1 Chronicles 23 7 Bonus section

The mention of Laadan often being identified with Libni across various genealogies (e.g., Exodus 6:17, Numbers 3:21) highlights a fascinating aspect of biblical genealogies. It demonstrates that figures could be known by multiple names, or that different scribal traditions might have preserved slightly varying forms of names. Far from undermining the accuracy, this reinforces the ancient practice of oral tradition and record-keeping, where names served as anchors for specific family lines rather than always adhering to a single, rigid designation. This also shows the care in preserving comprehensive family records necessary for Levitical duty validation throughout generations. The shift in Levitical responsibilities from carrying the Tabernacle's movable parts in the wilderness to the settled, multifaceted services in the permanent Jerusalem Temple meant that new roles like overseeing treasuries, judging, gatekeeping, and singing required specific, organized assignment to descendants of Levi's original sons. This verse precisely shows this transition into specific, ordered family heads for a settled temple service.

1 Chronicles 23 7 Commentary

1 Chronicles 23:7, though seemingly a simple genealogical listing, serves as a foundational detail within David's elaborate preparation for the future temple. It underscores the principle of divine order in all aspects of worship and service. The meticulous identification of family heads like Laadan and Shimei within the Gershonite clan speaks to the high value placed on inherited service, lineage, and structure in Old Testament covenant life. David was not merely creating jobs; he was ensuring the continuity and integrity of the Levitical ministry, a service dedicated to God that had precise, divinely prescribed requirements.

This verse exemplifies the profound care taken to staff God's house properly, highlighting the necessity of systematic organization even in sacred endeavors. It reveals David's foresight and his commitment to leave a legacy of organized worship, reflecting God's own character of order (1 Cor 14:40). It moves beyond general assignment to specific designation, emphasizing that every unit, no matter how small, was essential and had its recognized leader. In the spiritual application, while the New Covenant moves beyond genetic lineage for ministry (1 Pet 2:9), the underlying principle of divinely gifted and ordered ministry within the church (Rom 12:4-8; Eph 4:11-12) echoes this Old Testament commitment to structure and designated leadership for effective service to God.