1 Chronicles 23 8

1 Chronicles 23:8 kjv

The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.

1 Chronicles 23:8 nkjv

The sons of Laadan: the first Jehiel, then Zetham and Joel?three in all.

1 Chronicles 23:8 niv

The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the first, Zetham and Joel?three in all.

1 Chronicles 23:8 esv

The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three.

1 Chronicles 23:8 nlt

Three of the descendants of Libni were Jehiel (the family leader), Zetham, and Joel.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

1 Chronicles 23 8 Meaning

1 Chronicles 23:8 outlines specific individuals recognized as leaders within a particular Levitical family, the Libnites, who were descendants of Gershon. This verse signifies King David's meticulous organization of the Levites for their diverse roles in the future temple service, demonstrating a divinely ordained order in preparing for worship and priestly duties. It emphasizes precision in administration and the importance of identifiable leadership within the service of God's house.

1 Chronicles 23 8 Context

Chapter 23 of 1 Chronicles marks a pivotal moment where King David, nearing the end of his life, begins the critical task of organizing the Levites into divisions for service in the future temple, which his son Solomon would build. Before this, the Levites mainly functioned around the Tabernacle, transporting its parts. With a permanent structure in mind, their roles needed a complete overhaul. David counted the Levites (verse 3), established the age for their service (verses 3-4, 27), and then assigned their specific duties: overseers, officials, judges, gatekeepers, musicians, and general assistants to the Aaronite priests.

Verse 8 specifically falls within the enumeration of the Gershonite families and their leadership, providing concrete names to demonstrate the thoroughness and specificity of David's organizational efforts. This entire organizational scheme, stretching from chapter 23 to 26, underpins the Chronicler's emphasis on proper worship and the rightful function of the priestly and Levitical orders, which was particularly significant for the post-exilic community looking to restore faithful worship in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 23 8 Word analysis

• Of the Libnites:

  • Word Level: The Hebrew is לִבְנִים (Libnīm). Libni was a son of Gershon, Levi's firstborn (Exod 6:17; Num 3:18). This denotes a specific family lineage within the tribe of Levi, from whom distinct leaders were drawn for their specialized functions. This highlights the importance of tribal and family identity in service.
  • Significance: Proper lineage was crucial for legitimacy in Levitical and priestly roles in ancient Israel. The Chronicler emphasizes these genealogies to affirm the legitimate claims to service.

• the chief:

  • Word Level: The Hebrew is רֹאשׁ (Rosh), meaning "head" or "chief." It indicates a position of primary leadership or principal authority within that family or division.
  • Significance: David did not simply enumerate individuals; he identified those holding positions of responsibility and authority, crucial for the functioning of any large, complex organization like the temple service.

• Jeiel:

  • Word Level: The Hebrew is יְעִיאֵל (Ye'i'el). It means "God carries away" or "God gathers/collects." While common, this particular Jeiel is identified as the chief.
  • Significance: Identifying individuals by name, particularly leaders, imbues the account with historical specificity and personalizes the roles, making it clear that actual people were entrusted with sacred duties. Many Jeiels exist in the Bible; this specific one's importance comes from his placement as the "chief" of the Libnites in this organized list.

• and Zetham:

  • Word Level: The Hebrew is זֵיתָם (Zêythām). While its etymology is uncertain, some suggest it might relate to "olive tree."
  • Significance: Along with Jeiel and Joel, Zetham is named as a significant figure. Naming multiple individuals indicates a collective leadership or prominent members who held a particular standing in this Levitical division, possibly signifying key individuals alongside the primary chief.

• and Joel:

  • Word Level: The Hebrew is יוֹאֵל (Yô'êl), meaning "Yahweh is God." This name carries a strong theological meaning.
  • Significance: Similar to Zetham, Joel's inclusion underlines the specific nature of David's preparations and the personal appointments. His name might also serve as a quiet reminder of the Lord whom these Levites served.

• three:

  • Word Level: The Hebrew is שְׁלֹשָׁה (shĕlōšâ), meaning "three." It is a simple numerical count.
  • Significance: The precise number signifies accuracy and the completed enumeration of leaders from this particular family unit. It further highlights David's detailed and systematic approach to establishing the Temple's order.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Of the Libnites, the chief Jeiel, and Zetham, and Joel": This phrase details the hierarchical and distributed nature of leadership within the Libnite family. It specifies a primary leader ("the chief Jeiel") along with two other prominent individuals, indicating a leadership team or a list of significant representatives from this branch of Levites. This illustrates a system of appointed authority and accountability within the service.
• "Of the Libnites... three": This encapsulates a specific and definite identification of a subset of Levitical leaders, originating from a defined family line. It reinforces the idea that David's organization was thorough, counting and identifying leaders even within specific family divisions to ensure comprehensive coverage of responsibilities for the temple work. The focus is on clarity and order within the structure of God's house.

1 Chronicles 23 8 Bonus section

The variation between "Libnites" (Masoretic Text) and "Laadanites" (some Septuagint manuscripts) for this family name (both Gershonite sub-clans) does not diminish the verse's core message. Whether Libnites or Laadanites, the essential point remains that David methodically cataloged specific Levitical leaders, emphasizing a meticulous organization. This demonstrates a core principle of good administration: identifying and assigning clear leadership within functional units. This attention to detail reflects a king devoted not just to the physical structure of the temple but also to the proper, ordered, and legitimate execution of its services. It serves as a reminder that diligent planning and appointed leadership are foundational for effective spiritual endeavor.

1 Chronicles 23 8 Commentary

1 Chronicles 23:8 is a succinct yet profoundly significant verse within David's comprehensive organization of the Levitical families. It demonstrates his meticulous attention to detail and his deep commitment to preparing an orderly and well-staffed worship service for the future Temple. The verse, identifying the "chief Jeiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three" from the Libnites, highlights several key principles: the divine value of order in ministry, the importance of appointed leadership based on lineage and specific individuals, and the necessity of diligent preparation for God's sacred work.

The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, emphasizes these details to reassure them of the continuity and legitimacy of their inherited worship structures. By detailing the organization begun by David, the foundational principles of true worship are upheld: that God is a God of order, not chaos (1 Cor 14:33, 40), and that those called to service must be properly identified and placed (Heb 5:4). This seemingly minor detail underscores a massive undertaking of national and spiritual restructuring, preparing a consecrated workforce to minister before the Lord according to a divinely inspired blueprint, ensuring faithful worship for generations.