1 Chronicles 23 9

1 Chronicles 23:9 kjv

The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan.

1 Chronicles 23:9 nkjv

The sons of Shimei: Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran?three in all. These were the heads of the fathers' houses of Laadan.

1 Chronicles 23:9 niv

The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran?three in all. These were the heads of the families of Ladan.

1 Chronicles 23:9 esv

The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers' houses of Ladan.

1 Chronicles 23:9 nlt

These were the leaders of the family of Libni. Three of the descendants of Shimei were Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

1 Chronicles 23 9 Meaning

1 Chronicles 23:9 records a specific genealogical detail within King David's organized registration of the Levites, particularly focusing on the family of Shimei, one of the sons of Gershon. It enumerates the children belonging to a particular branch of this family: Shelomith, Jahath, and Zina, totaling three sons, followed by Jeush and Beriah, confirming a grand total of five sons from Shimei. This verse highlights the meticulous effort put into identifying and counting individual Levites destined for service in the tabernacle, and later the Temple, ensuring proper order and lineage for the sacred duties.

1 Chronicles 23 9 Context

1 Chronicles 23 falls within the Chronicler's broader narrative concerning King David's preparations for the construction and perpetual service of the Temple, even though his son Solomon would ultimately build it. After a census of Levites who were at least twenty years old (1 Chr 23:3), David begins to organize them into divisions according to their ancestral houses for various duties: assisting the priests, playing musical instruments, serving as gatekeepers, and administering the storehouses. This specific chapter outlines the registration of the sons of Levi by their families: Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites.Verse 9 focuses on the Gershonite line, specifically a family group within it descending from Shimei. This meticulous listing underscores David's dedication to establishing a well-structured and organized system for worship that would ensure proper functioning long after his reign. The Chronicler emphasizes legitimate lineage and order in worship, likely speaking to a post-exilic audience concerned with restoring proper practices. The numerical accuracy within the verse highlights the thoroughness of the organization, underscoring that every Levite had an assigned place and role, fulfilling God's design for His house.

1 Chronicles 23 9 Word analysis

• Of the sons of Shimei: This phrase indicates lineage and family grouping. Shimei (שִׁמְעִי, Shim‘i) is a common name, here referring to one of the sons of Gershon, the son of Levi (1 Chr 23:7). The emphasis on "sons" establishes the hereditary nature of the Levitical service, crucial for identifying legitimate officiants for temple duties as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. This lineage provided a legal and divinely sanctioned basis for their roles, differentiating true servants from any who might usurp sacred functions.
• Shelomith, Jahath, and Zina; three.
  • Shelomith (שְׁלֹמִית, Shlomiyt): A personal name, likely meaning "peaceful" or "my peace." The inclusion of specific names reinforces the careful and individual accounting of the Levites.
  • Jahath (יַחַת, Yachath): A personal name, likely meaning "he will snatch away."
  • Zina (זִינָא, Ziyna'): A personal name. Some ancient versions or manuscript traditions of 1 Chr 23:10 have "Zizah" (זִיזָה, Zizah) instead, suggesting a minor textual variation common with proper names. The Masoretic Text for 23:9 clearly uses "Zina." The precision of naming each individual reflects the detailed nature of David's census and organization, indicating that God's plan involves not just groups but every specific person.
  • three: The explicit numerical tally highlights the precise and meticulous nature of the record. This accuracy was vital for administrative purposes and to ensure every assigned position was filled and accounted for.
• And Jeush, and Beriah; these were the sons of Shimei: five.
  • Jeush (יְעוּשׁ, Ye‘ush): A personal name, possibly meaning "he will haste" or "gather."
  • Beriah (בְּרִיעָה, Briy'ah): A personal name, possibly meaning "with a gift" or "in evil" (the latter unlikely given the context of service to God).
  • these were the sons of Shimei: Reconfirms the parental lineage, explicitly grouping these additional two sons with the initial three under the common ancestor Shimei.
  • five: The total sum explicitly confirms the number, underscoring the comprehensive nature of David's enumeration and division. This attention to detail implies divine order and a divinely guided process for the proper administration of worship.

1 Chronicles 23 9 Bonus section

The Chronicler's profound interest in genealogical records, particularly concerning the Levites and priests, distinguishes his work. These lists served multiple critical purposes: to legitimize the returning community's claims to the land and temple service post-exile; to reinforce the continuity of divine promises through specific lineages; and to present a model of proper, ordered worship, a central concern for the Chronicler. For a community rebuilding after displacement and questioning their identity, such detailed records provided assurance and structure. They reminded the people of Israel that despite disruptions, God’s covenantal design for their worship, as initiated by David, remained intact and divinely sanctioned. This also implicitly served as a gentle rebuke to any form of haphazard or un-ordained worship, by showing the precision God expected in His service.

1 Chronicles 23 9 Commentary

1 Chronicles 23:9 provides a microscopic look into King David's macro-organizational efforts for the future Temple service. Far from a mere dry list of names, this verse is testament to the deep theological and administrative commitment David held toward the Lord's house and worship. It shows a king, who though prevented from building the Temple, devoted considerable energy to ensure its sacred functions would be conducted with divine order and legitimacy. The explicit naming of individuals—Shelomith, Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah—underscores the meticulous care taken in accounting for every Levite from the specified age range. The repeated numerical totals ("three," "five") emphasize a complete and verified census, essential for a functional, hereditary priesthood and worship system. This order was not arbitrary; it reflected God's character and His desire for an ordered and consecrated worship. It highlights that God values every individual's role in His plan and work, even if only noted by a name in a vast lineage. This foundational structure was critical for the continuity of Temple worship across generations, fulfilling the divine mandates for sacred service and preparing the way for Solomon to inherit a well-structured religious administration.