1 Chronicles 24:1 kjv
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:1 nkjv
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:1 niv
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:1 esv
The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:1 nlt
This is how Aaron's descendants, the priests, were divided into groups for service. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 28:1 | "Now bring near to you Aaron... that he may minister to Me in the priest's office." | Institution of Aaronic priesthood |
| Ex 29:9 | "So you shall ordain Aaron and his sons..." | Consecration of priests |
| Lev 8:12 | "And he poured some of the anointing oil... to sanctify him." | Anointing of Aaron as High Priest |
| Num 3:5-10 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near... to serve them." | Levites assisting priests |
| Num 18:7 | "But you and your sons... attend to your priesthood." | Exclusive nature of priestly duties |
| 1 Chr 6:48 | "Their brothers the Levites were appointed to all manner of service..." | Levites appointed to specific tasks |
| 1 Chr 9:1-2 | "And the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions... were priests, Levites, and temple servants." | Return to structured service after exile |
| 1 Chr 23:6 | "David divided them into divisions..." | General division of Levites |
| 1 Chr 24:3 | "David and Zadok and Ahimelech divided them..." | Details of how the divisions were made |
| 1 Chr 24:5 | "Thus they were divided by lot, one as another..." | Use of lots for divine ordering |
| 1 Chr 25:1 | "David and the chiefs of the service separated for service... the sons of Asaph..." | Divisions for temple musicians |
| 1 Chr 26:1 | "For the divisions of the gatekeepers..." | Divisions for gatekeepers |
| 2 Chr 8:14 | "He appointed the divisions of the priests for their service..." | Solomon continuing David's arrangements |
| 2 Chr 23:8 | "The priests and the Levites returned... each for his service." | Priests and Levites following courses |
| Neh 12:47 | "All Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers... and they set apart for the Levites, and the Levites set apart for the sons of Aaron." | Continuation of divisions post-exile |
| Lk 1:5 | "In the days of Herod... there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah..." | NT evidence of ongoing priestly courses |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | God's nature as ordering all things |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But all things should be done decently and in order." | Principle of order in worship |
| Heb 5:4 | "And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was." | Divine calling for priesthood |
| Heb 7:11-14 | "If perfection had been by the Levitical priesthood... there was no need for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek..." | Transition from Aaronic to Christ's priesthood |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood..." | New Covenant: Priesthood of believers |
| Rev 1:6 | "and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father..." | New Covenant: All believers are priests |
1 Chronicles 24 verses
1 Chronicles 24 1 Meaning
1 Chronicles 24:1 introduces the systematic organization of the descendants of Aaron, who constituted the Levitical priesthood, into distinct groups or "divisions" for the purpose of carrying out their duties in the service of the Lord's house. This verse signals the commencement of a detailed record of how David, inspired by God, meticulously structured the priestly classes to ensure continuous and orderly worship in the temple that would be built by Solomon.
1 Chronicles 24 1 Context
1 Chronicles 24:1 initiates a highly detailed account of King David’s organization of the Levitical priesthood for temple service. Following genealogies (1 Chr 1-9) and the reign of King David, the Chronicler dedicates extensive chapters (1 Chr 23-26) to outlining the meticulous preparations for the construction and operation of the future Temple. Chapter 23 describes David’s division of all Levites, setting them roles in support of the priests. Chapter 24 narrows this focus to the specific “divisions of the sons of Aaron,” detailing how the vast number of priests would rotate in service. This systematic structuring highlights David's foresight, obedience to God's command, and his deep commitment to established worship practices, ensuring continuity and order in the holy work for generations to come, well before Solomon even laid a stone for the Temple.
1 Chronicles 24 1 Word analysis
- Now these (וַאֵלֶּה, va'elleh): The prefixed waw ("ו") acts as a connective, linking this section to the preceding genealogies and David's preparations. "These" (אֵלֶּה, elleh) functions demonstratively, indicating that what follows is a specific listing or enumeration of the previously introduced general concept. It marks a transition to a detailed and administrative register.
- are the divisions (מַחְלְקוֹת, machl'qot): This is the plural form of מַחְלְקָה (machlaqah), meaning "division," "course," "class," or "lot." It signifies a structured arrangement, distribution, or grouping. In a cultic context, it refers to the rotating schedules of priestly service, ensuring that all eligible families received their turn. The term emphasizes organization, order, and efficient administration of sacred duties rather than haphazard service.
- of the sons (בְּנֵי, b'nei): A plural construct noun from בֵּן (ben), "son." It designates the direct male descendants. Here, "sons" implies a collective body of all who inherited the priestly office through lineage.
- of Aaron (אַהֲרֹן, Aharon): Refers to Aaron, the first High Priest, appointed by God (Ex 28:1). His descendants, the "sons of Aaron," were divinely mandated to serve as priests in Israel (Num 3:10, 18:7). The explicit mention of Aaron signifies the continuity and legitimacy of the priesthood, grounding David's arrangements in the original divine mandate given at Sinai.
Words-group analysis:
- Now these are the divisions: This phrase functions as a clear introductory statement, announcing that the subsequent text will enumerate and detail the specific arrangement of a group, signaling a shift from a general overview to a meticulous list or explanation of organized entities.
- the divisions of the sons of Aaron: This phrase defines the specific subject of the detailed organization—the priestly lineage tracing back to Aaron. It highlights the hereditary nature of the priesthood and the systematic manner in which this sacred institution was to function, not as a random collection of individuals but as a highly ordered system, designed to serve God efficiently and continually.
1 Chronicles 24 1 Bonus section
- The chronicler's emphasis on priestly and Levitical divisions reflects a deep concern for the legitimate continuity of Israel's cultic practices, especially after the Babylonian exile when maintaining proper lineage and service order was vital for the renewed community.
- The organization detailed here serves as a template for subsequent temple administration in Jewish history, signifying a lasting impact of David's foundational work.
- The numbering of "24 divisions" in the following verses (v. 4) becomes highly symbolic, impacting later Jewish understanding of priestly rotations and schedules.
- The concept of organized service, while specific to the Old Covenant priesthood, finds echo in the New Covenant understanding of the church as the body of Christ, where each member has a gift and a function to be used for the edification of the whole, implying order and systematic participation (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12).
1 Chronicles 24 1 Commentary
1 Chronicles 24:1 lays the groundwork for understanding the administrative genius of King David, operating under divine inspiration, in preparing for Israel's temple worship. Far from merely chronicling genealogies, this verse establishes David's commitment to ordered religious service by meticulously organizing the descendants of Aaron into functioning courses. This systematic division, later reinforced by lot to demonstrate divine approval, ensured equity, avoided conflict, and guaranteed the continuous, orderly performance of priestly duties in the future Temple. It reflects a core biblical principle: God is a God of order, and His worship should be conducted with deliberate preparation and structure. This historical detail underscores the theological truth that true devotion includes diligent preparation and a commitment to structured worship that reflects God's nature. This organized system continued through generations, as evidenced by Zechariah’s service (Lk 1:5), demonstrating its enduring practical and spiritual significance for maintaining fidelity to God’s appointed way of worship.