1 Chronicles 24 14

1 Chronicles 24:14 kjv

The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

1 Chronicles 24:14 nkjv

the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

1 Chronicles 24:14 niv

the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

1 Chronicles 24:14 esv

the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

1 Chronicles 24:14 nlt

The fifteenth lot fell to Bilgah.
The sixteenth lot fell to Immer.

1 Chronicles 24 verses

1 Chronicles 24 14 Meaning

1 Chronicles 24:14 lists two specific priestly divisions: "the eighteenth to Hakkoz, the nineteenth to Pethahiah." This verse continues the systematic record of the twenty-four divisions of priests established by King David. It indicates the precise order and the names of the family lines assigned to serve in the future Temple in Jerusalem, ensuring an orderly and consistent rotation of duties.

1 Chronicles 24 14 Context

This verse is found within 1 Chronicles chapter 24, which meticulously details David's organization of the Aaronic priesthood into twenty-four distinct divisions. Following his successful military campaigns and the preparations for building the Temple, David focused on establishing an orderly and structured system for worship and priestly service, essential for when the Temple would be built. Chapter 23 outlines the Levites' general duties and divisions, while chapter 24 specifically enumerates the priestly (Aaronic) family lines, ensuring a rotation for their liturgical duties throughout the year. The chapter stresses that these divisions were determined "by lot" (1 Chr 24:5, 31) to show impartiality and divine appointment. The broader context of 1 Chronicles emphasizes David's role not just as a king but as a spiritual organizer who faithfully prepared Israel for proper worship according to divine commands, reflecting a return to and establishment of a pure, structured worship life. Historically, this systematization was critical for the future Temple service, providing a permanent framework that lasted for centuries, even beyond the exile. It stood in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and disorganized religious practices of surrounding nations, reinforcing Israel's unique, God-ordained priesthood.

1 Chronicles 24 14 Word analysis

• the eighteenth (הַשְּׁמֹונָה עֶשְׂרֵה ha-shemônâh ‘esreh):

  • Significance: This numerical ordinal precisely places this division in the sequence, underscoring the highly organized and systematic nature of David's arrangement for temple service. It points to a well-defined schedule and orderly rotation of priestly duties, essential for maintaining continuous worship.

• to (לְ le-):

  • Significance: A preposition indicating assignment or belonging. It denotes that the eighteenth priestly course was allocated to the family named Hakkoz, designating their responsibility.

• Hakkoz (הַקּוֹץ ha-qaqôṣ):

  • Meaning: A proper noun referring to a specific priestly family line descending from Aaron through Eleazar (1 Chr 24:6). The name means "the thorn" but here identifies a lineage, not its literal meaning.
  • Significance: The meticulous recording of family names like Hakkoz was crucial because priestly identity and legitimate service depended strictly on ancestry from Aaron. Later, the sons of Hakkoz were among those whose lineage was questioned upon return from Babylonian exile, highlighting the ongoing importance of genealogical purity for priestly service (Ezra 2:61-62; Neh 7:63-64).

• the nineteenth (הַתִּשְׁעָה עֶשְׂרֵה ha-tish‘â ‘esreh):

  • Significance: Like "the eighteenth," this ordinal reiterates the detailed sequencing. The listing of each division demonstrates comprehensive planning and equal opportunity for service among the qualified priestly families.

• to (לִ li-):

  • Significance: Again, indicates the assignment or designation of the nineteenth division to the following family.

• Pethahiah (פְּתַחְיָה pĕthaḥyâh):

  • Meaning: A proper noun, another priestly family line. The name means "Yahweh opens" or "Yahweh sets free."
  • Significance: Just as with Hakkoz, the family name established the legitimate claim to priestly duties. While specific individuals named Pethahiah appear in later texts (e.g., as a Levite in Neh 9:5 and Neh 11:24), here it signifies the ancestral lineage to whom this rotational period of temple service was assigned.

• Words-group analysis: "the eighteenth to Hakkoz, the nineteenth to Pethahiah"

  • This phrase embodies the structured system established by David. The pairing of a numerical order with a specific family name reflects a systematic, divinely guided apportionment of duties. It implies foresight and order in temple administration, ensuring that sacred responsibilities were shared equitably among the qualified priestly lines through successive generations, based on impartial lot-casting (1 Chr 24:5). This prevented monopolization by certain families and fostered continuity in divine worship.

1 Chronicles 24 14 Bonus section

The precise organization of priestly and Levitical duties by David extended beyond the initial setup; it established a foundational structure that persisted throughout Israel's history until the destruction of the Second Temple. The mention of families like Hakkoz being accounted for after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:61) demonstrates the lasting legacy and importance of these divisions. While the Aaronic priesthood served a temporal function and has been superseded by Christ's superior priesthood, the principle of systematic, dedicated, and communal service to God, as shown in 1 Chronicles 24, remains profoundly relevant. This divinely-ordained system also highlighted accountability; each priestly family knew their designated time to serve and were expected to be prepared, emphasizing faithfulness in specific assigned roles.

1 Chronicles 24 14 Commentary

1 Chronicles 24:14, though seemingly a dry list of names, is pivotal for understanding the meticulous organization of divine worship under King David. This verse, like others in the chapter, underlines God's desire for order and peace in all matters, especially in His sacred service. David, inspired by divine wisdom, established a detailed framework for the priests, assigning each of the 24 divisions by lot a specific turn of service at the Tabernacle and, subsequently, the Temple. The inclusion of specific family names like Hakkoz and Pethahiah underscores the centrality of lineage for the legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood and the continuity of covenant promises. This system ensured fairness, prevented chaos, and facilitated an uninterrupted, disciplined approach to worship, reflecting God's orderly character. The precise enumeration foreshadows the divine blueprint for effective spiritual stewardship, a principle still echoed in the New Testament's emphasis on orderly conduct within the believing community.