1 Chronicles 24 19

1 Chronicles 24:19 kjv

These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 24:19 nkjv

This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the LORD according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 24:19 niv

This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 24:19 esv

These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the LORD according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 24:19 nlt

Each group carried out its appointed duties in the house of the LORD according to the procedures established by their ancestor Aaron in obedience to the commands of the LORD, the God of Israel.

1 Chronicles 24 19 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Lev 8:33"You shall not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days for your ordination are completed, for it will take seven days to ordain you."Aaron's consecration for priestly service.
Num 3:5-10"Bring the tribe of Levi near... to assist Aaron the priest... and the Levites shall perform the duties of the tent of meeting for all the service of the tabernacle."Establishment of Levites assisting priests.
Num 18:7"But you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift for service..."God designates the Aaronic priesthood.
Exod 28:1"Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."Initial selection of Aaronic priests.
1 Chr 9:18-32"until then they had been at the king’s gate on the east, as the gatekeepers for the camp of the sons of Levi... also of the sons of the priests, they prepared the spice mixture..."Pre-Davidic roles and responsibilities.
1 Chr 23:1-6"When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel. He gathered together all the leaders of Israel... the priests into divisions, according to the sons of Levi..."David organizes priestly divisions.
1 Chr 24:1-6"The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these... There were sixteen heads of fathers' houses for the descendants of Eleazar, and eight for the descendants of Ithamar."Specific naming of the 24 priestly courses.
2 Chr 8:14"According to the ordinance of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their duties of praise..."Solomon upholds David's priestly structure.
Ezr 3:10-11"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets... stood up to praise the LORD, according to the directions of David king of Israel."Priests resume service after exile.
Neh 12:44-47"On that day men were appointed over the storerooms... for the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them... for the priests and for the Levites..."Sustaining the priests and their service.
Deut 4:2"You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you."Emphasizes adherence to divine commands.
Josh 1:7"Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you."Command to obey God's law explicitly.
2 Ki 11:4-9"Jehoiada the priest sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guard... for on the Sabbath they went in and went out... these the priest brought into the house of the LORD."Priestly rotation for protection, illustrating their shifts.
Luke 1:5"In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah."New Testament example of priestly courses in operation.
1 Cor 14:40"But all things should be done decently and in order."Principle of order in worship.
Heb 5:1-5"For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God... No one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was."Christ's high priesthood compared to Aaron's divine appointment.
Heb 7:11-12"Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek...?"Limitations of the Levitical priesthood.
Heb 9:1-5"Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary... with its regulations for divine worship..."Regulations of the Old Covenant sanctuary.
1 Pet 2:5"You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."New Testament priesthood of all believers.
1 Pet 2:9"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."Believers as a royal priesthood.
Rev 1:6"and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."Believers as priests in the new creation.

1 Chronicles 24 verses

1 Chronicles 24 19 Meaning

This verse delineates that the arrangements for the priests' service, particularly their structured rotations within the Lord's house, were established as divinely commanded to Aaron, their ancestral father, by the Lord God of Israel. It emphasizes the divinely ordained and systematic nature of their liturgical duties within the Temple.

1 Chronicles 24 19 Context

First Chronicles chapter 24 focuses on David's meticulous organization of the priestly duties into twenty-four distinct divisions or courses. This comprehensive arrangement was made in preparation for the permanent Temple service that would take place once the Temple was built. The chapter lists the specific lineage of the priests from Eleazar and Ithamar, sons of Aaron, and outlines how these divisions would take turns serving in the House of the Lord. Verse 19 acts as a concluding statement, solidifying the divine authority and ancient legitimacy behind these detailed arrangements, ensuring they were not mere human inventions but a continuation of God's commands to the original priesthood through Aaron. This organization reflected God's desire for order, regularity, and holiness in worship, preventing chaos and ensuring proper adherence to sacrificial and liturgical duties. It stands as a polemic against unauthorized worship, highlighting the importance of divine appointment and established structure over arbitrary practices or false altars, which were prevalent among surrounding nations and at times within Israel's own history.

1 Chronicles 24 19 Word Analysis

  • These: Refers directly to the twenty-four priestly divisions listed in the preceding verses (1 Chr 24:7-18). It underscores the systematic arrangement David implemented.
  • were the assignments (פְּקֻדֹּתֵיהֶם - pequdotēhem): Derived from paqad, meaning to appoint, visit, muster, or number. It denotes specific responsibilities, charges, or official duties. This implies a careful, divine oversight and allocation of tasks, ensuring each group knew their turn and duty.
  • of their service (לַעֲבֹדָתָם - la‘avodatam): From ‘avodah, referring to cultic labor, worship, or ministry, especially priestly or Levitical service in the Tabernacle/Temple. This is the sacred work of attending to God's presence, offering sacrifices, and performing rituals.
  • for their coming in (לְבוֹאָם - levo’am): Implies their turns or rotations of entry. The priestly divisions served on a weekly basis, rotating into Jerusalem and the Temple. This highlights the practical execution of the assigned duties.
  • by their appointment (בְּמִשְׁפָּטָם - bemishpatam): Though sometimes translated "appointment," mishpatam (mishpat with suffix) literally means "according to their justice/judgment" or "their custom/ordinance." In this context, it signifies a fixed, regulated, and just order or procedure that they were bound by. It's a structured and legitimate system.
  • into the house of the Lord (אֶל בֵּית־יְהוָה - el beyt Yahweh): This specifies the sacred place of worship—the Temple in Jerusalem. It underscores that these services were directed towards God's dwelling place, symbolizing His presence among His people.
  • according to the ordinance (כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם - kemishpatam): Reinforces the preceding phrase bemishpatam. It emphasizes that these detailed divisions and rotations were not arbitrary human decisions but conformed to established and authoritative divine regulation. It speaks of rightful procedure.
  • given to Aaron their father (אֶת־אַהֲרֹן אֲבִיהֶם - et Aaron avihem): Links the contemporary Temple arrangements directly back to the foundational principles of the priesthood established during the Exodus period, with Aaron as the divinely appointed first high priest and progenitor of all legitimate priests. This authenticates the priesthood's lineage and authority.
  • as the Lord God of Israel (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - ka’asher tzivah Yahweh Elohei Yisra'el): "Lord" (Yahweh) refers to God's covenant name, emphasizing His relational and unchanging nature. "God of Israel" highlights His unique covenant relationship with Israel. This phrase underscores the ultimate divine authority and origin of these instructions.
  • had commanded him (אֹתוֹ - otho): Directly states that these organizational principles originated not with David or human wisdom, but with a direct command from Yahweh to Aaron. This foundational divine imperative validates the entire structure of the priestly service.

1 Chronicles 24 19 Bonus Section

  • The emphasis on "ordinance" and "commanded" reveals a polemical intent, distinguishing Israel's structured, divinely-instituted worship from the arbitrary or chaotic cults of surrounding nations. It subtly asserts the superiority and legitimacy of Yahwistic worship.
  • David's actions in organizing the priesthood reflect a deeper understanding that good leadership includes administrative structuring to facilitate sacred service effectively and reverently.
  • The system of rotation (courses) for the priests not only ensured order but also allowed every eligible priest to participate in Temple ministry over time, promoting equity among the priestly families within the prescribed divine framework.
  • This adherence to "ordinance" and "command" provides a pattern for the New Covenant church concerning the importance of order, authority, and faithfulness in collective worship, though the forms of service have transformed through Christ.

1 Chronicles 24 19 Commentary

First Chronicles 24:19 succinctly summarizes the theological and practical basis for the detailed organization of the priesthood under David. It affirms that the comprehensive division of priests into courses, their rotational service, and their specific duties within the Temple were not human innovations but faithful applications of long-standing divine decrees given to Aaron, the patriarch of the priesthood, by the Lord God of Israel. This verse underscores God's deep concern for orderly and authorized worship, emphasizing that service in His presence must align with His established will, not human preference. The reference to Aaron and Yahweh’s command firmly legitimizes the intricate Temple administration, ensuring continuity with the Mosaic Law and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. It highlights that true worship flows from obedience to divine institution, preparing for a reverent and structured service in the yet-to-be-built Temple. This foresight prevented chaos, guaranteed continuous ministry, and underscored the sacred nature of their duties.