1 Chronicles 24 21

1 Chronicles 24:21 kjv

Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.

1 Chronicles 24:21 nkjv

Concerning Rehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.

1 Chronicles 24:21 niv

As for Rehabiah, from his sons: Ishiah was the first.

1 Chronicles 24:21 esv

Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief.

1 Chronicles 24:21 nlt

From the descendants of Rehabiah, the leader was Isshiah.

1 Chronicles 24 verses

1 Chronicles 24 21 Meaning

1 Chronicles 24:21 precisely details a specific lineage within the Levitical tribal family of Merari, focusing on the descendants of Rehabiah, who was a grandson of Moses through Eliezer. The verse serves to accurately identify "Isshiah" as the designated head or "first" of the prominent branch within Rehabiah's sons, crucial for their ordered participation in the appointed service of the Tabernacle and later, the Temple, as organized by King David. It reinforces the importance of meticulous genealogical records for the legitimate function and roles of those dedicated to priestly and Levitical duties.

1 Chronicles 24 21 Context

1 Chronicles 24 is situated within a broader section (1 Chronicles 23-26) detailing King David's extensive and meticulous organization of the Levites and priests for service in the future Temple. Chapters 23 focuses on the overall division and roles of the Levites, while chapter 24 specifically lists the courses of priests (sons of Aaron) by lot and then proceeds to enumerate the non-Aaronic Levites from the lines of Levi's other sons: Gershon, Kohath (excluding Aaron's direct priestly line), and Merari. Verse 21, therefore, serves as a single entry within the detailed enumeration of the Merarite families. This emphasis on precise lineage and pre-arranged service reflects the Chronicler's concern with the restoration of proper worship and order for the post-exilic community, affirming the legitimacy and divine precedent for the temple service as it was reconstituted. The historical context is post-exilic Judah, where genealogies were vital for maintaining the identity, land claims, and, critically, the qualifications for religious duties.

1 Chronicles 24 21 Word analysis

• Concerning (לִרְחַבְיָה - lirkaviah): Literally "to/for Rehabiah." This prefix particle introduces a specific heading or subject of discussion, marking a transition to a new segment in the list of Levitical families. It functions to pinpoint a new, distinct branch of the genealogy.
• Rehabiah (רְחַבְיָה - Rechavyah): The name means "Jehovah has widened" or "the Lord has enlarged." This is a significant figure as he is the grandson of Moses through Eliezer (1 Chron 23:17), underscoring the connection of this lineage to the esteemed foundational figure of the Law and the priesthood. His inclusion here highlights the ongoing importance and continuation of Moses's family line in temple service, though not as priests, but as Levites assisting them.
• of the sons of Rehabiah (לִבְנֵי רְחַבְיָה - livnei Rechavyah): "To the sons of Rehabiah." This phrase explicitly narrows the focus from Rehabiah himself to his direct male descendants. It signifies the propagation and branching out of his lineage, emphasizing that the lineage is active and bearing fruit in service.
• the first (הָרֹאשׁ - ha-rosh): Literally "the head" or "the chief." In genealogical lists like this, "the first" usually identifies the leading or primary son or branch of a family. It denotes prominence within that specific lineage, often carrying implications of a designated leader or the first one listed due to primogeniture, indicating the main line through whom the succession and duties continued.
• was Isshiah (יִשִּׁיָּה - Yishshiyah): A proper name identifying the specific individual who was "the first" or head of the primary line descending from Rehabiah. The presence of such a detailed name highlights the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping, essential for establishing qualifications and order within the complex system of Levitical service.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah: This forms the introductory clause for a distinct genealogical sub-section. It announces that the subsequent details pertain to the offspring of Rehabiah, differentiating his family branch from others that have been, or will be, listed. It underlines the careful system of accounting for each branch of the Levites for precise roles.
• the first was Isshiah: This phrase provides the specific identification of the most senior or designated leader from among Rehabiah's sons. It specifies which individual was counted as foundational for the main line of service from that particular branch, confirming a defined structure of succession and delegation of responsibilities within the larger Levitical organization.

1 Chronicles 24 21 Bonus section

The Chronicler's distinctive emphasis on detailed genealogies and Levitical organization, as seen in this verse, stands out when compared to the accounts in Samuel and Kings. While Samuel and Kings primarily focus on kingship and prophetic narrative, 1 Chronicles foregrounds the Davidic line, the Temple, and the Levites. This shift in focus is deeply theological, aimed at reinforcing for the post-exilic community the enduring validity of God's covenant with David for kingship and the unchanging nature of the Levitical Priesthood for proper worship, even after exile. The inclusion of figures like Rehabiah (Moses's grandson) subtly links David's organization to the Mosaic tradition, emphasizing continuity rather than innovation. This genealogical rigor serves to counter potential feelings of displacement or discontinuity among the returnees, assuring them that God's plans and ordained structures remain.

1 Chronicles 24 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 24:21 provides a granular detail in the Chronicler's extensive catalog of Levitical families and their organizational structure under King David. Far from being a mere list of names, this verse underscores a foundational principle: divine service is to be carried out in an orderly, prescribed manner, rooted in proper lineage and established roles. The careful identification of "Isshiah" as "the first" of Rehabiah's sons, a direct descendant of Moses, validates the legitimacy and continuity of this specific family's function within the broader Merarite division.

For the post-exilic community, such precise genealogies were indispensable. They offered a blueprint for reconstituting the Temple service according to the patterns established by David and ultimately, by God's Law. This meticulous record ensured purity of service by distinguishing legitimate claims from spurious ones, thereby upholding the sanctity of the sanctuary and its ministrations. It also provided a sense of identity and purpose, reminding the returning exiles of their heritage and their God-ordained functions. The Chronicler's emphasis here reinforces that faithfulness to God involves not just broad devotion, but also careful adherence to divine patterns of order and conduct, particularly in sacred duties.