1 Chronicles 24 4

1 Chronicles 24:4 kjv

And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.

1 Chronicles 24:4 nkjv

There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers' houses, and eight heads of their fathers' houses among the sons of Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:4 niv

A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar's descendants than among Ithamar's, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar's descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar's descendants.

1 Chronicles 24:4 esv

Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers' houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:4 nlt

Eleazar's descendants were divided into sixteen groups and Ithamar's into eight, for there were more family leaders among the descendants of Eleazar.

1 Chronicles 24 verses

1 Chronicles 24 4 Meaning

1 Chronicles 24:4 details a specific aspect of King David's organized division of the priestly lineage for temple service. It highlights that the descendants of Eleazar, one of Aaron's sons, were found to have more heads of ancestral houses (or "chief men") compared to the descendants of Ithamar, Aaron's other surviving son. This verse then states that, based on this observation, the division of priestly duties was apportioned accordingly among them, laying the groundwork for the 24 priestly courses.

1 Chronicles 24 4 Context

1 Chronicles 24:4 is part of a larger section (chapters 23-26) detailing David's comprehensive organization of the Levites and priests before the construction of the Temple. Having brought the ark to Jerusalem and received divine instruction for the Temple's plans, David, in his later years, meticulously prepared for its future operations. Chapter 23 outlines the general organization of the Levites by age and duties (singers, gatekeepers, treasurers). Chapter 24 then narrows the focus specifically to the sons of Aaron—the priests—who alone were permitted to offer sacrifices and manage the holy things. The verse establishes the foundational observation that dictated how the priests would be divided into 24 courses by lot, ensuring that all priestly families would have turns serving in the future Temple, even with the differing numerical strength of Eleazar's and Ithamar's descendants. This methodical arrangement was crucial for the orderly functioning of divine worship.

1 Chronicles 24 4 Word analysis

• And: Connects this statement to the preceding verses which introduce David's administrative acts concerning the Levites.
• there were: Indicates a discovered reality or observation made during the process of counting and classifying the priestly families.
• more chief men: Hebrew: rō’šê ‘āḇôt (רֹאשֵׁי אָבֹות). This phrase literally means "heads of ancestral houses" or "heads of fathers' households." It refers to the leaders or primary representatives of family units, signifying influential or numerous branches of a family. It's not just "more men" but "more leading men," indicating a larger number of established family lines or prominent individuals within those lines.
• found: Implies a discovery or ascertainment through counting and perhaps genealogical records. It highlights that this was not an arbitrary decision but based on an observable reality of the family structures.
• of the sons of Eleazar: Refers to the descendants of Eleazar, one of Aaron's two surviving sons after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu. Eleazar succeeded Aaron as High Priest. His lineage consistently held prominence.
• than of the sons of Ithamar: Refers to the descendants of Ithamar, Aaron's other surviving son. While Ithamar's descendants also served as priests (e.g., Eli and his sons, though their line was later cursed), their ancestral branches were apparently less numerous or prominent than Eleazar's at this time.
• and thus: Indicates a direct consequence or methodology. The observation of differing numbers dictated the subsequent division method.
• were they divided: Hebrew: yāḥalēqû (יֵחָלֵקוּ). From the root chalaq (חָלַק), meaning to divide, apportion, share out. It implies a formal, organized distribution or allocation, not a random split. The subsequent verses detail that this division was done "by lot" (1 Chr 24:5), implying divine oversight in the process despite the human observation.
• among them: Signifies that the distribution of duties and turns of service was done inclusively within both Eleazar's and Ithamar's lines, according to their proportional strength. The two groups were integrated into a unified system of service, rather than forming separate, parallel systems.

1 Chronicles 24 4 Bonus section

The observation that Eleazar's descendants had more "chief men" or heads of families is likely due to the continuous high priestly succession primarily running through Eleazar's line, particularly through his son Phinehas, who was granted a "covenant of an everlasting priesthood" for his zeal (Num 25:12-13). While Ithamar's line, through Eli, temporarily held the high priesthood, that line experienced a curse and a subsequent transfer of the high priesthood back to the line of Zadok (Eleazar's descendant) during Solomon's reign (1 Sam 2:30-36, 1 Kgs 2:27, 35). This historical background could contribute to the more robust growth and leadership presence observed in Eleazar's family branches by David's time. The numerical strength of Eleazar's descendants meant that they received more of the 24 courses, ensuring their proportional representation in Temple service without diminishing Ithamar's descendants, who received the remaining portion, showing fairness despite numerical disparity.

1 Chronicles 24 4 Commentary

1 Chronicles 24:4 underscores the Chronicler's recurring theme of divine order and proper worship administration. David, though forbidden to build the Temple, was divinely inspired to organize its personnel. This verse reveals a practical, numerical reality—Eleazar's lineage had more leading family branches than Ithamar's. Rather than creating imbalance, this fact was accepted and served as the basis for how the 24 priestly courses were ultimately distributed by lot, ensuring equitable representation relative to their family sizes. This highlights David's wisdom and God's sovereign arrangement in setting up a detailed and functioning system for future generations, crucial for the continuity and sanctity of worship in the yet-to-be-built Temple. It demonstrates that practical realities and God's guidance together shaped the structure of service.