1 Chronicles 24 6

1 Chronicles 24:6 kjv

And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:6 nkjv

And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and Levites, one father's house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:6 niv

The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelek son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites?one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:6 esv

And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father's house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:6 nlt

Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, acted as secretary and wrote down the names and assignments in the presence of the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites. The descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar took turns casting lots.

1 Chronicles 24 verses

1 Chronicles 24 6 Meaning

1 Chronicles 24:6 meticulously records the formal process by which the priestly and Levitical divisions for future temple service were organized during King David's reign. It specifies the key individuals present and validates the method—the drawing of lots—to assign roles and ensure fairness between the two primary priestly lines descending from Aaron: Eleazar and Ithamar. This verse underscores the systematic, collaborative, and divinely sanctioned preparation for orderly worship in the temple that Solomon would build.

1 Chronicles 24 6 Context

First Chronicles 24 is part of David's comprehensive organization of the priests and Levites for their service in the future Temple, even though he was not permitted to build it himself. Chapter 23 outlines the general organization of the Levites, while Chapter 24 focuses specifically on the priestly lines of Aaron, divided into twenty-four courses for their duties. This verse (24:6) describes the meticulous, official, and witnessed process by which these divisions were formally recorded. The historical setting is David's late reign, a period of establishing stable kingdom structures and preparing for centralized worship. Culturally, the Levites and priests held unique positions as God's designated servants for mediating worship and teaching the law. The careful documentation, overseen by high officials, was crucial for legitimacy, avoiding disputes, and ensuring orderly sacred service, which contrasted with the chaotic and often corrupt religious practices of surrounding pagan nations. The emphasis on two priestly lines, Eleazar and Ithamar, highlights God's ongoing covenant with Aaron's house, even amidst later historical developments that saw the Eleazar (Zadokite) line become preeminent.

1 Chronicles 24 6 Word analysis

• And Shemaiah: This is a specific individual, signifying accountability and the official nature of the record. The name Shemaiah (שְׁמַעְיָה - Shəma‘yāh) means "Heard by Yahweh," implying God's hand or awareness in the proceedings.
• the son of Nethaneel: Further establishes Shemaiah's identity and lineage, lending additional credibility to his role. Nethaneel (נְתַנְאֵל - Nəṯana’ēl) means "God has given."
• the scribe (סוֹפֵר - sofer): Not just a transcriber, but a highly trained official who held a significant administrative and legal position, responsible for writing, maintaining records, and often interpreting law. This implies a formal, authoritative document.
• one of the Levites: Confirms Shemaiah's tribal affiliation, qualifying him for involvement in the religious organizational work.
• wrote them down (וַיִּכְתְּבוּם - vayikht'vum): Indicates a formal act of recording, suggesting the creation of a binding and permanent document, rather than temporary notes. This makes the divisions official and verifiable.
• before the king: David, God's chosen king, represents the ultimate human authority endorsing the sacred organization. His presence provides royal sanction and public recognition.
• and the princes: High-ranking governmental officials and tribal heads, signifying national agreement and buy-in across the various political and administrative structures of Israel.
• and Zadok the priest: A key figure, head of the Eleazar priestly line, which would become the dominant priestly lineage after Abiathar's removal. His presence provided supreme ecclesiastical authority and divine legitimization for the divisions. Zadok (צָדוֹק - Tsāḏōq) means "Righteous."
• and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar: Represents the Ithamar priestly line, co-present with Zadok. Although Abiathar would later be deposed, his son's inclusion here highlights the initial acknowledgment and participation of both legitimate Aaronic lines in David's scheme of order. Ahimelech (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ - ’Ăḥîmeleḵ) means "My brother is king."
• and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: Represents the heads of all the major family groupings within both priestly and Levitical clans, ensuring the process had the full backing and acceptance of the entire religious hierarchy.
• one principal household (בֵּית־אָב אֶחָד - bêṯ-’āḇ ’eḥāḏ): "One father's house," signifying a primary family unit or sub-clan. This detail emphasizes that lots were drawn for specific family heads, ensuring fairness within these groups.
• being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar: Clarifies the equitable method of lot casting. Each drawing accounted for both major priestly lines, affirming their distinct but equally valid claims to priestly service as established by God.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites": This entire phrase establishes the credentials, role, and legitimacy of the person entrusted with the sacred recording, emphasizing precision and divine purpose.
• "wrote them down before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites": This comprehensive listing of witnesses demonstrates the high significance, collaborative nature, and wide-ranging authority—royal, governmental, and religious—involved in making these arrangements. It indicates full national consent and transparency.
• "one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar": This phrase defines the specific mechanism used in drawing lots. It emphasizes the balanced recognition of the two Aaronic lines, ensuring a just and organized distribution of priestly duties regardless of any existing power dynamics, setting a precedent for fairness rooted in divine direction.

1 Chronicles 24 6 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's intense focus on these detailed genealogies and organizational lists (Chapters 23-26) served a crucial purpose for his post-exilic audience. It provided a powerful message of continuity with Israel's divinely ordered past, reinforcing the legitimacy of their present priesthood and the prescribed forms of worship. It offered comfort and stability by linking their reality to David's established foundations.
• The meticulous involvement of all segments of leadership (royal, civil, religious) in the official recording process highlights the integrated nature of governance in ancient Israel, where civil rule and sacred service were deeply intertwined, all under the sovereignty of God. This system sought to ensure harmony and accountability across the nation.
• The practice of drawing lots was a recognized method in Israel for discerning God's choice or allocating responsibilities, reflecting a deep trust in divine providence over human selection or potential favoritism. This specific detail reaffirms that these crucial priestly assignments were not subject to human bias but ultimately guided by God.

1 Chronicles 24 6 Commentary

1 Chronicles 24:6 encapsulates the essence of divine order and meticulous planning under David's leadership for the worship of God. It is not a mere logistical note, but a theological statement about God's desire for an organized and authorized priesthood. The act of "writing down" before such a distinguished assembly—the king, governmental princes, and the highest religious authorities from both primary priestly lines—signifies the sacred, permanent, and publicly acknowledged nature of these divisions. The specific mention of Eleazar and Ithamar underscores the continuation of God's covenant with Aaron's house through both branches, demonstrating equity in the initial structuring. The casting of lots (implied by chapter context) was viewed as a way to reveal God's will, ensuring that these divisions were not arbitrary human decisions but divinely guided appointments. This preparation laid the foundational blueprint for a Temple worship that honored God through proper protocol and appointed service, safeguarding against disarray and ensuring spiritual integrity.