1 Chronicles 24:8 kjv
The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
1 Chronicles 24:8 nkjv
the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
1 Chronicles 24:8 niv
the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
1 Chronicles 24:8 esv
the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
1 Chronicles 24:8 nlt
The third lot fell to Harim.
The fourth lot fell to Seorim.
1 Chronicles 24 8 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
1 Chron 24:1 | Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron... | Introduces the organization of priestly divisions. |
1 Chron 24:5 | ...they were divided by lot, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. | Explains the method of division was by lot, implying divine guidance and impartial allocation. |
1 Chron 24:7 | The first lot came out for Jehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah... | Precedes the current verse, showing the continuation of the ordered list. |
1 Chron 24:9 | the tenth to Shecaniah, the eleventh to Eliashib... | Follows, completing the specific naming of divisions. |
1 Chron 23:6 | David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. | Shows the broader context of David organizing all Levites. |
1 Chron 28:11-13 | Then David gave Solomon the plan for the vestibule... with the divisions of the priests and Levites for all the work... | David's detailed preparations for the Temple, including the organization of service. |
2 Chron 8:14 | According to the ordinance of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service... | Solomon upheld David's priestly and Levitical divisions. |
2 Chron 23:4-8 | The priests and the Levites ...are to be on guard at the gates of the king's house... | Reinforces the importance and structure of priestly duty and watch. |
Neh 10:7 | ...Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin... | Abijah is mentioned among those who signed the covenant, suggesting the enduring name and legacy of the priestly family. |
Neh 12:4 | Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah... | Priests and Levites who came up with Zerubbabel, indicating these divisions persisted post-exile. |
Neh 12:7 | Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their kinsmen in the days of Jeshua. | Mentions "Jeshua" (often Jeshua the high priest) highlighting other figures with this name and general context of priestly leadership. |
Luke 1:5 | In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah... | Crucial New Testament connection, proving the division of Abijah (and David's organization) continued till Christ's time. |
Num 3:5-10 | And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him." | Foundation for Levitical service under Aaron, prior to David's organization. |
1 Sam 2:35 | And I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in My heart... | Prophecy of a faithful priesthood, pointing to the importance of godly service. |
Exod 28:1 | “You shall bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to minister to Me as priests...” | The initial divine establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. |
Heb 7:11-14 | If therefore perfection were through the Levitical priesthood... what further need was there that another priest should rise...? | Highlights the limitations of the Old Covenant priesthood and the need for Christ's perfect priesthood. |
1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession... | Applies the concept of priesthood to all believers in the New Covenant. |
Rom 12:4-5 | For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ... | Analogous principle of ordered function and diverse gifts within the body of Christ. |
1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. | General principle of order and decency in worship, reflected in David's organization. |
Col 2:16-17 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink... or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Old Covenant rituals, including priestly service, pointed to Christ. |
1 Chronicles 24 verses
1 Chronicles 24 8 Meaning
This verse continues the listing of the priestly divisions organized by King David for temple service. It specifically designates the eighth lot-determined division to Abijah and the ninth division to Jeshua, signifying the systematic and divinely ordered arrangement of the Levitical priesthood for regular worship in the soon-to-be-built Temple. This organization ensured continuous, year-round service by all priestly families.
1 Chronicles 24 8 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 24 details King David's extensive and precise organization of the Aaronic priesthood into twenty-four courses or divisions. This organizational feat, often attributed to divine inspiration, was part of David's elaborate preparation for the Temple that his son Solomon would eventually build. Rather than leaving the important duties of sanctuary service to happenstance, David meticulously structured the rotations of priestly families, ensuring that the Temple would be served continuously and in an orderly manner throughout the year. The primary aim was to ensure systematic worship and maintain ritual purity and sacrifice according to God's commandments. Historically, this structuring was critical for handling the immense workload of the Temple, given the large number of priests. Each division would serve for a specified period, likely a week at a time, twice a year. This detailed plan emphasized the seriousness of God's worship and served as a blueprint for maintaining spiritual order in Israel, setting a precedent that even persisted well into the Second Temple period, as seen in the New Testament. This carefully prescribed system also subtly pushed against the chaotic and unpredictable nature of pagan cults often practiced by surrounding nations, underscoring Yahweh as a God of order.
1 Chronicles 24 8 Word analysis
- the eighth (הַשְּׁמִינִי, haššəmînî): This is an ordinal number indicating the precise sequence in the listing of the priestly divisions. The emphasis on "eighth" highlights the meticulous and divinely ordained order in the structuring of temple service. Each division received its place through the casting of lots, implying God's hand in their specific assignment rather than human preference.
- to Abijah (לַאֲבִיָּה, laʼăḇiyyāh): Refers to the head of the eighth priestly division. The name "Abijah" (Hebrew: אֲבִיָּה, ʼĂḇiyyāh) means "My father is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is (my) father." This name is significant not only in this context but also because it is the division to which Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, belonged (Luke 1:5). This connection demonstrates the remarkable continuity of David's organization centuries later, underpinning the long-term impact of this divinely inspired order.
- the ninth (הַתְּשִׁיעִי, hattəšîʻî): Another ordinal number, following "the eighth." It further emphasizes the systematic enumeration and precise order of the divisions, ensuring all 24 courses were accounted for without overlap or omission.
- to Jeshua (לְיֵשׁוּעַ, ləyêšûaʻ): Refers to the head of the ninth priestly division. The name "Jeshua" (Hebrew: יֵשׁוּעַ, Yēšûaʿ) means "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This is a significant name throughout biblical history, especially familiar from Jeshua (Joshua), the high priest who returned with Zerubbabel after the exile (e.g., Ezra 2:2, Zech 3:1). While this Jeshua is distinct from the post-exilic high priest, the name carries a powerful theological weight related to God's redemptive purpose, underscoring that even the administrative details of the priesthood subtly pointed to divine salvation.
- the eighth to Abijah, the ninth to Jeshua: This phrase forms a segment of a continuous list. The repetitive structure (ordinal number + "to" + name) serves to rhythmically convey the methodical allocation of the divisions. This pairing underscores the comprehensiveness of David's plan, which included every recognized priestly family and assigned them their specific turn and responsibility in God's service. The careful listing also suggests a process of legitimation, ensuring each family understood their place and duties, preventing dispute and promoting orderly execution of sacred tasks.
1 Chronicles 24 8 Bonus section
The 24 priestly divisions established by David were a sophisticated system designed to ensure that the vast number of eligible priests (there were thousands by David's time) could all participate in the temple service without overwhelming the sanctuary. Each course was designed to serve for one week at a time, possibly twice a year. This rotation not only guaranteed equitable opportunity for all priestly families but also maintained spiritual readiness among them. The enduring legacy of this organizational blueprint is profoundly attested to in the New Testament with Zacharias from the "division of Abijah," performing his priestly duty at the Temple when the angel Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5, 8-9). This highlights that David's divinely inspired structure for worship was not merely for his time but served as a framework for centuries, underscoring the timeless principles of order and divine appointment in service. The use of "lots" (1 Chron 24:5) for these divisions signified God's ultimate selection and approval of the arrangement.
1 Chronicles 24 8 Commentary
1 Chronicles 24:8 offers a glimpse into David's meticulous foresight in organizing the priesthood, which speaks volumes about the importance of structured worship and service to God. Far from an arbitrary listing, these priestly courses, determined by lot under divine guidance, reflect a heavenly order imposed on earthly worship. The inclusion of Abijah and Jeshua not only fills in two slots in the 24-fold system but also subtly highlights the continuity of the priestly lineage and the pervasive presence of names with deep theological meaning ("Yahweh is my father," "Yahweh saves"). This detail in Chronicles reinforces that preparation for the Lord's work involves diligent planning and divine appointments. It underscores that God values order, as seen in the temple service's very design, setting a standard for diligence and intentionality in carrying out His commands. This precise organization facilitated continuous access to God through the Levitical system, ensuring that sacrifices and offerings could be made consistently for the nation, emphasizing that sacred duty requires clear roles and systematic execution.