1 Chronicles 25 10

1 Chronicles 25:10 kjv

The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:10 nkjv

the third for Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:10 niv

the third to Zakkur, his sons and relatives ? 12

1 Chronicles 25:10 esv

the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:10 nlt

The third lot fell to Zaccur and twelve of his sons and relatives.

1 Chronicles 25 verses

1 Chronicles 25 10 Meaning

1 Chronicles 25:10 details the seventh of the twenty-four divisions of musicians organized by David for temple service. This particular division was allotted to Jesharelah and consisted of twelve individuals: Jesharelah himself, his sons, and his kinsmen ("brothers"), all dedicated to skilled musical ministry before the Lord in the House of God. The verse highlights the meticulously ordered and hereditary nature of worship service established for the future Temple.

1 Chronicles 25 10 Context

First Chronicles chapter 25 details King David's organized plan for the musicians and singers for future temple service. David, inspired by the Spirit, ensured that the elaborate worship system would be prepared even before the Temple's construction by his son Solomon. This chapter divides the musicians (who were Levites, specifically from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun) into twenty-four courses or divisions. Each division was meticulously assigned by lot to avoid favoritism and ensure divine oversight in the appointments. These 24 courses were to serve sequentially, just like the priestly courses. Each course consisted of 12 skilled musicians, totaling 288 experts in temple music.

Historically, this occurred during David's later reign, a period of national consolidation and intense preparation for the future worship life of Israel centered on the yet-to-be-built Temple. The Chronicler emphasizes these preparations as part of David's righteous stewardship and devotion to God. This systematic arrangement reflected a high view of God's dwelling place and the sacred nature of His worship. The meticulous detailing of these courses demonstrates the priority placed on orderly and skillful praise in God's presence, highlighting music as an integral part of Israel's national identity and worship life under the covenant.

1 Chronicles 25 10 Word analysis

• the seventh (הַשְּׁבִיעִי, haššəḇîʿî): This is an ordinal number, emphasizing a precise placement within an established sequence. It indicates the highly ordered and systematic nature of David's preparations for Temple worship. The arrangement into 24 courses by lot (as mentioned in 1 Chron 25:8) points to a divinely guided order, reflecting God's love for structure and not chaos in His house. This structured allocation ensures that service could be continuous and organized.

• to Jesharelah (לְיְשָׂרְאֵלָה, ləyiśrāʾēlāh): This phrase specifies the leader designated for this seventh division. "Jesharelah" (also appearing as "Izri" in some texts of 1 Chron 25:3, which could be an alternate name or a textual variation) is identified as a son of Asaph. The name can be interpreted as "upright toward God" or "God directs uprightness," underscoring the character expected of those leading worship. His appointment signifies individual responsibility and leadership within the larger divine plan. This designation is not based on merit but by lot, highlighting God's sovereign choice in placing individuals in their roles.

• with his sons (בָּנָיו, bānāyw): This indicates the hereditary principle often at play in Levitical service. Service was not merely individual but extended through families, emphasizing continuity, legacy, and training passed from one generation to the next. This ensured a steady supply of trained and dedicated personnel for the extensive requirements of Temple worship. It reinforces the idea that serving God is a family affair and a generational privilege and responsibility within the community of faith.

• and his brothers (אֶחָיו, ʾeḥāyw): This extends the scope of the division's members beyond just Jesharelah's direct offspring to a broader kinship group. "Brothers" here could refer to siblings or close relatives within the wider Levitical clan of Asaph. This broadened inclusion ensures a wider participation from the extended family, emphasizing the communal nature of worship and service within the Levites. It points to a well-established family line contributing to the specific functions.

• twelve (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, šəʿēnê ʿāśār): This consistent number across all 24 divisions signifies a uniform unit of service. The number twelve frequently holds symbolic importance in biblical contexts, representing divine order, governmental structure, and completion (e.g., the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve apostles). Here, it denotes the standard, complete complement of skilled musicians assigned to each lot, underscoring the comprehensive and meticulous organization of the Levites for God's praise. The sum total of all divisions (24 courses x 12 men/course = 288) underscores the immense scale and detail of this musical service.

1 Chronicles 25 10 Bonus section

• The allocation by lot, as specified earlier in the chapter (1 Chron 25:8), indicates that these specific appointments, including that of Jesharelah for the seventh course, were not arbitrary human decisions but believed to be divinely ordained. This process sought God's approval and removed human favoritism from the sacred appointments, underscoring the sanctity of the service.
• The Chronicler's intense focus on these intricate organizational details distinguishes his account from the books of Samuel and Kings. This reflects the Chronicler's primary theological agenda: to underscore the central importance of the Temple, its rituals, and the ministries of the priests and Levites as essential for Israel's covenant relationship with God. David is thus portrayed not merely as a king but as the divinely appointed architect of worship, ensuring that everything concerning God's house would be done "according to the pattern" given to him (1 Chron 28:11-19).
• The skill level required ("trained in singing to the Lord," 1 Chron 25:7) implies significant dedication and practice from childhood, suggesting a professional-level commitment to their sacred musical calling.

1 Chronicles 25 10 Commentary

1 Chronicles 25:10 offers a glimpse into David's meticulous planning for the worship of God, even before the Temple's foundation. It highlights several core principles crucial for the life of God's people. Firstly, it demonstrates the divine emphasis on order and organization in worship. David's methodical structuring of the musicians into 24 distinct courses, each with 12 members and assigned by lot, reflects God's character as a God of order (1 Cor 14:40) and underscores that genuine worship is not chaotic but carefully prepared and executed with excellence. Secondly, the verse illustrates the principle of hereditary service, a prominent feature of the Levitical assignments. The inclusion of "sons and brothers" signifies a system where sacred duties were passed down through families, ensuring a consistent and trained body of ministers who understood the legacy and reverence of their roles. This familial involvement fostered continuity and devotion across generations. Finally, the verse affirms the profound importance of music in corporate worship. The allocation of 288 skilled musicians dedicated to leading praise underscores that music was not peripheral but central to drawing near to God in the Temple. It reveals David's foresight in setting the standard for joyous, skillful, and continuous worship for generations to come, recognizing that praise through instruments and voices brings glory to God and ministers to His people.