1 Chronicles 25:11 kjv
The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
1 Chronicles 25:11 nkjv
the fourth for Jizri, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:11 niv
the fourth to Izri, his sons and relatives ? 12
1 Chronicles 25:11 esv
the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:11 nlt
The fourth lot fell to Zeri and twelve of his sons and relatives.
1 Chronicles 25 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chron 25:1 | David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons... for the service of prophesying... | Divine organization of worship |
| 1 Chron 25:3 | Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, Mattithiah, six... | Identifying Izri/Zeri as Jeduthun's son |
| 1 Chron 24:1 | Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron... | Parallel organization of priests by David |
| 1 Chron 23:25 | For David said, "The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people... | Context of established Levitical duties |
| Num 3:6 | Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. | Levitical dedication to service |
| Deut 18:6 | And if a Levite comes from any of your towns... he may come to the place... | Emphasizing the Levite's role in the sanctuary |
| 2 Chron 5:12 | and all the Levitical singers... arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps... stood east of the altar... | Levites performing music in temple dedication |
| 2 Chron 7:6 | The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the musical instruments... to praise the Lord... | Organized worship in the Temple |
| Ezra 3:10 | And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments... the Levites... | Music central to post-exilic temple rebuilding |
| Neh 12:45 | And they performed the service of their God and the service of purification... singers and gatekeepers... | Continuing structure of worship |
| Pss 33:2 | Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to Him with the harp of ten strings! | Call to musical worship |
| Pss 150:3 | Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! | Emphasis on diverse musical instruments |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. | Divine nature of order and structure |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Principle of orderly conduct in worship |
| Heb 10:25 | not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another... | Importance of communal worship and service |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds... to equip the saints for the work of ministry... | Equipping for organized ministry |
| Gen 46:27 | All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy. | Significance of structured family units (Israel) |
| Acts 1:26 | And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias... | Use of lots in divine selection |
| Prov 16:33 | The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. | God's sovereignty over the lot casting |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns... | Music as a means of instruction and worship |
| Rev 21:12 | It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates... and on the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes... | Symbolic significance of the number twelve |
| Judg 20:10 | And we will take ten men of every hundred... to gather provisions... | Examples of organizational units |
| Rom 12:4 | For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function... | Diversity and unity in service |
1 Chronicles 25 verses
1 Chronicles 25 11 Meaning
1 Chronicles 25:11 states that the fourth lot for service among the temple musicians fell to Izri, and his division comprised twelve members, consisting of his sons and his brothers. This verse highlights the precise and orderly organization of musical worship by King David for the Tabernacle, prefiguring the Temple. It underscores the divine arrangement of ministerial roles, emphasizing the family units and the structured, rotational service dedicated to the Lord.
1 Chronicles 25 11 Context
1 Chronicles 25 details King David's organized structure for the Levitical musicians who served in the tabernacle, specifically in preparing for the future Temple service. David, as inspired by God (1 Chron 28:19), established 24 divisions of priests and Levites, each serving by lot. This chapter focuses on the sons of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, designated for prophecy and praise through music. The choosing by lot, mentioned from verse 8 onwards, ensured impartiality and God's direction in assigning specific service roles. Verse 11 simply names "Izri" as the recipient of the fourth lot, leading his specific group of twelve, affirming the meticulous planning and orderly execution of God's worship structure under David's leadership. The historical context shows David's commitment to detailed divine worship before the Temple's construction, ensuring its sacred operations were well-prepared.
1 Chronicles 25 11 Word analysis
- the fourth: This signifies precise sequencing and systematic organization. It demonstrates that the division of musicians was meticulously planned and executed by lot, reflecting a divine order rather than human preference or favoritism. The system of twenty-four courses ensured regular, rotational service.
- to Izri (יִצְרִי, Yitsrî): This refers to a specific individual who, along with his family, received the fourth lot. He is listed as "Zeri" (צְרִי, Tsĕrî) in 1 Chronicles 25:3, which is likely a textual variant or alternative spelling of the same name. Izri/Zeri was one of Jeduthun's six sons, a prominent choirmaster. The name Yitsrî may relate to "forming" or "pressing," reflecting the skilled artistry required of a musician dedicated to temple service. His identification underscores personal responsibility and the direct calling for leadership within this sacred work.
- his sons: This emphasizes the hereditary nature of the Levitical service and the continuation of ministry through family lines. It indicates that the skill and dedication to musical worship were passed down through generations, forming a consistent workforce for the tabernacle/Temple. This family continuity was a cornerstone of the Israelite worship system.
- and his brothers: This likely refers to other members of his extended family or fellow Levites who, though not his direct sons, belonged to the same family grouping or clan responsible for this division's specific role. It highlights communal service and the collective effort within each twelve-member musical group, not just direct paternal descendants, showcasing unity in worship.
- twelve: This number represents completeness and organization. It denotes the fixed number of musicians within each of the twenty-four divisions, ensuring a sufficient and balanced contingent for their period of service. The number twelve resonates throughout the Bible, signifying wholeness, foundational structure, and administrative completeness (e.g., twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles), indicating a fully formed and effective unit ready for its sacred task.
1 Chronicles 25 11 Bonus section
- The Chronicler's intense focus on these detailed genealogies and organizational lists, as seen in this chapter and beyond, aims to validate the legitimate leadership and roles within Israel's worship system, particularly after the exile. It reinforces the importance of purity in lineage for temple service.
- The Levites described in this chapter were not merely musicians but "prophesied" with instruments (1 Chron 25:1). This implies a divinely inspired performance that brought revelation or spiritual impact, moving beyond mere entertainment to a deeply spiritual form of ministry, similar to the prophetic utterances.
- The organization by lot was seen as God's chosen method to prevent favoritism and ensure divine selection for service. This implies that the position Izri received was not due to personal influence but was directly determined by the Lord.
- David's comprehensive organization of the priests and Levites (chapters 23-26) lays a complete administrative and spiritual blueprint for the future Temple, even before its construction, underscoring his foresight and faithfulness in establishing true worship according to divine pattern.
1 Chronicles 25 11 Commentary
1 Chronicles 25:11 provides a brief but insightful glimpse into the meticulous and Spirit-inspired organization of temple worship during David's reign. Far from haphazard, the establishment of the Levitical musicians into 24 divisions, chosen by lot and operating in units of twelve, underscores a commitment to divine order in sacred service. This specific verse pinpoints Izri's family as the fourth division to serve. The inclusion of "his sons and his brothers" highlights the generational aspect of the Levite calling and the collaborative nature of worship within family groups. It reflects God's desire for an organized, well-staffed, and consecrated service, emphasizing both the individual's dedicated role and the collective harmony necessary for true worship, echoing principles of good stewardship and reverent preparation in ministering to God.