1 Chronicles 25 15

1 Chronicles 25:15 kjv

The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:15 nkjv

the eighth for Jeshaiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:15 niv

the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and relatives ? 12

1 Chronicles 25:15 esv

the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:15 nlt

The eighth lot fell to Jeshaiah and twelve of his sons and relatives.

1 Chronicles 25 verses

1 Chronicles 25 15 Meaning

1 Chronicles 25:15 lists the twelfth of twenty-four divisions of musicians appointed by King David, along with Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, for service in the house of the Lord. This particular division was designated "to Jeshimir," comprising Jeshimir himself as the leader, along with his sons and brothers, totaling twelve members. This systematic organization highlights David's foresight and commitment to establishing perpetual, ordered, and divinely ordained worship in the temple, even before its construction, ensuring dedicated musical praise as a central element of the Levitical service.

1 Chronicles 25 15 Context

1 Chronicles 25 forms part of the Chronicler's extensive detailing of David's preparation for the temple and its elaborate worship system. After listing the divisions of the priests (chapter 24) and Levites, the focus shifts to the vital role of music in temple service. Chapters 23-26 emphasize order, divine appointment, and the continuity of Israel's worship, laying the foundation for Solomon's temple and future generations. Verse 15 specifically enumerates the twelfth of the twenty-four groups of skilled musicians, prophets, and worship leaders, each consisting of a master and eleven of his sons or brothers. These divisions were selected by lot, emphasizing divine sovereignty in their appointment, ensuring that all aspects of temple ministry, including music, were meticulously organized under the king's direction and divine guidance. This emphasis contrasts sharply with the irregular or unsanctioned forms of worship found in the broader ancient Near East.

1 Chronicles 25 15 Word analysis

• The twelfth: Indicates a precise ordinal number within an established, systematic enumeration. It signifies meticulous organization and adherence to a pre-defined structure rather than arbitrary selection. This numeric order highlights a pattern of twenty-four divisions, pointing to comprehensive and consistent temple service, ensuring round-the-clock availability for worship duties across the year. The number 12, frequently appearing in the Bible (tribes of Israel, disciples, etc.), often symbolizes completeness, divine order, and governmental perfection.
• to Je·shi·mir (Hebrew: יְשִׁימִיר, Yeshimîr): This is a personal name, meaning "a name of prosperity" or "God will establish" (from the root sim, "to place" or "to establish"). His inclusion by name, along with others in the list, underlines the specific and individual appointment of each head of a division. It shows the concrete nature of David's reforms and the legitimacy of the families chosen for this sacred and significant task. The Chronicler's attention to lineage and names reinforces the importance of tribal identity and divine covenant in the post-exilic context for his audience.
• his sons, and his brethren: This phrase indicates a family-based organizational structure. The musical service was hereditary, passed down through generations within specific Levitical families. This ensured continuity, developed expertise, and maintained a sense of corporate identity and responsibility for the sacred task of praise. It speaks to a vocational calling passed from father to son, emphasizing tradition and inherited responsibility.
• twelve: This numeral reappears at the end of the verse to confirm the total number of members in Jeshimir's division: the leader plus eleven family members. It reinforces the consistent unit size across all twenty-four divisions. The number symbolizes order, completeness, and a functional group designated for specific service within God's ordered house. It illustrates the methodical planning behind David's administrative work for the temple.

1 Chronicles 25 15 Bonus section

The Chronicler's inclusion of such detailed lists of Levitical musicians, even more elaborate than their priestly counterparts, underscores the paramount importance of music in the theology of Chronicles. It portrays music as a primary mode of prophetic expression, a means of leading God's people in prayer and praise, and an essential component of acceptable worship that brought divine presence and favor (as seen later, for example, in 2 Chron 5:13-14). These musicians were not just performers; they were "prophesying with lyres, harps, and cymbals" (1 Chr 25:1), suggesting their music was a vehicle for divine revelation and spiritual truth, akin to the verbal prophecy of other prophets. The selection by lot (1 Chr 25:8) also indicates that God Himself appointed each person to their specific service, affirming His sovereign choice over those who serve in His house.

1 Chronicles 25 15 Commentary

1 Chronicles 25:15 encapsulates David's profound vision for ordered worship within the soon-to-be-built temple. Far from being mere entertainment, the musicians were dedicated Levites serving in a divinely ordained capacity. Their organization into twenty-four shifts, each comprising twelve men under a named leader, reveals a comprehensive, structured approach to ministry, designed for perpetual and systematic praise. This specific verse, detailing Jeshimir's group, exemplifies the overall blueprint where human leadership (David, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun) collaborated with divine guidance (selection by lot) to appoint qualified individuals for God's service. The emphasis on family lines and the exact numbering underscores continuity, accountability, and the sacred nature of their calling, setting a standard for meticulous and reverent worship. It illustrates that genuine worship, though spontaneous in heart, can also be meticulously ordered and faithfully executed in communal settings.