1 Chronicles 25:18 kjv
The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
1 Chronicles 25:18 nkjv
the eleventh for Azarel, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:18 niv
the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and relatives ? 12
1 Chronicles 25:18 esv
the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:18 nlt
The eleventh lot fell to Uzziel and twelve of his sons and relatives.
1 Chronicles 25 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chron 25:1 | Moreover David and the captains of the host separated... who should prophesy with harps... | David's institution of prophetic music |
| 1 Chron 25:8 | Thus they cast lots, small as well as great, teacher as well as student. | Divine impartiality in assignments |
| 1 Chron 23:5 | ...4,000 praised the LORD with musical instruments which I made for giving praise. | David's commitment to temple music |
| 1 Chron 23:6 | And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi... | Division of Levites into courses |
| 1 Chron 28:11-19 | David gave Solomon the plan... for all the courts... with all their specifications. | Divine guidance for temple structure |
| 2 Chron 8:14 | And he appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests for their service... | Solomon upheld David's ordinances |
| 2 Chron 29:25 | Hezekiah also stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David... | David's command for music endured |
| Ezra 6:18 | They stationed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God... | Organization for temple service post-exile |
| Neh 12:44-47 | Some were appointed over the storehouses... and for the portions of the priests and Levites. For Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered. | Provisions for organized ministry |
| Num 3:6-10 | And bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. | Levites set apart for service |
| Num 8:6-26 | Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. For the Levites are given to Me... | Consecration of Levites |
| Deut 10:8 | At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD... | Original purpose of Levi |
| 1 Sam 10:5-6 | you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre before them; and they will be prophesying. | Music connected with prophecy |
| 2 Kin 3:15 | But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. | Music facilitating divine presence/word |
| Ps 33:2-3 | Praise the LORD with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song... | Musical praise encouraged in Psalms |
| Ps 150:3-5 | Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!... | Variety of instruments in worship |
| Eph 5:19 | speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, | Music in New Testament worship |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. | Music as teaching and admonishment |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. | Principle of order in worship |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | Mandate for order in assemblies |
| Rev 21:12 | Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them... | The symbolic number "twelve" |
| Mt 10:1 | And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out... | Christ chooses twelve apostles |
| Lk 6:13 | And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles... | The Twelve, a complete, representative group |
| Gen 49:28 | All these are the twelve tribes of Israel... | The twelve tribes of Israel |
1 Chronicles 25 verses
1 Chronicles 25 18 Meaning
1 Chronicles 25:18 states the specific assignment for one of the Levitical divisions dedicated to music in the house of God. It designates "the fifteenth" group, determined by lot, to Azarel, indicating he was its leader. This division included "his sons and his brethren," totaling "twelve" men, all tasked with prophesying and ministering through musical worship.
1 Chronicles 25 18 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 25 details King David's extensive organization of the Levitical musicians for perpetual service in the temple, even before its construction. This systematic arrangement, undertaken with the help of "the captains of the host" and through casting lots, aimed to ensure orderly and prophetic worship. The chapter meticulously lists 24 divisions, each consisting of 12 men—a leader, his sons, and brethren—who were chosen by lot, irrespective of rank or age (v. 8), emphasizing divine appointment. The purpose of these musicians was to "prophesy with harps, with lyres, and with cymbals" (v. 1), fulfilling a vital role in the spiritual life of Israel. Verse 18 specifically names the fifteenth division, under Azarel, fitting into this grand organizational scheme which prepared for Solomon's reign and beyond. The Chronicler’s overarching goal was to affirm the legitimacy and importance of the Davidic cult and temple worship for the post-exilic community.
1 Chronicles 25 18 Word analysis
- the fifteenth (הַחֲמִשָּׁרִי - ha-chamishari):
- This refers to the sequence determined by lot, signifying divine direction and impartial appointment (1 Chron 25:8). It underscores the meticulous, ordered nature of God's service and David's administrative diligence. This divinely-sanctioned method prevented human bias.
- to Azarel (לַעֲזַרְאֵל - la-Azarel):
- "Azarel" (also spelled Uzziel, Azareel) means "God has helped" or "God is my helper." This is fitting for a leader in worship service, indicating divine empowerment or assistance in their task. His specific appointment as head of this division highlights a distinct leadership role within the comprehensive musical corps.
- his sons (בָּנָיו - banav):
- Points to the hereditary nature of the Levitical service, where responsibilities were passed down through families (as mandated in Num 3:6-10). This ensured continuity and a deep-seated tradition of skill and devotion to the craft of sacred music within specific families. It reinforces the familial structure of these divisions.
- and his brethren (וְאֶחָיו - v'echav):
- Refers to other male relatives—brothers, cousins, or kinsmen—further extending the familial unit beyond just direct offspring. This signifies the breadth of family participation in the service and solidifies the kinship-based structure of the Levitical divisions. It emphasizes the collective commitment of the lineage to worship.
- twelve (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר - shneim asar):
- The standardized number for each of the 24 divisions (1 Chron 25:9-31). This number symbolizes completeness, representation, and governmental order within biblical thought (e.g., 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles). It indicates a full complement for their duties and reinforces the symmetrical and highly organized nature of David's plan.
- Azarel, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
- This collective phrasing emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the group's composition. It's a structured unit based on leadership, lineage, and kinship, united for a specific divine service. The repetition across verses (1 Chron 25:9-31) underscores the uniformity and thoroughness of David's administrative work in establishing order for the Lord's house, where individual identities are absorbed into the function of the well-organized whole for corporate worship.
1 Chronicles 25 18 Bonus section
The entire system outlined in 1 Chronicles 25 points to a total of 288 principal musicians (24 divisions x 12 men). These were highly skilled individuals ("instructed in the songs of the Lord," v. 7) whose primary function was not merely musical performance but to "prophesy" through their music (v. 1). This connects their role to spiritual revelation and the direct working of the Holy Spirit. This vast and detailed organization underscores David's vision for national worship as a central pillar of Israel's covenant relationship with God, even preceding the Temple's physical structure. It speaks volumes about the value placed on creative, skilled, and Spirit-inspired expression in the presence of God.
1 Chronicles 25 18 Commentary
1 Chronicles 25:18 offers a glimpse into the meticulously structured and divinely-ordered system of worship established by King David. It is not merely a record of names and numbers but testifies to a profound commitment to preparing for and maintaining proper service in God's future Temple. The choice of Azarel, whose name "God has helped," highlights divine enablement for the task. The inclusion of "his sons and his brethren" underscores the hereditary and kinship-based nature of the Levitical ministry, ensuring continuity and the perpetuation of skill and devotion through generations. The consistent "twelve" members per division reflects a divinely significant number, connoting completeness and ordered representation. This level of detail from the Chronicler speaks to the importance of orderly worship, a profound respect for the divine command, and the meticulous preparation King David made, embodying his heart for God's presence. It reflects a theological conviction that God delights in order and intentionality in service, foreshadowing how God's presence brings peace and order (1 Cor 14:33, 40). This organization also served as a pattern for future generations (Ezra 6:18, Neh 12:44-47).