1 Chronicles 25:20 kjv
The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
1 Chronicles 25:20 nkjv
the thirteenth for Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:20 niv
the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and relatives ? 12
1 Chronicles 25:20 esv
to the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:20 nlt
The thirteenth lot fell to Shubael and twelve of his sons and relatives.
1 Chronicles 25 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 4:47-49 | From thirty years old and upward to fifty years old... everyone that came to do the service of the ministry... Moses and Aaron... did number them... | God commanded the numbering and organization of Levites for service. |
| 1 Chr 9:14 | And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam... | Examples of Levites listed for Temple service. |
| 1 Chr 15:16 | David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers... | David's initial instruction to appoint musicians. |
| 1 Chr 23:3 | The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number was thirty-eight thousand. | Comprehensive census and division of Levites. |
| 1 Chr 23:5 | four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments... | Levites designated specifically for music. |
| 1 Chr 23:16 | The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. | Identifies Shebuel (likely Shubael) as a prominent Gershomite. |
| 1 Chr 24:3 | David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them... | Organization by lot, mirroring 1 Chr 25. |
| 1 Chr 24:20 | And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael... | Another mention of Shubael among Levite divisions. |
| 1 Chr 25:1 | David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun... for praise and thanksgiving. | Context of 1 Chr 25: specific dedication of musicians. |
| 1 Chr 25:8 | They cast lots for their duties, the small and great alike, teacher and pupil. | Impartial casting of lots for duty. |
| 1 Chr 25:9 | The first lot came out for Asaph, to Joseph... | Lists the first of 24 divisions. |
| 2 Chr 5:12 | and the Levites, who were the singers, all of them, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun... arrayed in fine linen... made music... | The role and apparel of singers in Temple dedication. |
| 2 Chr 7:6 | And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of music of the Lord... and the priests sounded trumpets before them... | Continued musical service in the dedicated Temple. |
| Neh 12:45 | And they kept the watch of their God, and the watch of the purification, as did the singers and the doorkeepers, according to the commandment of David... | David's ordinances for Levites maintained post-exile. |
| Psa 150:3-5 | Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp... Praise him upon the loud cymbals... | Calls for use of instruments in worship, validating the musicians' role. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints. | New Testament principle of divine order in worship. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. | Emphasizes orderly worship in Christian assembly. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering... | God appoints individuals with specific gifts for service, analogous to Levitical divisions. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. | Diverse roles within the body of Christ, parallel to specialized Levite tasks. |
| Heb 8:5 | They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. | Earthly temple service foreshadows heavenly realities, giving importance to these duties. |
| Exo 30:19-21 | Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it: when they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water... | Requirement for priestly purity and specific preparation for service. |
1 Chronicles 25 verses
1 Chronicles 25 20 Meaning
This verse states that the thirteenth division or lot of musicians, designated for Temple service, was assigned to Shubael, along with his sons and brothers. This group comprised twelve individuals, indicating a structured family unit organized for their specific role in worship. It reflects David's meticulous planning and organization of the Levites for continuous and orderly service in the House of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 25 20 Context
1 Chronicles 25 meticulously details King David's organized appointment of musicians from the Levite tribes for Temple service. Prior to the construction of the Temple, David meticulously prepared for its operation, ensuring all aspects of worship would be conducted in a highly structured and orderly manner. This chapter focuses specifically on the "sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun" who were set apart to "prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals." The musicians were divided into twenty-four divisions, each serving under a designated family head. To ensure fairness and divine appointment, these divisions were selected by lot, with each group comprising twelve members—typically the father along with his sons and brothers (kinsmen). Verse 20 lists the thirteenth of these divisions, specifying its leader and total membership.
1 Chronicles 25 20 Word analysis
- the thirteenth (הַשְּׁלֹושָׁה עָשָׂר - ha-shᵉlōshāh ‘āśār): This denotes the order in which the division was selected by lot (1 Chr 25:8) or its place in the numerical sequence of the 24 courses. The meticulous enumeration underscores the divine order and systematic organization implemented by David for Temple service. This numerical precision highlights the divine precision in setting up sacred duties.
- to Shubael (לְשׁוּבָאֵל - lᵉshūvā’ēl): Shubael is identified as the head of this particular division. In other passages (1 Chr 23:16, 24:20), a Shebuel, son of Gershom, the son of Moses, is mentioned, indicating a high-ranking Levite. The slight variation in spelling between "Shubael" and "Shebuel" is common in Hebrew manuscripts and often refers to the same individual. This leadership role signifies divine appointment and authority in sacred worship.
- his sons (בָּנָיו - bānāyw): This signifies the generational continuity and familial aspect of the Temple service. The spiritual duties were often hereditary, ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and reverence for divine service were passed down through the family line, fostering dedication from an early age.
- and his brothers (וְאֶחָיו - vᵉ’eḥāyw): This term (ʾaḥīm) broadly refers to male kinsmen, indicating that the division was not limited strictly to direct sons but included other close male relatives from the same lineage. This broadened the pool of eligible participants and emphasized the collective, family-oriented nature of the Levitical service, promoting unity and shared responsibility within the worship teams.
- twelve (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר - shənēym ‘āśār): This number represents the total strength of Shubael’s specific division. The repeated mention of "twelve" throughout the chapter (1 Chr 25:9-31) emphasizes that each of the twenty-four divisions comprised this exact number. "Twelve" is a number often associated with divine order, completeness, and governmental structures in the Bible (e.g., twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles), reinforcing the idea that these musical divisions were fully complete units operating according to divine arrangement.
Words-Group Analysis
- "the thirteenth to Shubael": This phrase directly assigns the specific course by lot to a particular Levitical family head, illustrating the highly organized and systematic nature of Temple administration. The lottery system was believed to reveal God's choice (Prov 16:33).
- "his sons and his brothers, twelve": This highlights the composition of each division: a familial unit (father, sons, and kinsmen) totaling exactly twelve members. This emphasis on family lines participating together underlines the importance of multi-generational faithfulness and a collective, unified approach to the sacred ministry, ensuring sustained and qualified service in God's presence.
1 Chronicles 25 20 Bonus section
The Shubael mentioned in this verse is highly likely the same individual as Shebuel, the chief man among the descendants of Gershom, the son of Moses, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 23:16 and 1 Chronicles 24:20. This connection is significant because it highlights that despite Aaron's descendants holding the priesthood, Moses' descendants also held significant, chief positions within the Levites, particularly in administrative and, as seen here, worship-related roles. This underscores that service in the Lord's house extended beyond a single prominent lineage, encompassing various Levite families, all organized and appointed by divine order for the multifaceted ministry of the Temple. The Chronicler's detailed genealogies and organizational lists aimed to legitimize and reinforce the post-exilic temple and its services by rooting them in the divinely inspired arrangements of David.
1 Chronicles 25 20 Commentary
1 Chronicles 25:20 offers a glimpse into the meticulously structured and orderly worship system established by King David for the future Temple. Far from chaotic or spontaneous, divine service was carefully organized down to specific familial divisions and exact numbers. This verse, though a mere detail in a long list, powerfully demonstrates God's demand for order and intentionality in worship, ensuring continuous and qualified personnel for His praise. The emphasis on family units (Shubael, his sons, and brothers) underlines the intergenerational commitment to God's service and the transmission of spiritual legacy. The specific number "twelve" for each division speaks to completeness and divine structure. This meticulous arrangement underscores the reverence due to God and the high regard for those called to minister in His holy presence, echoing God's character as a God of order, not of confusion (1 Cor 14:33).