1 Chronicles 25 24

1 Chronicles 25:24 kjv

The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:24 nkjv

the seventeenth for Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:24 niv

the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and relatives ? 12

1 Chronicles 25:24 esv

to the seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:24 nlt

The seventeenth lot fell to Joshbekashah and twelve of his sons and relatives.

1 Chronicles 25 verses

1 Chronicles 25 24 Meaning

1 Chronicles 25:24 details the assignment of the twenty-fifth lot among the Levitical musicians' courses established by King David. This specific division was assigned to Romamti-Ezer, along with his sons and his brothers, totaling twelve individuals. This verse underscores the precise, organized, and family-based structure designed for continuous worship and musical praise within the future Temple.

1 Chronicles 25 24 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 25 details King David's organized plan for the Levitical musicians who would serve in the Temple, establishing a formal, continuous system of musical praise. This arrangement was part of David's broader preparation for the construction and administration of the Temple, even though his son Solomon would ultimately oversee its building. The chapter highlights the specific roles, the heads of the musical courses (from Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun), and the method of their assignment through lots. This was not a casual arrangement but a divinely inspired, meticulous system to ensure constant, skilled musical accompaniment to temple sacrifices and prayers, affirming the centrality of worship in the kingdom. Verse 24, specifically, is one entry in a list of 24 such courses (though this is the 25th in sequence by lot number), each composed of twelve trained members, indicating a highly structured and dedicated ministry.

1 Chronicles 25 24 Word Analysis

• the twenty-fifth (וְהָעֶשְׂרִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה – v'ha'esrim vachamishah): This phrase indicates the specific numerical order determined by lot. The system of drawing lots for assigning duties was a common practice in ancient Israel (cf. 1 Chron 24:5, 1 Chron 26:13-14), signifying divine guidance and impartiality in the distribution of responsibilities. It underlines a highly ordered, not arbitrary, method of selecting groups for their turn of service.
• to Romamti-Ezer (לְרוֹמַמְתִּי עֵזֶר – l'romamti ezer): This is the name of the head of the twenty-fifth course. The name "Romamti-Ezer" is Hebrew and means "I have exalted help" or "My help is exalted." Names in the Bible often carry significant meaning. Here, the name itself can be seen as a declaration of reliance on God, whose help is exalted. It is a subtle but powerful reminder to those serving and to the community that even the ability to lead worship and serve is divinely given and supported.
• his sons (בָּנָיו – banayv): Refers to the direct male descendants of Romamti-Ezer. The inclusion of sons indicates the hereditary nature of this Levitical service, where specialized skills and spiritual understanding were passed down through generations within the same family lines. This ensured continuity and trained personnel for the ongoing service in the Temple.
• and his brothers (וְאֶחָיו – v'echayv): Refers to other close male relatives, likely cousins or other kinsmen within the extended family unit or clan of Romamti-Ezer. This highlights the collective, communal responsibility for the sacred task of worship. It indicates a broader familial participation beyond just immediate offspring, consolidating the work unit.
• twelve (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר – sh'neim asar): This number specifies the size of each musical course. The number twelve is symbolically significant throughout Scripture, often representing completeness, governmental order, and divine establishment (e.g., twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles). In this context, it signifies that each course was a complete, functional unit, fully equipped to perform its designated duties in an organized and efficient manner.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "the twenty-fifth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers": This entire phrase details the outcome of a specific lot. It encapsulates David's strategic foresight and God's sovereignty in orchestrating the precise leadership and familial composition for a unit of temple worship. It illustrates that spiritual ministry was meticulously planned, not haphazard, and that it involved familial dedication.
• "his sons and his brothers, twelve": This clarifies the composition and exact number of the service unit. It underscores the practical organization: each course was self-sufficient, comprised of trained Levites from specific family lines, ensuring a structured and capable workforce for the daily, continuous requirements of temple worship. This precision points to God's love for order and excellence in His service.

1 Chronicles 25 24 Bonus Section

• David's blueprint for worship: The extensive details concerning the organization of priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and especially the musicians, reveal David's deep commitment not just to building the physical Temple but to establishing its spiritual function. This reflects a comprehensive "blueprint" for future worship, initiated before the Temple's construction even began.
• The continuity of service: The generational involvement ("sons and brothers") in these courses points to a long-term vision for sacred service, fostering deep-rooted traditions and specialized knowledge necessary for such complex liturgical roles. It emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the passing down of spiritual legacies.
• Beyond functionality: While functional, the names and numbers within these lists are more than mere statistics. They attest to God's attention to detail and His desire for beauty and order in His worship. Each individual, named or unnamed within a course, played a vital role in glorifying God, elevating the musical ministry to a consecrated, honorable calling.

1 Chronicles 25 24 Commentary

1 Chronicles 25:24 is a single line embedded within a detailed administrative list, yet it profoundly reflects God's character and David's spiritual foresight. The meticulous organization of the Levitical musicians for Temple service highlights the divine value placed on orderly, dedicated, and skilled worship. David did not leave worship to chance or spontaneity alone; inspired by God, he instituted a systematic approach to ensure continuous, professional praise. The assignment "by lot" underscores a recognition of divine leading in these appointments, signifying God's direct involvement in establishing the Temple's liturgical framework. The mention of "Romamti-Ezer," whose name points to God as the exalted help, reminds us that the capacity for meaningful service and worship ultimately comes from Him. The emphasis on "his sons and his brothers" signifies the familial and hereditary nature of Levitical service, promoting continuity of knowledge, skill, and dedication across generations within the consecrated tribal lines. Each "twelve"-member course demonstrates a standard unit size, symbolizing completeness and efficiency, ensuring that every facet of the Temple's musical needs was adequately covered. This verse, therefore, quietly but powerfully asserts that true worship, while heartfelt, also requires discipline, structure, and corporate commitment, reflecting God's nature as a God of order and peace (1 Cor 14:33).