1 Chronicles 25 29

1 Chronicles 25:29 kjv

The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:29 nkjv

the twenty-second for Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:29 niv

the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and relatives ? 12

1 Chronicles 25:29 esv

to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

1 Chronicles 25:29 nlt

The twenty-second lot fell to Giddalti and twelve of his sons and relatives.

1 Chronicles 25 29 Cross References

VerseTextReference
1 Chr 23:4-5"24,000 to oversee the work... 4,000 for gatekeepers, 4,000 to praise the Lord with the instruments..."David organizes Levites for various temple duties.
1 Chr 24:1-19"These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron... according to their order of service."Similar priestly divisions by lot for service.
1 Chr 25:1"David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals..."Introduction to the musical divisions by prophetic gift.
1 Chr 25:6"All these were under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God."Family-based direction for temple music.
1 Chr 25:8"They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small and the great, the teacher and the pupil."Emphasizes impartial selection by lot.
2 Chr 8:14"He appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their duties of praise..."Solomon continues David's ordered arrangements.
Ezra 3:10"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of David King of Israel."Post-exilic adherence to David's order.
Neh 12:45-46"They performed the service of their God and the service of purification... For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were directors of the singers and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God."Continuity of Levitical worship roles.
Rom 13:1"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..."Principle of divine order and established authority.
1 Cor 14:33"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."God desires order, not chaos, in worship.
1 Cor 14:40"But all things should be done decently and in order."Instruction for orderly worship in the New Testament.
Eph 4:11-12"He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."God appoints individuals for specific service in the church.
Heb 10:25"not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."Importance of corporate gathering for worship.
Exo 28:1"You shall bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests..."Early divine command for specific family in sacred service.
Num 4:47"From thirty years old and upward to fifty years old, everyone who could enter on duty for service in the work of the tent of meeting."Defined age for Levitical service.
Deut 10:8"At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day."God's unique designation of Levi for service.
Psa 100:2"Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing!"Command to engage in joyful worship and music.
Col 3:16"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."Corporate singing as part of Christian worship.
1 Tim 3:15"the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth."The Church as an ordered institution of God.
Rev 5:9-10"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you... for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation..."Heavenly worship includes singing and order.

1 Chronicles 25 verses

1 Chronicles 25 29 Meaning

This verse details the specific designation of the twenty-second lot in the divinely orchestrated musical divisions established by King David for the temple service. It identifies the individual chosen by lot as Giddalti, indicating that he, along with his sons and brethren, formed a division of twelve individuals, dedicated to playing musical instruments for the worship of God in the house of the Lord. It signifies a precise, ordered, and hereditary assignment within the Levitical duties, ensuring continuous and organized worship.

1 Chronicles 25 29 Context

First Chronicles chapter 25 provides an exhaustive list and explanation of King David's organized divisions for the Levitical musicians designated for temple service. These arrangements, made towards the end of David's reign, were crucial for establishing the proper worship protocol for the temple that Solomon would build. Each of the twenty-four divisions, comprising 12 musicians each (a total of 288 principal musicians with their sons and brethren), was assigned duties by lot to ensure fairness and divine providence in the allocation of this significant spiritual service. Verse 29 specifically notes the twenty-second such lot, led by Giddalti, indicating the meticulous detail and order employed in preparing for the permanent house of worship. This reflects David's zeal for the Lord's house and his obedience to divine revelation regarding its functions. Historically, this organizational foresight laid the foundation for Israel's worship practices for centuries to come, highlighting a highly structured and inherited system of religious duties distinct from other ancient Near Eastern practices that often relied on ad-hoc arrangements or singular royal dictates without such detailed generational planning. The system underscored the Levites' dedication and preparedness for continuous, high-quality musical ministry, emphasizing that temple service was not accidental but divinely structured and meticulously prepared.

1 Chronicles 25 29 Word analysis

  • the twenty-second:
    • Signifies a precise, methodical, and extensive ordering of personnel. This detail emphasizes the highly organized nature of David's preparations for the temple. It points to a systematic approach to divine service.
  • to Giddalti:
    • Giddalti (גִּדַּלְתִּי, giddalti): This Hebrew name means "I have magnified," or "I have made great."
    • Significance: The meaning of the name could subtly echo the role of the individual and his division: to "magnify" or "make great" the worship of God through their musical ministry. It ties the individual's identity to their sacred calling. His very name reflects the purpose of his life's work in glorifying God.
    • Chosen by lot (1 Chr 25:8), emphasizing divine selection rather than human preference, ensuring impartiality and God's ultimate oversight.
  • his sons and his brethren:
    • Indicates a hereditary and familial structure to the service. The responsibility and skill were passed down through generations.
    • Significance: This ensures continuity of ministry and the perpetuation of the sacred traditions and skills within the Levite families. It also highlights community and kinship within temple service, fostering shared commitment and learning. It also shows a commitment not just to individual performance but to training the next generation for service.
  • twelve:
    • This number consistently appears in the organization of the musical divisions, implying a fixed and ordered size for each rotation.
    • Significance: The number twelve frequently holds symbolic weight in biblical contexts, representing completion, governmental order, or the twelve tribes of Israel (e.g., 12 apostles, 12 stones on the breastplate). Here, it denotes a perfectly ordered and complete unit for its specific duty in the service of God's house. It highlights the divine precision in the logistical setup of temple worship.

1 Chronicles 25 29 Bonus section

  • Architectural Significance: The meticulous nature of the musical divisions, as exemplified in this verse, paralleled the intricate architectural plans for the temple itself (1 Chr 28:11-19). Just as the physical structure was detailed by divine pattern, so too was the human service within it, indicating God's desire for comprehensive order in His house.
  • Abolition of Class Distinction: While the assignments were by lineage, the text states "they cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small and the great, the teacher and the pupil" (1 Chr 25:8). This implies a degree of egalitarianism within the appointed ranks, showing that regardless of individual status or skill level, all were equally subject to divine appointment through the lot, leveling potential pride and fostering humility.
  • A Living Prophetic Tradition: The text in 1 Chr 25:1 mentions that the musicians were "to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals." This suggests their music was not merely entertainment but an integral part of expressing God's word and presence. Giddalti's division, like the others, was part of a dynamic, Spirit-filled ministry that conveyed divine truth through song.

1 Chronicles 25 29 Commentary

1 Chronicles 25:29 serves as a specific instance within a larger schema of meticulous organization undertaken by King David for the forthcoming Temple. Far from a mere bureaucratic listing, this verse reflects David's profound understanding of orderly worship as essential to God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. The casting of lots (1 Chr 25:8) for Giddalti's division, despite his lineage and perhaps prominence, underscores divine impartiality and ultimate divine selection in appointing those for sacred service. The emphasis on "his sons and his brethren" reveals the hereditary nature of Levitical duties, ensuring that skill, dedication, and knowledge of worship protocols were preserved and passed through generations. This created a standing professional corps dedicated solely to maintaining the beauty and order of God's house, a contrast to the sometimes chaotic or impure worship of surrounding nations. The very name Giddalti ("I have magnified") aptly fits the role of those whose purpose was to magnify the Lord through their musical expressions. This structured approach to worship points to a God who values peace and order, rather than confusion, and sets a precedent for thoughtful, deliberate preparation in approaching God in community worship, both then and for the church today (cf. 1 Cor 14:33, 40).