1 Chronicles 25:30 kjv
The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
1 Chronicles 25:30 nkjv
the twenty-third for Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:30 niv
the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and relatives ? 12
1 Chronicles 25:30 esv
to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
1 Chronicles 25:30 nlt
The twenty-third lot fell to Mahazioth and twelve of his sons and relatives.
1 Chronicles 25 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chron 23:25 | For David said, "The Lord God of Israel has given rest... the Levites need not carry the tabernacle..." | David's reorganization of Levite duties |
| 1 Chron 23:6 | And David divided them into divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. | Divisional organization of Levites |
| 1 Chron 24:1 | Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron... | Parallel organization of priestly divisions |
| 1 Chron 25:1 | David and the chiefs of the service separated for service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun... who prophesied with lyres, harps, and cymbals. | Source of musicians, their prophetic role |
| 1 Chron 25:8 | They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small and the great, the teacher and the pupil. | Equitable selection for service |
| 1 Chron 25:9-31 | The listing of the twenty-four musical divisions, each with 12 members. | Completeness of the musical roster |
| 2 Chron 5:12-13 | And the Levites, who were the singers, all of them... when they praised the Lord, the house was filled with a cloud... | Significance of musicians in temple worship |
| 2 Chron 29:25 | Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the command of David... | David's enduring template for worship |
| Ezra 3:10-11 | And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple... the Levites with cymbals to praise the Lord... | Restoration of Levitical music post-exile |
| Neh 12:27-28 | At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites... for joyful celebrations with thanksgivings and with songs... | Music in times of national celebration |
| Num 4:46-47 | All who were listed of the Levites... thirty years old and upward, even to fifty years old... | Age requirements for Levite service |
| Num 18:6-7 | And I have given your brothers the Levites to you as a gift... but you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood... | Hereditary nature of Levitical service |
| Psa 150:3-5 | Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! | Encouragement for musical praise |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of disorder but of peace... | Principle of order in God's worship |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | General principle of ordered service |
| Acts 6:3-4 | Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute... and we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. | Apostolic organization for service |
| Rev 21:12-14 | It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and on the gates twelve angels, and on the gates names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed... the wall of the city had twelve foundations... | Symbolic significance of the number 12 |
| Gal 6:10 | So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. | Extended family responsibility for service |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. | Worship in the New Covenant church |
| Eph 5:19 | Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart... | New Testament musical expression in worship |
| Heb 13:15 | Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. | Perpetual nature of praise |
1 Chronicles 25 verses
1 Chronicles 25 30 Meaning
1 Chronicles 25:30 details the twenty-third out of twenty-four divisions of Levitical musicians appointed by King David for temple service. It identifies the leader of this division as Haggai and specifies that he, along with his sons and brothers, formed a group of twelve individuals. This meticulously structured arrangement underscores David's comprehensive organization of worship personnel, ensuring perpetual and orderly praise within the house of God.
1 Chronicles 25 30 Context
1 Chronicles 25 forms a significant part of David's comprehensive preparations for the future temple in Jerusalem, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of worship through music. Chapters 23-26 systematically outline the reorganization of the Levites and priests for their various duties. Chapter 25 specifically details the establishment of 24 courses (divisions) of Levitical musicians, each designed to serve for a period and then be rotated. These musicians were not just entertainers; they were designated as "prophesying" with instruments (1 Chron 25:1-3), indicating a divinely inspired ministry. The context for verse 30, therefore, is an intricate and systematic administration of temple personnel, where each of the 24 divisions, comprising a total of 288 trained musicians, had a leader and a fixed number of members (twelve). This verse, specifically detailing the twenty-third such group led by Haggai, highlights the extraordinary order, completeness, and hereditary structure of worship instituted under David, anticipating the magnificent worship to come in Solomon's Temple.
1 Chronicles 25 30 Word analysis
- The twenty-third (הָעֶשְׂרִים וְשָׁלֹשׁ, ha-‘esrim v’shalosh): This precise ordinal number highlights the methodical and ordered nature of David's organizational scheme. It signifies the meticulous detail God desires in worship and service. The existence of 24 courses indicates a complete cycle, likely corresponding to weekly service throughout the year, ensuring continuous temple worship. This systematic arrangement underscores the principle of divine order (1 Cor 14:33).
- to Haggai (חַגָּי, Ḥaggay): Haggai is identified as the head or leader of this specific course of musicians. While not the prophet Haggai, this name signifies a leader responsible for ensuring the faithful performance of the duties of his division. The personal identification of each division head emphasizes individual accountability and leadership within the larger divine structure. The name itself, meaning "my feast" or "festive," could subtly point to their role in festive worship.
- his sons (בָּנָיו, bānāw): This signifies the hereditary nature of the Levitical service, specifically within the musical courses. It was a familial calling, passed down through generations, ensuring continuity, training, and spiritual legacy. This emphasizes the generational transfer of God's work and blessing.
- and his brothers (אֶחָיו, ’eḥāyw): This further emphasizes the family unit, extending beyond direct progeny to wider kin within the Levitical lineage. This collective familial participation indicates that service was not limited to immediate family but embraced the broader tribal or clan structure, fostering unity and shared responsibility in the worship of God.
- twelve (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, shəneym ‘āsār): This fixed number for each division (from verse 9 onwards) is highly symbolic. Twelve is a recurring number of completeness and divine organization in the Bible (e.g., twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem). In this context, it ensures the consistent numerical strength and perpetuation of each musical course, making them sufficient for their designated duties throughout the year. The consistency across all 24 courses signifies perfect divine order and balance in God's service.
1 Chronicles 25 30 Bonus section
The organization described in 1 Chronicles 25 provided a template for orderly worship that lasted for centuries in Israel, even through periods of national decline and restoration, as evidenced in later reforms under kings like Hezekiah (2 Chron 29:25-30) and in the post-exilic community (Ezra 3:10; Neh 12:27). The detailed nature of these plans, extending to every course and every man, is often seen as divinely inspired, with David himself receiving the plans for the temple from God (1 Chron 28:19). The continuity of 24 divisions underscores a principle that effective and sustained spiritual work often requires structure, training, and delegated leadership. The fact that these musicians were described as "prophesying" with instruments (1 Chron 25:1) elevates their musical contribution from mere entertainment to a divinely enabled spiritual act, revealing God's truths through melody and song. This foreshadows the spiritual songs and inspired worship found in the New Covenant Church.
1 Chronicles 25 30 Commentary
1 Chronicles 25:30 is more than a simple numerical entry; it is a glimpse into the depth of organization and spiritual intentionality King David brought to Israel's worship. By listing Haggai as the leader of the twenty-third course, along with "his sons and his brothers" numbering twelve, the verse powerfully conveys God's desire for orderly, structured, and continuous praise. This detailed system, including skilled musicians who "prophesied" with instruments, reveals that worship was not an ad hoc activity but a central, meticulously planned component of Israelite life. The emphasis on family units ("his sons and his brothers") highlights the hereditary nature of the Levitical service, ensuring that skill, spiritual devotion, and institutional memory were passed down through generations. The fixed number of twelve for each course underscored completeness and consistency, ensuring the temple always had a sufficient and capable corps of musicians to offer continuous worship, echoing the celestial worship patterns God intends to be mirrored on Earth. It reminds believers that God values excellence, dedication, and order in all acts of service offered to Him.