1 Chronicles 25 31

1 Chronicles 25:31 kjv

The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.

1 Chronicles 25:31 nkjv

the twenty-fourth for Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.

1 Chronicles 25:31 niv

the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and relatives ? 12.

1 Chronicles 25:31 esv

to the twenty-fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.

1 Chronicles 25:31 nlt

The twenty-fourth lot fell to Romamti-ezer and twelve of his sons and relatives.

1 Chronicles 25 31 Cross References

VerseTextReference
1 Chr 23:5"4,000 praise the LORD with instruments… 4,000 gatekeepers."Levites' organized roles, including music.
1 Chr 24:19"These were their appointed duties… by Aaron… commanded by the LORD."Divinely ordained order for temple service.
1 Chr 25:1"David and the commanders… set apart for service the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun…"Introduction to the organization of temple musicians.
1 Chr 25:4"Of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth."Mallothi's familial lineage as a son of Heman.
1 Chr 25:8"They cast lots for their duties, small and great, master and pupil alike."Fair and divine selection process for service.
1 Chr 26:12-19"These divisions of the gatekeepers, leaders of the men, had duties…"Further Levitical organizational details.
Num 3:6-8"Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest… for his service."Levites designated for temple service.
Num 8:13-16"Present the Levites before Aaron and his sons… for they are wholly given to Me…"Consecration and dedication of Levites to God's service.
Ps 150:3-5"Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp… with cymbals…"Call to praise God with various musical instruments.
2 Chr 29:25-27"He stationed the Levites… with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the command of David…"Hezekiah upholding David's organizational standards for worship.
Ezr 3:10-11"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD… Levites with cymbals…"Singing and praise during temple rebuilding, linking to earlier practices.
Neh 12:46-47"For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers… day by day."Reaffirmation of David's foundational organization for worship.
1 Cor 14:40"But all things should be done decently and in order."New Testament principle of order in worship.
Eph 5:19"Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing…"New Testament exhortation to corporate musical worship.
Col 3:16"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…"Musical expression of faith and teaching in the community.
Heb 8:5"They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things…"Old Testament temple service as a pattern for heavenly worship.
Rev 5:8-10"Each one holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."Harps (music) in heavenly worship.
1 Kgs 6:7"No hammer or axe or any tool of iron was heard in the temple while it was being built."Emphasis on the meticulous and noiseless preparation for the Temple, parallel to ordered worship.
1 Chr 6:31-32"These are the ones whom David put in charge of the service of song… before the tabernacle…"Introduction to the specific Levitical families dedicated to music.
1 Chr 28:11-13"David gave Solomon the plan of the porch… all the plan of the divisions…"Divine origin of the plans for the Temple and its services.
1 Chr 9:33"The singers, the heads of fathers' households of the Levites, lived in the chambers of the temple… their task was day and night."Singers' continuous and dedicated service.
Deut 33:10"They teach your ordinances to Jacob, and your law to Israel; they put incense before you…"Broader Levitical duties include teaching and ministering.

1 Chronicles 25 verses

1 Chronicles 25 31 Meaning

This verse details the twenty-fourth and final division of the Levitical musicians established by King David for temple service. It names Mallothi, along with his sons and brothers, as comprising this specific group, numbering twelve individuals in total. This structure highlights the meticulous organization and comprehensive planning for worship in the house of the Lord, ensuring a continuous and orderly musical ministry.

1 Chronicles 25 31 Context

1 Chronicles 25:31 concludes a meticulous list of 24 divisions of temple musicians, each comprising twelve men. This verse is nestled within a larger section (Chapters 23-26) in 1 Chronicles dedicated to David's final administrative organization of the Levites and priests before the construction of the Temple. Specifically, Chapter 25 details the "service of song" and the designation of skilled musicians from the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. These 24 divisions were selected by lot, ensuring impartiality and a perceived divine hand in their appointment. This systematic organization highlights King David's commitment to ordered worship and preparation for the magnificent Temple, which his son Solomon would build. The Chronicler emphasizes the Levites' central role in Israel's worship life, depicting a divinely ordained order and a theocentric kingdom. This commitment to proper, organized worship served as a powerful testament against the chaotic and often immoral pagan practices of surrounding nations, reinforcing Israel's unique covenant relationship with God.

1 Chronicles 25 31 Word analysis

  • The twenty-fourth: (Hebrew: הֶעֶשְׂרִ֛י עֶשְׂרִ֖ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה - ha'eśrîm we'arbaʿâ) - This numerical designation is significant. The 24 divisions (paralleling the 24 divisions of priests in 1 Chr 24) established a full complement of personnel for continuous, round-the-clock service. Each division served for a specific period, ensuring consistent musical praise in the future Temple. The number 24 is symbolic of completion and divine order, frequently appearing in temple-related arrangements and later in the book of Revelation concerning heavenly worship (Rev 4:4, 11:16).

  • to Mallothi: (Hebrew: לְמַלּוֹתִֽי׃ - ləmalôṯî) - Mallothi is identified as one of the fourteen sons of Heman in 1 Chronicles 25:4, and specifically one of Heman's sons "who lifted up the horn" (1 Chr 25:5). The name "Mallothi" likely derives from a root meaning "to fill" or "to complete" (as in מָלֵא - male'). As a head of a division, he bears responsibility for a substantial portion of the temple's musical worship, underscoring the hereditary and ordered nature of Levitical service.

  • his sons: (Hebrew: בָּנָ֥יו - bānāyw) - This phrase highlights the generational continuity and familial responsibility within the Levitical roles. Worship in ancient Israel was a communal and family affair, with sacred duties passed down and learned from one generation to the next. This ensured stability and consistent adherence to established practices.

  • and his brothers: (Hebrew: וְאֶחָ֖יו - wə’eḥāyw) - This indicates that the division was not solely composed of Mallothi's direct sons, but also other close family members, such as nephews or cousins, reinforcing the collective family unit serving together under the designated head. It broadens the scope of responsibility within the division beyond the immediate nuclear family.

  • twelve: (Hebrew: שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָֽׂר - šnêm ʿāśār) - This precise number (twelve men per division) demonstrates the detailed and exacting nature of David's organization. Each of the 24 divisions comprised 12 members, making a total of 288 principal musicians (24 x 12). This uniformity indicates a highly structured, well-planned system to ensure proper rotation and perpetual worship in the Temple.

  • The twenty-fourth to Mallothi, his sons, and his brothers: This entire phrase signifies the allocation of a specific and distinguished role in temple worship to a particular familial line. It shows the detailed assignment of leadership and responsibility for the ongoing, continuous ministry of music, a hallmark of David's preparations for the Temple. The meticulous listing by name and lineage underscores the importance and honor attributed to these divinely appointed roles.

1 Chronicles 25 31 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on detailed organizational lists like the one in 1 Chronicles 25 reflects a key theological agenda: to legitimize and glorify the unified, theocratic kingdom under David and the centralized worship in Jerusalem. This was crucial for the post-exilic community (the Chronicler's original audience) as they sought to restore their identity and temple practices. The systematic nature of these appointments underscores a principle of divine order in all things related to God's service, suggesting that spiritual activities should not be chaotic or arbitrary but carefully planned and executed. This attention to detail in music, traditionally a powerful element in worship, elevates it to a position of indispensable service alongside the priestly and gatekeeping functions. The reference to Mallothi as a "son of Heman" and from a family of seers (1 Chr 25:5) implies a prophetic and inspired element to their musical ministry, further cementing its spiritual significance.

1 Chronicles 25 31 Commentary

1 Chronicles 25:31 closes the elaborate registry of the 24 Levitical divisions dedicated to musical service in the future Temple. This specific entry names Mallothi, from the line of Heman, along with his family members, as comprising the final and equally important division. The inclusion of his "sons and brothers" signifies the strong familial and hereditary aspect of these sacred duties, ensuring the continuity and transmission of specialized musical skills across generations. The constant number of "twelve" individuals per division speaks to King David's precise and thorough organizational vision, demonstrating a commitment to order, regularity, and comprehensiveness in all aspects of Temple worship. This level of detail in the Chronicler's record emphasizes the divine appointment and supreme importance of orchestrated praise and music as central to Israel's identity and its relationship with God. It foreshadows the ceaseless and ordered worship of God that permeates eternity.