1 Chronicles 26 10

1 Chronicles 26:10 kjv

Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)

1 Chronicles 26:10 nkjv

Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),

1 Chronicles 26:10 niv

Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first),

1 Chronicles 26:10 esv

And Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief),

1 Chronicles 26:10 nlt

Hosah, of the Merari clan, appointed Shimri as the leader among his sons, though he was not the oldest.

1 Chronicles 26 verses

1 Chronicles 26 10 Meaning

First Chronicles 26:10 details a specific instance in the organization of the Levitical gatekeepers for the temple service under King David. It identifies Hosah as a descendant of Merari and notes that his son, Shimri, was appointed chief. The verse particularly highlights that Shimri was elevated to this leadership position by his father despite not being the firstborn, underscoring a choice based on factors beyond customary primogeniture within this administrative structure.

1 Chronicles 26 10 Context

Verse Context: First Chronicles 26:10 is a specific entry within a detailed genealogical and organizational record. It names a gatekeeper family and highlights a non-traditional leadership appointment, showing divine or merit-based selection at work within the temple's service hierarchy.

Chapter Context: Chapter 26 of 1 Chronicles meticulously lists the divisions of the gatekeepers—Levites tasked with guarding the temple entrances, storerooms, and treasury. This chapter, following similar detailed lists of priests and Levites in earlier chapters (23-25), emphasizes King David's extensive and methodical organization of the temple service, ensuring everything was assigned and orderly. The overall focus is on the administrative structure for God's worship.

Historical/Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, primogeniture, the custom of the firstborn son inheriting a double portion of the inheritance and leadership of the family, was generally practiced. However, the Bible frequently illustrates instances where God, or a patriarch guided by God, chose a younger son for special blessings, leadership, or covenant continuity, such as Jacob over Esau, Joseph's younger son Ephraim over Manasseh, and David over his older brothers. This verse, therefore, aligns with a recurring biblical theme where divine preference or perceived fitness for a role superseded traditional birth order, particularly in matters pertaining to God's service. The Chronicler emphasizes God's sovereign hand in the arrangements for the temple.

1 Chronicles 26 10 Word analysis

• Also (וְגַם - v'gam): Connects this entry to the previous listing of gatekeeper families. It signifies continuity in the enumeration of Hosah's family alongside the others.

• Hosah (חֹסָה - Chosah): A proper noun, a specific individual, a Merarite Levite. His name means "refuge" or "he has fled," but its specific meaning does not seem directly thematic here beyond identifying the person.

• of the sons of Merari (מִבְּנֵי מְרָרִי - mib'ney Merari): Identifies Hosah's lineage within the Levitical tribe. The Merarites were one of the three main clans of Levites, primarily responsible for the tabernacle's framework (poles, planks, etc.) in the wilderness. Here, their descendants serve as temple gatekeepers, demonstrating the structured assignments given to all Levitical families.

• had sons: Indicates that the lineage continued and that his family provided men for service, a key aspect of the detailed tribal registers in Chronicles.

• Shimri (שִׁמְרִי - Shimri): Another proper noun, the name of one of Hosah's sons. It means "my guardian" or "kept." He is singled out for a leadership role.

• the chief (הָרֹאשׁ - ha-ro'sh): Literally "the head." This term signifies leadership, primary authority, or prominence within his family unit or assigned group of gatekeepers. It indicates an active leadership role.

• for though he was not (וְהוּא לֹא הָיָה - v'hu lo hayah): A connective phrase emphasizing a deviation from the expected norm. The conjunction "for" (implied contextually as an explanation) highlights the noteworthy aspect that follows.

• the firstborn (בְכוֹר - b'khor): The eldest son. In ancient Israelite society, the firstborn typically received preferential rights, including leadership of the family and a double inheritance. The statement that Shimri was not the firstborn is crucial to the verse's meaning.

• his father made him chief (שָׂמוֹ אָבִיו לְרֹאשׁ - samo aviv l'ro'sh): "His father appointed him to head/chief." This phrase directly attributes the decision to Hosah, Shimri's father. This act by the father indicates a deliberate choice, possibly due to Shimri's particular aptitude, spiritual maturity, or perhaps divine revelation, rather than strictly adhering to the convention of primogeniture. This demonstrates flexibility in appointments for the sake of the temple service.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Hosah, of the sons of Merari": Reinforces the Levitical identity and clarifies the lineage of the gatekeeper family, grounding their service within the broader divinely ordained structure of the Israelite priesthood and temple administration.
  • "Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief)": This is the core explanatory phrase. It draws attention to an exceptional case where tradition (primogeniture) was set aside. It highlights that the choice for leadership in God's service could be based on a different principle—the discerning decision of the acting head (father), which may reflect fitness, character, or God's leading, over mere birth order. This pattern is seen elsewhere in the Bible, affirming that God’s methods can transcend human customs.

1 Chronicles 26 10 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's narrative frequently highlights how King David meticulously organized every aspect of the temple service, emphasizing that these arrangements were "of the Lord" or inspired by divine wisdom. The choice of Shimri by his father, thus, fits into this larger divine blueprint for order and efficiency within God's house.
• This verse can be seen as an illustration of divine sovereignty in choosing His instruments for service. While the direct actor here is the father, Hosah, the biblical context implies that such wise or exceptional decisions align with God's overarching plan for His worship, valuing the right person for the job rather than strict adherence to birthright, especially in sacred contexts.
• The fact that this detail is explicitly included in a dry list of names suggests its significance for the original audience – perhaps to justify similar practices, to highlight a successful instance of discernment, or to subtly convey God's direct hand in structuring His people's worship through His chosen leaders.

1 Chronicles 26 10 Commentary

First Chronicles 26:10 offers a concise yet profound insight into the administration of the temple service during King David’s reign. Amidst a comprehensive record of Levitical divisions, this verse singles out the case of Shimri, Hosah’s son, who was appointed as chief among his brothers despite not being the firstborn. This act by the father, rather than simply upholding tradition, demonstrates that fitness, character, or divine guidance could be overriding factors in appointments for sacred service. The Chronicler, in his emphasis on orderly worship and righteous administration, often subtly reveals God's sovereignty and wisdom at play through human actions. This selective appointment highlights a principle vital for God's kingdom: leadership positions are not merely inherited but are often chosen based on divine design and the discerning evaluation of suitability, echoing instances like Jacob, Ephraim, or David themselves who were chosen despite being younger siblings. It reminds us that God prioritizes what makes for effective and devoted service over rigid human customs.