1 Chronicles 26:13 kjv
And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
1 Chronicles 26:13 nkjv
And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father's house.
1 Chronicles 26:13 niv
Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
1 Chronicles 26:13 esv
And they cast lots by fathers' houses, small and great alike, for their gates.
1 Chronicles 26:13 nlt
They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots.
1 Chronicles 26 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Guidance/Sovereignty through Lots | ||
| Prov 16:33 | The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. | God's sovereignty over the outcome of lots. |
| Josh 14:2 | Their inheritance was by lot, as the Lord had commanded through Moses... | Land division by lot, showing divine command. |
| Lev 16:8 | ...Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats... one for the Lord and the other for Azazel. | Sacrificial roles determined by lot. |
| Acts 1:26 | And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias... | Apostles used lots to discern God's choice. |
| Neh 10:34 | We have likewise cast lots for the supply of wood, to bring it to the house of our God... | Practical temple duties assigned by lot. |
| Jon 1:7 | Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us. | Used to discover divine displeasure. |
| Num 26:55 | But the land shall be divided by lot... | Consistent method for distributing land. |
| Order & Organization of Temple Service | ||
| 1 Chr 23:6 | And David divided them into divisions... | David's comprehensive organization of Levites. |
| 1 Chr 25:1 | ...David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service... | Organizing musicians for temple service. |
| 1 Chr 9:22 | All these who were chosen as gatekeepers for the thresholds were 212... | Previous mention of gatekeepers' number & roles. |
| 2 Chr 8:14 | According to the ordinance of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service... | Solomon continued David's organizational plan. |
| Neh 12:45 | ...and the gatekeepers, observed the purification... | Later continued organization of gatekeepers. |
| Ezra 2:42 | The sons of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, Shobai, 139. | Post-exilic recognition of gatekeepers' lineage. |
| Impartiality & Equality | ||
| Deut 1:17 | You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike... | Judges to be impartial; echoes "small and great". |
| Jas 2:1 | My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ... | New Testament teaching against favoritism. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Spiritual equality in Christ. |
| Prov 24:23 | These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. | Wisdom literature condemnation of favoritism. |
| Lineage & "Fathers' Houses" | ||
| Num 1:18 | ...and registered them by ancestral lineage... | Importance of lineage in Israel's census. |
| Ezra 2:59 | ...they could not prove their father's house or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel. | Lineage crucial for proving Israelite identity. |
| Serving in God's House/Guardianship | ||
| Ps 84:10 | For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. | The honor of serving, even as a gatekeeper. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | ...how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God... | Conduct in God's spiritual household. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood... to proclaim the excellencies of him... | Believers called to serve God. |
| Ps 24:7 | Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors... | Symbolic gates to God's presence. |
| Isa 26:2 | Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in. | Righteousness as condition for entry through gates. |
1 Chronicles 26 verses
1 Chronicles 26 13 Meaning
This verse details the method by which David organized the Levites assigned as gatekeepers for the temple complex. It states that responsibilities for the various gates were impartially distributed by casting lots among all eligible individuals, regardless of their social standing or age, according to their family lineages, indicating a structured and divinely-guided assignment of duties for the sacred service.
1 Chronicles 26 13 Context
This verse is situated within David's meticulous organization of the Levitical families for their duties concerning the worship at the future Temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 26 specifically details the divisions and responsibilities of the gatekeepers, who were part of the wider Levitical family responsible for guarding, maintaining order, and controlling access to the sacred precincts. The verse highlights the impartial and divinely ordained method for assigning these critical roles, ensuring fairness and preventing human bias in the service of God's house as preparations for Solomon's Temple were being made.
1 Chronicles 26 13 Word analysis
- And they cast lots: The Hebrew phrase is וַיַּפִּילוּ גּוֹרָלוֹת (wayyappilu goralot). "Goralot" (lots) refers to small objects (stones or marked pieces) used for divinely guided decisions, not mere chance. "Wayyappilu" (they caused to fall/cast) indicates the physical action. This practice was a recognized biblical method to determine God's will or fairly allocate portions, ensuring impartial assignments directly under divine guidance. It negated human preference or manipulation in crucial sacred appointments, signifying God's ultimate authority.
- the small and the great: The Hebrew is הַקָּטֹן כַּגָּדֹול (haqqaton kaggadol), literally "the small as the great." This emphasizes absolute impartiality and equal consideration for all individuals eligible for service, irrespective of their age, status, or prominence within their lineage. It conveys that every Levite was deemed equally worthy of participating in the sacred lottery, reflecting the principle that all are equal before God in their capacity for service and divine appointment.
- according to their fathers' houses: לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם (leveit avotam). This signifies the foundational patrilineal structure of Israelite society and the organization of the Levites for temple duties. Divisions and responsibilities were rooted in and passed down through ancestral family lines. This ensured order, accountability, and the preservation of inherited sacred duties within specific Levitical clans. It maintained a systematic, generational framework for service in the Tabernacle/Temple.
- for every gate: לְשַׁעַר וָשַׁעַר (lesha'ar vasha'ar). "Sha'ar" (gate or doorway) denotes the specific points of access to the temple compound. The repetition "and gate" or "every gate" stresses that each individual gate had a dedicated watch. Gatekeepers were crucial for security, controlling entry, and maintaining the sanctity and order of the holy precincts, signifying a precise and comprehensive assignment of these vital access points.
1 Chronicles 26 13 Bonus section
The act of casting lots here represents a unique biblical approach to decision-making, wherein human effort in organizing and preparation converges with reliance on divine sovereignty for final allocation. While the early New Testament church occasionally employed lots (as seen with Matthias's selection), the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit for guidance (e.g., in Acts 13:2 concerning Paul and Barnabas) marked a progression in discerning God's will, moving from external signs to internal conviction. This evolution reflects God's increasing imminence through His Spirit, guiding His people in service and ministry.
1 Chronicles 26 13 Commentary
This verse underscores David's diligent and divinely inspired organization of the Levitical temple service. By casting lots among all gatekeepers, "small and great," he ensured fairness and eliminated favoritism in the crucial responsibility of guarding God's house. This process demonstrated a profound trust in divine guidance for every detail of worship, reflecting God's desire for order, equity, and accountability in all spiritual duties. It highlights that every assigned role, regardless of its perceived importance, is equally valuable and honorable when appointed by the Lord for His glory and the sanctity of His presence.