1 Chronicles 26:3 kjv
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
1 Chronicles 26:3 nkjv
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
1 Chronicles 26:3 niv
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth and Eliehoenai the seventh.
1 Chronicles 26:3 esv
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
1 Chronicles 26:3 nlt
Elam (the fifth), Jehohanan (the sixth), and Eliehoenai (the seventh).
1 Chronicles 26 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ch 26:1 | "Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph." | Introduction of Meshelemiah and his gatekeeper role. |
| 1 Ch 26:14 | "And the lot for the East fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots also for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North." | Meshelemiah is identified with Shelemiah; Zechariah, his firstborn, also served. |
| 1 Ch 9:26-27 | "...four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were in charge... For these Levites, the chief men, were in a trust, and were over the chambers and the treasures of the house of God." | Expands on the significant and trustworthy duties of gatekeepers beyond mere doorkeeping. |
| Num 3:27-28 | "And the clans of the Kohathites encamped on the south side... 8,600, attending to the duties of the sanctuary." | The ancestral Kohathite lineage, indicating the family's ancient tribal roots in sacred service. |
| 1 Ch 23:5 | "four thousand were gatekeepers; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments that I made for praise." | Illustrates the sheer number of Levites involved and the organization of different functions, including gatekeeping. |
| 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." | Expresses the high regard and spiritual longing for serving even in seemingly humble roles in God's house. |
| 1 Ch 26:10 | "Also Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons... Shimri the chief, though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief." | Provides a contrasting example where primogeniture was not strictly followed, emphasizing Zechariah's "firstborn" status as notable. |
| Dt 21:17 | "...he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion..." | Old Testament principle of the rights and recognition due to the firstborn son, relevant to Zechariah's standing. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | Undergirds the divine principle of order and structure evident in David's organization of the Temple service. |
| Rom 12:4-6 | "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ..." | Reflects the New Testament concept of various roles and functions within God's people, analogous to the specific Levitical assignments. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And 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," | Highlights God's gifting and appointment of diverse roles to accomplish ministry, similar to the Levitical divisions. |
| Ezra 2:42 | "The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, in all 139." | Demonstrates the continuation and importance of the gatekeeper function even after the return from exile. |
| Neh 7:1 | "Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites had been appointed," | Underscores the priority of re-establishing order and specific roles, including gatekeepers, in restored Jerusalem. |
| 1 Ch 28:11-13 | "Then David gave Solomon the plan of the porch of the temple... and all the vessels of service... for the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, and for all the work of the service..." | Emphasizes David's comprehensive planning for all aspects of temple service, including personnel. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | "...how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." | The spiritual significance of order and proper conduct in the "house of God," applied broadly to both temple and church. |
| Jn 10:3 | "To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." | Jesus uses the familiar imagery of a gatekeeper as one who provides access and protection for the flock. |
| Rev 21:25 | "and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there." | Symbolizes the unrestricted and eternal access to God in the New Jerusalem, a stark contrast to earthly gates and limited access. |
| Ps 121:8 | "The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." | A theological parallel to the role of gatekeepers managing entry and exit, reflecting God's ultimate guardianship. |
| Gen 49:3 | "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power." | Further highlights the traditional preeminence associated with the firstborn in Israelite culture. |
| Prov 29:18 | "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." | Reinforces the importance of structured divine guidance and law for societal (and worship) order. |
1 Chronicles 26 verses
1 Chronicles 26 3 Meaning
First Chronicles 26:3 meticulously lists four of the six sons of Meshelemiah, a prominent Kohathite Levite appointed as a gatekeeper during King David's organized administration of the house of God. The verse identifies them by birth order—Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, and Jathniel the fourth—highlighting their structured roles within the elaborate Levitical service in the anticipated Temple. It underscores the emphasis on lineage, order, and assigned responsibility in God's worship.
1 Chronicles 26 3 Context
First Chronicles chapter 26 is part of a larger section (chapters 23-27) in the book that details King David's meticulous organization of the Levitical duties and personnel for the future Temple in Jerusalem. Having received divine blueprints, David establishes systematic divisions for priests, singers, treasurers, judges, and particularly in this chapter, the gatekeepers. These arrangements, though performed during David's reign, were preparatory steps for the reign of his son, Solomon, who would build the Temple. The immediate context of verse 3 falls within the list of specific families assigned gatekeeping duties, following the identification of Meshelemiah himself in verse 1. Historically, this period reflects a unified Israel under a king devoted to preparing for formalized, central worship of Yahweh, distinct from the more nomadic or decentralized worship practices of earlier periods. It subtly emphasizes divine order and dedicated service in opposition to disorganized, idolatrous pagan worship.
1 Chronicles 26 3 Word analysis
- The sons of: Indicates direct male descendants, essential for maintaining genealogical purity and establishing rightful inheritance of roles within Israelite society and specifically for Levitical duties.
- Meshelemiah (מְשֶׁלֶמְיָהוּ - Meshelemyahu): A significant Kohathite Levite gatekeeper. He is also identified as Shelemiah in 1 Ch 26:14, likely an alternative form or abbreviation of the same name. His selection and the detailed listing of his sons highlight his importance in David's organizational structure.
- Zechariah (זְכַרְיָהוּ - Zekharyahu): Meaning "Yahweh remembers." This theophoric name, like many others in this list, affirms God's constant engagement and faithfulness to His people.
- the firstborn: Designates the eldest son, who typically held a position of preeminence, leadership, and a double inheritance. In this context, it marks Zechariah as the primary heir to his father's role and responsibilities, potentially implying a leading role among his brothers.
- Jediael (יְדִיעֲאֵל - Yedi'a'el): Meaning "God knows" or "Known of God." Another theophoric name, expressing a personal relationship with or knowledge from the Divine.
- the second: Indicates the order of birth, reinforcing the systematic and hierarchical nature of the family lineage and its placement within the Temple service.
- Zebadiah (זְבַדְיָהוּ - Zevadyahu): Meaning "Yahweh has bestowed" or "Gift of Yahweh." This name gratefully acknowledges God's gracious provision of life and blessing.
- the third: Continues the chronological listing by birth order, emphasizing precise accounting and the organized nature of the Chronicler's record.
- Jathniel (יַתְנִיאֵל - Yathni'el): Meaning "God gives" or "Gift of God." Like Zebadiah, it signifies God's beneficence and sovereignty in gifting individuals to serve.
- the fourth: Concludes this part of the list, continuing the detailed account of Meshelemiah's sons, though he had two more (verse 4).
Words-group analysis
- "The sons of Meshelemiah": This phrase immediately establishes a patriarchal and familial context. The specific lineage is critical in ancient Israel for validating identity, tribal affiliation, and entitlement to priestly or Levitical duties. It emphasizes continuity through generations for the sacred service.
- "Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth": This sequential enumeration highlights a systematic approach to roles and responsibilities within the Levite families. The clear order of birth suggests established hierarchy and a structured passing down of duties. The inclusion of theophoric names (names incorporating "Yahweh" or "El") points to the deep religious faith prevalent in these families chosen for service and implicitly celebrates God's character (remembering, knowing, bestowing, giving) through their very identity.
1 Chronicles 26 3 Bonus section
The careful accounting of gatekeepers, along with their assigned duties and family lines, contrasts sharply with any concept of haphazard or individualistic religious practice. It points to a deep theological understanding that God's presence and worship require reverence, purity, and disciplined service, roles that these specific families were designated to uphold. The very listing of their names implies God's personal interest in those who serve Him, reminding believers that every individual gifted for ministry holds a unique and valued place in the divine order, irrespective of their apparent prominence. The historical data from this chapter also suggests that King David, despite his battles, was deeply committed to securing and planning the future of Israel's worship, laying foundations for generations to come.
1 Chronicles 26 3 Commentary
This concise verse, often overlooked in the detailed genealogies of Chronicles, serves as a profound testament to the meticulous planning and emphasis on order that characterized King David's preparation for Temple worship. Far from being a mere list of names, it reflects divine principles of structure, accountability, and the sacredness of even administrative roles in God's service. The careful listing of Meshelemiah's sons by birth order highlights a pre-existing hierarchy, with the firstborn, Zechariah, likely holding a position of leadership or preeminence among his brothers in their assigned gatekeeping duties. The inclusion of theophoric names signifies a pervasive acknowledgement of God's character and providence within these Levitical families. This specific organization of gatekeepers underscored their critical role in controlling access to the holy precincts and safeguarding the Temple's treasures, functions that demanded absolute trustworthiness and faithfulness. Ultimately, the verse illustrates that no role, however seemingly mundane, was insignificant in the comprehensive and divinely ordained worship of Yahweh. It exemplifies how earthly administration can reflect divine order and purpose.