1 Chronicles 27:10 kjv
The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:10 nkjv
The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:10 niv
The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
1 Chronicles 27:10 esv
Seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000.
1 Chronicles 27:10 nlt
Helez, a descendant of Ephraim from Pelon, was commander of the seventh division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the seventh month.
1 Chronicles 27 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ch 27:1 | Now this is the numbering of the children of Israel, the heads... for all matters... by courses. | General structure of divisions. |
| 1 Ch 27:3 | The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the chief priest. | Other divisional leaders in David's system. |
| 1 Ch 23:4 | ...from twenty years old and upward, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD... | Similar numbering (24,000) for temple service. |
| Num 1:3 | From twenty years old and upward, all who are able to go to war in Israel... | Basis for military census. |
| Gen 48:19 | His younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations. | Prophecy regarding Ephraim's prominence. |
| Josh 16:5 | The territory of the sons of Ephraim according to their families was... | Ephraim's tribal land allocation. |
| 2 Sam 8:16 | And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. | David's general military/administrative roles. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. | Importance of organized administration. |
| Psa 144:1 | Blessed be the LORD my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle. | God's enablement for military strength. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | Divine origin of governing structures. |
| 1 Pet 2:13 | Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme... | Christian submission to civic authorities. |
| Ecc 8:5-6 | Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and a wise heart will know the time and way. | Value of order and timing in governance. |
| Deut 20:5-9 | Instructions for selecting and leading soldiers for battle. | Divine principles for military organization. |
| Joel 2:2 | A great people and a strong... like the dawn spread on the mountains. | Imagery of a large, powerful army. |
| Isa 40:29 | He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. | God strengthening leaders and armies. |
| Ezra 7:25 | ...appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people... | Need for effective governance. |
| Neh 1:3 | The remnant there in the province who had survived the captivity are in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down... | Reminder of consequences of disunity/weakness. |
| Tit 3:1 | Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work... | Call to civil obedience and service. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Principle of order in all undertakings. |
| Dan 6:1-2 | It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, and over them three presidents... | Example of large, organized kingdom administration. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 10 Meaning
1 Chronicles 27:10 describes the seventh of the twelve rotating divisions of King David's kingdom administration. This division was assigned to serve for the seventh month of the year, led by Helez the Pelonite, who belonged to the tribe of Ephraim. His specific command comprised twenty-four thousand men, highlighting the extensive and systematic organization of David's military and administrative forces.
1 Chronicles 27 10 Context
1 Chronicles 27 is part of a broader section (1 Chronicles 23-27) detailing the administrative organization established by King David during his reign. After focusing on the Levites, priests, and musicians for temple service, the Chronicler turns to the secular, military, and civil structures. Verses 1-15 meticulously list the twelve army divisions, each consisting of 24,000 men, assigned to serve the king on a rotating monthly basis. This system ensured a ready military force for national defense and civil order throughout the year without overburdening the population with constant service. Helez the Pelonite, specifically mentioned in verse 10, illustrates David's careful and inclusive approach to leadership, integrating leaders from various tribes like Ephraim into the centralized governmental structure. Historically, this level of organization points to a stable and highly developed monarchy under David, contrasting with the more tribal and loosely connected society that preceded it, indicating a peak of Israelite power and order.
1 Chronicles 27 10 Word analysis
- The seventh: הַשְּׁבִיעִי ( ha-shĕvī‘ī ). This ordinal number signifies a specific, precise slot in a systematic, ordered sequence of twelve. It emphasizes the cyclical, rotational nature of this military-civil service, ensuring year-round readiness and equity among leaders.
- for the seventh month: Specifies the designated time for this particular division's service within the annual cycle. This reinforces the calendar-based rotation and highly organized administration.
- was Helez: חֵלֶץ (Ḥelets). A personal name, likely meaning "strong," "escaping," or "deliverance." The identification by name highlights the personal leadership and accountability of these commanders within David's highly structured system.
- the Pelonite: הַפְּלוֹנִי (ha-pəlōnı̄). This gentilic or locative indicates Helez's origin or association. "Pelonite" could refer to Beth Pelet (a city in Judah) or imply a connection to the Philistine territory, possibly signifying a convert or a resident from that area integrated into David's forces, showcasing David's widespread influence and diverse leadership.
- of the sons of Ephraim: מִבְּנֵי אֶפְרָיִם (mi-bĕnê ’Ephrayim). Identifies Helez's tribal affiliation. Ephraim was a historically significant Northern Kingdom tribe, demonstrating David's capacity to unite and lead diverse tribal entities from across Israel, including those outside his own tribe of Judah, under one administrative body.
- and in his division: וּלְמַחְלֻקְתּוֹ (ûl'maḥlūqtô). "Division" (maḥălōqet) refers to a designated course, section, or company. This term implies a highly structured, organized military unit or administrative corps. It emphasizes the departmentalization of duties under David.
- were twenty-four thousand: עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אָלֶף (‘eśrīm wĕ’arbā‘āh ’āleph). This precise number (24,000) is consistent across all twelve divisions mentioned in this chapter, highlighting a standardized organizational structure. This same figure appears in contexts of Temple service (e.g., Levites and singers in 1 Ch 23:4; 25:9-31), suggesting a conceptual link between orderly administration in both civic and sacred spheres within David's kingdom. It signifies substantial, well-regulated, and ready forces.
1 Chronicles 27 10 Bonus section
- The number 24,000 frequently appears in David's organizational schemes for both military and spiritual roles, indicating a deeply ingrained numerical pattern reflecting order and completeness in his administration (e.g., 1 Ch 23:4 for Levites overseeing temple work, and 1 Ch 25:9-31 for the twenty-four courses of musicians for temple service). This suggests David understood that both civic/military and sacred service required meticulous structure.
- The system ensured that David always had a large, well-trained, and dedicated force at his disposal without imposing a continuous, heavy burden of conscription on the entire populace. Only a fraction of the army was on duty at any given time, allowing others to attend to their livelihoods.
- The Chronicler's emphasis on such administrative details highlights God's favor on David, enabling him to establish a unified and organized kingdom, a prefigurement of the ordered, righteous rule of Christ.
- The inclusion of a leader from Ephraim, historically a rival tribe to Judah (from which David sprang), underscores the national unity achieved under David's leadership and his wisdom in integrating all parts of Israel into his government.
1 Chronicles 27 10 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:10 serves as a detailed snapshot of the intricate administrative genius of King David. It reveals not just military organization, but a sophisticated system of national governance designed for year-round stability and readiness. The meticulous enumeration of twelve divisions, each precisely sized at 24,000 men and assigned to a specific month, showcases David's foresight in building a robust state apparatus. Helez, representing Ephraim, underscores David's unifying leadership that transcended tribal boundaries. This organizational model provided national security, maintained law and order, and facilitated efficient resource management, mirroring the divine principle of order found throughout scripture. Such precise structures prevented chaos, fostered responsibility, and demonstrated a kingdom built on detailed planning and delegated authority, ready to respond to any challenge while supporting the king's rule.