1 Chronicles 27 11

1 Chronicles 27:11 kjv

The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:11 nkjv

The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:11 niv

The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

1 Chronicles 27:11 esv

Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000.

1 Chronicles 27:11 nlt

Sibbecai, a descendant of Zerah from Hushah, was commander of the eighth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the eighth month.

1 Chronicles 27 verses

1 Chronicles 27 11 Meaning

This verse describes the military commander assigned to the eighth monthly division of King David's organized army. Sibbecai, a Hushathite of the Zerahite clan (from the tribe of Judah), was responsible for a contingent of twenty-four thousand men for the duration of the eighth month. It illustrates David's sophisticated system for managing and maintaining a large, ready standing force through rotational service.

1 Chronicles 27 11 Context

First Chronicles chapter 27 provides a meticulous account of King David's extensive administrative and military organization during the latter part of his reign. It details a highly structured system for the Israelite army, composed of twelve monthly divisions, each under a specific commander and comprising twenty-four thousand men. This comprehensive list follows chapters detailing the Levitical, priestly, and temple servants' divisions, showcasing David's commitment to ordered and efficient governance across all aspects of the kingdom—military, civil, and religious. The specific verse 11 focuses on the commander for the eighth month, detailing his identity, lineage, and the numerical strength of his contingent. This system ensured perpetual military readiness while allowing the majority of the populace to pursue their livelihoods, reflecting a kingdom operating with advanced strategic planning and logistical capacity.

1 Chronicles 27 11 Word analysis

• the eighth: Hebrew: שְּׁמִינִי (shemini). An ordinal number specifying the sequence in David's organized military divisions. This reflects a precise and consistent rotational system. Its prominence highlights the chronological aspect of the monthly service.
• for the eighth month: Hebrew: לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁמִינִי (la-chodesh ha-shemini). Clearly defines the specific period of service for this particular division. In the ancient Hebrew calendar, the eighth month was usually Marcheshvan, occurring in autumn. This detail underscores the year-round, perpetual nature of David's military preparedness.
• was Sibbecai: Hebrew: סִבְּכַי (Sibbecay). This individual is identified as a celebrated warrior, listed among David's thirty mighty men (1 Chr 11:29) and renowned for striking down the Philistine giant Saph/Sippai (2 Sam 21:18; 1 Chr 20:4). His appointment to such a critical leadership role signifies his valor, experience, and David's trust in his capabilities. His personal heroism contributes to the perceived strength and capability of his division.
• the Hushathite: Hebrew: הַחֻשָׁתִי (haChushati). This geographical or ancestral designator connects Sibbecai to Hushah, likely a town in Judah or a descendant of Hushah, possibly a clan linked to Hur, a notable figure from the tribe of Judah (1 Chr 2:19-20). It grounds his identity within the Israelite tribal framework.
• of the Zerahites: Hebrew: הַזַּרְחִי (haZarchi). Identifies Sibbecai's lineage as belonging to the Zerah clan, one of the sons of Judah (Gen 38:30; Num 26:20). This tribal connection is significant as Judah was the royal tribe from which David himself came, emphasizing a degree of loyalty and tribal affiliation within the king's top commanders.
• and in his division: Hebrew: וְעַל־מַחֲלֻקְתּוֹ (ve-al machalukto). The term "division" (מַחֲלֹקֶת, machaloketh) refers to an assigned administrative or military contingent, structured for rotational service. It reflects an organized and managed group, not merely a random aggregation. This term is used elsewhere for priestly and Levitical courses, highlighting David's systematic approach.
• were twenty-four thousand: Hebrew: עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אָלֶף (esrim v'arba'ah alef). A precise, substantial number indicating the full complement of men in each monthly rotation. This figure underscores the immense human resource organized for military purposes, showcasing the scale of David's kingdom and its readiness for both defensive and offensive actions. This consistent number across all monthly divisions highlights the structured uniformity of David's military apparatus.

Words-group analysis:

• "the eighth, for the eighth month": Emphasizes a clear, consistent schedule, denoting an orderly, systematic approach to military management rather than a haphazard one. This system allows for continuous readiness with minimal strain on agricultural and civil life, as soldiers served for a finite period.
• "Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites": Details a commander by his personal renown (implied through his selection), his place of origin, and his deep tribal heritage within Judah. This layering of identification speaks to David's practice of selecting competent leaders with strong ties to the kingdom's core.
• "and in his division were twenty-four thousand": This phrase directly quantifies the responsibility of the commander, highlighting the considerable size of the standing force at any given month. It exemplifies a military structure that combined strategic planning, manpower allocation, and precise logistical control, a hallmark of David's rule.

1 Chronicles 27 11 Bonus section

The chronicler's detailed listing of commanders and their monthly divisions in 1 Chronicles 27 serves multiple purposes beyond simple historical record. It aims to emphasize the legitimacy and strength of the Davidic dynasty by showcasing its advanced organizational capabilities, divinely inspired leadership, and military might—all crucial aspects for a people recently returned from exile and seeking to rebuild. The selection of commanders often involved personal bravery and capability (as with Sibbecai killing a giant), indicating that merit and skill were valued alongside lineage. This system effectively managed Israel's potential standing army of 288,000 (12 months x 24,000 men), ensuring trained forces were always available while preventing undue strain on the agricultural economy necessary for feeding the nation.

1 Chronicles 27 11 Commentary

1 Chronicles 27:11 presents a single component within David's monumental and divinely-inspired system of national organization. Far from a mere list, this verse is a testament to the king's wisdom in establishing a prepared and stable kingdom. By appointing seasoned warriors like Sibbecai to lead specific monthly rotations, David ensured professional military oversight year-round. The consistent force of twenty-four thousand men per division illustrates the immense scale of Israel's military might and the thoughtful division of labor. This foresight prevented military readiness from being a sporadic effort, embedding it instead as a permanent feature of the kingdom. Such systematic arrangement speaks to the principles of order, accountability, and wise resource management that were fundamental to God's desire for His people. It demonstrates that effective leadership includes not only heroic action but also diligent administration and the prudent delegation of authority.