1 Chronicles 27:14 kjv
The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:14 nkjv
The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:14 niv
The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
1 Chronicles 27:14 esv
Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah of Pirathon, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000.
1 Chronicles 27:14 nlt
Benaiah from Pirathon in Ephraim was commander of the eleventh division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the eleventh month.
1 Chronicles 27 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 27:1 | Now this is the list of the sons of Israel... who came in and went out... over the divisions which served the king... for each month... | Introduces the chapter's detailed listing of David's monthly military structure. |
| 1 Chr 27:1-15 | All the entries detailing the commanders and their 24,000 men for each month. | Provides the immediate literary context of David's administrative divisions. |
| 1 Chr 11:31 | Ittai the son of Ribai, of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin. Benaiah the Pirathonite. | Mentions another Pirathonite, showing the name as a geographical identifier. |
| Judg 12:15 | Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim. | Confirms Pirathon as a town in Ephraim, directly connecting it to Benaiah's tribal affiliation. |
| 2 Sam 23:30 | Benaiah the Pirathonite... | Corroborates Benaiah's identity and hometown from Samuel's record of David's mighty men. |
| 2 Sam 23:20-23 | Benaiah the son of Jehoiada... performed many feats of valor... David set him over his bodyguard. | Differentiates this Benaiah (Pirathonite) from the more famous Benaiah son of Jehoiada. |
| 1 Kgs 1:8 | Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada... | Further identifies Benaiah son of Jehoiada as a key figure distinct from the one in 1 Chr 27:14. |
| Num 1:3-46 | All Israel from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war... by their companies. | Establishes the divine precedent for census and military organization by tribes. |
| Deut 20:1-9 | When you go out to war against your enemies... priests shall speak to the people. | Laws concerning Israelite warfare, emphasizing divine instruction for military action. |
| 1 Chr 11:10 | Now these are the chiefs of the mighty men whom David had... | Highlights David's reliance on organized and skilled military leaders. |
| 1 Chr 28:1 | David assembled all the officials of Israel, the officials of the tribes, the commanders... | Demonstrates David's capacity to gather and command a vast assembly of leaders. |
| 2 Chr 1:12 | wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you... and I will give you riches and wealth and honor... | Connects God's blessing with King David and Solomon's organizational success and strength. |
| Psa 33:16 | The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. | A theological counterbalance, reminding that ultimate victory comes from God, not army size. |
| P Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. | Reiterates reliance on God, even amidst military might. |
| Prov 24:6 | For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and victory is won through many advisers. | Underscores the importance of good counsel and organizational planning in success. |
| Ecc 3:1 | For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. | Reinforces the theme of specific timing (monthly rotations) and order in all things. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. | Reflects the divine attribute of orderliness visible in David's structured military. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Supports the biblical principle of proper administration and organization. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God. | Affirms God's establishment of civil order and leadership, exemplified in David's rule. |
| Eph 6:10 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. | Encourages believers to rely on God's strength, complementing reliance on human organization. |
| Col 3:23 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. | Applies to the diligent service rendered by those in David's divisions. |
| Neh 13:30 | Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign and assigned duties to the priests and Levites, each to his work. | Shows other examples of structured roles and responsibilities in Israel. |
| Ezra 8:1-14 | List of family heads and their male contingents returning with Ezra from exile. | Another example of a detailed, administrative list for community organization. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 14 Meaning
This verse identifies Benaiah the Pirathonite, a man from the tribe of Ephraim, as the commander of the military division designated for service during the eleventh month of King David's reign. This division comprised a significant force of twenty-four thousand men, highlighting the extensive and orderly military organization established by King David. It is part of a larger record detailing the monthly rotation of commanders and their respective troop divisions.
1 Chronicles 27 14 Context
1 Chronicles 27 is a vital chapter detailing King David's highly organized administrative and military structure, distinct from his "mighty men" list in chapter 11. It outlines a twelve-month rotational system for the kingdom's military forces, with a designated commander and a specific troop size of 24,000 for each month. This comprehensive setup ensured a constant, ready force of 288,000 men throughout the year, with additional leaders, tribal princes, and other officials listed thereafter.
The broader historical context is King David's later reign, a period marked by the consolidation of the Israelite kingdom, extensive building projects (especially preparing for the Temple), and the establishment of a centralized government. The Chronicler, writing post-exile, often emphasizes Israel's tribal identities, the glory of the Davidic monarchy, the importance of Temple service, and the meticulous organization established under divinely appointed leadership. This verse, therefore, fits perfectly within the Chronicler's purpose of showcasing a strong, orderly, and divinely favored kingdom, a model for the returned exiles.
1 Chronicles 27 14 Word analysis
- the eleventh:
- Significance: This number highlights the precise calendrical organization of David's army. It points to a systematic, sequential rotation, emphasizing order and planning over spontaneous mustering.
- Context: It's part of a complete twelve-month cycle, indicating thorough administrative foresight.
- for the eleventh month:
- Meaning: Specifically assigns the military division's duty period.
- Context: Demonstrates a fixed roster, ensuring continuous military readiness and an equitable distribution of service among the various units.
- Benaiah:
- Hebrew (Transliteration): בְּנָיָה (Benayah) - meaning "Yah (the LORD) has built" or "Yah has made strong."
- Identity: While a common name, this Benaiah is distinctly identified as "the Pirathonite," differentiating him from the more famous Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who served as captain of David's bodyguard (e.g., 2 Sam 23:20).
- Significance: Indicates a distinct, named individual entrusted with a high military position. His name suggests a theological connection to divine provision and strength.
- the Pirathonite:
- Meaning: An inhabitant or native of Pirathon.
- Geography: Pirathon was a town in the hill country of Ephraim (Judg 12:15, 2 Sam 23:30).
- Significance: Pinpoints his specific geographical origin and establishes his identity further. It ties him to a particular place known within Israelite geography.
- of the children of Ephraim:
- Hebrew (Transliteration): מִבְּנֵי אֶפְרָיִם (mibbeney 'Ephrayim) - "from the sons/children of Ephraim."
- Tribal Affiliation: Directly identifies Benaiah's lineage and tribal allegiance. Ephraim was a prominent and numerous tribe, historically significant and often seen as representative of the northern kingdom.
- Significance: In the context of the tribal organization of Israel, this indicates that the system drew its leaders and troops from all tribes, promoting unity and shared responsibility under the king. It underscores the continued importance of tribal identity even within a centralized monarchy.
- and in his division:
- Meaning: Refers to the military unit or cohort under Benaiah's direct command for that specific month.
- Organizational Structure: Highlights the structured military divisions David implemented.
- were twenty and four thousand:
- Meaning: The precise number of soldiers in Benaiah's monthly contingent.
- Significance: This substantial figure (24,000) for each monthly division speaks to David's large, well-equipped, and organized standing army. This level of organization indicates strategic planning and considerable national resources, reflecting a strong and prosperous kingdom. It symbolizes the might and administrative efficiency God granted David.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "the eleventh, for the eleventh month": This repetitive phrase emphasizes precision, order, and the fixed, scheduled nature of military service. It suggests a reliable and well-regulated system for maintaining national defense.
- "Benaiah the Pirathonite of the children of Ephraim": This concise descriptive phrase fully identifies the commander, integrating his personal name, his geographical origin (hometown), and his tribal heritage. It reflects the Chronicler's attention to detail and the continued importance of tribal and local identities in the centralized monarchy.
- "and in his division were twenty and four thousand": This statement quantifies the strength of each monthly contingent. It provides concrete evidence of David's sophisticated military administration and the sheer numerical power he could command, showcasing a well-funded and organized nation ready for defense or expedition.
1 Chronicles 27 14 Bonus section
The chronicler's extensive lists, including this monthly military roster, serve as a post-exilic reassurance to the returning Israelites. By demonstrating the past glories and orderly structures of the Davidic kingdom, they provided a template and a vision for re-establishing a stable and prosperous community centered on God and His appointed leadership. The sheer number of men—288,000 active service personnel annually—also serves to emphasize the blessing and population growth God had bestowed upon Israel, a fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham to multiply his descendants. It underlines the scale of David's divinely appointed dominion and management skills.
1 Chronicles 27 14 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:14, though seemingly a mere data point in a list, offers profound insight into King David's reign and God's blessings upon him. It is part of the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping, emphasizing the order, strength, and vast resources available to David's kingdom. The establishment of monthly military divisions of 24,000 men each reveals an unparalleled administrative acumen, demonstrating not just a strong army but a kingdom that was remarkably well-managed and provisioned. This systematic rotation would ensure continuous readiness while preventing the full burden of constant military service from falling on any single group.
The inclusion of "Benaiah the Pirathonite of the children of Ephraim" highlights the broad, national scope of this organization, drawing leaders and troops from various tribes. It shows the unity and shared responsibility among the twelve tribes under David's leadership. This Benaiah, distinct from the more famous Benaiah son of Jehoiada, demonstrates the depth of skilled leadership within Israel. The Chronicler's focus on these detailed lists underlines the divine favor that enabled David to build such a robust and orderly kingdom, capable of both peace and effective defense. It presents a picture of a nation blessed with organization and power, a testament to the fruit of God-fearing leadership.