1 Chronicles 27:16 kjv
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
1 Chronicles 27:16 nkjv
Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah;
1 Chronicles 27:16 niv
The leaders of the tribes of Israel: over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zikri; over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maakah;
1 Chronicles 27:16 esv
Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;
1 Chronicles 27:16 nlt
The following were the tribes of Israel and their leaders: Tribe ? Leader
Reuben ? Eliezer son of Zicri
Simeon ? Shephatiah son of Maacah
1 Chronicles 27 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational Structure & Leadership: | ||
| Ex 18:21 | "...select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands..." | Moses' structure for leadership and delegation |
| Num 1:16 | "These were the men chosen from the community; they were the leaders of their ancestral tribes, the heads of the clans of Israel." | Tribal leaders during the census |
| 1 Sam 8:12 | "...he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties..." | Israel's request for a king's administration |
| 2 Sam 8:15-18 | "David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people... officers were with the king." | David's overarching administration |
| 1 Chr 18:14-17 | "David reigned over all Israel... and did what was just and right for all his people... Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army..." | Parallel account of David's officials |
| 1 Chr 23:4 | "Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the temple of the Lord..." | Levites organized for temple service |
| 1 Chr 26:30 | "They were responsible for all the work of the Lord and for the king’s service." | Levites administering king's affairs |
| 1 Chr 28:1 | "David summoned all the officials of Israel to Jerusalem..." | David gathers all his leaders for instructions |
| Prov 11:14 | "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers." | Wisdom of proper governance and counsel |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." | God's institution of authorities |
| Acts 6:3-4 | "Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom... to manage this business." | Apostolic appointment of leadership |
| Titus 1:5 | "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town..." | Call to establish ordered leadership |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." | Principle of divine order and organization |
| Tribe of Reuben & Genealogy: | ||
| Gen 35:23 | "The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun." | Reuben as firstborn of Jacob |
| Gen 49:3-4 | "Reuben, you are my firstborn... but no longer preeminent, for you went up onto your father’s bed..." | Jacob's prophecy concerning Reuben |
| Num 32:33 | "So Moses gave the Gadianites and the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan..." | Reuben's inheritance east of Jordan |
| Deut 33:6 | "May Reuben live and not die, nor his people be few." | Moses' blessing on Reuben |
| Judges 5:15-16 | "In the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart... Why did you sit among the sheepfolds...?" | Reuben's wavering participation in war |
| 1 Chr 5:1 | "The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. (He was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father's marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph..." | Reiterating Reuben's status in Chronicles |
| Ezr 2:62 | "These searched for their family records, but they could not find them..." | Importance of lineage and records in Chronicles and post-exilic Judah |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 16 Meaning
This verse details a specific aspect of King David's extensive administrative and military organization: the appointment of a leader, Eliezer the son of Zichri, over the tribe of Reuben. It highlights David's comprehensive system for governing all the tribes of Israel, demonstrating a structured kingdom prepared for order and stability.
1 Chronicles 27 16 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 27 outlines King David's extensive administrative and military organization for his kingdom. It follows the record of his mighty men (Ch. 11-12) and detailed preparations for the Temple (Ch. 22-26, 28-29). This chapter specifies a structure of monthly military divisions, each comprising 24,000 men under a distinct commander (vv. 1-15), followed by a list of chief officers over the twelve tribes of Israel (vv. 16-22). This verse specifically begins the enumeration of these tribal chiefs, starting with the Reubenites, showcasing David's meticulous planning and the complete coverage of his authority across all the tribes. Historically, this demonstrates the transition from a looser confederacy of tribes to a unified kingdom with centralized authority, solidifying the Davidic dynasty's power and ensuring orderly governance. The Chronicler emphasizes this order to reinforce the ideal of a divinely ordered Israel, important for the post-exilic community in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 27 16 Word analysis
- Furthermore: Indicates a continuation or an additional aspect of David's organization being listed. It links this section (tribal chiefs) to the preceding one (monthly military commanders).
- over: Hebrew `al (עַל). Signifies authority, command, or placement in charge of. It underscores the appointed position and oversight of these individuals.
- the tribes: Hebrew shiḇṭê (שִׁבְטֵי). Refers to the distinct tribal divisions of Israel, descendants of Jacob's sons. It highlights David's rule over a united, but tribally organized, nation. The enumeration of all twelve tribes (or ten, as Simeon and Levi's territorial roles were unique) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of his reign.
- of Israel: The entire covenant nation. This signifies that David's administrative reach extended across all the land and people God had given him.
- for the Reubenites: Specifically points to the tribe of Reuben. Despite Reuben's historical shortcomings (Gen 49:3-4) and settling east of the Jordan, they retained their identity and participation in David's centralized kingdom. Their inclusion ensures that all established tribes are represented.
- Eliezer: Hebrew ’Ělî‘ezer (אֱלִיעֶזֶר). Means "My God is help." A common biblical name. The personal name emphasizes that specific individuals were chosen for these key roles, not just anonymous figures.
- the son of: Hebrew ben (בֶּן). Signifies patrilineal descent. Chronicles, known for its extensive genealogies, frequently uses "son of" to establish lineage and authenticate identity within tribal and family structures. This grounding in ancestry would have been significant for the original audience, connecting current reality to their past.
- Zichri: Hebrew Zikri (זִכְרִי). Meaning "my remembrance" or "memorable." A specific, known individual whose son, Eliezer, was chosen for this role. While Zichri himself is not explicitly a famous figure, his name serves to definitively identify Eliezer within the complex web of Israelite families.
- was the ruler: Hebrew haśśar (הַשַּׂר). Śar means "prince," "chief," "commander," "captain." It indicates a high-ranking official or leader. In this context, it refers to a civil or military governor appointed by the king, serving as the link between the central government and the local tribal unit. This showcases the hierarchical and structured nature of David's governance, ensuring royal authority permeated throughout the land through delegated representatives.
1 Chronicles 27 16 Bonus section
The comprehensive listing of these tribal commanders, one for each tribe (except Simeon, whose land was absorbed by Judah, and Levi, who had priestly duties), emphasizes David's actual dominion and organization over all Israel. It’s not just a theoretical king; David established real administrative control. This level of detail in Chronicles reinforces the theme of "all Israel" being united under God's chosen king. The meticulous record-keeping reflects a desire for order, accountability, and the establishment of enduring institutions—qualities valued by the Chronicler and presented as a model for the future. The inclusion of leaders for tribes that settled east of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) further confirms David's unified reign over all promised land, extending beyond the Jordan River.
1 Chronicles 27 16 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:16, seemingly a mere factual statement of appointment, is profoundly significant in demonstrating King David's commitment to ordered governance and the unity of Israel under his rule. It underscores the transition from a loosely connected tribal confederacy to a centralized monarchy, capable of effective administration and defense. The meticulous listing of tribal commanders, like Eliezer over the Reubenites, highlights David's wisdom in establishing a comprehensive and enduring infrastructure for the kingdom. This foresight allowed for stability during his reign and laid crucial groundwork for Solomon. For the post-exilic community, the Chronicler presents this ideal order as a testament to David's righteous reign and God's blessing, encouraging them to pursue similar devotion to God's ways which leads to prosperity and stability. The detailed enumeration suggests God values order and structure, especially in leadership for His people.