1 Chronicles 27 20

1 Chronicles 27:20 kjv

Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

1 Chronicles 27:20 nkjv

over the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;

1 Chronicles 27:20 niv

over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah; over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah;

1 Chronicles 27:20 esv

for the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;

1 Chronicles 27:20 nlt

Ephraim ? Hoshea son of Azaziah
Manasseh (west) ? Joel son of Pedaiah

1 Chronicles 27 verses

1 Chronicles 27 20 Meaning

1 Chronicles 27:20 details two specific tribal leaders within King David's extensive administrative system: Hoshea, son of Azaziah, from the tribe of Ephraim, and Joel, son of Pedaiah, from the half-tribe of Manasseh. This verse is part of a comprehensive roster outlining the heads over each of Israel's tribes, underscoring David's meticulously organized and representative governance of his kingdom, demonstrating an orderly structure designed for the well-being and management of the nation.

1 Chronicles 27 20 Context

1 Chronicles 27 is a detailed record of the various divisions and officials serving King David, specifically focusing on the leaders for each tribal territory. This chapter follows a long genealogy (1 Chr 1-9) and preceding narratives of David's reign (1 Chr 10-26) which includes his military successes, plans for the Temple, and the organization of the Levites and priests. The present verse, 1 Chronicles 27:20, fits within a list (vv. 16-22) enumerating the leaders or princes for the twelve tribes of Israel. These individuals were likely administrative heads responsible for the King's affairs within their respective tribal areas. This careful detailing of administrative structure underscores the Chronicler's emphasis on an ordered and legitimate kingdom, aligning with God's design, which was especially relevant to the post-exilic community who needed to understand their lineage, organization, and divinely appointed structure for the re-establishment of their nation and religious life.

1 Chronicles 27 20 Word analysis

• Of the children of Ephraim: This phrase specifies the tribal affiliation, demonstrating the continuity of the tribal identity within the Israelite administration. Ephraim was a prominent northern tribe, often seen as representing the northern kingdom of Israel. Their inclusion signifies the comprehensive reach of David's authority across the unified kingdom.
• Hoshea: (Heb. הוֹשֵׁעַ, Hoshea‘), meaning "salvation" or "he saves." This name, shared with the future prophet Hosea, highlights a common thematic thread in Hebrew nomenclature: invoking God's nature or acts. His designation as a tribal head suggests God's involvement in selecting and commissioning leaders, even those not directly related to cultic functions.
• the son of Azaziah: (Heb. עֲזַזְיָהוּ, ‘Azazyahu), meaning "Jehovah has strengthened" or "strength of the Lord." The father's name further reinforces the idea that an individual's capabilities or leadership stem from divine empowerment, a theological commonality in biblical names.
• of the half tribe of Manasseh: Refers to the western half of the tribe of Manasseh, which was allotted land west of the Jordan River. Manasseh was the other son of Joseph, and this distinction shows the careful record-keeping and division of the extensive tribal territories for administrative purposes. This precise distinction (vs. the "other half" which was east of Jordan) underscores meticulous governmental oversight.
• Joel: (Heb. יוֹאֵל, Yo’el), meaning "Jehovah is God." Similar to Hoshea, Joel’s name also carries profound theological meaning, identifying YHWH as the supreme deity. This name emphasizes divine authority underpinning the administration of the land.
• the son of Pedaiah: (Heb. פְּדָיָה, Pedaiah), meaning "Jehovah has ransomed" or "ransomed of the Lord." The lineage here once again reinforces the core theological understanding of God's redemptive power being interwoven with the very identity and purpose of individuals and their families.

Words-group Analysis

• Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: This grouping explicitly links an administrative figure, Hoshea, directly to his specific tribe and paternal lineage. This detail serves to establish the legitimacy and accountability of the office, tracing it back to an identifiable family within the larger tribal structure. This detailed listing was crucial for maintaining the precise records of the Levitical families, who also served the temple roles. It ensures clear lines of authority and hereditary association within David’s established order.
• of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: Similar to the Ephraim entry, this precise specification highlights the meticulous administrative breakdown, even for tribal portions that were physically separate from the main tribal territory. The designation "half tribe" points to the historical land distribution overseen by Joshua, ensuring that David's administration recognized and continued to uphold these foundational structures of the land of Israel. Both entries reflect a concern for order, representation, and the enduring identity of God’s covenant people, the twelve tribes of Israel.

1 Chronicles 27 20 Bonus section

The detailed recording of such administrative structures in Chronicles points to the importance of divine order and human stewardship. It reflects the Chronicler's larger theological aim to validate the continuity of Israel's identity and its divinely ordained institutions, especially the monarchy and the temple, for a community seeking to rebuild and redefine itself after exile. This specific list of tribal princes may also represent more than mere administration; it reflects tribal unity and representation at the highest levels of the kingdom, embodying the ideal of "all Israel" gathered under the rule of God's anointed king. The inclusion of specific parentage ("son of Azaziah," "son of Pedaiah") ensures genealogical integrity, reinforcing the purity of lineage crucial to Israelite identity and a practice later evident in the detailed records of Nehemiah and Ezra concerning those returning from exile. This chapter, and indeed the entire Chronicler's history, frequently focuses on what went "right" or what was divinely ordered during the reign of faithful kings like David, serving as a template for future generations regarding proper governance and a robust faith.

1 Chronicles 27 20 Commentary

1 Chronicles 27:20, nestled within David’s administrative roll, provides a glimpse into the sophisticated organizational structure of the united monarchy. It’s not merely a list of names but a testament to King David’s wisdom and foresight in establishing a stable and functional government that effectively integrated the twelve tribes. Each name signifies a distinct unit of administration, with a named leader from a specified tribal lineage, underscoring both central royal authority and the continued recognition of tribal identities and boundaries. The theophoric (God-bearing) names "Hoshea" (salvation), "Azaziah" (strength of the Lord), "Joel" (Jehovah is God), and "Pedaiah" (Jehovah has ransomed) silently affirm that the entire administrative and national structure, from its leadership to its very nomenclature, rested upon and honored the Lord God. This record serves to illustrate the ideal kingdom model the Chronicler sought to convey to his post-exilic audience, emphasizing that faithful leadership and organized society are blessed by divine providence and are foundational for national flourishing. It highlights God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and their meticulously planned kingdoms.