1 Chronicles 27:21 kjv
Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
1 Chronicles 27:21 nkjv
over the half?tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; over Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
1 Chronicles 27:21 niv
over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner;
1 Chronicles 27:21 esv
for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
1 Chronicles 27:21 nlt
Manasseh in Gilead (east) ? Iddo son of Zechariah
Benjamin ? Jaasiel son of Abner
1 Chronicles 27 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chron 27:16 | Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: ... | Direct context of David's tribal chiefs. |
| Num 32:33 | Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh... their possession. | Manasseh's original division of land. |
| Josh 17:1-13 | There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph... | Detailed land possession of West Manasseh. |
| Deut 1:15 | So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men... and made them heads over you... | Principle of appointing tribal leaders. |
| Ex 18:21 | Moreover you shall select from all the people able men... to be rulers. | Moses' delegation of administrative duties. |
| 2 Sam 8:15 | So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people. | David's comprehensive administration. |
| 1 Kgs 4:1 | King Solomon was king over all Israel. And these were the princes which he had... | Solomon's officials mirroring David's structure. |
| 1 Chron 23:4 | ...overseeing the work of the house of the LORD. | Importance of orderly administration. |
| Num 1:16 | These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers... | Princes of the tribes for a census. |
| Gen 48:19 | ...Manasseh shall become a people, and he also shall be great... | Jacob's blessing on Manasseh. |
| Psa 122:3 | Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together... | Illustrates a unified, ordered Israel. |
| Rom 13:1 | For there is no authority except from God... | All governing authority is established by God. |
| 1 Pet 5:2 | Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight... | Spiritual leadership as a model for order. |
| Heb 13:17 | Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves... | Importance of submitting to appointed leaders. |
| Titus 1:5 | For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city... | Appointing leaders in the church context. |
| Acts 6:3 | Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation... whom we may appoint over this business. | Selecting those for specific administrative tasks. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | Principle of order in all things, divine and human. |
| Neh 7:64 | These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found... | Emphasis on meticulous records and genealogies. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. | Importance of leadership and wise counsel. |
| 1 Chron 26:30 | And from the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand seven hundred, were officers... | David's broad administrative appointments. |
| Judg 20:46 | ...there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men that drew sword; all these were men of valour. | Benjamin's past history and identity as a strong tribe. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: | God equips His people with leaders for structure and growth. |
| Isa 9:6 | ...the government shall be upon his shoulder... | Prophetic view of the Messiah's ultimate rule. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 21 Meaning
This verse identifies two additional chief officers serving under King David's organized administration. It specifically names Iddo, the son of Zechariah, as the leader responsible for the tribe of Manasseh dwelling west of the Jordan River. It also names Jaasiel, the son of Abner, as the leader for the tribe of Benjamin. This comprehensive detailing highlights David's meticulous ordering of the kingdom, assigning dedicated tribal representatives within his governing structure.
1 Chronicles 27 21 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 27 details King David's extensive and sophisticated administrative structure, particularly focusing on his military and civilian officers. This chapter follows a comprehensive overview of David's mighty men (Ch. 11) and the various roles of Levites and priests (Chs. 23-26). The specific focus in chapter 27 is on the "chiefs of the tribes" and other high-ranking officials who oversaw the twelve tribal contingents that served the king monthly. Verse 21 fits within this listing of the twelve tribal commanders, demonstrating the precise organization of David's kingdom. Historically, this level of organization reflects David's mature reign and his foresight in preparing a stable and ordered kingdom for his son, Solomon. The Chronicler emphasizes order, fidelity, and comprehensive management, serving to legitimate David's kingship and present him as a model of leadership according to God's will.
1 Chronicles 27 21 Word analysis
- of Manasseh: (Hebrew: מְנַשֶּׁה, Mənaššeh) The name means "causing to forget." This refers to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's elder son, Manasseh. Their extensive territory made their tribal division significant.
- on this side Jordan: (Hebrew: מִזֶּה לַיַּרְדֵּן, mizzeh la-Yarden) Literally "from this [side] to the Jordan." When used from a viewpoint within Canaan, such as the Chronicler's perspective in Jerusalem, this phrase specifically designates the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh situated west of the Jordan River, in the heartland of Canaan, as distinct from their counterparts who settled east of the Jordan. This geographical detail underscores the Chronicler's precision in documentation and Manasseh's unique territorial split.
- Iddo: (Hebrew: עִדּוֹ, ʻIddo) Meaning "timely" or "his time." This is a personal name, identifying the specific individual appointed as chief officer for the Western Manasseh tribe.
- the son of Zechariah: (Hebrew: בֶּן-זְכַרְיָה, ben Zəḵaryāh) "Son of Zechariah." Zechariah means "Yahweh remembers." This identifies Iddo's father, establishing his lineage, a common method of identification in biblical records that often signifies legitimacy and social standing within the tribe.
- of Benjamin: (Hebrew: בִּנְיָמִין, Binyāmîn) Meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of good fortune." This refers to the tribe descended from Benjamin, Jacob's youngest son. Though relatively small, Benjamin was strategically vital, as its territory included part of Jerusalem and it was the tribe of the first king, Saul.
- Jaasiel: (Hebrew: יַעֲשִׂיאֵל, Yaʻaśîʼēl) Meaning "God makes" or "made by God." This is the personal name of the appointed chief officer for the tribe of Benjamin.
- the son of Abner: (Hebrew: בֶּן-אַבְנֵר, ben ʻAḇnêr) "Son of Abner." Abner means "my father is a lamp" or "father of light." While the name Abner is notably associated with Saul's general and cousin (Abner son of Ner), this Jaasiel's father, Abner, is almost certainly a different individual, given the time difference and the Abner of Saul's time dying violently much earlier in David's reign (2 Sam 3:27-30). This highlights the repetition of common names across generations but specifies a unique lineage for this official.
- "of Manasseh on this side Jordan": This phrase meticulously distinguishes the portion of Manasseh west of the Jordan River. It reflects a thorough record-keeping system that accounted for the specific geographic divisions of Israel's tribes. This attention to detail implies a well-ordered administrative hierarchy that stretched across all tribal territories.
- "Iddo the son of Zechariah... Jaasiel the son of Abner": The consistent inclusion of both the official's name and their father's name emphasizes the patriarchal structure of Israelite society and the importance of family lineage in public appointments. This tradition roots the authority and identity of the officeholder within their tribal and familial context, providing legitimacy to their role within David's government. The inclusion of names otherwise unknown in prominent roles outside these lists reinforces the Chronicler's meticulous historical account, showcasing the broad depth of David's organized bureaucracy beyond just the well-known figures.
1 Chronicles 27 21 Bonus section
The Chronicler's primary purpose was to reassure the post-exilic community of the enduring nature of God's covenant with David and to inspire a return to the structured worship and governance established during David's time. The lists of leaders in 1 Chronicles 27, including those in verse 21, served to demonstrate the thoroughness of God's provision through human leadership and David's faithfulness in setting up an orderly kingdom. This level of detail validates the historical accuracy and comprehensiveness of the biblical record. It also quietly testifies to the widespread acceptance of David's authority across all the tribal lands, implying unity under his reign even among traditionally challenging tribes like Manasseh and Benjamin.
1 Chronicles 27 21 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:21 forms a small but significant piece of David's governmental structure, listing two more of the tribal heads serving the king. The emphasis on Manasseh being "on this side Jordan" is not a trivial detail but a testament to the careful delineation of tribal lands and how that was reflected in administrative divisions. It illustrates David's administrative sophistication, which recognized unique tribal conditions. The presence of a dedicated leader for each tribal division reflects a commitment to comprehensive governance and mobilization.
The inclusion of specific names like Iddo son of Zechariah and Jaasiel son of Abner, even for individuals not prominent elsewhere in the biblical narrative, highlights the thoroughness of David's organization and the Chronicler's dedication to detailed records. This meticulousness underscores the biblical theme of God's valuing of order and structure, both in civil governance and spiritual administration. David's foresight in establishing such an ordered kingdom, staffed with able and specific individuals, served as a foundational legacy that prepared for Solomon's successful reign and the building of the Temple. It teaches that even the vast enterprise of governing a nation, and by extension, managing God's people, benefits from clear leadership, delegated authority, and precise order, all working in submission to God's ultimate sovereignty.