1 Chronicles 27:29 kjv
And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
1 Chronicles 27:29 nkjv
And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys.
1 Chronicles 27:29 niv
Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.
1 Chronicles 27:29 esv
Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai.
1 Chronicles 27:29 nlt
Shitrai from Sharon was in charge of the cattle on the Sharon Plain. Shaphat son of Adlai was responsible for the cattle in the valleys.
1 Chronicles 27 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:28 | Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it... | God's mandate for humanity to steward creation. |
| Gen 2:15 | The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden...to work it and keep it. | Early principle of human responsibility & cultivation. |
| Gen 13:2 | Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. | Livestock as a significant measure of ancient wealth. |
| Gen 26:12-14 | Isaac sowed... and reaped a hundredfold... had large flocks and herds. | God's blessing leading to abundant agricultural and livestock prosperity. |
| Exod 12:38 | A mixed multitude... and very much livestock with them. | Emphasizes the crucial economic role of livestock in Israel. |
| Deut 28:1-14 | All these blessings shall come upon you... for the fruit of your livestock. | Blessings for obedience include thriving herds. |
| 1 Sam 16:11-12 | David's youth spent "keeping the sheep" indicates his practical knowledge of herds. | David's familiarity with animal care and stewardship. |
| 1 Chron 26:1-32 | Detailed lists of gatekeepers, treasurers, and other officers. | Illustrates David's comprehensive administrative structure. |
| 1 Chron 27:25-31 | Adjacent verses list overseers for vineyards, olive groves, camels, and donkeys. | Chapter context detailing diverse administrative appointments. |
| 1 Chron 28:1-10 | David assembles officials for the kingdom's organization. | David's leadership in orchestrating a complex government. |
| Ps 23:1-2 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down... | God as ultimate shepherd/provider, providing pastures. |
| Ps 36:6 | O LORD, you preserve man and beast. | God's compassionate care extends to animals. |
| Prov 27:23-27 | Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds... | Wisdom literature encouraging diligent agricultural management. |
| Isa 33:9 | Sharon is like a wilderness. | Refers to Sharon, usually fertile, as a symbol of desolation when God's judgment comes. |
| Isa 35:2 | The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. | Sharon symbolizing future beauty and fertility under divine blessing. |
| Matt 25:14-30 | Parable of talents; master entrusts servants with resources. | Principle of stewardship and accountability for resources given. |
| Luke 12:48 | Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required. | Reinforces responsibility commensurate with what is entrusted. |
| Luke 16:10 | One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much. | Faithfulness in seemingly small matters, like herd management, is significant. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. | God's character is orderly, reflected in good governance and administration. |
| 1 Tim 3:4-5 | He must manage his own household well... | Principle of managing resources and people, applicable to all leadership. |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach... | Emphasizes the need for faithful and blameless stewardship. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 29 Meaning
1 Chronicles 27:29 delineates specific administrative roles within King David’s extensive government. It identifies Shitrai the Sharonite as the official responsible for the large cattle herds that grazed in the fertile region of Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai as the manager of herds located in the valleys. This verse highlights the meticulous and comprehensive nature of David's kingdom administration, underscoring the importance he placed on the careful stewardship of the nation's agricultural wealth, and the specialized expertise required for such tasks.
1 Chronicles 27 29 Context
This verse is found within 1 Chronicles chapter 27, which offers an elaborate listing of key officials within King David's sophisticated governmental structure. This chapter describes his army divisions by month, tribal leaders, and various specialized administrators. After listing officers for the king's treasuries, storehouses, agricultural workers, vineyards, and olive trees, the focus shifts in this verse to the meticulous management of the king's livestock. Historically, the Chronicler highlights David's detailed organizational prowess, presenting his reign as one marked by order, prosperity, and divine blessing through diligent stewardship of the nation's resources. Such administrative details underline the comprehensive nature of a divinely favored monarchy, reflecting God's order and interest in the practical sustenance of His people.
1 Chronicles 27 29 Word analysis
And over the herds (וְעַל־הַבָּקָר, ve'al-ha'baqar): The Hebrew word baqar (בָּקָר) specifically denotes large cattle, such as oxen or cows. In ancient Israelite society, these animals were a primary indicator of wealth, critical for agricultural labor (plowing), a staple food source, and essential for religious sacrifices. The phrase "over the herds" highlights a distinct administrative responsibility for this vital economic asset.
that fed (הָרֹעִים, ha'ro'im): Derived from the root ra'ah (רָעָה), meaning "to shepherd" or "to graze," this active participle indicates the cattle that were actively pasturing. This implies oversight not just of ownership, but of the ongoing care, feeding, and management of the animals as they grazed.
in Sharon (בַּשָּׁרוֹן, ba'sharōn): Sharon was the extensive and fertile coastal plain of ancient Israel, known for its lush pastures and wildflowers. It was renowned for its agricultural productivity, making it an ideal region for raising large herds. Its mention specifically notes the strategic and resource-rich areas of the kingdom. The term 'Sharon' also holds symbolic significance in prophetic texts, often associated with beauty and fertility (Isa 35:2).
Shitrai the Sharonite (שִׁטְרַי הַשָּׁרֹנִי, Shitray ha'sharōni): Shitrai is presented as a specialist, deeply familiar with the particular conditions and opportunities of the Sharon region. His title "the Sharonite" likely signifies his origin from, or specific expertise within, that area. His appointment suggests that David strategically placed individuals with regional knowledge and competence in key roles.
and over the herds (וְעַל־הַבָּקָר, ve'al-ha'baqar): This repetition clearly demarcates a second, distinct administrative role for cattle management, indicating a separation based on geographical location. This points to a detailed and decentralized approach to managing the kingdom's assets.
in the valleys (בַּגֵּאָיוֹת, ba'ge'ayot): Ge'ayot (גֵּאָיוֹת) refers to valleys, ravines, or low-lying areas, which differ topographically from the expansive Sharon plain. Valleys could also offer fertile grazing, especially in specific seasons or along wadis, but required different management strategies due to terrain. This detail underscores the comprehensive and nuanced nature of David's administrative division.
Shaphat the son of Adlai (שָׁפָט בֶּן־עַדְלָי, Shafat ben-Adlay): Shaphat is another named individual serving as an administrator. The inclusion of his father’s name, Adlai (meaning "justice of God" or "witness"), serves to precisely identify him within David's governmental records.
Words-group Analysis:
- "And over the herds...was Shitrai the Sharonite; and over the herds...was Shaphat the son of Adlai": This detailed parallelism highlights King David's systematic and comprehensive approach to managing the national resources. It demonstrates his wisdom in delegating specific, critical tasks to qualified individuals based on their regional expertise (Shitrai the Sharonite) and distinct operational environments (Sharon versus the Valleys). This intricate organizational structure under David showcases an efficient kingdom, emphasizing that sound governance and economic diligence are components of God-blessed rule, not just military strength or spiritual devotion.
1 Chronicles 27 29 Bonus section
The Chronicler’s detailed listings throughout 1 Chronicles, including these administrators, served a significant purpose for the post-exilic community in Judah. By emphasizing David’s strong, well-organized, and divinely blessed kingdom, these accounts offered a blueprint and encouragement for re-establishing stable governance and orderly temple worship. The meticulousness shows that no aspect of the kingdom was deemed insignificant to God or its human leaders. The mention of distinct geographical regions for grazing ("Sharon" and "valleys") implies an understanding of the diverse environmental resources within the kingdom and the need for adaptive, specialized management, contributing to the overall economic robustness and resilience of David’s reign.
1 Chronicles 27 29 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:29 illustrates a fundamental principle of biblical leadership: comprehensive stewardship. David’s careful assignment of officials like Shitrai and Shaphat for managing royal cattle in diverse geographic regions demonstrates his commitment to order and responsible oversight of God-given resources. This seemingly minor detail reveals a highly organized and sophisticated administration. It underscores that all aspects of life, including economic endeavors and agricultural management, fall under divine mandate for proper care and excellence. For the believer, this implies that our personal and collective responsibilities, no matter how mundane, should be handled with diligence and faithfulness, mirroring God's own orderly nature and His call for us to be good stewards of what He entrusts to us.