1 Chronicles 27:31 kjv
And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
1 Chronicles 27:31 nkjv
and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David's property.
1 Chronicles 27:31 niv
Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were the officials in charge of King David's property.
1 Chronicles 27:31 esv
All these were stewards of King David's property.
1 Chronicles 27:31 nlt
Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the king's flocks of sheep and goats. All these officials were overseers of King David's property.
1 Chronicles 27 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 27:29 | ...Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon... | Preceding verse showing similar appointments for other livestock categories. |
| 1 Chr 27:30 | ...Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels...Jehdeiah the Meronothite over the donkeys. | Similar appointments demonstrating the breadth of David's oversight. |
| Gen 30:29-30 | ...I will continue to tend your flocks...for the little you had before I came has increased greatly... | Jacob's diligent care for flocks, highlighting the value of a good steward. |
| Prov 27:23 | Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; | Wisdom literature encouraging diligence in managing resources, aligning with David's practice. |
| 2 Sam 8:16-18 | David's administrators: Joab, Jehoshaphat, Zadok, Ahimelech... | Parallel passage outlining David's high-level officials, confirming his structured government. |
| 1 Chr 26:26-27 | ...all who were chief men...appointed for all the work of the Lord and the service of the king. | Illustrates the comprehensive delegation of duties within David's reign. |
| Matt 25:14-30 | Parable of the Talents...to each according to his ability. | Emphasizes responsibility and faithfulness in managing entrusted resources, mirroring a steward's role. |
| Luke 12:42-48 | Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household? | Jesus' teaching on faithful stewardship of all entrusted duties, relevant to administrative roles. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. | New Testament emphasis on trustworthiness in all forms of management. |
| Psa 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd... | Metaphor for divine care, but also alluding to the essential role and care required of a shepherd/overseer. |
| Gen 16:1-16 | Account of Hagar, mother of Ishmael. | Provides context for the term "Hagrite," linking to desert origins and Hagar. |
| Gen 13:2 | Abram was very rich in livestock...silver and gold. | Illustrates wealth in ancient Near East often tied to livestock, showing the scale of David's assets. |
| Deut 8:18 | ...remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth... | God as the ultimate source of all abundance and resources, including David's vast holdings. |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach... | Apostolic instruction on the character required for those in oversight positions. |
| 1 Chr 5:10 | In the days of Saul, they made war on the Hagrites, who were defeated by them... | Historical context regarding the Hagrites as a nomadic, often antagonistic group, making Jeziz's role noteworthy. |
| 1 Sam 25:2-3 | ...Nabal was a very rich man...He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats... | Illustrates a typical large flock in Israel, dwarfed by the scale implied in David's holdings, needing specific oversight. |
| Neh 13:13 | I appointed treasurers over the storehouses... | Post-exilic example of structured administrative appointments, reinforcing the importance of delegation. |
| Exo 34:19 | All that open the womb are mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep. | Emphasizes God's ultimate ownership over livestock, underscoring that stewards manage what belongs to God. |
| Gen 41:41-43 | Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." | Example of a non-native appointed to a position of great responsibility and administration. |
| 1 Chr 28:11-19 | David gave Solomon the plan...for the house of the Lord... | Highlights David's meticulous planning and organization, which extended from temple to mundane matters like flocks. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 31 Meaning
1 Chronicles 27:31 records an appointment within King David's highly organized administration: "Over the flocks also was Jeziz the Hagrite." This verse specifies the individual responsible for a particular category of David's immense livestock wealth, highlighting the detailed and comprehensive structure of his kingdom's management. It underscores David's systematic approach to stewardship, where even extensive animal holdings were meticulously overseen by designated personnel.
1 Chronicles 27 31 Context
This verse is part of a detailed record in 1 Chronicles 27 that lists the officers and administrators in King David's extensive kingdom. Following the commanders of the army divisions, this chapter shifts focus to civil administrators, particularly those overseeing David's vast personal property and resources, which included agricultural lands, vineyards, olive groves, and various types of livestock. Chapters 23-27 collectively present an overview of David's final administrative arrangements for his kingdom, culminating in a detailed list of those serving the king directly. The inclusion of Jeziz the Hagrite demonstrates David's meticulous attention to management and the comprehensive nature of his appointed oversight for all aspects of his royal estate, reflecting the Chronicler's emphasis on order, structure, and faithful administration during David's reign. This organizational detail is presented as foundational to a successful and blessed kingdom.
1 Chronicles 27 31 Word analysis
- Over the flocks (עַל הַצֹּאן, al ha-tzo’n):
- Over: (al) signifies supervision, authority, and responsibility for management or charge of something.
- The flocks: (ha-tzo’n) refers generally to small cattle, i.e., sheep and goats, which were the primary form of wealth and sustenance in ancient Israel. They provided meat, milk, wool, and skins. This designation implies a vast quantity of animals, necessitating dedicated oversight. In the ancient Near East, a king's wealth was often measured by the size of his flocks and herds, so the efficient management of this asset was crucial for the kingdom's economy and stability. This indicates David's immense personal wealth and his systematic approach to its maintenance.
- also was (גַּם הָיָה, gam hayah):
- Also: (gam) indicates that this appointment is one of several similar positions. It highlights the structured nature of David's administration, where specific individuals were designated for various types of resources (as seen in the surrounding verses for herds, camels, donkeys, etc.). This cumulative "also" underscores the comprehensive scope of David's economic enterprise.
- Was: (hayah) a standard verb of being, indicating the designated status of Jeziz.
- Jeziz (יְזִיז, Yĕziyz):
- A relatively rare personal name in the Old Testament, possibly derived from a root meaning "to disperse," "to flow," or "splendor." Its specific etymology in this context might imply an attribute suitable for managing spreading flocks. The name adds to the authenticity of the list, characteristic of the Chronicler's genealogical and administrative details.
- the Hagrite (הַהַגְרִי, ha-Hagri):
- Signifies ethnic or tribal origin, identifying Jeziz as a member of the Hagrites (often associated with the Hagarites, descendants of Hagar, Abraham's concubine, through Ishmael). They were a nomadic tribe residing primarily in the Transjordanian desert region. This detail is significant as it shows that David's administration was not exclusively composed of Israelites; he employed individuals based on their skills and suitability for the task, regardless of their background, showcasing a pragmatic approach to governance. It also implies a certain level of trust extended to those outside the traditional Israelite tribal structure. Given that the Hagrites had at times been enemies of Israel (1 Chr 5:10, Psa 83:6), Jeziz's position signifies a remarkable inclusion and potentially a demonstration of David's far-reaching influence or political alliances.
Words-group analysis:
- "Over the flocks also was Jeziz the Hagrite": This entire phrase, despite its brevity, encapsulates significant information: the object of oversight (flocks), the type of oversight (management/responsibility), the administrator's identity (Jeziz), and his ethnic background (Hagrite). The Chronicler includes this detail to show the full extent of David's organized kingdom and to legitimize his rule through the successful management of God-given resources. The specificity underscores the reality and magnitude of David's administration, portraying him not just as a warrior king, but as a wise and competent ruler with broad influence, integrating even non-Israelites into his functional hierarchy where skill was required.
1 Chronicles 27 31 Bonus section
The Chronicler's particular interest in documenting these administrative details underscores a key theological point: a well-ordered kingdom is often a blessed kingdom. David’s thoroughness in managing his kingdom, including his flocks, aligns with principles of wisdom and good stewardship found throughout Scripture, implying that material prosperity, when properly managed, reflects divine favor and wise human conduct. This chapter implicitly contrasts David’s strong, structured rule with periods of later chaos or ungodliness in Israelite history, where such order was absent. The inclusion of non-Israelite administrators like Jeziz and Obil the Ishmaelite (v. 30) speaks to David’s broad authority and potentially to God's universal reach, as individuals from diverse backgrounds served the king chosen by God. Jeziz's ethnic identity might also imply practical reasons: Hagrites, being desert nomads, were inherently skilled in animal husbandry, making them ideal overseers for royal flocks.
1 Chronicles 27 31 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:31 provides a glimpse into the sophisticated and systematic administrative machinery that King David established to govern his vast kingdom and manage his personal wealth. The detail concerning "Jeziz the Hagrite" overseeing "the flocks" emphasizes that every major asset was assigned to a specific individual, promoting accountability and efficient resource management. This meticulous record-keeping, characteristic of the Chronicler, highlights the importance of order and responsible stewardship from the highest levels of leadership. The appointment of a Hagrite, a non-Israelite and a member of a group occasionally antagonistic to Israel, underscores David's pragmatic approach to governance; he appointed individuals based on competence and loyalty rather than solely on tribal affiliation, suggesting an expansive vision for his kingdom. This reflects principles of good management: recognizing value, delegating responsibility, and trusting capable individuals for the effective functioning of an organization, whether a kingdom or a modern enterprise. It serves as an ancient biblical illustration of the importance of diligence, oversight, and diverse talents in leadership and administration.