1 Chronicles 27:32 kjv
Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:
1 Chronicles 27:32 nkjv
Also Jehonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons.
1 Chronicles 27:32 niv
Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king's sons.
1 Chronicles 27:32 esv
Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons.
1 Chronicles 27:32 nlt
Jonathan, David's uncle, was a wise counselor to the king, a man of great insight, and a scribe. Jehiel the Hacmonite was responsible for teaching the king's sons.
1 Chronicles 27 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 11:14 | "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." | Highlights the importance of good counsel. |
| Prov 24:6 | "For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." | Emphasizes strategic counsel for success. |
| Isa 9:6 | "For to us a child is born...and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor..." | Connects the role of counselor to the Messiah. |
| 1 Kgs 12:6-8 | "King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served Solomon... But he rejected the counsel of the elders..." | Contrast of rejecting wise counsel with ill results. |
| Job 12:13 | "With Him are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding." | God is the ultimate source of all wisdom and counsel. |
| Exod 18:17-26 | Moses receiving counsel from Jethro for delegating judicial roles. | Demonstrates the necessity of delegating and counsel for administration. |
| 2 Sam 8:16-18 | "Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests..." | David's high officials, showing established bureaucracy. |
| 2 Sam 16:23 | "Now in those days the counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave, was as if one consulted the oracle of God..." | Illustrates the immense respect given to wise counsel, even when later flawed. |
| Ezra 7:6 | "This Ezra went up from Babylonia; he was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses which the LORD God of Israel had given..." | A skilled scribe who was an expert in divine law. |
| Neh 8:4-8 | Ezra the scribe reading and explaining the Law to the people. | Highlights the role of scribes in teaching and preserving the Law. |
| Matt 2:4-5 | King Herod consulting chief priests and scribes about the Messiah's birth. | Scribes were recognized experts in religious texts. |
| Ps 119:24 | "Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors." | Divine Law as a source of guiding wisdom. |
| Ps 1:2 | "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night." | Implies the deep understanding fostered by engaging with divine texts. |
| 1 Sam 22:3-4 | David entrusted his parents to the King of Moab for safety. | Illustrates David entrusting family members to others' care. |
| Prov 22:6 | "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." | General principle of guiding and teaching youth. |
| 1 Chr 26:29-30 | David appointing Levites for external duties as officers, judges, and scribes. | Broad scope of administrative roles, including scribes. |
| Titus 1:7-8 | Qualities for an overseer including being sensible, just, devout, self-controlled. | Qualities needed for trusted leadership/oversight. |
| Prov 8:14-16 | "I have counsel and sound wisdom... By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice." | Personification of Wisdom as essential for leaders. |
| Daniel 1:3-4 | Daniel and his friends chosen to be taught and serve in the king's palace. | Example of specific individuals appointed to serve the royal household. |
| Gen 41:39-41 | Pharaoh entrusting Joseph with overseeing his kingdom. | Demonstrates delegation of high authority and trust. |
| 2 Kgs 10:1-5 | Ahab's sons' guardians delivering letters regarding their rule. | Illustrates high officials' role in handling royal offspring affairs. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 32 Meaning
1 Chronicles 27:32 describes the significant roles of two key individuals within King David's extensive administration. Jonathan, David's uncle, is identified as a valued counselor, a man of exceptional understanding, and a scribe, indicating his integral position in offering wise advice and handling important records. Additionally, Jehiel, the son of Hachmoni, served in close proximity to David's sons, likely overseeing their affairs, education, or management of their resources, highlighting the careful attention given to the royal household and future succession.
1 Chronicles 27 32 Context
1 Chronicles 27 is part of a larger section (chapters 23-27) detailing the organization and administration of David's kingdom. Following chapters that describe the Levites and their duties, and David's mighty men, Chapter 27 specifically outlines the military divisions, tribal leaders, and various key officials, showing David's systematic approach to governance and his meticulous preparation for his son Solomon's reign and the building of the Temple. Verse 32 is situated within a list of chief officials who held administrative and advisory roles beyond military command, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of David's organizational efforts to establish a stable and effective kingdom for future generations.
1 Chronicles 27 32 Word analysis
- Also: Hebrew particle "וְגַם" (wəḡam), meaning "and also" or "furthermore." It indicates an addition to the previous list of officials, introducing a new category or more specific roles.
- Jonathan, David’s uncle: Jonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehonatan), meaning "the LORD has given." This individual is not to be confused with Saul's son Jonathan. His familial relationship to David (likely David's father Jesse's brother, or an uncle through marriage) highlights a deep level of trust and loyalty, which was common in ancient Near Eastern royal courts for high-ranking positions. Such roles often combined personal allegiance with professional capacity.
- was a counselor: Hebrew "יוֹעֵץ" (yo'ēts). This term signifies a person who provides strategic advice, guidance, and policy direction to the king. A counselor held a position of significant influence, impacting royal decisions, military strategy, and national policy. The effectiveness of a king often depended on the quality of his counselors. This role was distinct from merely expressing an opinion; it involved informed, deliberate advice based on experience and understanding.
- a man of understanding: Hebrew "אִישׁ בִּינָה" ('ish binah). "Understanding" (binah) denotes insight, discernment, intelligence, and the ability to grasp complex situations, differentiate between right and wrong, and apply knowledge wisely. This goes beyond mere knowledge, indicating a profound comprehension and practical wisdom. It suggests a capacity for shrewd judgment and insightful analysis crucial for counseling the king. It often has a connotation of God-given wisdom or wisdom gained through deep study and experience, in contrast to mere academic learning.
- and a scribe: Hebrew "וְסוֹפֵר" (wə-sōfēr). A scribe in the ancient world was much more than just a writer. This highly respected office involved recording royal decrees, state archives, chronicles, legal documents, and official correspondence. Scribes were typically educated individuals, often well-versed in law, history, and theology. They held significant power due to their literacy and access to vital information, playing roles sometimes akin to a modern chief secretary or even a legal scholar or archivist. Their work ensured continuity and order within the administration.
- and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni: Jehiel (יְחִיאֵל, Yekhi’el), meaning "God lives." His lineage "the son of Hachmoni" often indicates a prominent family or a descriptor, possibly linking him to the family of the "sons of Hachmoni" known for their wisdom or administrative skill, similar to "the Hachmonite" (e.g., Jashobeam the Hachmonite in 1 Chr 11:11).
- was with the king’s sons: This phrase suggests a specific role involving the king's heirs. It could imply:
- Tutelage/Education: Guiding and educating the young princes in matters of state, leadership, and conduct.
- Guardianship/Oversight: Supervising their affairs, ensuring their well-being, and managing their properties or entourages.
- Administrative Support: Handling administrative matters related to the royal princes, who might have their own households, estates, or minor governmental responsibilities.
- This role would have required immense trust from David, as it involved the future stability of the dynasty and the character formation of the next generation of leaders. It underscores David's forward-thinking approach to governance.
1 Chronicles 27 32 Bonus section
The mention of Jonathan as "a man of understanding" and "scribe" points to the sophisticated nature of David's royal administration. Unlike earlier tribal forms of governance, David's kingdom developed specialized roles and a nascent bureaucracy. The "scribe" was particularly important as literacy and record-keeping were essential for tax collection, decrees, property rights, and documenting royal history. This organizational structure laid the groundwork for the more complex and extensive administration that would develop under Solomon, particularly as it pertains to the detailed plans for the Temple. The chronicler's emphasis on such administrative details highlights a key aspect of Israel's journey towards a consolidated national identity and organized state under divine guidance, reflecting orderly rule mirroring the divine order.
1 Chronicles 27 32 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:32 encapsulates the wisdom of King David in establishing a multi-faceted and well-ordered government that extended beyond his immediate military needs. By identifying individuals like Jonathan, his uncle, not only as a "counselor" and "scribe" but specifically as a "man of understanding," the verse highlights the premium David placed on both sound advice and insightful judgment, acknowledging that true governance requires deep wisdom. This stands in stark contrast to the folly seen when kings relied on young, inexperienced, or flattering counsel later in Israel's history (e.g., Rehoboam). Jonathan’s roles combine advisory (counselor), intellectual/discerning (man of understanding), and administrative/legal (scribe) functions, portraying a figure of immense capability and trust at the heart of the kingdom's intellectual and bureaucratic apparatus.
Furthermore, the appointment of Jehiel the son of Hachmoni "with the king's sons" demonstrates David's far-sighted approach to succession and the development of future leadership. This arrangement speaks to the stability and longevity David sought for his kingdom. It wasn't enough to manage the present; preparations for the future, through the careful oversight and guidance of his sons, were paramount. This particular duty, ensuring the well-being and proper upbringing of the royal heirs, underscores a level of detailed planning and concern for dynastic continuity that was crucial for a divinely established monarchy. The verse therefore is not merely a list of names; it reflects David’s commitment to excellent administration, reliance on trusted individuals, and meticulous planning for the prosperity and longevity of God's covenant kingdom.