1 Chronicles 27 5

1 Chronicles 27:5 kjv

The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:5 nkjv

The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:5 niv

The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division.

1 Chronicles 27:5 esv

The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest; in his division were 24,000.

1 Chronicles 27:5 nlt

Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest was commander of the third division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the third month.

1 Chronicles 27 verses

1 Chronicles 27 5 Meaning

This verse describes Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, as the third of King David's twelve military commanders, serving for the third month of the year. He commanded a formidable division of twenty-four thousand men, highlighting the systematic and well-organized military administration implemented by King David to ensure continuous defense and readiness of the kingdom. The mention of "a chief priest" regarding Jehoiada is a unique textual point, implying his significant standing, potentially priestly lineage or high leadership.

1 Chronicles 27 5 Context

First Chronicles chapter 27 is part of a larger section (chapters 23-27) detailing King David's comprehensive preparations for the kingdom, specifically the administration of both the Levites, priests, and the military. This chapter outlines David's organization of the national army into twelve divisions, each serving a month annually under a designated captain, comprising 24,000 men. This innovative system ensured a continuous standing army without overburdening any single group, demonstrating David's foresight, administrative prowess, and trust in delegated authority. The overall context emphasizes order, duty, and effective governance as a cornerstone of God's blessing on David's reign.

1 Chronicles 27 5 Word analysis

• The third captain (שַׂר הַשְּׁלִישִׁי, sar ha-shelishi): "Captain" (שַׂר, sar) signifies a chief, prince, or military commander. The emphasis on "third" highlights the precise, orderly, and systematic rotational structure of David's military forces. This system ensured military readiness throughout the year and distributed leadership responsibilities among loyal officers.
• of the army (הַצָּבָא, ha-tzava): Denotes the military host or the fighting force. It clearly specifies the domain of Benaiah's command, distinguishing it from other royal or religious offices.
• for the third month (לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁי, la-chodosh ha-shelishi): Reinforces the unique rotational system of monthly service. Each commander, along with his contingent, served for a full month before being rotated out, providing both training and active readiness.
• was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (בְּנָיָהוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע, Benayahu ven-Yehoiadata):
  • Benaiah (בְּנָיָהוּ, Benayahu): Meaning "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has established." He was one of David's most trusted and mighty warriors, later rising to prominence under Solomon. His inclusion among these elite captains underscores David's choice of highly capable and loyal individuals.
  • son of Jehoiada (בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע, ven-Yehoiadata): Identifies Benaiah's lineage. His father Jehoiada is elsewhere described as a "valiant man of Kabzeel" (2 Sam 23:20, 1 Chr 11:22), renowned for his bravery.
• a chief priest (הַכֹּהֵן רֹאשׁ, ha-kohen ro'sh): This phrase presents a scholarly discussion point.
  • Literal translation: "the priest, head/chief."
  • Traditional interpretations suggest Jehoiada, Benaiah's father, was indeed a high priest or chief priest. However, other biblical accounts describe Benaiah's father Jehoiada primarily as a valiant warrior, not a priest. The most prominent High Priest named Jehoiada lived centuries later (in the time of Joash, 2 Kgs 11-12).
  • Alternative scholarly views propose:
    • A possible scribal variation or error.
    • The phrase ro'sh might signify "principal" or "leader" in a general sense, not necessarily indicating he held the high priestly office, but rather that he was a prominent figure, perhaps even having priestly lineage, but not serving as THE high priest. Some modern translations render it as "a leader among the priests" (NLT) or acknowledge the unusual nature. This text highlights Jehoiada's exceptional standing or perhaps his background.
• and in his course (וּמִשְׁמַרְתּוֹ, u-mishmarto): Refers to "his division," "his guard," or "his appointed turn/duty." This emphasizes the specific contingent and period of service assigned to Benaiah. It reinforces the theme of ordered and delegated responsibility.
• were twenty and four thousand (עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אָלֶף, esrim ve-arba'ah aleph): Specifies the large and standardized size of Benaiah's contingent. This large number underscores the strength and well-established military might of King David's unified kingdom, prepared to defend its borders at any time.

1 Chronicles 27 5 Bonus section

The Chronicler's detailed enumeration of David's administrative and military structures in chapters 23-27 parallels the careful organization of the Tabernacle and its services under Moses, and later the Temple and its services under David and Solomon. This emphasis on order and meticulous arrangement reflects a theological theme: that a well-ordered earthly kingdom, functioning with assigned roles and responsibilities, mirrors a divine design and brings favor. The specific number 24,000 for each monthly division is significant as it aligns with the number of priestly divisions (1 Chr 24) and Levitical workers (1 Chr 23:4), suggesting a common template for organizing service within the kingdom, whether for worship or for defense. This consistency underscores the comprehensive nature of David's planning for every aspect of the nation's life.

1 Chronicles 27 5 Commentary

1 Chronicles 27:5 intricately details a crucial component of King David's sophisticated governmental structure: the annual rotation of military commanders and their substantial forces. Benaiah, a figure already renowned for his exceptional valor and loyalty, is specifically identified as the commander for the third month. This points to David's strategic foresight in delegating significant military authority to his most trusted and capable men. The mention of his father Jehoiada as "a chief priest" is peculiar given other biblical accounts that highlight Jehoiada's warrior background. This unique designation may signify his profound influence, esteemed position within society (perhaps among priestly families or as a leading figure in his own right), or even the diverse backgrounds of David's high-ranking officials. Ultimately, the verse highlights a kingdom characterized by robust military organization, capable leadership, and continuous readiness, reflecting David's wise administration for the stability and security of Israel.