1 Chronicles 27:8 kjv
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:8 nkjv
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:8 niv
The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
1 Chronicles 27:8 esv
The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were 24,000.
1 Chronicles 27:8 nlt
Shammah the Izrahite was commander of the fifth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the fifth month.
1 Chronicles 27 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 27:1 | Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses... | Establishes the chapter's purpose of orderly service. |
| 1 Chr 27:1-15 | Whole chapter detailing the twelve monthly captains, including Sibbecai. | The context of David's rotating command system. |
| 1 Chr 11:29 | Sibbecai the Hushathite was among David's mighty men. | Identifies Sibbecai as a respected warrior. |
| 2 Sam 21:18 | Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant. | Records Sibbecai's bravery against a giant. |
| 1 Chr 20:4 | Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim. | Parallel account of Sibbecai's giant-killing feat. |
| 2 Sam 23:27 | Sibbecai the Hushathite, the Ahohite. | Lists Sibbecai among David's Thirty Mighty Men. |
| Num 26:20 | Of Judah; Er and Onan; and the sons of Er and Onan were Zelah. And the sons of Zelah; Hozan and Shelan; of Zelah, the Zarhites, of Hozan, the Zarhites. | Establishes the lineage of the Zarhites clan. |
| Exod 18:21-22 | Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth... to be rulers... and they shall judge the people at all seasons. | Jethro's advice on delegating authority and establishing order. |
| Deut 1:15-18 | So I took the chief of your tribes... and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds... for your judgment. | Moses's implementation of a structured leadership. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. | Underscores the wisdom of having many leaders/counsel. |
| Prov 24:6 | For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. | Reinforces the importance of wise and ordered leadership for success. |
| 1 Chr 23-26 | Detailed organization of priests, Levites, and gatekeepers into courses. | Illustrates divine principle of structured service, mirroring military. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | New Testament principle of order in God's activities. |
| Col 2:5 | For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. | Paul's affirmation of an orderly Christian community. |
| 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... | Instruction for establishing ordered church leadership. |
| 1 Pet 5:1-3 | The elders which are among you I exhort... Feed the flock of God... not by constraint, but willingly... neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. | Principle of structured spiritual leadership. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. | Divine authority underpinning all governmental structures. |
| 1 Chr 28:1 | And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes... and the captains of the thousands, and captains of the hundreds... | David's practice of consulting with all leaders, demonstrating governance. |
| 2 Chr 17:12-19 | Jehoshaphat built forts and cities in Judah... And he had a mighty man of valour, even Adnah the chief... | Example of a king later maintaining a large, organized military force. |
| Dan 6:1-2 | It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; and over these three presidents... | Secular example of administrative delegation, akin to David's system. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 8 Meaning
1 Chronicles 27:8 describes a key component of King David's organized military and administrative system. It specifies that for the eighth month of the year, the captain in charge was Sibbecai the Hushathite, who belonged to the Zarhites, a clan within the tribe of Judah. His designated command, during his month of service, consisted of twenty-four thousand men, highlighting the substantial, structured nature of David's kingdom.
1 Chronicles 27 8 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 27 provides a comprehensive account of King David's sophisticated military and administrative organization. This system, detailed in the early verses of the chapter, divided the standing army into twelve monthly divisions, each consisting of 24,000 men and led by a distinguished captain. This arrangement ensured continuous military readiness, spread the administrative burden, and allowed commanders and soldiers to return to their homes for most of the year. The Chronicler emphasizes this orderly structure to underscore the strength, wisdom, and divine favor present in David's reign. Verse 8 specifically highlights the commander for the eighth rotation, identifying him by name and lineage and reiterating the size of his commanded unit, reinforcing the systematic and meticulous nature of David's kingdom. Historically, this system was unique and crucial for maintaining stability and readiness in a volatile region.
1 Chronicles 27 8 Word analysis
- The eighth captain for the eighth month: This phrase underscores the precise, rotating, and structured nature of David's administration. It highlights an established annual cycle, ensuring constant readiness and efficient management of military resources.
- The eighth: Emphasizes numerical order and precision in David's organizational scheme, part of a complete annual cycle.
- Captain (Hebrew: שָׂר, sar): This term signifies a "chief," "prince," or "leader." It's more than just a military rank; it implies significant authority and administrative responsibility, reflecting a high-ranking official entrusted with the king's business.
- For the eighth month: Pinpoints the specific period of service within the annual rotation. This monthly rotation distributed military duties among various commanders and troops, preventing a standing, idle army and allowing agricultural and other pursuits during non-service months.
- Was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: Identifies the specific individual and his background, establishing his legitimacy and place within Israelite society.
- Sibbecai: A known hero from earlier accounts (2 Sam 21:18, 1 Chr 20:4), where he killed a Philistine giant. His appointment here underscores that David chose proven warriors and capable leaders for critical roles, ensuring effectiveness and loyalty. His inclusion adds prestige and substance to the list.
- The Hushathite: Denotes his place of origin, Hushah, likely a town in Judah (1 Chr 4:4), identifying his tribal connection.
- Of the Zarhites: Specifies his clan within the tribe of Judah, tracing his lineage back to Zerah, one of Judah's sons (Num 26:20). This genealogical detail was important in Israelite society for establishing identity, heritage, and tribal standing.
- And in his course were twenty and four thousand: States the specific number of men under his command, indicating a standardized, substantial military division.
- In his course (Hebrew: מַחֲלֹקֶת, machaloket): Refers to his division, or turn of duty. It further emphasizes the systematic rotation and specific allocation of troops to each appointed captain for their designated month.
- Twenty and four thousand: A precise and significant number, demonstrating David's large, well-organized military capacity. This standardized unit size (seen across all twelve captains in the chapter) suggests a meticulously planned and robust army capable of immediate deployment or long-term engagement.
1 Chronicles 27 8 Bonus section
The comprehensive organizational lists in 1 Chronicles (including the Levites and priests in courses, 1 Chr 24-26, alongside military officers) reveal the Chronicler's deep interest in highlighting David's role as the architect of a highly structured and ordered kingdom. This was not merely an administrative convenience but was seen as a reflection of divine order. The emphasis on named individuals and specific numbers validates the historical reality of David's power and influence, providing an inspiring blueprint for future kings of Judah regarding good governance, preparedness, and delegation. Such meticulous records serve as a reminder that spiritual leadership and practical administration can, and should, coexist in a thriving community of faith.
1 Chronicles 27 8 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:8 offers a concise glimpse into David's remarkable administrative genius, emphasizing structure and order as hallmarks of his reign. The meticulous detail—the month, the captain's identity, lineage, and the precise troop count—underscores the Chronicler's purpose: to portray a strong, divinely blessed kingdom built upon orderly governance and effective leadership. Sibbecai's appointment, a hero known for slaying a giant, signifies David's choice of proven competence. This monthly rotation system ensured preparedness without the burden of a perpetual standing army, fostering economic stability while maintaining military readiness. Spiritually, this passage highlights God's preference for order, wisdom, and stewardship in leadership, echoing biblical principles of effective governance found from Exodus to the New Testament church structure.