1 Chronicles 9:11 kjv
And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
1 Chronicles 9:11 nkjv
Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the officer over the house of God;
1 Chronicles 9:11 niv
Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God;
1 Chronicles 9:11 esv
and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief officer of the house of God;
1 Chronicles 9:11 nlt
Azariah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub. Azariah was the chief officer of the house of God.
1 Chronicles 9 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 28:1 | "Bring near to you Aaron your brother...that he may minister as priest..." | Ordination of Aaron's priestly line. |
| Num 3:10 | "You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood..." | Divine command for Aaronic priesthood. |
| 1 Sam 2:35 | "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in My heart..." | Prophecy of a faithful priest (often linked to Zadok). |
| 1 Kgs 2:35 | "And the king put Benaiah...over the army, and Zadok the priest the king put in the place of Abiathar." | Solomon instates Zadok as high priest. |
| 1 Chr 6:4-15 | Details the priestly lineage of Aaron down to the exile. | Extended priestly genealogy of Zadok's line. |
| 2 Chr 31:13 | "Jehiel...Azaziah...in the charge of Cononiah and Shimei his brother...at the king's command..." | Mentions priestly overseers in Hezekiah's time. |
| 2 Kgs 22:4 | "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum up the money..." | Hilkiah, who found the Book of the Law. |
| 2 Chr 34:14 | "While they were bringing out the money...Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord given through Moses." | Hilkiah, central to Josiah's reform. |
| Neh 11:10-14 | Lists priests residing in Jerusalem, including Azariah. | Parallel list of returnees, emphasizing priests. |
| Ezek 44:15-16 | "But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of My sanctuary...shall come near to Me..." | Future importance of Zadokite priesthood. |
| Heb 5:1 | "For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men..." | Role of high priest in general terms. |
| Heb 7:17 | "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." | Christ's eternal priesthood, distinct from Levitical. |
| 1 Chr 24:3 | "David, Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and the Levites..." | Division of priestly courses. |
| 2 Chr 8:14 | "And he appointed the priests to their divisions...according to the ordinance of David..." | Orderly temple service. |
| Exod 29:44 | "I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; Aaron and his sons I also will consecrate..." | Consecration of tabernacle and priests. |
| Mal 2:7 | "For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth..." | Priests' role in teaching the law. |
| Ezra 7:21 | "And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River...as Ezra the priest..." | Emphasis on priestly authority and divine law. |
| Joel 2:17 | "Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep..." | Priests as intercessors for the people. |
| Rom 15:16 | "To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel..." | Believers as priests in the New Testament. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | Believers' identity as spiritual priests. |
1 Chronicles 9 verses
1 Chronicles 9 11 Meaning
1 Chronicles 9:11 primarily lists Azariah, a key priest, as the chief officer serving in the House of God among those who returned from Babylonian exile and settled in Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes his prominent position and his specific Zadokite priestly lineage, tracing his ancestry back through Hilkiah to Zadok himself. This establishes the legitimacy and authority of the Temple leadership during the restoration period, highlighting the re-establishment of proper worship and service according to the Lord's ordinances.
1 Chronicles 9 11 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 9 continues the extensive genealogical record that dominates the first nine chapters, listing the families of Israel, Judah, Levi, and Benjamin. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 9 focuses on those who were the "first inhabitants" (v. 2) to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile and settle there. The Chronicler meticulously details the composition of this returning community, highlighting the importance of the temple personnel: the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and other Temple servants. This careful enumeration underscored the re-establishment of orderly worship and communal life centered on the Temple, after the disruption of exile. Verse 11 specifically names a key individual in the restored priestly leadership, emphasizing continuity and divine order for the post-exilic community.
1 Chronicles 9 11 Word analysis
- And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction, connecting this verse to the preceding lists of returned Levites, and now introducing a specific, prominent priest.
- Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה, ʻAzaryah): Means "Helped by Yahweh." A common biblical name, it designates this specific priest here within the returned community. The repeated listing of "Azariah" in this verse serves to emphasize the specific individual and his significant role.
- the chief officer (הַנָּגִיד, hannāgîd): The term nāgîd means "prince," "leader," or "ruler." In this context, it describes Azariah's administrative and leadership role within the Temple hierarchy. It's distinct from kohen gadol (high priest), suggesting he might have been a leading priest, perhaps second in command or the principal administrative priest overseeing the Temple operations at that time. It underscores his functional authority among the priestly ranks.
- of the house of God (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים, bêth hā’ĕlōhîm): This refers specifically to the Temple in Jerusalem. Its use emphasizes the central place of worship and the divine institution over which Azariah had significant authority. The re-establishment of proper function within the "House of God" was paramount for the returned exiles.
- the son of Hilkiah (בֶּן חִלְקִיָּה, ben Ḥilqîyah): This links Azariah directly to the famous Hilkiah, the high priest during Josiah's reign, who discovered the Book of the Law in the Temple (2 Kgs 22, 2 Chr 34). This connection highlights a lineage known for its dedication to the Law and for significant religious reform and revival.
- the son of Meshullam (...ben Meshullām): A further genealogical link, grounding Azariah's lineage within the known priestly families.
- the son of Zadok (...ben Tsādoq): This is a crucial link. Zadok, whose name means "righteous" or "just," was a descendant of Eleazar (Aaron's son) who became the chief priest during David's reign and was Solomon's chosen high priest after the dismissal of Abiathar (1 Kgs 2:35). The Zadokite line became the legitimate and divinely favored high priestly line, strongly supported by prophets like Ezekiel. This connection validated Azariah's authority and place in the re-established priesthood. The Chronicler consistently emphasizes the Zadokite line as the proper channel for high priestly service, implicitly contrasting them with any potentially competing priestly groups.
- the son of Meraioth (...ben Merāyôth): Continues to establish the unbroken chain of the priestly family.
- the son of Ahitub (...ben 'Aḥîṭûb): Ahitub was another significant name in the Zadokite line (1 Chr 6:7-8). This further anchors Azariah's legitimacy in an established and respected lineage.
1 Chronicles 9 11 Bonus section
The Chronicler's detailed emphasis on the Zadokite lineage throughout 1 Chronicles, culminating in passages like 9:11, serves as a theological statement about proper worship. In the post-exilic period, disputes over priestly legitimacy likely existed. By presenting such a clear and historically verifiable (through other biblical accounts) line, the Chronicler affirmed the Zadokites as the rightful priestly authority, thereby promoting unity and adherence to the Mosaic law within the re-established community. The inclusion of this particular Azariah in this list, out of potentially many Azariahs, speaks to his specific prominence and the importance of the Zadokite succession for the Temple's functional and spiritual integrity after the return from exile.
1 Chronicles 9 11 Commentary
1 Chronicles 9:11 is a seemingly dry genealogical listing, yet it is rich in theological significance. Coming immediately after lists of various Temple functionaries, this verse highlights the supreme importance of the priesthood in the restored community of Jerusalem. By identifying Azariah as the "chief officer of the house of God" and meticulously tracing his ancestry through Hilkiah back to Zadok, the Chronicler emphasizes legitimacy, continuity, and divine approval for the Temple leadership. This isn't just about an individual; it's about the office and its unbroken lineage. The reference to Hilkiah brings to mind a priest associated with revival and the rediscovery of God's Word, lending a moral and spiritual weight to Azariah's heritage. The prominent mention of Zadok underscores that the re-established Temple service adhered to the divinely sanctioned line chosen by God, thereby ensuring that worship was conducted according to proper divine order, reflecting the Chronicler's intense focus on orthodox Temple worship and the purity of religious institutions in post-exilic Judah. The detailed genealogy provided reassurance and authority to the returnees, indicating that God was indeed re-establishing His people and His Temple.