1 Chronicles 9:12 kjv
And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
1 Chronicles 9:12 nkjv
Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
1 Chronicles 9:12 niv
Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah; and Maasai son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer.
1 Chronicles 9:12 esv
and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer;
1 Chronicles 9:12 nlt
Other returning priests were Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malkijah, and Maasai son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer.
1 Chronicles 9 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 46:11 | And the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. | Begins priestly lineage through Levi. |
| Exo 6:18 | And the sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. | Traces lineage of priestly tribe of Kohath. |
| Lev 8:1-12 | And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying...and anointed him. | Ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. |
| Num 3:5-10 | Bring the tribe of Levi near...to minister unto Aaron. | Appointment of Levites for temple service. |
| 1 Chr 6:1-15 | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari... | Comprehensive priestly genealogies. |
| 1 Chr 9:10-13 | And of the priests: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin... | Surrounding context of priestly lists. |
| 1 Chr 9:26-32 | For these Levites... had the charge of the chambers... | Specific duties of temple servants. |
| Ezr 2:36-39 | The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua... | Priestly families returning from exile. |
| Ezr 7:1-5 | After these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra... | Importance of pure priestly lineage (Ezra). |
| Neh 7:39-42 | The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua... | List of priests returned, paralleling Ezra. |
| Neh 11:10-14 | Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin... | Parallel list of priests dwelling in Jerusalem. |
| Mal 2:4-7 | My covenant was with him of life and peace... | God's covenant with Levi and priests. |
| Heb 5:1-4 | For every high priest taken from among men is appointed... | Divine appointment for the priesthood. |
| Heb 7:11-14 | If perfection were by the Levitical priesthood... | Contrast between Aaronic and Christ's priesthood. |
| Jer 33:18-22 | Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man... | God's promise of a perpetual Levitical priesthood. |
| Isa 66:21 | And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites... | Prophecy of priestly service in a restored Israel. |
| Exo 29:9 | And thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. | Establishes hereditary nature of priesthood. |
| Num 1:49-50 | Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi... | Levites set apart for sanctuary service. |
| Hag 2:1-5 | Be strong, Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua... | Encouragement to rebuild the Temple. |
| Zec 3:1-5 | Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments... | Cleansing and re-instatement of the high priest. |
| 1 Pet 2:5,9 | Ye also, as lively stones, are built up...a royal priesthood. | Believers as a spiritual priesthood. |
| Rev 1:5-6 | And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness... | Christ has made believers priests to God. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as we have many members in one body... | Church as a body with different functions. |
| 1 Cor 14:33,40 | For God is not the author of confusion... Let all things be done decently and in order. | Principle of order in worship. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists... | God equips specific roles in the church. |
1 Chronicles 9 verses
1 Chronicles 9 12 Meaning
1 Chronicles 9:12 continues the extensive listing of those who resided in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, specifically focusing on the priests who had returned to serve. This verse meticulously names a lineage: "And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maesai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer." It identifies specific priestly families, establishing their credentials and place within the restored community. The inclusion of these names underscored the legitimacy of their claim to serve in the Temple, vital for maintaining order, ritual purity, and covenant continuity for the post-exilic nation.
1 Chronicles 9 12 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 9 primarily details the genealogies of those who returned and resettled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It serves as a meticulous record of the tribes, especially Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh, and significantly, Levi and the priests, who re-established life and worship in the Holy City.
Verse 12 is situated within a longer list (verses 10-13) specifically identifying the priestly families. These lists are crucial because the book of Chronicles emphasizes the legitimate worship of God according to the Mosaic Law, centered around the Temple. For the returned exiles, ensuring that the correct individuals served as priests and Levites was paramount for maintaining ritual purity, fulfilling sacrificial duties, and preserving their covenant relationship with God.
Historically, this period follows the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple (586 BC) and the subsequent return allowed by Cyrus's decree (538 BC). The Chronicler wrote generations after the initial return, for a community seeking to understand its identity, history, and destiny in the context of its heritage. This precise identification of priests served to legitimize the current priestly leadership, establish continuity with the pre-exilic worship, and reinforce the divine order for their community.
1 Chronicles 9 12 Word analysis
- And (וְ): Connects this specific lineage to the preceding list of priests. Indicates continuation and inclusion.
- Adaiah (עֲדָיָה - 'Adayah): Meaning "Yahweh has adorned" or "Yahweh has passed over." A significant name, signifying God's active involvement or favor. This name appears elsewhere (e.g., 2 Kgs 22:1).
- the son of (בֶּן - ben): Denotes direct paternal lineage. Fundamental for establishing legal and ritual qualifications in Israel. Highlights the hereditary nature of the priesthood.
- Jeroham (יְרֹחָם - Yeroham): Meaning "he (God) will be compassionate" or "may he be pitied." Common biblical name.
- Pashhur (פַּשְׁחוּר - Pashkhur): Likely meaning "prosperity everywhere" or related to "splendor." A priestly family name, notable for its prominence and sometimes its role in opposition (Jer 20:1-2). Here it anchors the lineage in a known priestly line.
- Malchijah (מַלְכִּיָּה - Malkiyah): Meaning "My king is Yahweh." A very common priestly name, signifying devotion to God's kingship. Represents the lineage's adherence to God's sovereignty.
- Maesai (מַעְשַׂי - Ma'say): Meaning "My work" or "Work of Yah." Another name implying connection to God's action. This specific spelling is somewhat unique here, although similar roots appear.
- Adiel (עֲדִיאֵל - 'Adiy'el): Meaning "ornament of God" or "my testimony is God." Points to the priestly function as a divine adornment or witness.
- Jahzerah (יַחְזְרָה - Yaḥzera): Likely related to "Yahweh turns back" or "he (God) causes to return." A very fitting name for someone involved in the post-exilic return. Reinforces the theme of divine restoration.
- Meshullam (מְשֻׁלָּם - Meshullam): Meaning "restored" or "paid." Another name that resonates with the post-exilic context of return and rebuilding. Frequently appears among those active in Ezra-Nehemiah reforms.
- Meshillemith (מְשִׁלֵּמִית - Meshillemit): A longer form or variation of Meshullam, also meaning "restored" or "at peace" or "fulfilled." Reinforces the idea of completion or restoration within the lineage.
- Immer (אִמֵּר - Immer): Likely a personal name, not directly interpretable as easily. It's the name of a known priestly family whose descendants are mentioned among those returning from exile (Ezra 2:37, Neh 7:40). Its presence confirms the connection to historically established priestly houses.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah: This forms the first significant priestly lineage being enumerated. The repeated "son of" emphasizes strict, unbroken generational descent, crucial for validating priestly credentials in post-exilic Israel. Each name contributes to establishing authenticity through known priestly families.
- and Maesai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer: This constitutes the second distinct priestly lineage listed in this verse. The structure mirrors the first, reiterating the importance of exact lineage. The inclusion of names like Jahzerah, Meshullam, and Meshillemith particularly resonate with the theme of returning from exile and the restoration of God's people and service. The mention of Immer links back to a known priestly division, solidifying the claim of legitimate priestly authority.
1 Chronicles 9 12 Bonus section
The prominence of such detailed genealogical lists in 1 Chronicles (and Ezra-Nehemiah) highlights a strong polemic against two specific issues in the post-exilic community:
- Unauthorized Worship: Anyone whose lineage was not clearly established could not serve as a priest or Levite. This was a crucial defense against syncretism or foreign religious practices that might have crept in, ensuring that the rituals performed were truly Mosaic and consecrated.
- Diluted Identity: The exile brought the threat of losing Israel's distinct identity through intermarriage and cultural assimilation. These genealogies served to reinforce communal boundaries and reminded the people of their unique calling as God's covenant people. They reinforced purity of bloodline as essential for sacred duties and a tangible connection to their past. The repetition of "son of" acts as an affirmation of legitimate heritage, combating any doubts or challenges to a family's historical connection to Temple service.
1 Chronicles 9 12 Commentary
1 Chronicles 9:12 is a meticulously presented genealogical snippet. While seemingly dry, its significance is profound within the Chronicler's theology. It underlines the essential principle of legitimate lineage for service in the Temple. In the post-exilic era, the validity of religious rituals hinged entirely upon the priesthood, and their authority stemmed directly from their verifiable descent from Aaron through specific families. This verse, therefore, acts as an official record, affirming the pure lineage of these priests. It speaks to God's faithfulness in preserving a line of servants for His Temple despite exile and dispersal.
The Chronicler, writing for a community rediscovering its identity and divine purpose, stressed that continuity was not broken; a holy seed remained. The detailed listing of names, even for distant generations, served as proof of an unbroken chain. This meticulous detail also reflects the high regard for order, holiness, and legitimate authority within Israel's restored religious life, serving as a safeguard against spurious claims to religious office. Ultimately, the very existence of such precise lists signifies the enduring divine order and God's enduring covenant promises to His people and His appointed servants.