1 Chronicles 9 13

1 Chronicles 9:13 kjv

And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

1 Chronicles 9:13 nkjv

and their brethren, heads of their fathers' houses?one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

1 Chronicles 9:13 niv

The priests, who were heads of families, numbered 1,760. They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God.

1 Chronicles 9:13 esv

besides their kinsmen, heads of their fathers' houses, 1,760, mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God.

1 Chronicles 9:13 nlt

In all, 1,760 priests returned. They were heads of clans and very able men. They were responsible for ministering at the house of God.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 13 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:13 describes a significant number of the priests' brethren, specifically the heads of their ancestral households, totaling 1,760 individuals. These men are identified as exceptionally capable and dedicated ("very able men") for undertaking the sacred tasks associated with the service of the House of God, signifying their fitness and commitment to the Temple ministry. The verse highlights the substantial, well-qualified workforce vital for maintaining the divine worship and order in post-exilic Jerusalem, reinforcing the Chronicler's emphasis on legitimate worship and organized service.

1 Chronicles 9 13 Context

1 Chronicles 9 presents a detailed census of those who resettled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, emphasizing the lineage and functions of the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and other Temple workers. This chapter serves as a bridge, linking the extensive genealogies of the first eight chapters to the historical narrative that begins with Saul and David. It highlights the divine faithfulness in preserving the tribal lineages, particularly those of Judah and Benjamin, and in re-establishing the foundational institutions of Israelite worship centered around the Temple. The Chronicler's primary focus is on demonstrating the continuity of God's covenant with His people and the enduring importance of proper Temple service, even after the trauma of exile. Verse 13 specifically details the substantial number and high qualification of priestly leaders dedicated to these sacred duties, ensuring the structured and capable administration of the House of God.

1 Chronicles 9 13 Word analysis

• And their brethren: וַאֲחֵיהֶם (va'akhēyhem). Refers to the collective group of priestly lineage, highlighting a strong communal and familial bond rather than just a collection of individuals. This term emphasizes the solidarity and shared heritage within the Levitical and priestly tribes.
• Heads of the house of their fathers: רָאשֵׁי בֵּית אֲבוֹתָם (ra'shey beyth 'avotham). Signifies the leaders or prominent figures within each ancestral family unit. This emphasizes the patriarchal structure and lineage-based hierarchy essential for tribal organization and the legitimate inheritance of priestly roles. It grounds their authority and function in their ancestral heritage.
• A thousand and seven hundred and threescore (1,760): מֵאָה וְשִׁבְעִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת ('elef u-shva me'ot ve-shishim`). This precise number underscores the meticulous nature of the census conducted by the Chronicler, reflecting the organizational precision applied to Temple service. Such detailed counts attest to the substantial human resources allocated to maintain sacred duties.
• Very able men: גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל (gibbōrēy chayil). This Hebrew phrase literally means "mighty men of valor" or "men of strength/capability." While often used for warriors (e.g., in lists of David's mighty men), here it applies to religious service. It signifies not just physical strength, but competence, skill, dedication, and administrative ability necessary for complex and sacred work. These were not just many people, but qualified people.
• For the work: לִמְלֶאכֶת (limlekheth). Refers to an undertaking or task, often a skilled or appointed one. It highlights that the priestly role was not passive but involved active, specific duties.
• Of the service: הָעֲבוֹדָה (haavodah`). This term means "service," "worship," or "labor." In a cultic context, it refers to the divinely prescribed tasks of worship and ritual. It underscores the nature of their activity as dedicated, sacrificial labor performed unto God.
• Of the house of God: בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים (beyth hā'ĕlōhîm). Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This identifies the ultimate purpose and location of their highly qualified service – the central place of Israelite worship, signifying the holiness and importance of their duties within the divine presence.

Word-group analysis:

• Their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers: This phrase establishes the collective and ancestral legitimacy of these individuals. It signifies that the individuals involved in the Temple service were not merely self-appointed but belonged to established, divinely-sanctioned priestly lineages. This emphasis on heritage reinforces the validity and continuity of their religious functions.
• Very able men for the work of the service of the house of God: This is the core descriptor. "Very able men" (גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל) transforms a general count into a qualitative statement. It points to a workforce distinguished by capability and suitability. The combination with "work of the service of the house of God" elevates the task from mere labor to sacred worship. It suggests that effective service in God's presence requires not just numbers, but consecrated skill and spiritual prowess.

1 Chronicles 9 13 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s persistent enumeration and emphasis on Levitical and priestly functions throughout 1 Chronicles reflects a central theological theme: the restoration and vitality of legitimate worship were paramount for the survival and identity of post-exilic Israel. Unlike other historical accounts, the Chronicler deliberately amplifies the roles of the Levites and priests, indicating that their precise service and genealogical integrity were seen as foundational to the renewed covenant relationship between God and His people. The sheer number of competent individuals mentioned (1,760 in this specific verse, with thousands more Levites mentioned elsewhere) serves as a tangible demonstration of God's blessing and the community's commitment to divine order, ensuring continuity of the cult and an organized return to righteousness. This attention to detail underscores the idea that spiritual and national restoration were intrinsically linked to proper, institutionalized worship.

1 Chronicles 9 13 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:13 is more than a simple headcount; it is a profound declaration of the Chronicler's theology concerning the post-exilic community. By detailing the "thousand and seven hundred and threescore" "very able men" dedicated to the Temple, the Chronicler reinforces God's faithfulness in restoring proper worship after the exile. The phrase "gibborey chayil" ("very able men"), typically used for warriors, applied to priests and Levites, emphasizes that service in the House of God demanded the same level of strength, skill, and commitment as military prowess. It highlights that true valor, post-exile, was found not in battle, but in diligent, ordered, and legitimate worship. This was crucial for an audience grappling with national identity and renewed purpose. The passage stresses that the restoration of Israel hinged on the meticulous re-establishment of Temple service, overseen by divinely appointed and highly competent leaders. It set a precedent that those who minister should be capable and dedicated to the sacred tasks, offering their best for the glory of God.