1 Chronicles 9 16

1 Chronicles 9:16 kjv

And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 Chronicles 9:16 nkjv

Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 Chronicles 9:16 niv

Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 Chronicles 9:16 esv

and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 Chronicles 9:16 nlt

Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa, son of Elkanah, who lived in the area of Netophah.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 16 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:16 identifies two Levitical individuals, Obadiah and Berechiah, along with their ancestral lines back to significant figures like Jeduthun and Elkanah. It also notes their residential area, "the villages of the Netophathites." This verse is part of a comprehensive roster of those who settled in Jerusalem and surrounding areas after the Babylonian exile, particularly highlighting the restoration of priestly and Levitical service vital for the re-establishment of temple worship. It underscores the importance of proper lineage and assigned roles in the restored community, showcasing God's meticulous plan for His people.

1 Chronicles 9 16 Context

1 Chronicles 9:16 is found within a detailed genealogical register that spans 1 Chronicles chapters 1 through 9. This extensive list establishes the continuity of God’s covenant people, Israel, even after the profound disruption of the Babylonian exile. The chapter specifically transitions from the genealogies of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh to focus on those who returned from exile and settled in Jerusalem (1 Chr 9:2). This section details the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and other temple servants (1 Chr 9:10-34) essential for the resumed worship. The immediate context of 1 Chronicles 9:16 is a listing of Levitical singers who resided in Jerusalem, crucial for maintaining the musical service in the second temple. Historically, this period reflects the rebuilding of post-exilic Jewish society, prioritizing the restoration of proper religious life and temple functions, echoing the importance of Jerusalem as the center of worship. The Chronicler emphasizes lineage and established roles to legitimize the returning community's claim to the land and temple service, implicitly rejecting claims of non-Israelite or unverified persons.

1 Chronicles 9 16 Word analysis

• and Obadiah: (וְעֹבַדְיָהוּ, və·‘oḇadyā́hū) – "And Obadiah." The name means "servant of Yahweh." It was a very common name in ancient Israel, reflecting a desired posture of devotion. This particular Obadiah is not the prophet but a distinct Levite in a different lineage.
• the son of Shemaiah: (בֶּן־שְׁמַעְיָה, ben-šəmā‘yāh) – "Son of Shemaiah." Shemaiah means "heard by Yahweh" or "Yahweh has heard." It highlights familial lineage as central to identity and role in Israelite society.
• the son of Galal: (בֶּן־גָּלָל, ben-gālāl) – "Son of Galal." The meaning of "Galal" is less clear, possibly related to "rolling" or "heap." It further extends the patriarchal line, confirming ancestry.
• the son of Jeduthun: (בֶּן־יְדִיתוּן, ben-yəḏīṯūn) – "Son of Jeduthun." Jeduthun (יְדִיתוּן, Yediytûn) is a highly significant name. He was one of the three chief musicians appointed by King David, alongside Asaph and Heman (1 Chr 25:1). His descendants continued the musical ministry, and several Psalms (e.g., Ps 39, 62, 77) are addressed to him or his choir. This identifies Obadiah as belonging to a revered and divinely ordained line of temple musicians.
• and Berechiah: (וּבֶרֶכְיָה, ū·ḇe·reḵyāh) – "And Berechiah." The name means "blessed by Yahweh." It introduces another distinct individual and lineage, parallel to Obadiah, indicating multiple branches of the Levitical service were being documented.
• the son of Asa: (בֶּן־אָסָא, ben-’āsā’) – "Son of Asa." Asa is a common name, meaning "physician" or "healer." It continues the detailed genealogical account.
• the son of Elkanah: (בֶּן־אֶלְקָנָה, ben-’elqānāh) – "Son of Elkanah." Elkanah (אֶלְקָנָה, ’Elqanah) means "God has created" or "God has acquired." It's a significant Levitical name, notably Samuel the prophet's father (1 Sam 1:1). Its appearance here suggests a deep-rooted Levitical heritage.
• who lived in the villages of the Netophathites: (אֲשֶׁר יָשְׁבוּ בַּחֲצֵרֵי הַנְּטוֹפָתִים, ’ăšer yāšəḇū baḥaṣêrê hanNəṭōfāṯîm) – "who resided in the courtyards/villages of the Netophathites."
  • "villages": (חֲצֵרֵי, ḥaṣêrê) can mean unfortified settlements or "village-dwellings" (often around a main city or near a cultivated area). This implies that not all temple functionaries resided directly within the cramped confines of post-exilic Jerusalem, but also in surrounding satellite communities.
  • "the Netophathites": (הַנְּטוֹפָתִים, hanNəṭōfāṯîm) refers to people from Netophah, a town south-southwest of Jerusalem, specifically mentioned in Ezra and Nehemiah as a place from which some returnees came (Ezr 2:22, Neh 7:26). This geographic detail places these Levites specifically within a known regional community contributing to the worship life in Jerusalem. It might suggest these Levitical families were responsible for farming or other economic activities in addition to their sacred duties, indicating their practical integration into the post-exilic community life.

1 Chronicles 9 16 Bonus section

The precise genealogical records found in Chronicles, including 1 Chronicles 9:16, served several critical functions for the post-exilic community. Firstly, they provided proof of lineage for claims to land, tribal inheritance, and especially, the right to serve in priestly or Levitical roles (e.g., as seen in Ezra 2:62, where those without clear lineage were barred from the priesthood). Secondly, they reinforced national identity, reminding the returned exiles of their continuity with Abraham, David, and the generations who came before them, despite the devastating disruption of the exile. Thirdly, for the Chronicler, these lists demonstrated God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and fulfilling His promises, even when the nation had fallen short. The careful detail, down to specific individuals like Obadiah and Berechiah, indicates divine care and order in rebuilding the fabric of God's covenant people. The repeated pattern "son of..." ensures a clear, irrefutable chain of generations.

1 Chronicles 9 16 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:16, seemingly a mere listing of names and genealogies, serves a profound theological and historical purpose within the Chronicler's narrative. Following the Babylonian exile, the Chronicler sought to reassure the returned Jewish community of their identity, heritage, and continued place in God's covenant plan. This verse contributes to that by meticulously detailing specific Levitical lines.

The inclusion of Obadiah, a descendant of Jeduthun, highlights the re-establishment and importance of the Levitical musical ministry. The temple was central to post-exilic worship, and the structured musical praise established by King David through figures like Jeduthun was an integral part of it. The mention of Jeduthun's lineage signifies continuity with the glorious past of Israelite worship, linking the modest post-exilic community to Davidic institutions and divine blessing.

Similarly, Berechiah's lineage, traced back through Elkanah, further underscores the legitimacy and depth of these Levitical connections. Elkanah, a known ancestor of the prophet Samuel, represents another important line of God-chosen service.

The specific mention of their residence in "the villages of the Netophathites" is not a trivial geographical note. It points to the practical reality of the returned exiles. Many Levites and temple servants did not reside directly within Jerusalem but in surrounding towns. This indicates that while their service was centered in the temple, their daily lives and contributions to the broader community extended beyond the city walls, supporting the fledgling restoration efforts. These families often had agrarian duties that sustained them alongside their spiritual roles.

In essence, this verse affirms that God remembers His covenant people, meticulously preserves their divinely appointed roles, and oversees the re-establishment of His worship through identifiable and legitimate individuals and families, ensuring order and continuity in a restored but fragile community. It transforms a simple name-list into a testament of divine faithfulness and human accountability in the ongoing story of redemption.