1 Chronicles 9:20 kjv
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.
1 Chronicles 9:20 nkjv
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.
1 Chronicles 9:20 niv
In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him.
1 Chronicles 9:20 esv
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the chief officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.
1 Chronicles 9:20 nlt
Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers in earlier times, and the LORD had been with him.
1 Chronicles 9 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 25:7-8 | When Phinehas...took a spear...he thrust both of them through... | Phinehas's zealous act against sin. |
| Num 25:12-13 | Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace... | God's covenant of perpetual priesthood to Phinehas. |
| Ps 106:30-31 | Then Phinehas stood up and interposed, and the plague was stayed... | His action counted as righteousness. |
| Jdg 20:28 | Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it... | Phinehas's continued priestly leadership. |
| Josh 1:5 | No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses... | God's promise of presence to Joshua. |
| Gen 39:2-3 | The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man... | God's presence leads to success for Joseph. |
| 1 Sam 18:12 | Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him... | God's presence causes Saul to fear David. |
| 2 Sam 5:10 | David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him. | God's presence expands David's reign. |
| 1 Ki 11:38 | If you will listen to all that I command...I will be with you... | God's conditional promise of presence. |
| 2 Ki 18:7 | And the Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went... | God's presence bringing prosperity to Hezekiah. |
| 1 Chr 17:8 | I have been with you wherever you have gone... | God's presence affirmed for David's journeys. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | God's reassuring presence to Israel. |
| Jer 1:8 | Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you... | God's protective presence to Jeremiah. |
| Hag 1:13 | Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people...“I am with you,” declares the Lord. | God's comforting presence to the builders. |
| Zech 8:23 | Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days...we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. | Gentiles recognizing God's presence with Israel. |
| Mt 1:23 | "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). | Prophecy of God's presence embodied in Jesus. |
| Mt 28:20 | And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” | Jesus' promise of enduring presence to His disciples. |
| Acts 7:9 | The patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him. | Affirmation of God's sustaining presence in adversity. |
| Acts 11:21 | And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. | God's power accompanying apostolic ministry. |
| Rom 8:31 | What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's supportive presence for believers. |
| Phil 4:9 | What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. | God's presence is linked to righteous living. |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. | Emphasizing dependency on divine presence for fruitfulness. |
1 Chronicles 9 verses
1 Chronicles 9 20 Meaning
This verse states that Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, served as the appointed leader over a group of individuals (referring to the temple servants and gatekeepers as detailed earlier in the chapter) in ancient times, and crucially, that the Lord's presence and favor were continually with him in his role. It highlights divine endorsement and historical precedent for a priestly line's authority and effectiveness.
1 Chronicles 9 20 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 9 elaborates on the residents of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, meticulously listing the priestly and Levitical families, along with other Temple servants like the gatekeepers. This re-establishes the post-exilic community's identity, especially their connection to the Temple worship. The mention of Phinehas here links the current Levitical duties and priestly lineage directly to the revered past of Israel's earliest priesthood, tracing their legitimate authority back to an ancestor famously endowed with divine approval and a covenant of peace (Num 25:12-13). This serves to legitimate the reconstituted Temple service and its personnel for the Chronicler's audience, who sought reassurance of divine favor and historical continuity following their return.
1 Chronicles 9 20 Word analysis
- Phinehas (Hebrew: פִּינְחָס, Pinchas): Grandson of Aaron, son of Eleazar. His name possibly means "mouth of bronze" or "serpent's mouth." He is renowned for his zealous act at Peor, which turned away God's wrath from Israel (Num 25:6-15). This act earned him and his descendants a perpetual covenant of priesthood from the Lord. His mention here underscores legitimate, zealous, and divinely sanctioned priestly authority, emphasizing continuity and purity.
- the son of Eleazar (Hebrew: בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָר, ben-El'azar): Eleazar (Hebrew: אֶלְעָזָר, El'azar), meaning "God has helped," was Aaron's third son and succeeded his father as High Priest. Identifying Phinehas as Eleazar's son further establishes his direct high-priestly lineage, reinforcing his legitimate claim to authority within the Levitical framework established by God.
- ruler (Hebrew: נָגִיד, nagiyd): This term translates to "prince," "leader," "chief," or "captain." It denotes an appointed or designated leader rather than a hereditary king (like melekh). In Chronicles, nagiyd is frequently used for Saul and David as God's chosen leaders (e.g., 1 Sam 9:16; 2 Sam 5:2; 1 Chr 29:22). Here, it signifies Phinehas's divinely sanctioned authority and oversight in the Temple administration, distinguishing his leadership role as specially ordained.
- over them: Refers to the gatekeepers and temple officials discussed immediately preceding this verse (1 Chr 9:17-19), particularly their ancestors responsible for the sanctuary and the tabernacle. It highlights the direct chain of command and historical oversight in Temple duties.
- in time past (Hebrew: מִקֶּדֶם, miq_qeḏem): Means "from of old," "from ancient times," "before." This phrase deliberately emphasizes the historical depth and traditional legitimacy of Phinehas's role and the established priestly system. It signifies an ancient precedent for the proper order of Temple service, offering stability and validation to the post-exilic community looking to their foundational past.
- and the Lord was with him (Hebrew: וַיהוָה עִמּוֹ, wa-YHWH immo): This is a profound theological statement recurring throughout the Bible. "YHWH" (the Lord) signifies the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel. "Was with him" signifies God's personal presence, favor, endorsement, and empowerment. It implies divine guidance, protection, strength, and approval, rendering his leadership effective and legitimate. It indicates that Phinehas's actions were not merely human initiatives but divinely inspired and upheld.Words-group Analysis:
- "And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past": This phrase meticulously traces the lineage of authority to Phinehas, a figure pivotal in Israel's early history for his uncompromising zeal and divinely confirmed leadership. It establishes historical continuity and a blueprint for righteous, authorized conduct within the Temple administration for the post-exilic generation. The meticulous genealogical tracing back to Aaron, through Eleazar, and highlighting Phinehas’s ancient role validates the current Levitical setup and its significance.
- "and the Lord was with him": This simple yet potent declaration transforms the entire verse from a mere historical note into a profound theological affirmation. It explains the source of Phinehas's effectiveness and legitimacy. His zealous action, his leadership, and his perpetual covenant were all direct results of God's active, enabling, and approving presence. This divine presence is the ultimate validation of any leadership or service, pointing to God as the ultimate enabler of all true spiritual authority and blessing.
Commentary
1 Chronicles 9:20 acts as a concise but powerful theological and historical statement within the Chronicler's broader purpose of legitimizing the post-exilic community and its Temple service. By singling out Phinehas—a revered figure noted for his priestly zeal and the unique covenant of peace granted to him by God (Num 25)—the text emphasizes the divinely established lineage and authority of the priesthood. The assertion that "the Lord was with him" serves as the ultimate seal of divine approval, validating Phinehas's historical leadership and implicitly assuring the contemporary (post-exilic) Temple leadership of God's enduring presence when they faithfully uphold the ancient, God-ordained patterns of service. It underscores that true spiritual authority and effectiveness flow from God's active presence with His chosen servants, not from human might or pedigree alone. This provides both comfort and challenge: comfort in God's historical faithfulness and challenge to live zealously in God's presence as Phinehas did.Bonus section
The Chronicler’s selective use of history, especially highlighting figures like Phinehas, served to reassure the returning exiles of God’s covenant faithfulness. By connecting the current Temple functions and priestly structure back to this illustrious figure, the Chronicler aimed to foster hope and continuity, suggesting that God's plan for Israel, centered on the Temple and proper worship, was still unfolding. The reference implicitly challenges the current generation to aspire to the same level of godly zeal and divine endorsement as their ancient predecessor. It functions as an ancestral credential, validating the religious hierarchy for a community needing strong, legitimate foundations after years of disruption.