1 Chronicles 9 33

1 Chronicles 9:33 kjv

And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.

1 Chronicles 9:33 nkjv

These are the singers, heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.

1 Chronicles 9:33 niv

Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.

1 Chronicles 9:33 esv

Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night.

1 Chronicles 9:33 nlt

The musicians, all prominent Levites, lived at the Temple. They were exempt from other responsibilities since they were on duty at all hours.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 33 Meaning

This verse details the specific and unique role of the Levitical singers among the residents of Jerusalem following the return from exile. It highlights their status as leaders among their Levitical families and, crucially, states that they were freed from other responsibilities to enable their uninterrupted ministry of worship. Their devotion was continuous, literally "day and night," indicating a ceaseless engagement in their sacred task.

1 Chronicles 9 33 Context

First Chronicles chapter 9, following a detailed genealogy of the tribes, focuses on the residents of Jerusalem after the return from the Babylonian exile. It lists the first returnees—priests, Levites, Nethinim, and specific laypeople—who repopulated the holy city. The chapter shifts from general genealogical lists (which primarily highlight ancestry and covenant continuity) to practical administrative details concerning the organization and duties within the newly restored temple complex. Verses 26-32 describe the roles of gatekeepers, treasurers, and those in charge of temple vessels and provisions. Verse 33 specifically hones in on the highly specialized group of the singers, detailing their living arrangements and, most importantly, the singular, full-time nature of their service within the temple structure. This emphasis by the Chronicler reinforces the significance of structured worship and praise as central to the nation's spiritual life, a lesson he wished to instill in the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 9 33 Word analysis

• And these are the singers,: The Hebrew word for singers is ha-měshōrērîm (הַמְשֹׁרְרִים), meaning 'the ones who sing' or 'the singers'. This phrase immediately identifies a specific, organized group dedicated to musical worship. Their mention underlines the prominence and structured nature of praise in the temple.
• chief of the fathers of the Levites,: This translates from the Hebrew rā’shê hā’āvōwt lalĕwîyîm (רָאשֵׁי הָאָבוֹת לַלְוִיִּם). "Chief of the fathers" (rā’shê hā’āvōwt) indicates they were heads or leading figures within their respective ancestral families (patriarchs) of the Levitical tribe. This suggests their influential status, likely due to their specialized, God-given musical skill and spiritual devotion, which elevated them even within the broader Levitical order. They belonged to the prominent singing families, like those of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (1 Chr 25:1).
• who remaining in the chambers were free:: "Chambers" (לְשָׁכוֹת, lishkōwt) refers to dedicated rooms within the temple complex where the Levites and priests lived, stored sacred items, or performed certain duties. The critical term here is "were free" (חָפְשִׁי, ḥopshî). This denotes being "exempt" or "set free" from other duties, obligations, or perhaps secular occupations. This freedom was a provision from the temple support system, ensuring they had no other work responsibilities outside their sacred task. It highlights their complete devotion to temple service.
• for they were employed in that work day and night.: The Hebrew phrase kî yōwmām wālāyĕlāh ba-mĕlā’khāh hēm (כִּי יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה בַּמְּלָאכָה הֵם) conveys "for day and night in the work they [were]". This phrase provides the reason for their exemption: their task required constant, unbroken engagement. "That work" specifically refers to their unique calling as temple singers. The continuous nature ("day and night") emphasizes extreme dedication and an unbroken cycle of worship, reflecting perhaps the ongoing need for praise before God, both symbolically and practically within the temple’s daily and nightly operations.

1 Chronicles 9 33 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s meticulous listing of temple personnel, particularly the singers, highlights his strong theological agenda. He was writing to a post-exilic community dispirited by the recent destruction and captivity. By detailing the re-establishment of the precise, divinely ordained temple service, he aimed to provide continuity with Israel's glorious past, assure them of God's unchanging standards for worship, and instill hope for a future centered on a holy temple and restored covenant. The "day and night" service of the singers served as a visible manifestation of Israel's unwavering devotion to God, and also symbolically echoed God's own unceasing watchfulness over His people. It signifies the immense spiritual importance of corporate worship, which was deemed foundational to national life and restoration.

1 Chronicles 9 33 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:33 unveils a unique facet of temple life: the singers' dedicated service. Far from a mere side activity, their role was considered so vital to the proper functioning of the worship of God that they were exempted from other common Levitical duties, such as guarding, transporting, or managing supplies. This freedom, coupled with provision from the temple, allowed them to consecrate their entire lives to continuous worship, praising God "day and night." This passage implicitly communicates the supreme value God places on unceasing worship and adoration, as mirrored later in heavenly descriptions of continuous praise. It underscores that true worship can be a consuming, full-time commitment, demanding the total surrender of time and talent, supported by divine provision. This focused dedication made them spiritual guardians and constant conveyors of praise for the people.