1 Chronicles 23:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For by the last words of David the Levites [were] numbered from twenty years old and above:

Complete Jewish Bible:

For, according to David's last instructions, the descendants of Levi twenty years old and over were to be counted.

Berean Standard Bible:

For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted,

American Standard Version:

For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and upward.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For by the last^{H314} words^{H1697} of David^{H1732} the Levites^{H3881} were numbered^{H4557} from twenty^{H6242} years^{H8141} old^{H1121} and above^{H4605}:

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Commentary for 1 Chronicles 23:27

1 Chronicles 23:27 is a verse that falls within the larger narrative of King David organizing the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel, for service in the temple. This verse specifically references the completion of a census of the Levites, which was conducted in accordance with the final instructions of King David. The historical context is significant because it takes place towards the end of David's reign, as he prepares for the eventual construction of the temple by his son Solomon.

In this verse, the Levites are counted starting from the age of twenty, which is consistent with the age at which they would begin their temple service as prescribed in Numbers 1:3. This minimum age suggests that by twenty, the Levites were considered mature enough to undertake the responsibilities associated with the priesthood and the maintenance of the sanctuary. The text indicates that the Levites were being organized in anticipation of their roles in the temple, which would include various duties such as assisting the priests, performing temple music, and maintaining the sanctuary.

The themes present in this verse include preparation and organization for religious service, the importance of following divine instructions (as David is carrying out what he perceives to be God's will), and the continuity of priestly duties from one generation to the next. It also reflects the broader theme of transition, as David is nearing the end of his reign and is ensuring that the religious infrastructure of Israel is in place for his successor. The verse underscores the significance of the Levites in Israel's worship and their readiness to serve once the temple, which Solomon would build, was completed.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H314
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼachărôwn
   Pronunciation: akh-ar-one'
   Description: or (shortened) אַחֲרֹן; from אָחַר; hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western; after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3881
   There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
   Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
   Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
   Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4557
   There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִסְפָּר
   Transliteration: miçpâr
   Pronunciation: mis-pawr'
   Description: from סָפַר; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration; [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6242
   There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶשְׂרִים
   Transliteration: ʻesrîym
   Pronunciation: es-reem'
   Description: from עֶשֶׂר; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth; (six-) score, twenty(-ieth).
   
7. Strong's Number: H8141
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנֶה
   Transliteration: shâneh
   Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
   Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
   
8. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4605
   There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַעַל
   Transliteration: maʻal
   Pronunciation: mah'al
   Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.