1 Chronicles 24:15

KJV

The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,

KJV (with Strong's)

The seventeenth {H7651}{H6240} to Hezir {H2387}, the eighteenth {H8083}{H6240} to Aphses {H6483},

Complete Jewish Bible

the seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth for HaPitzetz

Berean Standard Bible

the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

American Standard Version

the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 24:15 meticulously details the divinely ordained allocation of the seventeenth and eighteenth priestly courses for temple service to the families of Hezir and Aphses, respectively. This verse is part of King David's comprehensive and inspired organization of the Aaronic priesthood into twenty-four divisions, ensuring a structured, equitable, and continuous system for sacred duties within the future temple. It underscores the profound importance of order, divine appointment, and faithful service in the worship of God, establishing a lasting framework for generations of priests.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within 1 Chronicles 24, a chapter dedicated to the precise division of the Aaronic priests into twenty-four courses for their duties in the temple. This chapter itself is part of a larger section (1 Chronicles 23-27) that chronicles King David's extensive and divinely guided preparations for the construction and administration of the temple, a task he was not permitted to complete himself. Chapter 23 lays the groundwork by detailing the organization of the Levites and their various roles. Chapter 24 then narrows the focus specifically to the descendants of Aaron, who alone held the priestly office. The systematic listing of the twenty-four courses, from [1 Chronicles 24:7](/1_chronicles/24-7 "1 Chronicles 24:7 - First Priestly Course") to [1 Chronicles 24:18](/1_chronicles/24-18 "1 Chronicles 24:18 - Twenty-Fourth Priestly Course"), emphasizes the comprehensive and orderly nature of this administration. Verse 15, by naming the seventeenth and eighteenth courses, contributes to this exhaustive enumeration, highlighting the meticulous planning and divine impartiality (achieved through the casting of lots mentioned in [1 Chronicles 24:5](/1_chronicles/24-5 "1 Chronicles 24:5 - Priestly Divisions by Lot")) that characterized David's preparations for sacred worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Aaronic priesthood was the cornerstone of Israelite worship and their covenant relationship with Yahweh. In ancient Israel, the tabernacle, and later the temple, served as the focal point for national worship, requiring a highly organized system to manage the extensive duties of the priests, which included daily sacrifices, incense offerings, maintaining the sacred space, and teaching the Law. David's division of the priests into twenty-four courses was a practical and divinely inspired administrative solution to ensure that these continuous duties could be performed efficiently year-round by a large and growing priestly population. The use of lots, a common practice in ancient Israel for discerning God's will and ensuring unbiased outcomes (as seen in [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lot is Cast into the Lap")), underscored the belief that even administrative arrangements were under divine providence. This structured approach ensured reverence, continuity, and fairness in the sacred service, reflecting the profound value placed on temple worship and adherence to the precise requirements of the Mosaic Law.
* **Key Themes:** 1 Chronicles 24:15, as part of this detailed enumeration, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Order and Organization** in divine worship. God is consistently presented as a God of order, not chaos, and this meticulous arrangement of priestly duties reflects His desire for structured and intentional service, a principle echoed in the New Testament's call for order in the church (e.g., [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order in the Church")). Secondly, the underlying method of **Divine Providence** through the casting of lots highlights that even the specific assignments were believed to be guided by God's sovereign hand, ensuring impartiality and divine approval. This emphasizes a deep trust in God's overarching plan. Thirdly, the naming of specific family heads like Hezir and Aphses underscores the theme of **Faithful Service** and **Personal Accountability**. Each family had a distinct, divinely appointed role, emphasizing that every part of the system, no matter how specific, was essential for the whole to function properly. Finally, this detailed record-keeping facilitated the **Continuity of Priesthood**, preserving lineage and ensuring the ongoing, legitimate function of the Aaronic priesthood, which was central to Israel's covenant relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hezir (Hebrew, _Chêzîyr'_):** This proper noun identifies the head of the seventeenth priestly course. While its etymological root (H2387) suggests "protected" or "pig/boar," the literal meaning is not theologically significant in this context. Its primary importance lies in its function as a precise identifier for a specific, identifiable family line among the descendants of Aaron. The inclusion of this name underscores the historical accuracy and the personal accountability associated with these sacred duties, indicating a concrete individual and lineage designated by divine lot to serve in the temple.
* **Aphses (Hebrew, _Pitstsêts'_)::** Similarly, this proper noun designates the head of the eighteenth priestly course. The name's root (H6483) meaning "to dissever" or "dispersive" is not directly relevant to the theological message of the verse. Like Hezir, its significance is purely functional: it serves as a precise identifier for another distinct priestly family. The naming of both Hezir and Aphses, alongside the other twenty-two family heads, demonstrates the comprehensive nature of David's organization and the divine sanction behind each specific assignment, ensuring that no family was overlooked and every designated course had a clear leader for its period of service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The seventeenth to Hezir":** This clause precisely assigns the seventeenth rotational period of temple service. "The seventeenth" refers to the specific numerical order among the twenty-four divisions established by lot, indicating a chronological turn of duty. The phrase "to Hezir" specifies that the family line descended from Hezir was responsible for this particular period of service. This highlights the hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood and the importance of family identity within this divinely structured system, ensuring that a specific, identified group was accountable for the sacred duties during their appointed time.
* **"the eighteenth to Aphses":** This clause continues the systematic enumeration, assigning the subsequent, eighteenth course of service to the family line of Aphses. The parallel structure with the preceding clause emphasizes the methodical and complete nature of the organization. Each assignment was distinct and divinely sanctioned, contributing to the overall efficiency and sacredness of the temple operations. These specific designations ensured that all necessary priestly duties would be covered throughout the year by different, appointed groups of priests, maintaining order and continuity in worship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary devices at play in 1 Chronicles 24:15, and throughout the entire enumeration in this chapter, are **Enumeration** and **Precision**. The text meticulously lists each of the twenty-four priestly courses by number and by the name of its family head, demonstrating a highly organized and detailed record-keeping. This precise listing serves to underscore the divine order and thoroughness with which God's worship was to be conducted. It also functions as a **Historical Record**, validating the legitimacy and divine appointment of these priestly lines for future generations. The repetitive structure of "The [number] to [name]" creates a sense of **Rhythm and Authority**, reinforcing the systematic and unalterable nature of these divisions. Furthermore, the very act of naming each individual family head, even those whose names hold no particular theological significance in themselves, highlights the **Personal Accountability** and specific roles assigned to each part of the larger priestly body, emphasizing that every component was vital to the functioning of God's sacred service.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous organization of the Aaronic priesthood, exemplified by the precise assignments in 1 Chronicles 24:15, reveals profound theological truths about God's character and His relationship with His people. God is a God of order, not chaos, and He delights in worship that is conducted with reverence, structure, and intentionality. This detailed system ensured that the sacred duties of the temple were performed consistently and faithfully, reflecting the gravity of approaching a holy God. It also underscores the principle that every role, no matter how seemingly small or administrative, is vital in the divine economy and contributes to the overall functioning of God's purposes. The emphasis on divine appointment through lots highlights God's sovereign hand in directing even the specific details of His service, inviting His people to trust in His wisdom and provision for their spiritual life. This Old Testament blueprint for structured worship foreshadows the New Testament understanding of the church as a body with diverse, divinely appointed gifts and functions, all working together for the glory of God.

* [Exodus 28:1](/exodus/28-1 "Exodus 28:1 - Appointment of Aaron and Sons for Priesthood")
* [Numbers 3:5-10](/numbers/3-5-10 "Numbers 3:5-10 - Levites Appointed to Serve the Priests")
* [Hebrews 7:11-14](/hebrews/7-11-14 "Hebrews 7:11-14 - Change of Priesthood Foreshadowed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific priestly courses of Hezir and Aphses are no longer directly relevant for Christian worship today, the enduring principles embedded in 1 Chronicles 24:15 offer profound insights for contemporary believers. This verse reminds us that God values order, intentionality, and faithfulness in all aspects of our lives, especially in our worship and service to Him. Just as each priestly course had its divinely appointed time and task, every believer in the body of Christ is gifted and called to a unique role. No task is insignificant when done for the Lord, whether it's a prominent leadership position or a quiet act of service behind the scenes. We are encouraged to embrace our specific callings with diligence and excellence, recognizing that our contributions, however small they may seem, are vital to the flourishing of God's kingdom. Furthermore, the reliance on divine providence through the casting of lots invites us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign guidance in our own decisions and life paths, believing that He orchestrates details even beyond our full comprehension. Our service should flow from a heart that acknowledges God's overarching plan and seeks to align with His perfect will, contributing to the overall beauty and effectiveness of the church as a well-ordered body.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous organization of the Old Testament priesthood inform our understanding of God's character and His desire for order in our lives and communities?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, embrace our specific roles and gifts within the body of Christ, recognizing their divine appointment and importance, even if they seem small?**
* **How does the principle of divine providence, seen in the casting of lots, encourage us to trust God's sovereignty in the details of our lives and ministries?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list of names and numbers included in the Bible?**

Answer: The inclusion of such detailed lists, like the priestly courses in 1 Chronicles 24, serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores God's profound attention to detail and His desire for order in worship and service. It demonstrates that sacred duties were not to be performed haphazardly but with precision and structure. Secondly, it provides a **historical record** of the legitimate priestly lines, ensuring that only those divinely appointed served in the temple, thus preserving the purity and integrity of the Aaronic priesthood. This meticulous record-keeping was vital for the continuity of temple service across generations. Finally, it highlights the **divine providence** at work; even the seemingly administrative details were orchestrated by God, emphasizing that every part of His plan, down to the specific individuals and their turns of service, was important and divinely sanctioned, as indicated by the use of lots (e.g., [1 Chronicles 24:5](/1_chronicles/24-5 "1 Chronicles 24:5 - Priestly Divisions by Lot")).

**What was the purpose of these priestly "courses" or divisions?**

Answer: The primary purpose of dividing the priests into twenty-four courses was to ensure continuous, orderly, and efficient service in the temple throughout the entire year. With a large number of priests, a rotational system prevented overcrowding and ensured that all necessary duties—such as offering daily sacrifices, burning incense, maintaining the temple, and teaching the Law—were consistently performed. Each course would serve for a specific period (likely a week, twice a year), allowing priests to return to their homes and families for the rest of the year. This system, established by King David under divine inspiration (as implied in [1 Chronicles 28:11-13](/1_chronicles/28-11-13 "1 Chronicles 28:11-13 - David's Plans for the Temple")), prevented burnout, ensured fairness, and maintained the sacredness and functionality of the temple worship. It was a practical and divinely guided administrative solution for a complex and vital religious institution, ensuring that God's house was served with excellence and continuity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous organization of the Aaronic priesthood in 1 Chronicles 24, with its detailed courses and specific family assignments, ultimately points forward to the ultimate and perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament priests served in shifts, were subject to death and sin, and required constant succession and repeated sacrifices, Christ's priesthood is eternal and flawless. He is the [great High Priest who has passed through the heavens](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), having offered [one sacrifice for sins forever](/hebrews/10-12 "Hebrews 10:12 - Christ's One Sacrifice") that perfectly atones for humanity's sin. The Old Testament system, with its order and precision, served as a shadow of the perfect reality found in Him. Through Christ, the need for a rotating, earthly priesthood has been fulfilled, as believers now have [direct access to God through His blood](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God through Christ"), becoming a [royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood") themselves. He is not merely a priest for a "course" but our [High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek](/hebrews/7-17 "Hebrews 7:17 - Christ, a Priest Forever"), whose ministry is unending and perfectly sufficient. Thus, the detailed administrative arrangements of 1 Chronicles 24 ultimately highlight the temporary and preparatory nature of the Old Covenant, beautifully setting the stage for the glorious and complete work of our Lord Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills all priestly functions and grants us eternal access to God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.