1 Chronicles 24:18

KJV

The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.

KJV (with Strong's)

The three {H7969} and twentieth {H6242} to Delaiah {H1806}, the four {H702} and twentieth {H6242} to Maaziah {H4590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the twenty-third for D'layahu, and the twenty-fourth for Ma'azyahu.

Berean Standard Bible

the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

American Standard Version

the three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 24:18 concludes the meticulous enumeration of the twenty-four priestly divisions, assigning the twenty-third course to Delaiah and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. This concise administrative verse serves as the culmination of King David's divinely inspired organization of the Levitical priesthood, ensuring an orderly, continuous, and equitable system for service in the Tabernacle, which would later transition to the Temple, thereby upholding the sanctity and regularity of Israel's worship of Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the final entry in a highly structured and detailed list found in [1 Chronicles 24](/1_chronicles/24 "1 Chronicles 24 - Priestly Divisions"). The chapter begins by establishing the lineage of Aaron's sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, and quickly moves to David's role in organizing their descendants into twenty-four distinct courses for service. The preceding verses (1 Chronicles 24:7-17) systematically list the first twenty-two divisions and their appointed heads, with 1 Chronicles 24:18 completing the roster. The entire chapter, and indeed much of 1 Chronicles, emphasizes the meticulous organization of the cultic worship, highlighting David's foresight and divine guidance in preparing for the Temple that Solomon would build. This administrative precision underscores the Chronicler's theological agenda: to affirm the legitimate worship practices and the continuity of God's covenant with Israel through the established priestly order.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The organization of the priesthood into twenty-four courses (`mishmarot`) was a monumental administrative task undertaken by King David, alongside the high priests Zadok and Ahimelech (cf. [1 Chronicles 24:3](/1_chronicles/24-3 "1 Chronicles 24:3 - David's Priestly Organization")). This system was crucial for managing the complex sacrificial and liturgical duties in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, ensuring that all priestly families had a regular turn to minister before the Lord. Each course would serve for a week at a time, twice a year, providing continuous service throughout the year. This elaborate structure prevented chaos, ensured equitable distribution of duties, and maintained the ritual purity and sanctity required for worship in ancient Israel. The period of David's reign was one of consolidation and preparation, not only militarily and politically but also spiritually, laying the groundwork for the centralized worship in Jerusalem.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing of priestly divisions in [1 Chronicles 24](/1_chronicles/24 "1 Chronicles 24 - The Priestly Divisions") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Chronicles. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Order and Organization**, demonstrating that God is a God of order, and His worship should reflect this. David's precise planning for the Temple service, down to the specific families and their turns, mirrors the divine principle of doing all things "decently and in order," as later articulated in [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order in the Church"). Secondly, the emphasis on the individual divisions highlights the theme of **Faithful Service** and **Stewardship**. Each priest, from the most prominent to the seemingly obscure, was called to fulfill a specific, vital role in the worship of God. Delaiah and Maaziah represent the final two named heads of these dedicated groups, symbolizing the comprehensive commitment required of the entire priesthood. Lastly, the system ensured **Equitable Distribution** of sacred duties, preventing any single family from monopolizing the sacred service and underscoring the communal nature of Israel's covenant relationship with God. This meticulous arrangement ensured the continuity and accessibility of worship for all generations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Delaiah (Hebrew, _delāyâh'_):** This name means "Yahweh has delivered" or "Yahweh has drawn up." It is a common Hebrew name, appearing elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 36:12](/jeremiah/36-12 "Jeremiah 36:12 - Delaiah, a Prince of Judah")). In the context of 1 Chronicles 24:18, it identifies the head of the twenty-third priestly course, signifying a family whose identity was intertwined with the redemptive acts of God.
* **Maaziah (Hebrew, _ma‛azyâh'_):** This name translates to "strength of Yahweh" or "Yahweh is strength." Like Delaiah, it is a theophoric name, incorporating the divine name Yahweh. Its presence here designates the leader of the twenty-fourth and final priestly division, underscoring the foundational belief in God's power and might as the basis for their service and existence.
* **Twenty-third/Twenty-fourth (Hebrew, _sheloshah ve'esrim / arba'ah ve'esrim'_):** These ordinal numbers are crucial to the administrative purpose of the verse. They signify the culmination of a highly organized and systematic arrangement. The precise numbering emphasizes the exhaustive and comprehensive nature of David's division of the priestly families, ensuring that every qualified descendant of Aaron was accounted for and assigned a specific place within the sacred service rotation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The three and twentieth to Delaiah":** This clause precisely identifies the twenty-third of the twenty-four priestly courses established by David. It assigns the leadership of this specific division to Delaiah, whose family would be responsible for the sacred duties during their designated period of service in the Tabernacle/Temple. This detail highlights the meticulous and orderly nature of the priestly administration.
* **"the four and twentieth to Maaziah":** This clause concludes the exhaustive list, naming the twenty-fourth and final priestly course and its appointed head, Maaziah. The completion of the list signifies the full implementation of David's organizational plan, ensuring that all aspects of the Temple service were covered by a rotating system of dedicated priests, thereby maintaining continuous and proper worship before the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 24:18, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Enumeration** or **List**. The verse is part of a long, systematic catalog of priestly divisions, designed to convey completeness and order. This meticulous listing serves to emphasize the **Precision** and **Thoroughness** of David's administrative reforms, reflecting a divine blueprint for worship. The **Repetition** of the numerical pattern ("the X and twentieth to Y") creates a rhythmic, almost liturgical, cadence that reinforces the systematic nature of the organization. While seemingly dry, this administrative detail functions as a form of **Symbolism**, where the very act of listing and ordering represents God's character as a God of order, and the importance of structured worship in the life of Israel. The names themselves, Delaiah and Maaziah, though part of a list, carry inherent **Theophoric Significance**, subtly reminding the reader of God's active involvement ("Yahweh has delivered," "Strength of Yahweh") even in the seemingly mundane details of administrative organization.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 24:18, as the culmination of the priestly divisions, underscores a profound theological truth: God is a God of order, and His worship demands structure, intentionality, and faithfulness. The meticulous organization of the Levitical priesthood reflects the divine desire for a holy and orderly approach to communion with Him, ensuring that sacred duties were performed with precision and reverence. This administrative detail is not merely historical record-keeping but a testament to the importance of every individual's role within the larger body of God's people, and the necessity of proper stewardship of spiritual responsibilities. The continuity of service, ensured by these twenty-four courses, speaks to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His desire for perpetual worship.

* [Exodus 28:1](/exodus/28-1 "Exodus 28:1 - Consecration of Aaron and His Sons")
* [Numbers 3:6-7](/numbers/3-6 "Numbers 3:6-7 - Duties of the Levites")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific Levitical priesthood and its Temple service have been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in 1 Chronicles 24:18 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse, though administrative, teaches us about the value of order, faithfulness, and stewardship in our service to God. Just as each priestly course had a designated time and duty, every believer is called to fulfill a unique role within the body of Christ, contributing to the overall health and mission of the church. Our collective worship, our personal disciplines, and our corporate ministries should reflect the character of God, who is not a God of confusion but of peace and order. Faithfulness in seemingly small or administrative tasks is just as vital as more visible ministries, for all contribute to the glory of God and the building up of His kingdom. We are encouraged to consider how our own gifts, resources, and time can be stewarded with intentionality and excellence for God's purposes, ensuring that our lives and our churches operate with the same divine order that characterized the Temple service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on order and organization in the Old Testament priesthood inform our approach to worship and service in the church today?**
* **What "administrative" or behind-the-scenes roles in your church or personal life do you tend to overlook, and how might you approach them with renewed faithfulness?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual believer, contribute to the "orderly" and "continuous" worship of God in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse so brief and seemingly just a list of names?**

Answer: This verse, along with the rest of [1 Chronicles 24](/1_chronicles/24 "1 Chronicles 24 - Priestly Divisions"), serves a crucial administrative and theological purpose. While brief, its inclusion highlights the Chronicler's meticulous attention to the organization of the Temple service. It's not just a list; it's the culmination of King David's divinely inspired system for ensuring continuous, orderly, and equitable worship. The brevity of each entry assumes the reader understands the larger context of the priestly courses, emphasizing the systematic nature of the arrangement rather than individual biographies. It underscores the importance of structure in sacred duties.

**What was the overall purpose of these priestly divisions established by David?**

Answer: The primary purpose of these twenty-four priestly divisions was to create a highly organized and efficient system for the performance of sacred duties in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. This system ensured that all priestly families had a regular turn to minister before the Lord, preventing any single family from monopolizing the service. It guaranteed continuous worship throughout the year, maintained ritual purity, and provided a framework for the complex sacrificial and liturgical calendar. This organization was essential for the proper functioning of Israel's covenant relationship with God, as detailed in passages like [Numbers 3](/numbers/3 "Numbers 3 - The Duties of the Levites") and [Numbers 8](/numbers/8 "Numbers 8 - Consecration of the Levites").

**Do the names Delaiah and Maaziah have any special significance?**

Answer: Yes, like many Hebrew names, Delaiah ("Yahweh has delivered") and Maaziah ("Strength of Yahweh") are theophoric, meaning they incorporate a divine name (Yahweh). While the verse itself provides no specific narrative about these individuals, their names reflect common theological sentiments and beliefs in ancient Israel. They serve as a subtle reminder that even in the meticulous details of administrative organization, the focus remains on God's character and His active involvement in the lives of His people and their worship. These names, though part of a list, implicitly declare God's redemptive power and strength.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous organization of the Old Testament priesthood, culminating in the naming of Delaiah and Maaziah as heads of the final courses, points forward to the perfect and ultimate High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The Levitical system, with its rotating shifts and precise duties, was a shadow of the reality to come, a temporary means of access to God for a covenant people. In Christ, the need for a human, rotating priesthood is fulfilled and transcended. He is our eternal High Priest, of the order of Melchizedek, who offered one perfect sacrifice for all time, as beautifully expounded in the book of [Hebrews](/hebrews "The Book of Hebrews - Christ Our High Priest"). His priesthood is not based on lineage or a weekly rotation, but on an indestructible life ([Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Christ's Indestructible Priesthood")). Through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, Jesus has opened a new and living way into the very presence of God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")), making every believer a part of a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), no longer dependent on an earthly system but directly connected to the divine. The order and faithfulness seen in 1 Chronicles 24:18 are fully realized in Christ's perfect obedience and His ongoing intercession for His people, bringing about a spiritual worship that is no longer confined to a physical temple or a specific priestly caste.

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.