1 Chronicles 24:4

And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and [thus] were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar [there were] sixteen chief men of the house of [their] fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.

And there were more {H7227} chief {H7218} men {H1397} found {H4672} of the sons {H1121} of Eleazar {H499} than of the sons {H1121} of Ithamar {H385}; and thus were they divided {H2505}. Among the sons {H1121} of Eleazar {H499} there were sixteen {H8337}{H6240} chief men {H7218} of the house {H1004} of their fathers {H1}, and eight {H8083} among the sons {H1121} of Ithamar {H385} according to the house {H1004} of their fathers {H1}.

There were more men who were chiefs found among the descendants of El'azar than among the descendants of Itamar; therefore there were sixteen divisions of the descendants of El'azar, headed by clan leaders, and eight divisions of the descendants of Itamar, according to their clans.

Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar.

And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight.

Commentary

This verse from 1 Chronicles 24 details the specific division of the priestly families, descended from Aaron through his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, into their respective courses for temple service. It highlights the meticulous organization initiated by King David to ensure an orderly and continuous system of worship and duty in the future Temple in Jerusalem.

Context

1 Chronicles 24 begins the detailed account of King David's organization of the Levitical priests into twenty-four divisions or courses. This administrative act was crucial for the efficient and continuous service in the Temple. The preceding verses (1 Chronicles 24:1-3) establish that this division was necessary because there were "chief men" among the descendants of Aaron, but specifically from the lines of Eleazar and Ithamar, as Aaron's elder sons Nadab and Abihu had died without sons (Leviticus 10:1). This verse provides the exact numbers for these divisions, showing more leaders from Eleazar's lineage (sixteen) compared to Ithamar's (eight), totaling twenty-four courses.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Organization: The meticulous enumeration and division of the priestly duties underscore the importance of structure and order in the worship and service of God. David's actions reflect a divinely inspired blueprint for the Temple's operations, ensuring that all aspects of sacred service were managed with precision.
  • Fairness and Impartiality: Despite Eleazar's line having more "chief men," the overall division of the twenty-four courses was done by lot, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 24:5. This method ensured divine impartiality in the assignment of duties, preventing favoritism and ensuring that both prominent and less prominent families had their rightful place in the service.
  • Priesthood and Service: This passage is fundamental to understanding the systematic functioning of the Old Testament priesthood. It outlines the foundational structure that governed centuries of Temple service in Jerusalem, ensuring consistent and dedicated service to God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "chief men of the house of their fathers" refers to the heads or prominent leaders of the ancestral priestly families. The Hebrew term for "chief" (רֹאשׁ - ro'sh) literally means "head," emphasizing their role as representatives and administrators of their respective lineages within the priestly structure. The specific counting of these "chief men" (sixteen from Eleazar, eight from Ithamar) highlights the precision with which these sacred duties were organized, ensuring that each family line had its appointed leadership.

Related Scriptures

This detailed system of priestly divisions, established by King David, is later referenced in the New Testament. For example, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, belonged to the "course of Abiah" (Luke 1:5), which was one of the twenty-four divisions stemming from this very organization described here. The overall purpose of this meticulous division was to ensure that the tabernacle and later the temple services were conducted efficiently, reverently, and without interruption.

Practical Application

While the specific Levitical priesthood no longer exists in the same form, the principles of order, faithfulness, and dedicated service remain highly relevant for believers today. This verse reminds us that God values organization and intentionality in ministry and worship. Every member of the body of Christ has a unique role and gift, and effective ministry often requires thoughtful planning and doing things "decently and in order". It encourages us to contribute our gifts to the collective work of God's kingdom, recognizing that each part, whether prominent or less visible, is essential for the whole to function effectively and honor God.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 23:24

    ¶ These [were] the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; [even] the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:6

    Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:

  • 1 Chronicles 15:12

    And said unto them, Ye [are] the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, [both] ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto [the place that] I have prepared for it.

  • Numbers 25:11

    Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.

  • Numbers 25:13

    And he shall have it, and his seed after him, [even] the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
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