1 Chronicles 25:31

KJV

The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, [he], his sons, and his brethren, [were] twelve.

KJV (with Strong's)

The four {H702} and twentieth {H6242} to Romamtiezer {H7320}, he, his sons {H1121}, and his brethren {H251}, were twelve {H8147}{H6240}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the twenty-fourth to Romamti-'ezer, his sons and brothers, twelve.

Berean Standard Bible

and the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all.

American Standard Version

for the four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 25:31 concludes a meticulously detailed administrative record of King David's organization of the Levitical musicians for service in the tabernacle, anticipating the future temple. This specific verse identifies Romamtiezer as the head of the twenty-fourth and final division of these consecrated worship leaders, highlighting the comprehensive and orderly system established to ensure continuous and dedicated musical praise before the Lord, with each division comprising twelve members, including the leader, his sons, and his brethren.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 25 is situated within a larger section (chapters 23-26) detailing King David's extensive administrative and organizational efforts concerning the Levites and their duties, particularly in preparation for the temple Solomon would build. Chapter 25 specifically focuses on the 24 courses of Levitical musicians, outlining their leaders, family members, and the instruments they were to use for "prophesying with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals" ([1 Chronicles 25:1](/1_chronicles/25-1 "1 Chronicles 25:1 - Purpose of Levitical Musicians")). This chapter lists 288 skilled musicians, each heading a group of twelve, ensuring a rotating, continuous cycle of worship. The verse in question, [1 Chronicles 25:31](/1_chronicles/25-31 "1 Chronicles 25:31 - Romamtiezer's Division"), serves as the concluding entry in this exhaustive list, bringing the enumeration of the 24 divisions to a complete and orderly close.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign marked a pivotal period in Israelite history, transitioning from a tribal confederacy to a unified monarchy with Jerusalem as its spiritual and political capital. His efforts to centralize worship, bring the ark to Jerusalem ([2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")), and meticulously organize the Levitical service, including musical worship, were foundational. Music played a profoundly significant role in ancient Israelite worship, not merely as entertainment but as a spiritual discipline, a means of prophecy, and an act of devotion. The Levites, as a tribe set apart for priestly and temple service ([Numbers 3:6-9](/numbers/3-6 "Numbers 3:6-9 - Levites Set Apart for Service")), were responsible for maintaining this sacred order. David's foresight in establishing these courses before the temple was even built demonstrates a deep commitment to institutionalizing proper worship practices, ensuring their continuity for generations.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous detail of [1 Chronicles 25](/1_chronicles/25 "1 Chronicles 25 - Organization of Levitical Musicians") and, by extension, [1 Chronicles 25:31](/1_chronicles/25-31 "1 Chronicles 25:31 - Romamtiezer's Division"), contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Order and Organization**, demonstrating God's valuing of structure and preparation in worship and service. Secondly, it highlights **Dedicated Service**, as the Levites were consecrated for their specific, lifelong duties, emphasizing a life of faithfulness to God's work. Thirdly, the chapter reinforces the **Centrality of Worship**, particularly through music, as a profound and integral act of connecting with the divine and expressing devotion. Finally, David's role in this organization exemplifies **Faithful Administration** and wise leadership, ensuring that the future temple would have a well-established and continuous system for praise, reflecting his commitment to God's glory and the spiritual well-being of the nation ([1 Chronicles 23:6](/1_chronicles/23-6 "1 Chronicles 23:6 - David's Organization of Levites")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Romamtiezer (Hebrew, _Rômamtî’ezer'_):** This name, meaning "I have exalted help" or "Exalted is my help," is significant despite the verse's administrative nature. While the text itself does not elaborate on the individual, the meaning of his name subtly reflects the Levites' ultimate reliance on God as their source of strength and assistance in their sacred duties. It also speaks to their purpose: to exalt God through their dedicated musical service. The name itself becomes a mini-theological statement embedded within a genealogical list, reminding us that even in the most mundane administrative details, God's character and providence are implicitly acknowledged.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer":** This phrase precisely identifies Romamtiezer as the leader of the twenty-fourth, and final, division of the Levitical musicians. The numbering emphasizes the comprehensive and systematic nature of David's organization, ensuring that all aspects of musical worship were accounted for and assigned. This final entry brings a sense of completion and order to the entire chapter's detailed enumeration.
* **"[he], his sons, and his brethren":** This clause clarifies the composition of each of the 24 divisions. Each division consisted of twelve members, led by the named individual (Romamtiezer in this case), along with his direct descendants (sons) and other close relatives (brethren). This familial structure ensured continuity, passed down skills, and fostered a deep communal bond within each course, emphasizing a hereditary and collective commitment to their sacred musical duties.
* **"[were] twelve":** This final phrase explicitly states the total number of individuals in each division, confirming the consistent structure across all 24 courses. The uniformity of twelve members per division underscores the meticulous planning and symmetrical design of David's organizational scheme, ensuring that a sufficient and consistent number of skilled musicians were available for continuous worship service throughout the year.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [1 Chronicles 25:31](/1_chronicles/25-31 "1 Chronicles 25:31 - Romamtiezer's Division") and the broader chapter is **Enumeration** and **Cataloging**. The entire chapter is a detailed list, systematically organizing and naming individuals and their roles. This precise **Administrative Record** serves to establish legitimacy, demonstrate thoroughness, and underscore the importance of order in divine service. The repetition of the phrase "he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve" for each division creates a rhythmic **Parallelism** that reinforces the uniformity and completeness of the organizational structure. While seemingly mundane, this detailed listing itself conveys a theological message: God values order, preparation, and the dedicated service of every individual within His covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While seemingly a mere administrative detail, 1 Chronicles 25:31, as the culmination of the chapter, profoundly illustrates God's desire for an orderly, dedicated, and continuous worship. It underscores that every role, no matter how specific or seemingly minor, is vital in the grand tapestry of God's redemptive plan and the flourishing of His people's spiritual life. The meticulous organization reflects a divine principle that worship should not be chaotic or haphazard, but intentional and excellent, reflecting the character of the God being worshipped. This commitment to structured worship ensures that praise and intercession could continually ascend to God, fostering a vibrant spiritual atmosphere for the nation.

* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order") - "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people."
* [Psalm 150:3-5](/psalm/150-3 "Psalm 150:3-5 - Praise with Instruments") - "Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals."
* [Colossians 3:23-24](/colossians/3-23 "Colossians 3:23-24 - Work Heartily for the Lord") - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The administrative precision of 1 Chronicles 25:31, though rooted in ancient temple service, offers timeless principles for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God values order, excellence, and dedicated service in all aspects of our lives, particularly in our corporate worship and individual ministries. Every person, regardless of their perceived prominence, contributes to the body of Christ. Whether our role is upfront and visible or behind the scenes and administrative, it is equally vital in God's eyes. This verse encourages us to embrace our specific callings with faithfulness, knowing that our contributions, however small they may seem, are part of a larger, divinely orchestrated purpose. It calls us to consider how we can contribute to the order and spiritual vitality of our communities, ensuring that worship is continuous, intentional, and heartfelt.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on order and organization in David's preparations for worship speak to the way we approach our own worship and service today?**
* **In what ways can we, like Romamtiezer and his division, faithfully serve in our assigned roles, even if they seem administrative or less prominent?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the value God places on every individual's contribution to the collective work of His kingdom?**
* **How can we foster a spirit of continuous and dedicated worship, both personally and corporately, in our current contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a seemingly minor administrative detail included in Scripture?**

Answer: The inclusion of such precise administrative details, like [1 Chronicles 25:31](/1_chronicles/25-31 "1 Chronicles 25:31 - Romamtiezer's Division"), serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the divine value of order, structure, and intentionality in worship and service. God is not a God of chaos, but of peace and order ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order")). Secondly, it demonstrates David's faithful and meticulous leadership in preparing for the temple, ensuring that future generations would have a clear blueprint for sacred service. This highlights the importance of wise administration in God's kingdom. Thirdly, it validates the roles and contributions of specific individuals and families, emphasizing that every part of the body, even those seemingly administrative, is vital and recognized by God. It provides a historical record of the dedication of the Levites, who were set apart for the Lord's service ([Numbers 3:6-9](/numbers/3-6 "Numbers 3:6-9 - Levites Set Apart for Service")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 25:31 details the Old Testament organization of Levitical musicians, its principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The meticulous order and dedicated service of the Levitical courses foreshadow the perfect and ultimate worship offered by Jesus Christ, who is the true and eternal High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")). The Old Covenant system, with its prescribed roles and continuous offerings of praise, pointed forward to Christ's singular, all-sufficient sacrifice, which perfectly fulfills all requirements for worship and reconciliation ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, in the New Covenant, all believers are made "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), called to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones and Spiritual Sacrifices")). The ordered worship of the Levites, including Romamtiezer's division, anticipates the church as the new spiritual temple, where every member, empowered by the Holy Spirit, contributes to a continuous symphony of praise and service to God, reflecting the divine order established in Christ, the Head of the Church ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ, Head of the Church")).

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.