1 Chronicles 27:26

Translation
King James Version
And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
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KJV (with Strong's)
And over them that did H6213 the work H4399 of the field H7704 for tillage H5656 of the ground H127 was Ezri H5836 the son H1121 of Chelub H3620:
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Complete Jewish Bible
In charge of farmers working the land was 'Ezri the son of K'luv.
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Berean Standard Bible
Ezri son of Chelub was in charge of the workers in the fields who tilled the soil.
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American Standard Version
and over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
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World English Bible Messianic
Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And ouer the workemen in the fielde that tilled the ground, was Ezri the sonne of Chelub:
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Young's Literal Translation
and over workmen of the field for the service of the ground is Ezri son of Chelub;
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In the KJVVerse 11,136 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

First Chronicles 27:26 introduces Ezri, the son of Chelub, as a key administrator within King David's meticulously organized kingdom. His specific role was to oversee those engaged in agricultural work and the cultivation of the ground, highlighting the vital importance of farming to the nation's economy and sustenance. This verse, part of a larger administrative roster, underscores David's comprehensive approach to governance, ensuring that even the foundational aspects of daily life and resource management were diligently supervised to promote national stability and prosperity.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles 27, a chapter dedicated to detailing King David's extensive administrative and military organization. Following the lists of military commanders for each month (verses 1-15) and tribal princes (verses 16-24), the chapter transitions to a comprehensive roster of civil officials responsible for various aspects of the kingdom's resources and operations. These include treasurers, overseers of storehouses, vineyard managers, and, as seen in this verse, those responsible for agricultural labor. The meticulous nature of these lists emphasizes David's foresight and commitment to establishing a stable, well-governed nation, reflecting a divine principle of order that permeates the Chronicler's narrative. This chapter serves to showcase the breadth and depth of David's administrative genius, ensuring every facet of the kingdom's well-being was accounted for.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, where the vast majority of the population was engaged in farming, animal husbandry, and related activities. The land was not merely a possession but a sacred trust, given by God, and its productivity was directly linked to the nation's prosperity and obedience to the covenant, as seen in passages like the blessings promised for obedience in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Effective management of agricultural resources—from plowing and planting to harvesting and storage—was paramount for food security and economic stability. David's appointment of specialized overseers like Ezri reflects a sophisticated understanding of governance, acknowledging that the nation's strength rested not only on military might but also on the diligent and efficient management of its foundational economic sector. This level of administrative detail was crucial in a society where famine could be a constant threat and agricultural surplus a sign of divine favor.
  • Key Themes: The inclusion of Ezri's specific role in 1 Chronicles 27:26 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights Order and Administration, showcasing David's remarkable ability to organize and delegate authority, creating a well-structured government that extended to every practical domain. Secondly, it underscores the Importance of Agriculture as the backbone of the Israelite economy and daily life, emphasizing that even seemingly mundane tasks are vital for societal well-being and the provision of food. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on the land as a source of blessing and provision, as detailed in Leviticus 26:3-5. Thirdly, it speaks to Diligent Stewardship, signifying the importance of careful management of resources—in this case, the land and its produce—which are ultimately gifts from God. Finally, the meticulous listing of diverse roles, from military commanders to agricultural overseers, conveys the Valuing of Every Role within the kingdom, suggesting that each specialized function, regardless of its perceived status, was considered crucial for the efficient functioning and prosperity of the nation under God's covenant, contributing to the overall stability described throughout 1 Chronicles 27.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Work (Hebrew, mᵉlâʼkâh', H4399): This term (H4399) refers to purposeful, organized employment or activity, often denoting skilled or essential labor. In this context, it emphasizes the structured and vital nature of the agricultural tasks Ezri was overseeing, distinguishing them from random activity and highlighting their contribution to the kingdom's productivity and well-being. It implies a sense of duty and responsibility in the execution of these tasks.
  • Tillage (Hebrew, ʻăbôdâh', H5656): Derived from a root meaning "to serve" or "to labor," this word (H5656) specifically denotes service, labor, or cultivation. When applied to the ground, it signifies the active and diligent effort involved in preparing the soil, planting, and nurturing crops. This term underscores Ezri's responsibility for the foundational agricultural processes that directly sustained the kingdom, emphasizing the physical and dedicated effort required for productivity.
  • Ground (Hebrew, ʼădâmâh', H127): This word (H127) refers to soil or arable land, often with a connotation of its reddish hue. It represents the very earth from which sustenance is drawn. Its inclusion here highlights the direct connection of Ezri's role to the physical land itself, emphasizing the practical and tangible nature of his oversight in ensuring the fertility and productivity of the nation's most fundamental resource.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And over them that did the work of the field": This opening clause immediately establishes Ezri's supervisory role within David's administrative hierarchy. It indicates that his authority extended over a significant group of people—those directly involved in the physical labor of farming. This highlights the structured nature of David's administration, where specific individuals were appointed to manage different sectors of the workforce, ensuring accountability and efficiency in the vital agricultural sector.
  • "for tillage of the ground": This phrase precisely defines the scope and purpose of the "work of the field" and, by extension, Ezri's area of responsibility. It narrows the focus to the cultivation and management of agricultural land, emphasizing the direct engagement with the soil for food production. This specificity underscores the meticulous nature of David's organization, where every essential function, particularly those related to the nation's sustenance, was clearly delineated and assigned.
  • "[was] Ezri the son of Chelub": This final clause identifies the specific individual entrusted with this crucial administrative position. The inclusion of his patronymic ("son of Chelub") serves to uniquely identify him within the historical record, giving personal recognition to a figure whose work, though seemingly mundane, was vital for the kingdom's well-being. It signifies that David's appointments were not arbitrary but involved specific, identifiable individuals chosen for their competence in managing these essential resources.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 27, and specifically in verse 26, is the List or Register. The entire chapter functions as a detailed administrative roster, meticulously itemizing the various officials and their responsibilities within David's kingdom. This exhaustive cataloging serves to emphasize David's extraordinary capacity for Organization and Delegation, portraying him as a king who brought order and structure to every facet of national life. The specificity of Ezri's role, alongside other specialized administrators, highlights the Dignity of Labor and the Interconnectedness of all parts of the kingdom; no role, however practical or seemingly minor, was deemed insignificant. The Chronicler's inclusion of such detailed administrative records also serves to underscore the Divine Blessing upon David's reign, demonstrating how God's favor enabled the king to establish a stable and prosperous kingdom through diligent and orderly governance, a testament to God's hand in David's success.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

The appointment of Ezri over the agricultural work reflects a profound theological principle: the importance of diligent stewardship over God's creation and resources. From the very beginning, humanity was tasked with cultivating and keeping the garden, as commanded in Genesis 2:15, establishing a foundational mandate for responsible management of the earth. David's administrative structure, including Ezri's role, embodies this principle, recognizing that the land and its produce are divine provisions that require careful oversight for the well-being of the community. This commitment to order, diligence, and the valuing of practical labor resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that all honest work, when done with excellence, contributes to God's purposes and the flourishing of society.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The seemingly brief mention of Ezri, the son of Chelub, in David's administrative roster offers significant lessons for contemporary life. It reminds us that true leadership, whether in a family, community, or organization, involves meticulous attention to detail and the wise delegation of responsibilities, even for tasks that might seem mundane or behind-the-scenes. Every role, from the most prominent to the most foundational, contributes to the overall health and productivity of the whole. Ezri's position underscores the dignity of practical labor and the necessity of good stewardship over resources, whether they be natural, financial, or human. We are called to manage what God has entrusted to us with diligence, foresight, and integrity, recognizing that our work, when done faithfully, is an act of worship that contributes to the flourishing of God's creation and community. This verse encourages us to value the "behind-the-scenes" workers and to apply ourselves with excellence to whatever task is set before us, understanding its vital contribution to the greater good and the overall mission of God's kingdom.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does David's meticulous organization challenge my own approach to managing responsibilities in my life or sphere of influence?
  • In what ways can I recognize and affirm the dignity of all forms of labor, especially those often overlooked or undervalued?
  • What resources has God entrusted to me (time, talents, finances, relationships) that require more diligent stewardship and oversight?
  • How can I apply the principle of valuing every role to foster greater appreciation and collaboration within my family, workplace, or community?

FAQ

Who was Ezri, and why is his role specifically mentioned in such detail?

Answer: Ezri, the son of Chelub, was an administrator appointed by King David to oversee those who worked in the fields for the cultivation of the ground. His specific mention in 1 Chronicles 27:26 alongside other key officials, highlights the meticulous and comprehensive nature of David's administrative structure. It underscores the king's commitment to ensuring every vital aspect of the kingdom's function, especially agriculture, was diligently managed. This level of detail in the Chronicler's account emphasizes the importance of order, good governance, and the valuing of practical, foundational labor within the kingdom, demonstrating David's wisdom in establishing a stable and prosperous nation.

What was the significance of agriculture in ancient Israel, and how does Ezri's role reflect this?

Answer: Agriculture was the absolute backbone of ancient Israelite society and economy. The nation's survival and prosperity were directly tied to the productivity of its land, which was seen as a divine gift and blessing. Ezri's role as overseer of "the work of the field for tillage of the ground" reflects this profound significance. His position ensured that the essential tasks of farming—plowing, planting, harvesting—were managed efficiently, guaranteeing food security and economic stability for the kingdom. This demonstrates David's astute leadership in prioritizing the fundamental well-being of his people, recognizing that a thriving agricultural sector was crucial for national strength and continued divine favor, as promised in passages like Deuteronomy 11:13-15.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While 1 Chronicles 27:26 details an earthly administrator in David's kingdom, it subtly points to the ultimate Administrator and Steward, Jesus Christ. Just as Ezri oversaw the physical cultivation of the ground for the sustenance of Israel, so Christ oversees the spiritual "fields" of God's kingdom, ensuring their fruitfulness. He is the divine Master who sows the good seed of the Word, as illustrated in the Parable of the Sower, cultivates the hearts of believers, and brings forth a harvest for God's glory. Christ's ministry on earth was characterized by diligent work and perfect stewardship, fulfilling the divine mandate to "work" God's creation in a spiritual sense. He is the Good Shepherd who perfectly manages and cares for His flock, laying down His life for them as described in John 10:11, the Head of the Church who brings order and purpose to His body, as taught in Ephesians 1:22-23, and the one who will ultimately bring in the final harvest of souls at the end of the age, as explained in the Parable of the Weeds. Ezri's diligent oversight of the land foreshadows Christ's perfect and eternal administration over all creation and His people, ensuring the ultimate flourishing of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes.

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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 27 verses 16–34

We have here an account,

I. Of the princes of the tribes. Something of the ancient order instituted by Moses in the wilderness was still kept up, that every tribe should have its prince or chief. It is probable that it was kept up all along, either by election or by succession, in the same family; and those are here named who were found in that office when this account was taken. Elihu, or Eliab, who was prince of Judah, was the eldest son of Jesse, and descended in a right line from Nahshon and Salmon, the princes of this tribe in Moses's time. Whether these princes were of the nature of lord-lieutenants that guided them in their military affairs, or chief-justices that presided in their courts of judgment, does not appear. Their power, we may suppose, was much less now that all the tribes were united under one king than it had been when, for the most part, they acted separately. Our religion obliges us to be subject, not only to the king as supreme, but unto governors under him (Pe1 2:13, Pe1 2:14), the princes that decree justice. Of Benjamin was Jaaziel the son of Abner, Ch1 27:21. Though Abner was David's enemy, and opposed his coming to the throne, yet David would not oppose the preferment of his son, but perhaps nominated him to this post of honour, which teaches us to render good for evil.

II. Of the numbering of the people, Ch1 27:23, Ch1 27:24. It is here said, 1. That when David ordered the people to be numbered he forbade the numbering of those under twenty years old, thinking thereby to save the reflection which what he did might otherwise cast upon the promise that they should be innumerable; yet it was but a poor salvo, for it had never been customary to number those under twenty, and the promise of their numbers chiefly respected the effective men. 2. That the account which David took of the people, in the pride of his heart, turned to no good account; for it was never perfected, nor done with exactness, nor was it ever recorded as an authentic account. Joab was disgusted with it, and did it by halves; David was ashamed of it, and willing it should be forgotten, because there fell wrath for it against Israel. A good man cannot, in the reflection, please himself with that which he knows God is displeased with, cannot make use of that, nor take comfort in that, which is obtained by sin.

III. Of the officers of the court. 1. The rulers of the king's substance (as they are called, Ch1 27:31), such as had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his olive-yards, his herds, his camels, his asses, his flocks. Here are no officers for state, none for sport, no master of the wardrobe, no master of the ceremonies, no master of the horse, no master of the hounds, but all for service, agreeable to the simplicity and plainness of those times. David was a great soldier, a great scholar, and a great prince, and yet a great husband of his estate, kept a great deal of ground in his own hand, and stocked it, not for pleasure, but for profit; for the king himself is served of the field, Ecc 5:9. Those magistrates that would have their subjects industrious must themselves be examples of industry and application to business. We find, however, that afterwards the poor of the land were thought good enough to be vine-dressers and husbandmen, Kg2 25:12. Now David put his great men to preside in these employments. 2. The attendants on the king's person. They were such as were eminent for wisdom, being designed for conversation. His uncle, who was a wise man and a scribe, not only well skilled in politics, but well read in the scriptures, was his counsellor, Ch1 27:32. Another, who no doubt excelled in learning and prudence, was tutor to his children. Ahithophel, a very cunning man, was his counsellor: but Hushai, an honest man, was his companion and confidant. It does not appear that he had many counsellors; but those he had were men of great abilities. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry. But David, though he had all these trusty and well-beloved cousins and counsellors about him, preferred his Bible before them all. Psa 119:24, Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 16–34. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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