TRV
Translation
King James Version
These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.
Complete Jewish Bible
These were potters and inhabitants of N'ta'im and G'derah; they lived there, occupied with the king's work.
Berean Standard Bible
These were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the service of the king.
American Standard Version
These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah: there they dwelt with the king for his work.
World English Bible Messianic
These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah: there they lived with the king for his work.
Geneva Bible (1599)
These were potters, and dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his worke.
Young's Literal Translation
They are the potters and inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera; with the king in his work they dwelt there.
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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 4 verses 11–23
11 ¶ And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir, which was the father of Eshton.
12 And Eshton begat Bethrapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These are the men of Rechah.
13 And the sons of Kenaz; Othniel, and Seraiah: and the sons of Othniel; Hathath.
14 And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.
15 And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.
16 And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel.
17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
18 And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took.
19 And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.
20 And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth.
21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
22 And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things.
23 These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.
We may observe in these verses, 1. That here is a whole family of craftsmen, handicraft tradesmen, that applied themselves to all sorts of manufactures, in which they were ingenious and industrious above their neighbours, Ch1 4:14. There was a valley where they lived which was, from them, called the valley of craftsmen. Those that are craftsmen are not therefore to be looked upon as mean men. These craftsmen, though two of a trade often disagree, yet chose to live together, for the improving of arts by comparing notes, and that they might support one another's reputation. 2. That one of these married the daughter of Pharaoh (Ch1 4:18), which was the common name of the kings of Egypt. If an Israelite in Egypt before the bondage began, while Joseph's merits were yet fresh in mind, was preferred to be the king's son-in-law, it is not to be thought strange: few Israelites could, like Moses, refuse an alliance with the court. 3. That another is said to be the father of the house of those that wrought fine linen, Ch1 4:21. It is inserted in their genealogy as their honour that they were the best weavers in the kingdom, and they brought up their children, from one generation to another, to the same business, not aiming to make them gentlemen. This Laadah is said to be the father of those that wrought fine linen, as before the flood Jubal is said to be the father of musicians and Jabal of shepherds, etc. His posterity inhabited the city of Mareshah, the manufacture or staple commodity of which place was linen-cloth, with which their kings and priests were clothed. 4. That another family had had dominion in Moab, but were now in servitude in Babylon, Ch1 4:22, Ch1 4:23. (1.) It was found among the ancient things that they had the dominion in Moab. Probably in David's time, when that country was conquered, they transplanted themselves thither, and were put in places of power there, which they held for several generations; but this was a great while ago, time out of mind. (2.) Their posterity were now potters and gardeners, as is supposed in Babylon, where they dwelt with the king for his work, got a good livelihood by their industry, and therefore cared not for returning with their brethren to their own land, after the years of captivity had expired. Those that now have dominion know not what their posterity may be reduced to, nor what mean employments they may be glad to take up with. But those were unworthy the name of Israelites that would dwell among plants and hedges rather than be at the pains to return to Canaan.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–23. Public domain.
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Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON FIRST CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The Chronicles also speak about the tabernacle because a temple of the Lord had not yet been built by either Samuel or David. The text also adds that that the holy services were held in the tabernacle. Worship was observed at that time according to the number of the days of the week. For it also says, “and their kindred who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with them.” With regard to the holy utensils it says, “Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the choice flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the spices.” And about the priests it says, “Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices.” With regard to the tomb of Saul the Chronicles gives us much information, and in the Book of Kings itself we read that his bones were gathered and buried in the land of Jabesh.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
There is abundant information in the books of Chronicles which were written to continue the books of the Kings and to preserve the memory of such important events. The first book begins with a genealogy that sets out to demonstrate how the human race came from a single man. Since it focuses only on the single kingdom of Judah, it can tell us about its cities and the villages, and from where they took their names. Here we come to know Nathan, from whom the blessed Luke constructed the beginning of his genealogy of our Lord and Savior, Son of David and Solomon’s brother4 on his mother’s side: “The following children were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimeah, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, that is, the four children he fathered with Bersabea, daughter of Ammiel.” And Rechab6 herself, who is mentioned in many books of Scripture, is said to have come from the tribe of Judah.It also clearly explains why Reuben lost his birthright and Joseph gained it and also, finally, the reason why the tribe of Judah obtained the highest honor: “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright; though Judah became prominent among his brothers and a ruler came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph.” It also explains the reason why such a great honor was conceded to Joseph. By the will of God Judah had the dignity of receiving the Lord who was born from him according to the flesh. This is the sense tacitly expressed with the words “a leader from him.” Indeed the passage seems to assert that not only the kings of the earth derived from Judah, but also the eternal king himself who had no beginning and will never end.
It also describes the situation of the tribes beyond the Jordan, those of Reuben and Gad, and even the tribes of Manasseh which later were received into those of the Hagarites and the Itureans, and talks about the tribes of the Naphiseans, and all those peoples who entered into conflict with them. In addition the text relates how they fought and won, and made the Hagarites flee. And it also reports the reason for the victory: “When they received help against them, the Hagarites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried to God in the battle, and he granted their entreaty because they trusted in him.” It also describes the amount of the spoils of war: “They captured their livestock: 50, of their camels, 250, sheep, 2, donkeys and 100, captives. Many were slain because the war was from God. And they lived in their territory until the exile.”
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The genealogy of the priests and the Levites comes after this. It relates that Zadok, who was high priest at the time of David, had been the eleventh from Aaron; that Azariah, nephew of Zadok, had been the first to receive the priestly anointing in the temple built by Solomon. Among them there was also Jehozadak, who was brought to Babylon as a war prisoner. Jesus9 was his son, a high priest as well, who delivered the people from bondage together with Zerubbabel, and built a temple for the Lord. Here we also learn that Korah, who revolted against the great Moses, was a nephew of Isaar, son of Caath and brother of Amram, Aaron’s and Moses’ father. According to this lineage he was related to the first legislator. But he himself paid in the desert for his errors, although his children did not share the punishment of their father. From here Samuel13 came and then Aeman, who intoned Psalms and was a nephew of the prophet Samuel. In fact he was the son of Joel, son of Samuel. On the other hand, Asaph, one of the singers, came from the lineage of Gerson, son of Levi and brother of Caath. Aetham, who also belonged to the group of the singers, had Merari, the third son of Levi, as great-grandfather.The text also explains the difference between the priests and the Levites. It relates that the Levites were initiated into all the ministries of the holy altar of God: “But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, doing all the work of the most holy place, to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.” It seems to me, in fact, that this book was written after the return from Babylon. For this reason it also talks about the bondage and explains its cause: “So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and these are written in the book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to live again in their possessions in their towns were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.” These accounts show that the book was begun after the captivity. Indeed no historian ever relates facts that happened afterwards, but what happened before or during his times. And actually only the prophets have the power to foretell the future. In addition it says that also those who had inhabited that land before them had been enslaved. And actually many of them still live with them: the Canaanites, Chettites, Jebusites, who had been their companions in such a misfortune. Also the priests and the Levites were brought into captivity with the Israelites. I believe that those who were called “the saints’ servants” were then called Nathinim. Many of them, in fact, consecrated themselves to the ministries of the priests and the Levites. There were among them also those who were entrusted with the carrying of the water, the gathering of wood and other necessary duties. Indeed, if it was imposed to the Gabaonites, who were foreigners, to follow Joshua in the praises and to perform some works as porters or carpenters, this task was even more the duty of the Israelites. As a proof of this I have found in the interpretation of Hebrew names that this name means “house of Iaō,” that is, “of the God who is.” The text, in fact, mentions the children of Israel and among them Judah and Benjamin, and Ephraim18 and Manasseh. It also mentions the priests and the Levites, who inhabited those cities. About the Korēnites it says that they derived from Korah. It also says that among them there had been the guardians of the temple of God as well, and it seems that this custom had been introduced by Samuel and David. “All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were two hundred twelve. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and the prophet Samuel established them in their office of trust. So they and their descendants were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south.”
Richard ChallonerAD 1781
Plantations and Hedges: These are the proper names of the places where they dwelt. In Hebrew Atharim and Gadira.
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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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 4:23 offers a unique and profound insight into the lives of specific Judahite families, detailing their skilled occupations rather than just their lineage. It identifies them as potters and those who cultivated plants and hedges, emphasizing their distinct and essential roles within the kingdom. The verse highlights that these craftsmen and cultivators "dwelt with the king for his work," signifying their direct, continuous, and vital service to the monarchy. This detailed interjection within extensive genealogies underscores the Chronicler's interest in the practical contributions, dignified labor, and integral function of God's people within the broader societal and theological framework of the kingdom.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler's inclusion of 1 Chronicles 4:23 within a lengthy genealogical record employs several compelling literary techniques. The most prominent is Selection, as the author deliberately chooses to highlight these specific occupations and their unique relationship with the king out of countless possible details. This selective focus serves as a powerful form of Emphasis, drawing the reader's attention to the dignity of skilled labor and the importance of dedicated service within the kingdom. The mention of "potters" and "those that dwelt among plants and hedges" can be interpreted as Metonymy, where the craft or the cultivated environment stands in for the people themselves and their highly specialized roles. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "there they dwelt with the king for his work," functions as a Climax for the verse, providing the ultimate purpose and distinction for these individuals, underscoring their direct, continuous, and essential contribution to the monarchy's well-being and projects.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 4:23 offers profound theological insights by dignifying ordinary labor and illustrating God's use of diverse skills within His overarching plan. The fact that these potters and cultivators "dwelt with the king for his work" implies that their daily, seemingly mundane tasks were integrated into the larger structure of the kingdom and served a royal purpose. This teaches us that all legitimate vocations, when performed with diligence and integrity, can be seen as a form of service, not just to earthly authorities or employers, but ultimately to God. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including our work, and that He can use every skill and profession to advance His purposes. Our faithfulness in our daily tasks, no matter how humble, contributes to the flourishing of society and reflects God's design for human productivity and stewardship, echoing the divine mandate for humanity to cultivate and keep the earth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly small verse, nestled within a genealogical list, carries immense practical weight for believers today. It challenges us to reconsider our perspective on our daily work and vocations. Just as the potters and gardeners served the king directly with their specialized skills, we are called to perform our vocations, whatever they may be, with excellence, diligence, and a profound sense of purpose, recognizing that our ultimate service is to God. This means finding inherent dignity in every honest job, from the most visible and celebrated to the most hidden and seemingly mundane. It encourages us to understand that our faithfulness in our work contributes to the common good, honors our Creator, and can be a powerful testimony to His character. We are called to see our workplaces as spheres of influence where we can embody Christ's character, contribute to His kingdom, and transform our routine tasks into acts of worship and stewardship. Our skills, talents, and efforts are precious gifts from God, to be used not merely for personal gain, but for His glory and the lasting benefit of others.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these specific occupations mentioned in a genealogical list that primarily focuses on names?
Answer: The Chronicler's inclusion of these specific occupations (potters and those working with plants and hedges) is a deliberate literary and theological choice. Unlike other genealogical lists that are often bare enumerations, the Chronicler occasionally inserts details that highlight the significance of certain groups or individuals. In this case, it serves to dignify labor, emphasizing that even seemingly common crafts and agricultural work were valued, essential, and integral to the functioning of the kingdom. It underscores the Chronicler's interest not just in lineage, but in the practical contributions, stability, and divine ordering of society, showing how diverse skills were utilized within God's people for the benefit of the monarchy and, by extension, the nation. It also suggests a stable and recognized social role for these families, perhaps even a form of royal patronage.
What does "there they dwelt with the king for his work" imply about their status or role?
Answer: This phrase is highly significant, implying a direct, continuous, and essential relationship with the monarchy. "Dwelt with the king" suggests a form of royal patronage or direct employment, possibly even residing near royal estates or within the king's service. This was likely a stable and perhaps privileged position, as their skills—pottery for essential vessels and cultivation for food and resources—were indispensable for the king's household, administration, or specific royal projects. It signifies that these individuals were not merely independent craftsmen or farmers, but were formally engaged in the king's service, contributing directly to the kingdom's infrastructure and well-being. This highlights their importance and the value placed on their specialized labor by the highest authority in the land, illustrating a model of dedicated and purposeful service.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 4:23 speaks of service to an earthly king, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate service due to the heavenly King, Jesus Christ. Just as the potters and gardeners found their purpose, dignity, and livelihood in serving the monarch, believers today find their truest purpose and highest calling in serving Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our vocations, skills, and daily labors are not merely secular pursuits but are transformed into acts of worship and stewardship within His eternal kingdom. Jesus Himself, a carpenter, dignified manual labor, and through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, He redeemed all of creation, including our work. In Christ, every believer is called to be a faithful servant, using their unique gifts and talents "for His work," contributing to the building of His church and the advancement of His kingdom on earth, until that day when He makes all things new. Our faithfulness in the "small things" of our daily work, like the ancient potters and gardeners, reflects our profound devotion to the Lord, knowing that whatever we do, we are to do it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.