1 Chronicles 9:16

KJV

And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Obadiah {H5662} the son {H1121} of Shemaiah {H8098}, the son {H1121} of Galal {H1559}, the son {H1121} of Jeduthun {H3038}, and Berechiah {H1296} the son {H1121} of Asa {H609}, the son {H1121} of Elkanah {H511}, that dwelt {H3427} in the villages {H2691} of the Netophathites {H5200}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Ovadyah the son of Sh'ma'yah the son of Galal the son of Y'dutun; and Berekhyah the son of Asa the son of Elkanah, who lived in the towns of the N'tofati.

Berean Standard Bible

Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

American Standard Version

and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 9:16 is a brief but significant verse embedded within a comprehensive register of those who returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile. It meticulously names two Levites, Obadiah and Berechiah, tracing their specific lineages and noting their residence in the villages of the Netophathites. This verse contributes to a larger, detailed account of the post-exilic community, particularly those who resettled Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, serving as a vital record for the restored nation and underscoring the meticulous re-establishment of Israel's identity and function, especially concerning temple service and community order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 9 continues the extensive genealogies that dominate the initial chapters of the book, shifting focus from a broad historical sweep to a detailed account of the post-exilic community. Specifically, this chapter meticulously lists the families of priests, Levites (like Obadiah and Berechiah), gatekeepers, and other temple servants who returned to Jerusalem and surrounding towns. This detailed enumeration serves to document the re-population efforts and the re-establishment of organized worship and civic life, providing a crucial bridge between the pre-exilic history and the restored community. The chapter immediately precedes the account of Saul's death and David's ascension, thus setting the stage for the re-establishment of the Davidic covenant and proper worship in the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The verse is situated in the period following the Babylonian exile, specifically after Cyrus's decree in 538 BCE allowed the Jewish people to return to their homeland ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree to Rebuild the Temple")). The returning exiles faced the monumental task of rebuilding their devastated cities, the Temple, and their national identity. In this context, meticulous record-keeping of lineages was not merely an academic exercise but a practical necessity. It was crucial for establishing land claims, confirming tribal affiliations, and, most importantly, validating eligibility for priestly and Levitical service, as only those of specific descent could perform these sacred duties ([Nehemiah 7:61-65](/nehemiah/7-61 "Nehemiah 7:61-65 - Disputed Lineage of Priests")). The mention of "Netophathites" refers to inhabitants of Netophah, a town south of Jerusalem, often associated with Levitical settlements or temple singers ([Nehemiah 7:26](/nehemiah/7-26 "Nehemiah 7:26 - List of Returnees from Netophah")), further highlighting the re-establishment of organized religious life.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Re-establishment and Restoration:** This verse, along with the broader chapter, powerfully underscores the divine and human effort to rebuild a functional society and re-inhabit the land after years of desolation. It highlights God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their heritage and restoring their national and spiritual life.
* **Identity and Lineage:** For the returning exiles, knowing one's ancestry was paramount for social order, land inheritance, and especially for fulfilling specific roles within the temple and community. Obadiah's connection to Jeduthun, one of David's chief musicians ([1 Chronicles 25:1](/1_chronicles/25-1 "1 Chronicles 25:1 - David Appoints Musicians for the Temple")), signifies the continuity of specific family roles in worship and the importance of maintaining proper order.
* **Divine Providence and Preservation:** Beneath the seemingly dry list of names lies a profound theological truth: God's sovereign care in preserving His covenant people, their heritage, and the continuity of His promises. Even in the midst of exile and return, God ensured the survival of a remnant and the restoration of proper worship, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jeduthun (Hebrew, _Yedûtûn'_):** A prominent Levitical figure, one of the three chief musicians and seers appointed by King David, alongside Asaph and Heman ([1 Chronicles 16:41-42](/1_chronicles/16-41 "1 Chronicles 16:41-42 - David Appoints Levites for Worship")). His descendants continued to serve in temple music, prophecy, and gatekeeping roles. Obadiah's lineage being traced to Jeduthun indicates his connection to a significant Levitical family with specific, hereditary responsibilities in the re-established temple worship.
* **Netophathites (Hebrew, _Nṭôpātîm'_):** This term refers to the inhabitants of Netophah, a town located in Judah, south of Jerusalem. Netophah is identified in other post-exilic lists as a place where Levites resided or where a significant number of returning exiles settled ([Nehemiah 7:26](/nehemiah/7-26 "Nehemiah 7:26 - List of Returnees from Netophah")). Their mention here underscores the re-population of specific Levitical settlements outside Jerusalem, indicating the spread of religious and community order beyond the capital and the re-establishment of the Levitical presence throughout the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun":** This clause meticulously identifies Obadiah and traces his lineage through three generations back to Jeduthun. This genealogical precision was crucial for establishing his identity and validating his potential role within the restored temple service, likely in the area of music or gatekeeping, as Jeduthun's family was renowned for these duties. The naming convention emphasizes the importance of family heritage and continuity.
* **"and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah":** This clause introduces Berechiah and similarly traces his lineage through two generations. While his direct ancestral connection isn't as explicitly tied to a famous figure as Obadiah's, his inclusion signifies his importance as another returning Levite. His presence in this record highlights the comprehensive effort to account for all who returned and contributed to the re-establishment of the community and its essential functions.
* **"that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites":** This final clause specifies the shared residence of both Obadiah and Berechiah. The "villages of the Netophathites" were a recognized area for Levitical habitation, indicating their participation in the broader re-population efforts and their likely involvement in local religious or administrative duties outside Jerusalem, supporting the central temple worship and ensuring the spiritual well-being of the wider community.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Chronicles 9:16, and indeed throughout much of 1 Chronicles, is **Genealogy** and **List-making**. While seemingly dry, these meticulous lists serve a profound theological and historical purpose. They establish continuity from the pre-exilic period to the post-exilic community, affirming God's faithfulness to His covenant promises by preserving a remnant and ensuring the proper order of worship and national life. This detailed enumeration also functions as a form of **Historical Record**, legitimizing the claims and roles of the returning exiles and providing a foundational document for the restored nation. Furthermore, the inclusion of specific ancestral ties, like Obadiah's connection to Jeduthun, employs **Allusion**, subtly referencing the rich history of temple service and Davidic worship, thereby emphasizing the restoration and continuity of Israel's spiritual heritage and demonstrating God's meticulous care for His people's identity and function.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly mundane genealogical entry is deeply significant, illustrating God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to restoring their identity and purpose after the trauma of exile. It underscores the biblical emphasis on community, order, and the faithful continuation of roles within God's covenant plan. Every individual, even those in a long list, contributes to the larger tapestry of God's redemptive history. The preservation of these lineages ensured the proper functioning of the temple and the nation, pointing to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when His people had been unfaithful. This passage reminds us that God's plan is comprehensive, valuing the specific contributions of each person in His grand design.

* [Ezra 2:70](/ezra/2-70 "Ezra 2:70 - Priests, Levites, and others settle in their towns")
* [Nehemiah 11:22](/nehemiah/11-22 "Nehemiah 11:22 - The Chief of the Levites at Jerusalem")
* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 9:16, though a brief mention in a long list of names, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God sees and values every individual's contribution, no matter how seemingly small or obscure in the grand scheme. Just as Obadiah and Berechiah played their part in the re-establishment of Israel's community and worship, so too are we called to faithfulness in our unique vocations and within our communities. Our spiritual heritage, passed down through generations of believers, is a precious gift to be cherished and built upon. This verse encourages us to embrace our identity in Christ, understand our place within the larger body of believers, and diligently serve where God has placed us, trusting that our efforts contribute to His grand redemptive narrative, even if our names are not prominently recorded in human history. It cultivates a humility that recognizes God's sovereignty over every detail and a confidence that our service, however hidden, is seen and valued by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in 1 Chronicles challenge our modern tendency to overlook "ordinary" contributions in favor of "extraordinary" ones?**
* **In what ways does understanding our spiritual lineage (the history of faith and the church) inform our present-day walk with God and our sense of belonging?**
* **What "village of the Netophathites" (i.e., specific, perhaps less glamorous, place of service) might God be calling you to faithfully inhabit and serve within your church or community?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific names and lineages recorded in such detail?**

Answer: These details were crucial for the post-exilic community to re-establish their national and religious identity. Lineage confirmed tribal affiliation, land rights, and, most importantly, eligibility for priestly and Levitical service. For example, Obadiah's connection to [Jeduthun](/1_chronicles/25-1 "1 Chronicles 25:1 - Jeduthun, the King's Seer") ensured the continuity of specific temple roles, such as music and gatekeeping. This meticulous record-keeping provided a foundational structure for rebuilding a functional society and restoring proper worship according to God's covenant, ensuring that the right people were in the right roles for the spiritual and civic health of the nation.

**What was the significance of "the villages of the Netophathites"?**

Answer: Netophah was a town in Judah, and its "villages" likely refer to the surrounding settlements. It was known as a place where Levites resided, as indicated in lists of returnees like [Nehemiah 7:26](/nehemiah/7-26 "Nehemiah 7:26 - List of Returnees from Netophah"). For Obadiah and Berechiah to dwell there signifies their participation in the broader re-population of Judah outside Jerusalem, ensuring that Levitical presence and religious instruction were available throughout the land. This decentralization of Levitical service supported the central temple functions and helped to maintain spiritual order and teaching in the wider community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 9:16 meticulously details the re-establishment of Israel's physical and spiritual order through specific lineages, it ultimately points to the ultimate order and fulfillment found in Christ. The careful tracing of genealogies, like Obadiah's back to Jeduthun, underscores the importance of proper lineage for service and identity within the old covenant system. However, in the New Covenant, our identity and access to God are not based on physical descent or tribal affiliation, but on spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God")). Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of all genealogies, the [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus") and the [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus the Great High Priest") after the order of Melchizedek, whose priesthood transcends Levitical lineage ([Hebrews 7:11-17](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-17 - A Different Priesthood")). Through Him, all believers become part of a [spiritual house](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Spiritual House"), a [royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood"), called to serve God not in specific Levitical roles tied to a physical temple, but as living sacrifices in the global temple of His church ([Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifices")). Thus, the meticulous record-keeping of 1 Chronicles foreshadows God's ultimate precision in bringing forth the Messiah, through whom all who believe are grafted into the true lineage of faith, becoming co-heirs with Christ and participants in His eternal kingdom.

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.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 12:25

Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

2 Chronicles 35:15

And the singers the sons of Asaph [were] in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters [waited] at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

1 Chronicles 2:54

The sons of Salma; Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.

1 Chronicles 25:1

¶ Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

1 Chronicles 25:3

Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

Nehemiah 7:26

The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.

Nehemiah 11:17

And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, [was] the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.