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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Chronicles 23:4 "Of these," said David, "24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/23-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/13_1Ch_23_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Chronicles 23:4 - The Divisions of the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Of these, said David, 24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_chronicles/23-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_chronicles/23-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_chronicles/">1 Chronicles</a> > <a href="/1_chronicles/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-3.htm" title="1 Chronicles 23:3">◄</a> 1 Chronicles 23:4 <a href="/1_chronicles/23-5.htm" title="1 Chronicles 23:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />David said, &#8220Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the LORD and six thousand are to be officials and judges.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then David said, “From all the Levites, 24,000 will supervise the work at the Temple of the LORD. Another 6,000 will serve as officials and judges.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said, “shall have charge of the work in the house of the LORD, 6,000 shall be officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Of which, twenty and four thousand <i>were</i> to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand <i>were</i> officers and judges:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_chronicles/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Of these, twenty-four thousand <i>were</i> to look after the work of the house of the LORD, six thousand <i>were</i> officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand <i>were</i> officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Of these, 24,000 were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and 6,000 were officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Of these, 24,000 were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and 6,000 <i>were</i> officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Of these, 24,000 were to direct the work of the house of Yahweh; and 6,000 <i>were</i> officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_chronicles/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Of these 24,000 were to oversee <i>and</i> inspect the work of the house of the LORD and 6,000 were to be administrators and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Of these,” David said, “twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work on the LORD’s temple, six thousand are to be officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Of these,&#8221 David said, &#822024,000 are to be in charge of the work on the LORD&#8217s temple, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_chronicles/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Of these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Jehovah; and six thousand were officers and judges;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_chronicles/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He said, "Twenty-four thousand of the Levites will be in charge of the temple, 6,000 will be temple officials and judges, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_chronicles/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Of these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Of these, 24,000 were appointed to supervise the work on the LORD's temple, 6,000 were appointed to be officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The king assigned twenty-four thousand to administer the work of the Temple, six thousand to keep records and decide disputes, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_chronicles/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"24,000 of these," David said, "are to be set in charge of the work of the Temple of the LORD, with 6,000 serving as officers and judges, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Of these,? said David, ?24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_chronicles/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />David said, "Of these, 24,000 are to direct the work of the LORD's temple; 6,000 are to be officials and judges;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; six thousand were officers and judges;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Of which, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_chronicles/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of Yahweh’s house, six thousand were officers and judges, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Of these, twenty-four thousand [are] to preside over the work of the house of YHWH, and six thousand officers and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Of these to preside over the work of the house of Jehovah are twenty and four thousand, and officers and judges six thousand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />From these to superintend over the work of the house of Jehovah, twenty and four thousand; and scribes and judges, six thousand:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Of these twenty-four thousand were chosen, and distributed unto the ministry of the house of the Lord: and six thousand were the overseers and judges. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Of these, twenty-four thousand were chosen and distributed to the ministry of the house of the Lord. Then six thousand were overseers and judges.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Of these, twenty-four thousand were to direct the service of the house of the LORD, six thousand were to be officials and judges,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said, “shall have charge of the work in the house of the LORD, six thousand shall be officers and judges,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Of them David appointed overseers over the work of the house of the LORD, twenty-four men over every thousand workers; and judges and scribes, six men over each hundred workers<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David appointed some of them as Rulers over the work of the house of LORD JEHOVAH, twenty and four men over each thousand, and Judges and Scribes, six men over each hundred<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Of these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_chronicles/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Of the overseers over the works of the house of the Lord <i>there were</i> twenty-four thousand, and <i>there were</i> six thousand scribes and judges;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=6362" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/23.htm">The Divisions of the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: mê·’êl·leh (Prep-m:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">“Of these,” said David,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">“24,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: wə·’ar·bā·‘āh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ā·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5329.htm" title="5329: lə·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- Preeminent or enduring. A primitive root; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. To be eminent; also, to be permanent.">are to oversee</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4399.htm" title="4399: mə·le·ḵeṯ (N-fsc) -- From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, i.e. Ministry; generally, employment or work; also property.">the work</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8337.htm" title="8337: šê·šeṯ (Number-msc) -- Masculine shishshah; a primitive number; six (see suws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth.">6,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ă·lā·p̄îm (Number-mp) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7860.htm" title="7860: wə·šō·ṭə·rîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. an official superintendent or magistrate.">are to be officers</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: wə·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To judge, govern. ">and judges,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/4-3.htm">Numbers 4:3</a></span><br />men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm">1 Kings 8:4</a></span><br />and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/8-14.htm">2 Chronicles 8:14</a></span><br />In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-31.htm">1 Chronicles 6:31-32</a></span><br />These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/9-33.htm">1 Chronicles 9:33</a></span><br />Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm">1 Chronicles 25:1</a></span><br />Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-25.htm">2 Chronicles 29:25</a></span><br />Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/35-15.htm">2 Chronicles 35:15</a></span><br />The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/3-10.htm">Ezra 3:10</a></span><br />When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/12-24.htm">Nehemiah 12:24</a></span><br />The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/12-45.htm">Nehemiah 12:45-46</a></span><br />They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, along with the singers and gatekeepers, as David and his son Solomon had prescribed. / For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-8.htm">Luke 1:8-9</a></span><br />One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, / he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-4.htm">Acts 6:4</a></span><br />and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-7.htm">Romans 12:7</a></span><br />if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-28.htm">1 Corinthians 12:28</a></span><br />And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:</p><p class="hdg">twenty</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/23-28.htm">1 Chronicles 23:28-32</a></b></br> Because their office <i>was</i> to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/9-28.htm">1 Chronicles 9:28-32</a></b></br> And <i>certain</i> of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/26-20.htm">1 Chronicles 26:20-27</a></b></br> And of the Levites, Ahijah <i>was</i> over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things… </p><p class="hdg">set forward.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/11-9.htm">Nehemiah 11:9,22</a></b></br> And Joel the son of Zichri <i>was</i> their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah <i>was</i> second over the city… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28</a></b></br> Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.</p><p class="hdg">officers and judges</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/26-29.htm">1 Chronicles 26:29-31</a></b></br> Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons <i>were</i> for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18</a></b></br> Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8-10</a></b></br> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, <i>being</i> matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/17-14.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/22-17.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-14.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-20.htm">Four</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/22-19.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/17-10.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-7.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-17.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-21.htm">Oversee</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-5.htm">Overseers</a> <a href="/colossians/3-15.htm">Preside</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-25.htm">Six</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-5.htm">Supervise</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-10.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/20-6.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/20-6.htm">Twenty-Four</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/22-16.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/26-12.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-28.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-5.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-5.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-5.htm">Four</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/26-29.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-2.htm">Oversee</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/26-30.htm">Overseers</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-12.htm">Preside</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/25-3.htm">Six</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-10.htm">Supervise</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-28.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-5.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-1.htm">Twenty-Four</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-1.htm">David in his old age makes Solomon king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-2.htm">The number and distribution of the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-7.htm">The families of the Gershonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-12.htm">The sons of Kohath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-21.htm">The sons of Merari</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">The office of the Levites</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_chronicles/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Of these,</b><br>This phrase refers to the Levites, a tribe set apart for religious duties. In the context of <a href="/1_chronicles/23.htm">1 Chronicles 23</a>, David is organizing the Levites for service in the temple. The Levites were descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, and were chosen by God for specific roles related to worship and the tabernacle, later the temple.<p><b>said David,</b><br>David, the second king of Israel, is speaking here. He is known for uniting the tribes of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as the nation's capital. David's preparation for the temple, which his son Solomon would build, shows his dedication to worship and the centrality of God in the life of Israel. David's leadership and organizational skills are evident as he sets the stage for the temple's construction and operation.<p><b>24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD,</b><br>This large number indicates the importance and scale of the temple operations. The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was to be the central place of worship for Israel. The Levites' role in overseeing the work highlights their responsibility in maintaining the temple's sanctity and ensuring that worship was conducted according to God's commands. This organization reflects the order and structure God desires in worship, as seen in the detailed instructions for the tabernacle in Exodus.<p><b>6,000 are to be officers and judges,</b><br>These Levites were assigned roles that extended beyond temple service to include governance and justice. As officers and judges, they would have been responsible for maintaining order and upholding the law among the people. This reflects the broader role of the Levites in Israelite society, serving not only in religious capacities but also in civil and judicial functions. The connection to other scriptures, such as <a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9</a>, where the Levites are involved in legal matters, underscores their integral role in the community.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The king of Israel who organized the Levites for service in the temple. His leadership and dedication to worship are central to this passage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>The tribe set apart for religious duties, particularly in the service of the temple. They were responsible for various roles, including overseeing the work of the house of the LORD.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/house_of_the_lord.htm">House of the LORD</a></b><br>Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/officers_and_judges.htm">Officers and Judges</a></b><br>Levites assigned to roles of leadership and administration, ensuring justice and order among the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_service.htm">Temple Service</a></b><br>The organized worship and maintenance activities conducted in the temple, crucial for the spiritual life of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/organized_worship.htm">Organized Worship</a></b><br>The passage highlights the importance of organization in worship. Just as David organized the Levites, churches today benefit from structured roles and responsibilities to facilitate worship and service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/diversity_of_roles.htm">Diversity of Roles</a></b><br>The Levites had various roles, from overseeing temple work to serving as judges. This diversity is mirrored in the church, where different gifts and callings contribute to the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_service.htm">Leadership and Service</a></b><br>The Levites' roles as officers and judges emphasize the need for leadership and service in the community. Christians are called to lead with integrity and serve with humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_god's_house.htm">Commitment to God's House</a></b><br>The dedication of the Levites to the temple work reflects a commitment to God's house. Believers are encouraged to prioritize their involvement in church life and service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_order.htm">Justice and Order</a></b><br>The appointment of Levites as judges underscores the importance of justice and order in society. Christians are called to uphold these values in their communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_1_chr_16_and_2_sam_6_differ.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 16 differ from 2 Samuel 6 in describing the Ark's journey and the people's offerings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1_chronicles_24's_priest_claim_plausible.htm">Is the claim in 1 Chronicles 24 of David having enough priests to fill 24 separate divisions historically plausible? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/priests_vs._levites__role_differences.htm">How do priests and Levites differ in their roles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_2_chron._23_1-7_and_2_kings_11_differ.htm">Why do the details in 2 Chronicles 23:1-7 differ from the parallel account in 2 Kings 11, suggesting possible biblical inconsistencies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward.</span>--It is clear from <a href="/1_chronicles/23-5.htm" title="Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.">1Chronicles 23:5</a> that David himself is supposed to utter both verses, thus personally assigning their commission to the Levites. The Hebrew here is peculiar. We may render: "Of these let there be for superintending the work of the house of Jehovah twenty-four thousand, and scribes and judges six thousand."<p><span class= "bld">To set forward.</span>--An infinitive, as at <a href="/1_chronicles/22-12.htm" title="Only the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.">1Chronicles 22:12</a>. The verb is that of which the participle often occurs in the titles of the Psalms. (Authorised "Version, "chief musician.") It means "to lead," or "superintend." The Levites had a share in prisoners of war, according to <a href="/numbers/31-30.htm" title="And of the children of Israel's half, you shall take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them to the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.">Numbers 31:30</a>. These they could employ in the more menial work of the sanctuary. The Gibeonites were spared on condition of becoming "hewers of wood and drawers of water," <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> Levitical bondsmen; and other whole cities may have received the same terms (<a href="/joshua/9-23.htm" title="Now therefore you are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being slaves, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.">Joshua 9:23</a>; <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm" title="And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even to this day, in the place which he should choose.">Joshua 9:27</a>). We have details of the functions of these <span class= "ital">superintending</span> Levites in <a href="/context/1_chronicles/23-28.htm" title="Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;">1Chronicles 23:28-32</a>, below. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">To set forward</span> (Hebrew <span class="hebrew">לְנַצֵּחַ</span>, Piel conjugation). The strict meaning of the word here is <span class="accented">to superintend.</span> The word has already occurred in the same sense in <a href="/1_chronicles/15-21.htm">1 Chronicles 15:21</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Officers and judges</span> (Hebrew <span class="hebrew">וְשֹׁמְרִים וְשֹׁפְטִים</span>). The explanation of the nature of the work of these, as really outward work, for the "outward business of Israel," is distinctly stated in <a href="/1_chronicles/26-29.htm">1 Chronicles 26:29</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/19-5.htm">2 Chronicles 19:5-11</a>. These <span class="accented">officers</span> are mentioned under the same Hebrew term in <a href="/exodus/5-6.htm">Exodus 5:6</a>, in a very different connection. It is plain that they were generally foremen, or overseers; while the <span class="accented">judges</span> took cognizance of matters which involved the interests of religion. This verse and the following give between them the <span class="accented">four</span> divisions of Levites, afterwards to be more fully described. The fuller account of the "twenty-four thousand" priests (including attendants) occupies ch. 24; the "six thousand" officers and judges, <a href="/1_chronicles/26-20.htm">1 Chronicles 26:20-32</a>; the "four thousand" porters, <a href="/1_chronicles/26-1.htm">1 Chronicles 26:1-19</a>; and the "four thousand who praised the Lord with the instruments," ch. 25. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Of these,”</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֵ֗לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said David, “24,000</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶשְׂרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘eś·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Twenty, twentieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are to oversee</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנַצֵּ֙חַ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lə·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5329.htm">Strong's 5329: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the work</span><br /><span class="heb">מְלֶ֣אכֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mə·le·ḵeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4399.htm">Strong's 4399: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the house</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּית־</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">6,000</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁ֥שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(šê·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8337.htm">Strong's 8337: </a> </span><span class="str2">Six (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are to be officers</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׁטְרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šō·ṭə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7860.htm">Strong's 7860: </a> </span><span class="str2">A scribe, an official superintendent, magistrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and judges,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׁפְטִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">1 Chronicles 23:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_chronicles/23-4.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 23:4 Of these twenty-four thousand were to oversee (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 23:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 23:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 23:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 23:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>