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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 24:4 Since more leaders were found among Eleazar's descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/24-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/13_1Ch_24_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Chronicles 24:4 - The Divisions of the Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Since more leaders were found among Eleazar's descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar." /><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/24-4.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/24-4.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/24.htm">Chapter 24</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/24-3.htm" title="1 Chronicles 24:3">◄</a> 1 Chronicles 24:4 <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm" title="1 Chronicles 24:5">►</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">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/24.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/24.htm">New International Version</a> A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar&#8217s descendants than among Ithamar&#8217s, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar&#8217s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar&#8217s descendants. <a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/24.htm">New Living Translation</a> Eleazar’s descendants were divided into sixteen groups and Ithamar’s into eight, for there were more family leaders among the descendants of Eleazar. <a href="/esv/1_chronicles/24.htm">English Standard Version</a> Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. <a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar. <a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/24.htm">King James Bible</a> And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. <a href="/nkjv/1_chronicles/24.htm">New King James Version</a> There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar. <a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them this way: there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar, and eight of the descendants of Ithamar according to their fathers’ households. <a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/24.htm">NASB 1995</a> Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them thus: there were sixteen heads of fathers&#8217 households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, according to their fathers&#8217 households. <a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them thus: there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar, and eight of the descendants of Ithamar according to their fathers’ households. <a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And more chief men were found from the sons of Eleazar than the sons of Ithamar, so they divided them thus: there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the sons of Eleazar and eight of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ households. <a href="/amp/1_chronicles/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Since there were more chief men found among the descendants of Eleazar than among the descendants of Ithamar [because of Eli’s misfortunes, and Saul’s massacre of the priests at Nob], they were divided in this way: sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, corresponding to their fathers’ households. <a href="/csb/1_chronicles/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than Ithamar’s, they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of ancestral families were from Eleazar’s descendants, and eight heads of ancestral families were from Ithamar’s. <a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Since more leaders were found among Eleazar&#8217s descendants than Ithamar&#8217s, they were divided accordingly: 16 heads of ancestral houses were from Eleazar&#8217s descendants, and eight heads of ancestral houses were from Ithamar&#8217s. <a href="/asv/1_chronicles/24.htm">American Standard Version</a> And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers' houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight. <a href="/cev/1_chronicles/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Eleazar's descendants were divided into 16 groups, and Ithamar's were divided into eight groups, because Eleazar's family included more family leaders. <a href="/erv/1_chronicles/24.htm">English Revised Version</a> And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of father's houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight. <a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Since Eleazar's descendants had more men who were family heads than Ithamar's descendants, they were divided so that Eleazar's descendants had 16 family leaders and Ithamar's descendants had 8 family leaders. <a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/24.htm">Good News Translation</a> The descendants of Eleazar were organized into sixteen groups, while the descendants of Ithamar were organized into eight; this was done because there were more male heads of families among the descendants of Eleazar. <a href="/isv/1_chronicles/24.htm">International Standard Version</a> More leaders were located among Eleazar's descendants than among those of Ithamar, so sixteen leaders were appointed from the leaders of the ancestral households of Eleazar's descendants and eight from those of Ithamar. <a href="/msb/1_chronicles/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Since more leaders were found among Eleazar?s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar. <a href="/net/1_chronicles/24.htm">NET Bible</a> The descendants of Eleazar had more leaders than the descendants of Ithamar, so they divided them up accordingly; the descendants of Eleazar had sixteen leaders, while the descendants of Ithamar had eight. <a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> There were more chief men found among the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; so they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen heads according to their ancestral houses, and eight according to their ancestral houses among the sons of Ithamar. <a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. <a href="/web/1_chronicles/24.htm">World English Bible</a> There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and there are found of the sons of Eleazar more for heads of the mighty men than of the sons of Ithamar; and they distribute them. Of the sons of Eleazar, heads for [each] house of [their] fathers—sixteen; and of the sons of Ithamar, for [each] house of their fathers—eight. <a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and there are found of the sons of Eleazar more for heads of the mighty men than of the sons of Ithamar; and they distribute them: Of the sons of Eleazar, heads for a house of fathers, sixteen; and of the sons of Ithamar, for a house of their fathers, eight. <a href="/slt/1_chronicles/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the sons of Eleazar will be found many for heads, mighty ones above the sons of Ithamar; and they will be divided: to the sons of Eleazar, heads to the house of the fathers, sixteen; and to the sons of Ithamar, to the house of their fathers, eight.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And there were found many more of the sons of Eleazar among the principal men, than of the sons of Ithamar. And he divided them so, that there were of the sons of Eleazar, sixteen chief men by their families: and of the sons of Ithamar eight by their families and houses. <a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And there were found many more of the sons of Eleazar among the leading men, than of the sons of Ithamar. Therefore, he divided them so that there were, of the sons of Eleazar, sixteen leaders by their families, and of the sons of Ithamar eight by their families and houses. <a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/24.htm">New American Bible</a> But since the sons of Eleazar were found to be more numerous by male heads than those of Ithamar, the former were divided into sixteen groups, and the latter into eight groups, each under its family heads. <a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of ancestral houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus he divided them. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers and eight of the sons of Ithamar, according to the house of their fathers. <a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the sons of Eliazar were found that the Chief man had were more than the sons of Ithamar, and the Chief man had half of the sons of Eliazar of the house of their fathers, and they were sixteen in number, and the Chief man had eight sons of Ithamar of the house of their fathers.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers' houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight. <a href="/sep/1_chronicles/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And there were found among the sons of Eleazar more chiefs of the mighty ones, than of the sons of Ithamar: and he divided them, sixteen heads of families to the sons of Eleazar, eight according to their families to the sons of Ithamar. <a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=6662" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/24.htm">The Divisions of the Priests</a> …3With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. 4<a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">Since more</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: lə·rā·šê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">leaders</a> <a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: hag·gə·ḇā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: way·yim·mā·ṣə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To attain to, find. ">were found</a> <a href="/hebrew/499.htm" title="499: ’el·‘ā·zār (N-proper-ms) -- God has helped, six Isr. From 'el and azar; God helper; Elazar, the name of seven Israelites.">among Eleazar’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">descendants</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">than</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">those</a> <a href="/hebrew/385.htm" title="385: ’î·ṯā·mār (N-proper-ms) -- Land of palms, a son of Aaron. From 'iy and tamar; coast of the palm-tree; Ithamar, a son of Aaron.">of Ithamar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2505.htm" title="2505: way·yaḥ·lə·qūm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3mp) -- To be smooth, to apportion, separate. A primitive root; to be smooth; by implication to apportion or separate.">they were divided accordingly.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8337.htm" title="8337: šiš·šāh (Number-ms) -- Masculine shishshah; a primitive number; six (see suws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth.">There were sixteen</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘ā·śār (Number-ms) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šîm (N-mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇō·wṯ (N-mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of families</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: liḇ·nê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">from the descendants</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house."></a> <a href="/hebrew/499.htm" title="499: ’el·‘ā·zār (N-proper-ms) -- God has helped, six Isr. From 'el and azar; God helper; Elazar, the name of seven Israelites.">of Eleazar</a> <a href="/hebrew/8083.htm" title="8083: šə·mō·w·nāh (Number-ms) -- Or shmowneh; feminine shmonah; or shmownah; apparently from shamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight; also eighth.">and eight</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: wə·liḇ·nê (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">from the descendants</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house."></a> <a href="/hebrew/385.htm" title="385: ’î·ṯā·mār (N-proper-ms) -- Land of palms, a son of Aaron. From 'iy and tamar; coast of the palm-tree; Ithamar, a son of Aaron.">of Ithamar.</a> 5Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_kings/2-35.htm">1 Kings 2:35</a> And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place. <a href="/1_kings/4-4.htm">1 Kings 4:4</a> Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; <a href="/1_kings/4-2.htm">1 Kings 4:2-6</a> and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest; / Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; ... <a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm">1 Kings 8:4</a> 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. <a href="/2_chronicles/8-14.htm">2 Chronicles 8:14</a> 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. <a href="/2_chronicles/23-18.htm">2 Chronicles 23:18</a> Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David. <a href="/2_chronicles/31-2.htm">2 Chronicles 31:2</a> Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling. <a href="/2_chronicles/35-4.htm">2 Chronicles 35:4-5</a> Prepare yourselves by families in your divisions, according to the instructions written by David king of Israel and Solomon his son. / Moreover, stand in the Holy Place by the divisions of the families of your kinsmen the lay people, and by the divisions of the families of the Levites. <a href="/ezra/6-18.htm">Ezra 6:18</a> They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses. <a href="/nehemiah/12-24.htm">Nehemiah 12:24</a> 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. <a href="/nehemiah/12-45.htm">Nehemiah 12:45</a> 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. <a href="/luke/1-5.htm">Luke 1:5</a> In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. <a href="/luke/1-8.htm">Luke 1:8-9</a> 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. <a href="/acts/6-4.htm">Acts 6:4</a> and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” <a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2</a> While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.more<a href="/1_chronicles/15-6.htm">1 Chronicles 15:6-12</a> Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty: … sons of Eleazar<a href="/numbers/25-11.htm">Numbers 25:11-13</a> Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy… according<a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">1 Chronicles 23:24</a> These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-1.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-3.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">Eleazar</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">Elea'zar</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/20-2.htm">Found</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-32.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Households</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-24.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">Ithamar</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">Ith'amar</a> <a href="/joshua/10-2.htm">Larger</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">Organized</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-27.htm">Sixteen</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/24-6.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/25-7.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Eleazar</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Elea'zar</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-6.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/26-31.htm">Found</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-6.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-30.htm">Households</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-6.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Ithamar</a> <a href="/ezra/8-2.htm">Ith'amar</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Larger</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm">Organized</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-21.htm">Sixteen</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 24</div>1. <a href="/1_chronicles/24-1.htm">The division of the sons of Aaron by lot into twenty-four orders.</a> 20. <a href="/1_chronicles/24-20.htm">The Kohathites</a> 26. <a href="/1_chronicles/24-26.htm">and the Merarites, divided by lot</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/24.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/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar Eleazar and Ithamar were the two surviving sons of Aaron, the first high priest. After the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar took on the priestly duties. The phrase indicates a numerical superiority in leadership among Eleazar's descendants, which may reflect God's favor or the fulfillment of His purposes. This division of leadership is significant in maintaining order and structure in the priestly duties. The emphasis on leadership among Eleazar's descendants can be seen as a reflection of God's sovereign choice, similar to how He chose the tribe of Levi for priestly service.they were divided accordingly The division of the priestly families was a practical solution to ensure the fair distribution of duties in the temple service. This division was likely done by casting lots, a common biblical method for making decisions (<a href="/proverbs/16-33.htm">Proverbs 16:33</a>). The division reflects the importance of order and organization in worship, as seen in other parts of Scripture, such as the division of labor in Nehemiah's rebuilding of the wall (Nehemiah 3). This structured approach ensured that all priestly families had a role in the temple service, preventing any single family from monopolizing the priesthood.There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar The number sixteen signifies the larger representation of Eleazar's line, which may indicate a greater number of qualified leaders or a larger family size. This division into sixteen groups allowed for a more extensive rotation of duties, ensuring that the temple service was continually maintained. The number sixteen can also be seen as a symbol of completeness in the context of priestly service, ensuring that all aspects of worship were covered.and eight from the descendants of Ithamar The number eight, while smaller, still represents a significant portion of the priestly duties. The division into eight groups allowed Ithamar's descendants to participate fully in the temple service. The number eight often symbolizes new beginnings in the Bible, such as the eighth day being the start of a new week. This could imply a fresh start or renewal for Ithamar's line in their service to God. Despite being fewer in number, Ithamar's descendants were equally important in maintaining the continuity and integrity of the priestly functions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/eleazar.htm">Eleazar</a> The third son of Aaron, Eleazar succeeded his father as the high priest. His descendants were given a prominent role in the priestly duties. 2. <a href="/topical/i/ithamar.htm">Ithamar</a> The fourth son of Aaron, Ithamar's descendants also served as priests, though they were fewer in number compared to Eleazar's line. 3. <a href="/topical/d/division_of_priestly_duties.htm">Division of Priestly Duties</a> The division of the priestly duties among the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar was a significant event in organizing the temple service, ensuring that the responsibilities were shared and managed effectively.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_choice.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a> God’s selection of Eleazar’s line for more leadership roles demonstrates His sovereign will in appointing leaders. We should trust in God’s wisdom in His choices for leadership within the church. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_service.htm">Faithfulness in Service</a> The division of duties among the priests underscores the importance of faithfulness and diligence in serving God. Each believer has a role in the body of Christ, and we must serve faithfully where God has placed us. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> Although there were more leaders from Eleazar’s line, both lines were essential to the functioning of the temple. This teaches us the value of unity and cooperation within the church, despite differences in roles or numbers. <a href="/topical/g/generational_legacy.htm">Generational Legacy</a> The continuation of priestly duties through generations highlights the importance of passing down faith and responsibilities. We should strive to leave a legacy of faithfulness for future generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 24</a> <a href="/q/do_errors_in_1_chronicles_24_affect_reliability.htm">Do potential copyist errors or scribal editorial changes in 1 Chronicles 24 raise questions about the text's overall reliability?</a> <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> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_1_chr_24_with_other_genealogies.htm">How can the list of priestly divisions in 1 Chronicles 24 be reconciled with conflicting genealogies in other Old Testament passages? </a> <a href="/q/do_records_confirm_288_musicians_under_david.htm">In 1 Chronicles 25:6–7, does any historical record confirm 288 skilled singers and musicians existed under David? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) And there were more chief men found.--Literally, And the sons of Eleazar were found more numerous as regards the heads of the men than the sons of Ithamar. The basis of division was not the individual members of the different families, but the heads of them. There were more head men, or heads of households, deriving from Eleazar than from Ithamar.Chief men.--Heb., heads of the men, i.e., heads of single families or households; just as "heads of the fathers "denotes heads of groups of fathers or clans. (Comp. <a href="/joshua/7-14.htm" title="In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.">Joshua 7:14</a>; <a href="/context/joshua/7-16.htm" title="So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:">Joshua 7:16-18</a>.) Of course, as the heads of households were more numerous, the total number of priests claiming descent from Eleazar must likewise have been more numerous than their kinsmen the Ithamarites.And thus were they divided . . . fathers.--Rather, And they divided them: to the sons of Eleazar, heads of father-houses, sixteen, and to the sons of Ithamar, to their father-houses, eight (heads). They (i.e., David and the two high priests) divided them (<a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm" title="And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.">1Chronicles 24:3</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - The simpler translation of this verse might run thus: And there were found (of) sons of Eleazar, more for chief men, than (of) sons of Ithamar, and they divided them - to sons of Eleazar, sixteen chiefs of fathers' houses; and to sons of Ithamar, eight. <a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Since more רַבִּ֞ים (rab·bîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great leaders לְרָאשֵׁ֧י (lə·rā·šê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head were found וַיִּמָּצְא֣וּ (way·yim·mā·ṣə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present among Eleazar's אֶלְעָזָ֡ר (’el·‘ā·zār) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_499.htm">Strong's 499: </a> Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites descendants בְֽנֵי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son than מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of [those] בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Ithamar, אִיתָמָ֖ר (’î·ṯā·mār) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_385.htm">Strong's 385: </a> Ithamar -- 'land of palms', a son of Aaron they were divided accordingly. וַֽיַּחְלְק֑וּם (way·yaḥ·lə·qūm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2505.htm">Strong's 2505: </a> To be smooth, to apportion, separate [There were] sixteen שִׁשָּׁ֣ה (šiš·šāh) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8337.htm">Strong's 8337: </a> Six (a cardinal number) heads רָאשִׁ֤ים (rā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head of families אָבוֹת֙ (’ā·ḇō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father from the descendants לִבְנֵ֨י (liḇ·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Eleazar אֶלְעָזָ֜ר (’el·‘ā·zār) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_499.htm">Strong's 499: </a> Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites and eight שְׁמוֹנָֽה׃ (šə·mō·w·nāh) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8083.htm">Strong's 8083: </a> A cardinal number, eight, eighth from the descendants וְלִבְנֵ֧י (wə·liḇ·nê) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Ithamar. אִיתָמָ֛ר (’î·ṯā·mār) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_385.htm">Strong's 385: </a> Ithamar -- 'land of palms', a son of Aaron <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 24:4 There were more chief men found (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 24:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 24:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/24-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 24:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 24:5" /></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>