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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=1.0;"/><title>1 Chronicles 25 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/1_chronicles/25.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001com.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><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'; 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(Comp. the headings of many psalms in which these names occur, and also <a href="/1_chronicles/6-33.htm" title="And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,">1Chronicles 6:33</a>, <span class= "ital">sqq.,</span> whence it appears that Asaph belonged to the sub tribe of Gershon, Heman to that of Kohath, and Ethan-Jeduthun to that of Merari, so that all the branches of Levi were represented among the musicians.)<p><span class= "bld">Separated.</span>—So <a href="/numbers/16-9.htm" title="Seems it but a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?">Numbers 16:9</a>, and <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm" title="And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.">Genesis 1:7</a>. (Comp <a href="/acts/13-2.htm" title="As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.">Acts 13:2</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Who should prophesy with harps.</span>—In Hebrew, the verb <span class= "ital">to prophesy</span> is a reflexive form, implying utterance under a spiritual influence. The ancients regarded musical utterance as an effect and proof of direct inspiration, and we still speak of the higher results of genius as inspired, however we may choose to explain the term away as a mere figure of speech. The power of moving sounds, whether of voice or instrument, is not to be gained by mere study or training; it is commonly spoken of as a “gift,” and its products are called “inspirations.” Whence come they, if not from the Divine source of life, and of all that makes life glad and beautiful? (<a href="/james/1-17.htm" title="Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning.">James 1:17</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm" title="After that you shall come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when you are come thither to the city, that you shall meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:">1Samuel 10:5</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm" title="Let our lord now command your servants, which are before you, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well.">1Samuel 16:16</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/18-10.htm" title="And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.">1Samuel 18:10</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Harps, with psalteries.</span>—Lutes and harps.<p><span class= "bld">And the number of the workmen according to their service was.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">And the number of them</span>—<span class= "ital">that is, of the men of work</span>—<span class= "ital">for their service proved</span> (<span class= "ital">as follows</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span><p><span class= "bld">Men of work.</span>—A remarkable appellation. The term “work” is popularly restricted to what is called productive labour, but it is not difficult to see that persons engaged, like these minstrels, in singing and playing to the praise of God are actually helping to produce one of the best of real results, viz., the conservation of the religious spirit: that is, of the right attitude of man towards the Power upon whom his entire welfare absolutely depends.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-2.htm">1 Chronicles 25:2</a></div><div class="verse">Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.</div>(2) <span class= "bld">Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">To the sons of Asaph</span> belonged <span class= "ital">Zaccur.</span> In <a href="/context/1_chronicles/25-2.htm" title="Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.">1Chronicles 25:2-7</a> the term “sons” appears to mean trained members of the musical guilds, of which the three chiefs, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, were masters.<p><span class= "bld">Asarelah.</span>—This singular name is spelt “Jesharelah” in <a href="/1_chronicles/25-14.htm" title="The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:14</a>. Ewald identifies it with “Israel,” the unaccented ending <span class= "ital">ah</span> having the force <span class= "ital">belonging to</span>—literally, <span class= "ital">towards, unto</span>—so that Jesharelah is in effect the modern Jewish surname <span class= "ital">Israels.</span> (Comp. “Jaakobah,” <a href="/1_chronicles/4-36.htm" title="And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,">1Chronicles 4:36</a>, <span class= "ital">to Jacob, i.e., Jacobs.</span>)<p><span class= "bld">Under the hands of Asaph.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">at the hand of Asaph.</span> It is implied that the four leaders here named were subordinate to Asaph, and under his direction. (Comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/25-3.htm" title="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.">1Chronicles 25:3</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/25-6.htm" title="All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.">1Chronicles 25:6</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/23-18.htm" title="Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.">2Chronicles 23:18</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/29-27.htm" title="And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.">2Chronicles 29:27</a>; <a href="/ezra/3-10.htm" title="And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.">Ezra 3:10</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Which prophesied according to the order of the king.</span>—Literally (Asaph), <span class= "ital">who prophesied</span> (or <span class= "ital">should prophesy,</span> the participle, as in <a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm" title="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:">1Chronicles 25:1</a>) <span class= "ital">at the hands of the king:</span> that is, either according to the royal arrangements (<a href="/2_chronicles/23-18.htm" title="Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.">2Chronicles 23:18</a>), under David’s own appointment, or under the royal direction.<p><span class= "bld">Prophesied.</span>—That is, made music. (See <a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm" title="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:">1Chronicles 25:1</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-3.htm">1 Chronicles 25:3</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(3) <span class= "bld">Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">To Jeduthun</span> (<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> belonging to the guild so called): <span class= "ital">the sons of Jeduthun were Gedaliah,</span> &c.<p><span class= "bld">Zeri.</span>—The “Izri” of <a href="/1_chronicles/25-11.htm" title="The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:11</a> is probably right. (Comp. <a href="/numbers/26-49.htm" title="Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.">Numbers 26:49</a>.) The error here is as old as the ancient versions.<p><span class= "bld">Six.</span>—Only five names are now read in the text; that of “Shimei” (<a href="/1_chronicles/25-17.htm" title="The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:17</a>) has fallen out, the only name in <a href="/context/1_chronicles/25-9.htm" title="Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brothers and sons were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:9-31</a> which does not occur in <a href="/context/1_chronicles/25-2.htm" title="Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.">1Chronicles 25:2-4</a>. The Alex. LXX. inserts the name between Jeshaiah and Hashabiah.<p><span class= "bld">Jeshaiah.</span>—Elsewhere spelled Isaiah.<p><span class= "bld">Under the hands</span> (see last verse) <span class= "bld">of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp.</span>—Literally, according to the Hebrew punctuation, <span class= "ital">at the hands of their father Jeduthun, with the lute</span> (<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> provided with lutes, <a href="/1_chronicles/15-16.htm" title="And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.">1Chronicles 15:16</a>), <span class= "ital">who prophesied</span> (or <span class= "ital">was to prophesy</span>)<span class= "ital"> for giving thanks and praise to Jehovah.</span> (Comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/16-4.htm" title="And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:">1Chronicles 16:4</a>).<p><span class= "bld">At the hands of their father.</span>—Under the direction of their conductor.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-4.htm">1 Chronicles 25:4</a></div><div class="verse">Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, <i>and</i> Mahazioth:</div>(4) <span class= "bld">Of Heman.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">To Reman: the sons of Heman were,</span> &c. Fourteen names of Hemanite leaders are given. Curiously enough, the last six, excluding the peculiar “Joshbekashah,” form, as they stand, a complete poetical couplet, which may be rendered:<p>“God has come; I have exalted and extolled the help;<p>I have spoken abundance of visions.”<p>Such words are very suitable in the mouth of a seer, as Heman is called in the next verse, but the arrangement of the names in this order is perhaps only a mnemonic device<p><span class= "bld">Uzziel.</span>—Power of God (<a href="/exodus/6-18.htm" title="And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.">Exodus 6:18</a>); called “Azareel” in <a href="/1_chronicles/25-18.htm" title="The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:18</a> ( <span class= "ital">God hath helped,</span> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-6.htm" title="Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,">1Chronicles 12:6</a>). The words differ in Hebrew by one letter only. The Syriac has “Uzziel” (Azael) in both places. But the difference appears in the LXX. and Vulg.<p><span class= "bld">Shebuel.</span>—In <a href="/1_chronicles/25-20.htm" title="The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:20</a>, “Shubael,” which the LXX. reads in both places. The Syriac and Vulg. keep the distinction. (Comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/24-20.htm" title="And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.">1Chronicles 24:20</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Giddalti,</span> <span class= "bld">and Romamti-ezer.</span>—That is, perhaps, Giddalti-ezer and Romamti-ezer. But in <a href="/1_chronicles/25-29.htm" title="The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:29</a> “Giddalti” occurs again without any such addition, and the name as it stands may be compared with “Mallothi.” The two verbs, <span class= "ital">giddaltî</span> and <span class= "ital">romamtî,</span> occur together in <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm" title="Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD has spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.">Isaiah 1:2</a> : “1 have nourished and brought up.”<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-5.htm">1 Chronicles 25:5</a></div><div class="verse">All these <i>were</i> the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.</div>(5) <span class= "bld">All these were the sons of Heman.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">Were sons to Heman.</span><p><span class= "bld">The king’s seer in the words of God.</span>—Or, <span class= "ital">in the things of God, in Divine</span> (that is, liturgical) <span class= "ital">matters.</span> Heman was a prophet as well as a minstrel. (For the connection between music and prophecy, comp. <a href="/context/1_samuel/10-5.htm" title="After that you shall come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when you are come thither to the city, that you shall meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:">1Samuel 10:5-6</a>; <a href="/2_kings/3-15.htm" title="But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came on him.">2Kings 3:15</a>; <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm" title="And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.">Exodus 15:20</a>.) Comp. also Note on <a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm" title="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:">1Chronicles 25:1</a>, above.<p><span class= "bld">Seer.</span>—Heb., <span class= "ital">hōzèh.</span> Literally, <span class= "ital">gazer.</span> The word rendered “seer” in <a href="/1_chronicles/26-28.htm" title="And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brothers.">1Chronicles 26:28</a> and <a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm" title="(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)">1Samuel 9:9</a> is different (<span class= "ital">rō’èh</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span> Gad was called “David’s seer” (<a href="/1_chronicles/21-9.htm" title="And the LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,">1Chronicles 21:9</a>); so also Jeduthun is “the king’s seer” (<a href="/2_chronicles/35-15.htm" title="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 brothers the Levites prepared for them.">2Chronicles 35:15</a>).<p><span class= "bld">To lift up the horn.</span>—That is, according to Bertheau, “to blow the horns loudly.” With this he connects the preceding phrase, which he renders “by God’s commands.” (Comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/29-15.htm" title="And they gathered their brothers, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.">2Chronicles 29:15</a>.) But the horn does not appear elsewhere among the instruments of the Temple musicians, and the phrase “to lift up the horn” of a person is a well-known Hebrew metaphor. (Comp. <a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm" title="The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder on them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.">1Samuel 2:10</a> : “May he give strength to his king, and lift up the horn of his anointed.”) Thus it seems that the meaning is that God gave all these “sons”—<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> proficient disciples—to Heman in order to strengthen him for his work by providing him with a strong body of able assistants.<p><span class= "bld">And three daughters.</span>—The mention of “three daughters” is interesting, as an indication that women sustained a part in the service of song. (Comp. <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm" title="And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.">Exodus 15:20</a>; <a href="/judges/11-34.htm" title="And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.">Judges 11:34</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm" title="And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.">1Samuel 18:6</a>.) The Syriac omits the whole verse.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-6.htm">1 Chronicles 25:6</a></div><div class="verse">All these <i>were</i> under the hands of their father for song <i>in</i> the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.</div>(6) <span class= "bld">All these were under the hands of their father . . . and harps.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">All these were under the direction of their conductor in the music in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, harps, and lutes,</span> (See Notes on <a href="/context/1_chronicles/25-2.htm" title="Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.">1Chronicles 25:2-3</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">According to the king’s order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">under the directions of the king</span> (and), <span class= "ital">Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun.</span> The meaning is that the arrangement of the duties of the minstrels was accomplished by David with the assistance of the three chief musicians, just as, in the classification of the priests, the king had been helped by the chief priests Zadok and Ahimelech (<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>).<p><span class= "bld">All these.</span>—That is, the twenty-four leading minstrels, enumerated in <a href="/context/1_chronicles/25-2.htm" title="Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.">1Chronicles 25:2-4</a>. Each performed under the supervision of his own “father,” <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> director.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-7.htm">1 Chronicles 25:7</a></div><div class="verse">So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, <i>even</i> all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.</div>(7) <span class= "bld">So the number of them, with their brethren . . . was two hundred fourscore and eight.</span>—This total of two hundred and eighty-eight skilled musicians (24 × 12) shows that each of the twenty-four leading minstrels, called in <a href="/context/1_chronicles/25-2.htm" title="Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.">1Chronicles 25:2-4</a> the “sons” of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, was associated with a company of eleven “brethren,” who were experts in the chanting of the sanctuary. The twenty-four leaders accompanied the singing of their choirs with instrumental music.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-8.htm">1 Chronicles 25:8</a></div><div class="verse">And they cast lots, ward against <i>ward</i>, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.</div>(8) <span class= "bld">And they cast lots, ward against ward.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">And they cast lots of charge,</span> that is, for determining the order in which each of the twenty-four guilds, or classes, should take charge of the services. (Comp, the LXX., <span class= "greekheb">κλήρους ἐφημερίων</span><span class= "ital">,</span> “lots of courses;” and see <a href="/luke/1-6.htm" title="And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.">Luke 1:6</a>.) Some Hebrew MSS. and the Targum repeat the word “ward” (<span class= "ital">mishmèreth, </span>“charge”), whence the reading of the Authorised Version. The ancient versions omit the word altogether.<p><span class= "bld">As well the small as the great.</span>—Heb., <span class= "ital">exactly as the small</span> (or, <span class= "ital">the younger</span>)<span class= "ital">, so the great</span> (or, <span class= "ital">the elder</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span> (Comp. the Vulg., “ex aequo tam major quam minor.”) But perhaps <span class= "ital">leummath</span> is here used absolutely: “They cast lots in like manner” (<a href="/1_chronicles/24-31.htm" title="These likewise cast lots over against their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brothers.">1Chronicles 24:31</a>). The senior houses, or guilds, had no advantage over the juniors, the order of rotation being decided by lot. (Comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/24-31.htm" title="These likewise cast lots over against their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brothers.">1Chronicles 24:31</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">The teacher as the scholar.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">cunning</span> (<a href="/1_chronicles/25-7.htm" title="So the number of them, with their brothers that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.">1Chronicles 25:7</a>) <span class= "ital">with learner.</span> According to <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>, the whole number of Levites appointed for the service of song was 4,000. These were all included in the twenty-four classes, 288 of them being “cunning” men, that is, masters in their art, and the remaining 3,712 forming the rank and file of the choirs under the training of the proficients. The Aramaic word <span class= "ital">talmid</span> (scholar) occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament. It is the term used of the <span class= "ital">disciples</span> of the Rabbis in the Talmud, and is the exact equivalent of the New Testament word, <span class= "greekheb">μαθητής</span><span class= "ital">.</span><p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-9.htm">1 Chronicles 25:9</a></div><div class="verse">Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons <i>were</i> twelve:</div>(9) <span class= "bld">Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph.</span>—See <a href="/1_chronicles/25-2.htm" title="Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.">1Chronicles 25:2</a>, according to which Joseph was the second “son” of Asaph. Although not stated in the text, it must have been true of Joseph as of all the following heads, that “he, and his sons and his brethren were twelve.” The specified total of 288 (<a href="/1_chronicles/25-7.htm" title="So the number of them, with their brothers that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.">1Chronicles 25:7</a>) requires it.<p><span class= "bld">The second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">Gedaliah was the second, he and his brethren and his sons</span>—<span class= "ital">twelve.</span> The “brethren” and “sons” of the chiefs, in this and the following verses, are the eleven masters, or proficients, in each class.<p><span class= "bld">Brethren.</span>—Fellow-clansmen, or associates.<p><span class= "bld">Sons.</span>—Disciples, or subordinates.<p>Perhaps, however, we should think of elder and younger families, grouped together in one class.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-10.htm">1 Chronicles 25:10</a></div><div class="verse">The third to Zaccur, <i>he</i>, his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:</div>(10) <span class= "bld">The third to Zaccur.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">The third, Zaccur and his sons and his brethren</span>—<span class= "ital">twelve.</span> The same mode of expression is used down to <a href="/1_chronicles/25-18.htm" title="The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:18</a>, except in <a href="/1_chronicles/25-11.htm" title="The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brothers, were twelve:">1Chronicles 25:11</a>, which reads, “The fourth for the Izrite, his sons and his brethren—twelve.” The Izrite (not “Izri”) is a Gentilic name, and seems to denote a family rather than a person.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-17.htm">1 Chronicles 25:17</a></div><div class="verse">The tenth to Shimei, <i>he</i>, his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:</div>(17) <span class= "bld">Shimei.</span>—Omitted by accident from <a href="/1_chronicles/25-3.htm" title="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.">1Chronicles 25:3</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-18.htm">1 Chronicles 25:18</a></div><div class="verse">The eleventh to Azareel, <i>he</i>, his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:</div>(18) <span class= "bld">Azareel.</span>—Called Uzziel in <a href="/1_chronicles/25-4.htm" title="Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:">1Chronicles 25:4</a>. (Comp. Azariah as a variant of Uzziah, <a href="/1_chronicles/3-12.htm" title="Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,">1Chronicles 3:12</a>, and <a href="/2_chronicles/26-1.htm" title="Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.">2Chronicles 26:1</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-19.htm">1 Chronicles 25:19</a></div><div class="verse">The twelfth to Hashabiah, <i>he</i>, his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:</div>(19) <span class= "bld">To Hashabiah.</span>—So the Hebrew.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-20.htm">1 Chronicles 25:20</a></div><div class="verse">The thirteenth to Shubael, <i>he</i>, his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:</div>(20) <span class= "bld">The</span> <span class= "bld">thirteenth to Shubael.</span>—The Hebrew is, <span class= "ital">to thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve;</span> and so in the next verse. The meaning seems to be: <span class= "ital">as to,</span> or <span class= "ital">as regards, the thirteenth.</span> Shubael (Shebuel) has occurred before (<a href="/1_chronicles/23-16.htm" title="Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.">1Chronicles 23:16</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/24-20.htm" title="And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.">1Chronicles 24:20</a>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-22.htm">1 Chronicles 25:22</a></div><div class="verse">The fifteenth to Jeremoth, <i>he</i>, his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:</div>(22) <span class= "bld">The fifteenth</span> <span class= "bld">to Jeremoth.</span>—Heb., <span class= "ital">to fifteenth, to Jeremoth</span>; <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> as regards the fifteenth lot, it was for Jeremoth. The construction is the same to the end of the chapter.<p>Spelling, and probably pronunciation, fluctuated between Jeremoth and Jerimoth (<a href="/1_chronicles/25-4.htm" title="Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:">1Chronicles 25:4</a>). (Comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/23-23.htm" title="The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.">1Chronicles 23:23</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/24-30.htm" title="The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.">1Chronicles 24:30</a>.) The LXX. and Vulg. spell “Jerimoth” in both places here; Syriac, “Jarmûth”; Arabic, “Jārāmāth” and “Jarmûth.”<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-31.htm">1 Chronicles 25:31</a></div><div class="verse">The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, <i>he</i>, his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve.</div>(31) An analysis of the whole list shows that the first, third, fifth, and seventh places fell to the four Asaphite guilds, or clans; the second, fourth, eighth, tenth, twelfth, and fourteenth to the six guilds of the sons of Jeduthun, or Ethanites; the sixth, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, and the remaining ten places, to the fourteen guilds of Heman.<p>It appears evident that all the lots were thrown into a single urn, and that the Asaphite and Ethanite names were all drawn, as the chances made it likely, before the Hemanites were exhausted. As it happened, only Hemanite names were left after the fourteenth drawing.<p><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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