Assignments of Levites: Singers, Gatekeepers, Treasurers
1 Chronicles 23:21-32
1 C.23.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- מררי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחלי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ומושי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- מחלי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וקיש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 3:33 (verbal): Direct repetition of the Merari genealogy: names Mahli and Mushi are listed as the sons of Merari—same genealogy echoed here.
- Numbers 4:29 (thematic): Lists the Merarite clans and their duties; mentions the families of Mahli and Mushi in the context of Levitical organization, paralleling the genealogical function of 1 Chr 23:21.
- 1Chronicles 6:42-43 (verbal): An earlier Levite genealogy in Chronicles that records the same family-line (Mahli, Mushi; and the sons of Mahli, Eleazar and Kish), repeating the names found in 1 Chr 23:21.
- 1Chronicles 23:20 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same chapter: the surrounding verses set out the Merarite families (Mahli and Mushi) and the descendants of Mahli, of which v.21 continues—part of the same genealogical block.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
- The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
1 C.23.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- בנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וישאום: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- קיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 24:1-3 (structural): Immediate continuation of the priestly genealogy/divisions: discusses the sons of Aaron (including Eleazar and Ithamar) and the distribution of priestly service, providing the broader context for Eleazar’s descendants and their marital arrangements.
- 1 Chronicles 6:49-53 (verbal): Genealogical listing of Aaron’s descendants and the Levitical/priestly families; overlaps in names and family-lines (including Eleazar and related clans) that mirror the pedigree and priestly succession issues raised in 1 Chron 23:22.
- Numbers 27:1-11 (thematic): The petition of the daughters of Zelophehad to receive an inheritance because their father had no sons; parallels the concern in 1 Chr 23:22 over a priestly house lacking male heirs and the measures taken to preserve family/tribal holdings and rights.
- Joshua 17:3-6 (thematic): Account of Zelophehad’s daughters and the allotment of land to women when there are no male heirs; thematically related to 1 Chron 23:22 in treating the social-legal responses to families with daughters but no sons and preserving familial continuity.
Alternative generated candidates
- Eleazar died and had no sons—only daughters; and the sons of Kish, their brothers, took them in marriage.
- Eleazar died and had no sons—only daughters; the sons of Kish, their brothers, took them as wives.
1 C.23.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- מושי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מחלי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועדר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירמות: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלשה: NUM,m
Parallels
- Numbers 3:27-28 (structural): Lists the Merarite families (Mahli and Mushi) as part of the Levite clans—background to the Mushi line from which the sons named in 1 Chr 23:23 descend.
- Numbers 26:57-59 (structural): Census/genealogical summary of Levi’s families that records Merari’s descendants (including Mahli and Mushi), paralleling Chronicles’ reckoning of Mushi’s household.
- 1 Chronicles 6:42-46 (verbal): An earlier Chronicler genealogy of the Levites that gives the names of Mushi’s descendants (Mahli, Eder, Jerimoth) in a parallel listing.
- 1 Chronicles 23:19-22 (structural): Immediate chapter context: other verses in the same passage enumerate the sons and households of Mushi and their roles among the Levites, of which v.23 is a concise listing.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth—three.
- The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—three.
1 C.23.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- לוי: PROPN,m,sg
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- אבתיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3mp
- ראשי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לפקודיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs,3,mp
- במספר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לגלגלתם: PREP
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לעבדת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מבן: PREP
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 3:6-9 (thematic): Describes the Levites set apart by families for service to the sanctuary—parallels Chronicles' listing of Levi's households and their assignment to temple service.
- Numbers 4:3 (verbal): Gives the authorized age for Levites to do service (30 years and upward to 50) in the tabernacle—directly relates to Chronicles' statement about the age for temple work, showing a different age threshold.
- Numbers 8:24-26 (thematic): Specifies Levites' service beginning at twenty‑five years (and finishing at fifty), another tradition about age-requirements that Chronicles engages with when it cites 'from twenty years old and upward.'
- 2 Chronicles 31:2-5 (structural): Records Hezekiah's organization and appointment of Levites for duties in the house of the LORD—parallels David's administrative ordering of Levitical service in Chronicles.
- 1 Chronicles 23:27-32 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same chapter that details the divisions, duties, and age regulations of the Levites, expanding on verse 24's summary statement.
Alternative generated candidates
- These are the sons of Levi by their ancestral houses—the heads of the fathers' households, registered by name for their divisions. For their rotations he appointed the work to serve in the house of the LORD from twenty years old and upward.
- These are the sons of Levi by their ancestral houses, the heads of the fathers' families, to be enrolled by name, to perform the work of the service of the house of the LORD—from twenty years old and upward.
1 C.23.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הניח: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וישכן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:10 (verbal): God’s promise to provide a dwelling-place and rest for Israel—'I will appoint a place for my people Israel... that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more'—parallels David’s claim that Yahweh has given rest to his people and dwells in Jerusalem.
- 1 Chronicles 17:9 (verbal): Chronicles’ own retelling of the Davidic promise mirrors 1 Chr 23:25 language about God providing a place and security for Israel, reflecting the same tradition found in 2 Sam 7.
- Psalm 132:13–14 (thematic): Affirms Yahweh’s choice of Zion as his dwelling—'For the LORD has chosen Zion... this is my resting place forever; here I will dwell'—directly echoes the idea that God ‘dwells in Jerusalem forever.’
- 1 Chronicles 22:9 (allusion): God’s words to David about the establishment of his house and the perpetual presence in Jerusalem (said in the context of temple planning) underlie David’s assertion in 23:25 that the LORD has given rest and abides in Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 6:6 (structural): Solomon’s temple dedication speech claims Jerusalem/Zion as God’s chosen dwelling and place for Israel—paralleling the Chronicler’s motif that Yahweh dwells in Jerusalem and has secured rest for his people.
Alternative generated candidates
- For David said, 'The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he has dwelt in Jerusalem forever.'
- For David said, "The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people and has settled them in Jerusalem to dwell there forever."
1 C.23.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- ללוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- לשאת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- לעבדתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 4:15 (verbal): Gives the specific instruction about handling the holy things when the camp moves: Kohathites carry covered sacred objects and must not touch them directly — closely parallels the restriction on Levites carrying the tabernacle and its vessels.
- 1 Chronicles 23:24 (structural): Immediate context in Chronicles assigning priests and Levites to their distinct duties; 23:24–25 sets up the division of priestly versus Levitical service that 23:26 then limits (Levites not to carry the tabernacle).
- 1 Chronicles 15:15 (thematic): Describes Levites carrying the ark and ministering when done according to ordinance — provides a complementary instance where Levites transport sacred items, highlighting that carrying was permitted only under proper regulation and assignment.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (thematic): States that the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to minister and bear the ark/minister before the LORD; echoes the special, regulated role of Levites regarding holy objects and thus helps explain restrictions on who may carry the tabernacle and its vessels.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover, the Levites shall not bear the tabernacle or any of its utensils for the service of it.
- Moreover, the Levites were not to bear the tabernacle or any of its vessels for its service.
1 C.23.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- בדברי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האחרנים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- מספר: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- לוי: PROPN,m,sg
- מבן: PREP
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולמעלה: CONJ+ADV
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 23:1 (quotation): Shares the formula 'these are the last words of David' (structural parallel) and introduces David's final directives and sayings.
- 1 Chronicles 23:3 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same chapter: explicitly states the counting of Levites 'from twenty years old and upward', repeating the same administrative decision.
- 1 Chronicles 23:24 (structural): Continues the same section detailing the organization and duties of the Levites appointed by David (lists of chiefs and assignments), directly connected to the census mentioned in v.27.
- Numbers 4:3 (allusion): Mosaic regulation setting Levites for service from thirty years old and upward — provides a legal background and contrast to David's age requirement of twenty.
- Numbers 8:24-25 (thematic): Another Mosaic passage specifying Levites' service ages (twenty-five to fifty) — thematically related to David's redefinition of Levites' service age and duties.
Alternative generated candidates
- For by the last words of David these are the numbers of the sons of Levi from twenty years old and upward.
- These were David's final instructions concerning the numbering of the Levites from twenty years old and upward.
1 C.23.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- מעמדם: NOUN,m,sg,prsuff-3mp
- ליד: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעבדת: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- החצרות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- הלשכות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- טהרת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- לכל: PREP
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומעשה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 3:6-9 (verbal): Directly parallels the assignment of the Levites to minister "before the sons of Aaron" and to keep the service of the sanctuary (tabernacle/house of God).
- Numbers 8:24-26 (thematic): Describes the Levites' designated service and standing in temple/tabernacle duties—background for assigning Levites to temple work and offices.
- 2 Chronicles 31:2-3 (structural): Hezekiah organizes priests and Levites into divisions for "all the service of the house of the LORD," echoing David's institutional ordering of temple service.
- Nehemiah 12:44 (verbal): Speaks of Levites appointed over the storerooms/chambers and to minister in the house of God, matching the mention of 'the courts' and 'the chambers' in 1 Chron 23:28.
- Leviticus 10:11 (thematic): Commands priests/Levites to distinguish and purify the holy from the common and to teach Israel—parallels the verse's concern with purification and handling of holy things for temple service.
Alternative generated candidates
- For their station is beside the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD— in the courts and in the chambers, in the cleansing of all the holy things, and in every task of the service of the house of God.
- For their charge was to assist the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD—over the courtyards, the chambers, the cleansing of all holy things, and the work of the service of God's house.
1 C.23.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וללחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המערכת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולסלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למנחה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולרקיקי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- המצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ולמחבת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולמרבכת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 24:5-9 (verbal): Gives rules for the showbread (fine flour, twelve loaves arranged before the LORD) — closely parallels the mention of showbread, fine flour and loaves in 1 Chr 23:29.
- Exodus 25:30 (allusion): Commands that the table of showbread be kept continually before God — echoes the function and presence of the 'bread of arrangement' (lechem hammerkaz) mentioned in Chronicles.
- Leviticus 2:4 (thematic): Describes cakes/unleavened cakes as part of the grain (meal) offering — parallels the citation of 'sheets for the minchah' and 'unleavened cakes' in 1 Chr 23:29.
- 1 Samuel 21:4-6 (allusion): Refers to the 'bread of the presence' (showbread) being under the priestly charge and being eaten in certain circumstances — connects to the Chronicle passage's concern with provision and handling of the showbread.
- Leviticus 19:35-36 (structural): Mandates honest balances, weights and measures — relevant to 1 Chr 23:29's concluding reference to 'every measure and weight' used in cultic provisioning.
Alternative generated candidates
- And for the bread of arrangement, for the fine flour for the grain offering, for the wafers of unleavened bread, for the pans and the bowls, and for every measure and standard.
- And for the showbread, for the fine flour for the grain offering, for the unleavened wafers, for the loaves, for the baking-pan and the pans, and for every measure and standard.
1 C.23.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולעמד: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בבקר: PREP
- בבקר: PREP
- להדות: INF,qal
- ולהלל: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכן: ADV
- לערב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 28:3-4 (verbal): Prescribes the regular daily (morning and evening) burnt offerings — the cultic background for standing each morning and evening in worship.
- Exodus 29:38-39 (verbal): Gives the ordinance of two daily offerings, morning and evening, which underlie the temple routine of praise and thanksgiving.
- 2 Chronicles 29:28-30 (structural): During Hezekiah’s temple reform the Levites are appointed to give thanks and praise morning and evening — a close narrative parallel to the Chronicles verse.
- Psalm 92:2 (thematic): Speaks of declaring God’s lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night — a poetic expression of morning and evening praise.
- Psalm 55:17 (thematic): ‘Evening and morning and at noon I cry aloud’ — reflects the practice of regular daily prayer and petition at established times (including morning and evening).
Alternative generated candidates
- And to stand morning by morning to give thanks and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening.
- And to stand every morning to give thanks and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening.
1 C.23.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העלות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- עלות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשבתות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לחדשים: PREP
- ולמעדים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- במספר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כמשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- תמיד: ADV
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 28:11-15 (verbal): Specifies the burnt offerings required on the new moon (and by extension sabbaths and festivals), paralleling Chronicles' mention of offerings for new moons and appointed feasts as regular/numbered before the LORD.
- Numbers 28:1-2 (structural): Introduces the command to present offerings at the appointed times and according to the LORD's order—echoed in Chronicles' emphasis on offerings 'by number' and 'according to the order before the LORD.'
- Leviticus 23:2,4-5 (thematic): Gives the canonical listing of the LORD's appointed feasts (moedim) and their observance, providing the law/theological background for Chronicles' reference to sabbaths, new moons, and festivals.
- Ezekiel 46:1-3 (allusion): In the temple-vision regulations Ezekiel prescribes offerings for the sabbath and new moon with specific priestly procedures, reflecting the same concern for ordered, scheduled worship found in 1 Chronicles 23:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- And for every ascending offering to the LORD on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the appointed festivals, according to the number prescribed for them continually before the LORD.
- And for all the LORD's offerings on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the appointed festivals—according to the number prescribed for them continually before the LORD.
1 C.23.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הקדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומשמרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- לעבדת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 3:6-9 (verbal): Direct instruction that the Levites shall 'keep the charge of the tabernacle/tent of meeting' and guard its instruments and service—closely mirrors the language and function in 1 Chr 23:32.
- Numbers 8:24-26 (thematic): Sets the Levites apart for service in the sanctuary and specifies their duties and age of service—echoes the theme of Levites' designated work in God's house found in 1 Chr 23:32.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (allusion): States that the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to stand before Him and minister, bearing the ark—an earlier theological basis for the Levites' temple service appealed to in 1 Chr 23:32.
- 1 Chronicles 15:16 (structural): David organizes the Levites to minister before the ark (singers, porters, ministers), demonstrating the same temple/temple-service functions and administrative ordering reflected in 1 Chr 23:32.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they shall keep the watches of the tent of meeting, the watches of the sanctuary, and the watches of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the service of the house of the LORD.
- And to keep the watch of the tent of meeting, the watch of the sanctuary, and the watch of the sons of Aaron, their brothers, in the service of the house of the LORD.
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
Eleazar died, and he had no sons, only daughters; and the sons of Kish, their brothers, took them as wives.
The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth—three.
These are the Levites by their ancestral houses—the heads of the father-houses, listed by name for their rounds; they were appointed to perform the work of the service of the house of the LORD from twenty years old and upward.
For David said, The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people and has settled them in Jerusalem forever.
Moreover, the Levites were not to carry the tabernacle or any of its vessels for its service.
For in David’s later arrangements these are the numbers of the Levites from twenty years old and upward.
Their standing was with the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD—in the courtyards and in the chambers, in the cleansing of all that is holy, and in the work of the service of the house of God. And for the showbread, for the fine flour for the regular offering, for the unleavened cakes, for the pan and for the griddle, and for every measure and every weight.
To stand morning by morning to give thanks and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening. And for all the ascending offerings to the LORD—on the Sabbaths, at the new moons, and at the appointed feasts—by number, according to the statute concerning them, continually before the LORD. And they were to keep the watch of the Tent of Meeting, the watch of the sanctuary, and the watch of their brothers, the sons of Aaron, in the service of the house of the LORD.