1 Crônicas 23
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Crônicas 23
NJB (LXX versing) Solomon Reigns The Divisions of the Levites David Organizes the Levites and Assigns them Their Duties The Work of the Levites The Orders and Functions of the Levites 23:1-2 23:1 23:1 23:1-2 Offices of the Levites 23:2-6 23:2-6 23:2-5 23:3-6 23:3-5 Gershonites 23:6-11 23:6 23:7-11 23:7-11 23:7-11 23:7-11 Kohathites 23:12-20 23:12-20 23:12-20 23:12-17 23:12-20 Merarites 23:18-20 23:21-23 23:21-23 23:21-23 23:21-23 23:21-23 Duties Revised 23:24-32 23:24-32 23:24-32 23:24 23:24 23:25-32 23:25-32 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS David was concerned with Solomon's leadership and administration because of his youth, so he provided the building materials. He also organized the temple servants (as Moses had done). The Chronicler emphasizes David's role in Solomon's temple and its personnel and procedures in order to emphasize the rebuilt, second temple of his day. It was small but it was a continuation of God's guidelines to Moses as developed by the ideal king, David. 1 Chronicles 23:1-27:34 is a literary unit dealing with David's organization of temple personnel and procedures. It seems 1 Chr. 23:2 links to 28:1. Ezra and Nehemiah document the early post-exilic period, while the Chronicler documents the later development. See Introduction, Date. Much of the difference between Moses David Ezra (chapter 2) ‒ Nehemiah (chapter 7) Ezra (chapter 2) ‒ Nehemiah (chapter 7) is simply the development of procedures due to changing conditions.
1 Crônicas 23:1-2
23:1 "reached old age" This is literally "became old and sated with days." This is an idiom (cf. 2 Chr. 24:15) for a long life. It was not an emphasis of satisfaction with one's life but the length of one's life. SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN AGING ▣ "he made his son Solomon king" From 1 Chr. 28:5 we know it was YHWH's choice, not David's. Solomon's succession is mentioned several times. 1 Chr. 22:5,6,9,10 1 Chr. 28:5-8 1 Chr. 29:1-30 All of the problems associated with Solomon found in 1 Kings 1-2 are omitted. 23:2 "all the leaders" See note at 1 Chr. 22:17. One wonders how this verse relates to 1 Chr. 28:1. If they are the same, then 1 Chr. 23:3-27:34 is an insertion. For a good brief discussion of "Levites" see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 772-777. ▣ "the priests and Levites" All the servants at the temple were descendants of Aaron (except the Nethilim, Ezra 2:43,58,70; 7:7; 8:17,20). Some of his sons became priests who offered sacrifices and some took care of the tabernacle/temple. The Levites' specific duties, now that the ark's location is permanent (cf. 1 Chr. 23:25-26) have changed and are listed in 1 Chr. 23:28-31. SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVITICAL PRIESTS
1 Crônicas 23:3-6
23:3 It is specifically mentioned that Joab did not count the Levites (cf. 1 Chr. 21:6). Here, they are counted but with no negative remarks. Possibly because this census was for the organization of the temple, not David's military. 23:4-5 There are several kinds of Levites. those who oversee the work of the house of the Lord officers ‒ BDB 1009 (cf. 1 Chr. 26:29; 2 Chr. 19:11; 34:13) judges ‒ BDB 1047; there were religious and non-religious judges, cf. Deut. 17:9,12; 19:17 gatekeepers ‒ BDB 1045; 1 Chr. 15:18; 16:38; 26:13; 2 Chr. 8:14; Ezra 2:42,70; 7:7; Neh. 7:1, 45, 73 musicians ‒ cf. 1 Chr. 15:16; 16:4-5,42; 25:1-8 (but the priests blew the trumpets, cf. 2 Chr. 29:26) Since the Levites now helped with the temple, they must be supported by offerings to the temple (cf. Neh. 10:39; 12:47; 13:5,10). SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHES IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION 23:4 NASB, Peshitta "to oversee the work" "to look after the work" "have charge of the work" "administer the work" "responsible for the service" "in charge of the work" "responsible for the maintenance" "taskmasters over the tasks" This VERB (BDB 663 I, KB 716, Piel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) has several connotations. supervising the building of the temple ‒ 2 Chr. 2:2,18; 34:12,13; Ezra 3:8,9 maintaining the ministry/service of the temple ‒ 1 Chr. 23:4,32 conducting the liturgical and musical aspects of worship ‒ 1 Chr. 15:21 and the title "choir director," which appears in many of the MT's Introduction in the Psalms (i.e., Psalm 4; 5; 6; 8; etc.) In this context #3 fits best. 23:6 This lists the sons of Levi. Gershon ‒ see 1 Chr. 23:7-12; Num. 4:21-28 Kohath ‒ see 1 Chr. 23:12-20; Num. 4:4-15 (family of Aaron and Moses, 1 Chr. 23:13) Merari ‒ see 1 Chr. 23:21-23; Num. 4:29-33 This follows Exod. 6:16-19; Num. 3:14-20; and 1 Chr. 6:16-30.
1 Crônicas 23:7-11
23:7 "Ladan" In Exod. 6:17 his name is spelled "Libni." 23:10 "Zina" In the next verse it is spelled "Zizah." The Chronicler is obviously using different lists. Notice that there are two lists of the sons of Shimei; 1 Chr. 23:9 and 10 differ. The name of Eliezer's son is spelled differently between 1 Chr. 23:17a and 17b. 1 Chr. 23:16 has "sons" but lists only one called "the first." The same as 1 Chr. 23:16, 23:17 has "sons" but only one named, called "the first." Same for 1 Chr. 23:18. The list of 1 Chr. 23:16-23 is repeated with variations in 24:26-30. The age of Levites in 1 Chr. 23:3 is changed in 23:27.
1 Crônicas 23:12-20
23:13 The duties of the priests were: to burn incense before the Lord to minister to Him to bless His name ▣ "Aaron. . .most holy. . .and his sons" This designation (BDB 871 CONSTRUCT BDB 871) is a play on the word "sanctify" (BDB 872). It was used to show the higher status of priests over Levites, who are only designated as "holy" (cf. 2 Chr. 23:60. SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY 23:16 "Shebuel" In 1 Chr. 24:20 he is called "Shubael." 23:18 "Shelomith" In 1 Chr. 24:22 he is called "Shelomoth."
1 Crônicas 23:21-23
23:22 Tribal identification was significant because of the Divine allotment of land by Joshua (cf. Joshua 12- 19). A similar procedure is documented in Num. 27:1-8; 36:1-9.
1 Crônicas 23:24-32
23:25 This verse alludes to 1 Chr. 22:18. "Rest" was a way of denoting that the full extent of the Promised Land was occupied and without rebellion or foreign conflict. ▣ "He dwells in Jerusalem" This is referring to YHWH dwelling above the Mercy Seat on the ark between the wings of the Cherubim. Jerusalem was the final site for the worship of YHWH. This special choice by YHWH (i.e., "the place I cause My name to dwell") is repeated often in Deuteronomy. The ark and the tent were originally together in the wilderness and Moab Gilgal ‒ Jos. 4:15-5:12 Shiloh ‒ Jos. 18:1; 19:51; 1 Sam. 2:22 Gibeon ‒ 1 Chr. 16:39-40; 2 Chr. 1:3-6 now Jerusalem ‒ 1 Chr. 23:25 SPECIAL TOPIC: MERCY SEAT SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM ▣ "forever" This word must be interpreted in context. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO OT COVENANT PROMISES SEEM SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES? 23:27 The age differs in 1 Chr. 23:3. This same thing is seen in Num. 4:3 compared to Num. 8:24. As more and more Levites were needed, the bottom age was lowered. 30-50 years 25-50 years here, 20-50 years Fifty was always the top age. 23:28-31 The Levites are to assist the priests by working in the courts and chambers in purifying all holy things in making showbread in producing the fine flour of the grain offering in making unleavened wafers in making all baked goods by being involved daily in blessing rituals by being involved in the sacrifices (both at festivals and each day [i.e., washing the animals; clearing the ashes; etc.]) in helping administer the temple and the priests later they became local teachers (cf. 2 Chr. 17:8; 35:3; Neh. 8:7-8) This would develop into rabbinical Judaism's position of "rabbi" (i.e., "teacher"). Ezra was the first of this category. SPECIAL TOPIC: SHOW BREAD or BREAD OF THE PRESENCE 23:29 "all measures of volume and size" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES; also note Lev. 19:25. 23:30 The morning and evening sacrifice of a lamb is called "the Continual" (cf. Exod. 29:38-41; Num. 28:3-8; 1 Chr. 16:40). ▣ "thank. . .praise" These are used together to denote singing (cf. 1 Chr. 16:4; 23:30; 25:3; Ezra 3:11; Neh. 12:24,46). 23:31 "sabbath" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SABBATH (OT). ▣ "the fixed festivals" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL. 23:32 "the holy place" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CHART OF THE TABERNACLE.