1 Chronicles 26:1-19

Divisions of the Gatekeepers

1 As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2 And Meshelemiah had sons: 1Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 And 2Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, 3for God blessed him.
6 Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers' houses, for they were men of great ability.
7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah.
8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom.
9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen.
10 And 4Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief),
11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the LORD.
13 And they cast lots by fathers' houses, 5small and great alike, for their gates.
14 The lot for the east fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north.
15 Obed-edom's came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted 6the gatehouse.
16 For Shuppim and 7Hosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shallecheth on the road that goes up. Watch corresponded to watch.
17 On the east there were six each day,[a] on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the gatehouse.
18 And for the 8colonnade[b] on the west there were four at the road and two at the colonnade.
19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.

1 Chronicles 26:1-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 26

In this chapter we have a further account of the disposition and distribution of the Levites, to serve in other offices, as of porters at the several gates of the temple, for which they cast lots, 1Ch 26:1-19 of others, as over the treasures of the house of the Lord, 1Ch 26:20-28, and of others that were appointed judges in the land, to administer justice to the people, 1Ch 26:29-32.

Cross References 8

  • 1. 1 Chronicles 9:21
  • 2. 1 Chronicles 15:18, 24; 1 Chronicles 16:38
  • 3. 1 Chronicles 13:14; 2 Samuel 6:11
  • 4. 1 Chronicles 16:38
  • 5. 1 Chronicles 25:8
  • 6. Nehemiah 12:25; [2 Chronicles 25:24]
  • 7. [See ver. 10 above]
  • 8. 2 Kings 23:11

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Septuagint; Hebrew six Levites
  • [b]. Or court; Hebrew parbar (meaning unknown); twice in this verse
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.