1 Chronicles 26:13

13 Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

1 Chronicles 26:13 in Other Translations

13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

13 And they cast lots by fathers' houses, small and great alike, for their gates.

13 They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots.

13 They were all assigned to their posts by the same method regardless of the prominence of their families - each picked his gate assignment from a hat.

13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to their fathers' houses, for every gate.

13 They drew lots by families, youngest and oldest alike, for every gate.

13 They cast lots according to their ancestral houses, young and old alike, for each gate.

13 Lots were cast for each gate, family by family. Young and old alike were chosen.

1 Chronicles 26:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 26:13

And they cast lots
To determine at which gate each should stand, who at this gate, and who at the other

as well the small as the great, according to the house of their
fathers, for every gate;
meaning, not little ones and grown persons in a family, but the smaller and poorer families, and the larger and richer ones, had their places assigned them at the several gates, as the lot directed; they did not go according to the dignity and precedence of their families, but according to lot.

1 Chronicles 26:13 In-Context

11 Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the LORD, just as their relatives had.

13 Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.

15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Chronicles 24:5,31; 1 Chronicles 25:8