King James Version
What Does 1 Chronicles 26:10 Mean?
“Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)”
Context
8
All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obededom.
9
And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen .
10
Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)
11
Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen .
12
Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(10) **Also Hosah, of the children of Merari.**—Four chiefs of the sons of Hosah are named, and thirteen assigned as the total number of families belonging to this clan (1Chronicles 26:10-11). Adding them to the 18 of Meshelemiah and the 62 of Obed-edom, we get a total of 93 principal porters, presiding over the 4,000 Levites appointed to that work (1Chronicles 23:5).
**Simri** (Shimri) **the chief **(**for though he was not his firstborn** **. . .**)**.**—This may mean either that the oldest family had died out, or that none of these families could prove its seniority to the rest.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
1 Chronicles 26:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 1 Chronicles 26:10
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge