King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 27:1 Mean?

1 Chronicles 27:1 in the King James Version says “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and the... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:1 · KJV


Context

1

Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

2

Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

3

Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on Military and civil administration - kingdom organization. The Hebrew term שָׂרִים (sarim) - princes/officers is theologically significant here, pointing to Godly governance and administration. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Chronicles presents David not primarily as warrior-king but as worship organizer and temple planner. This verse contributes to that portrait by highlighting the spiritual dimensions of Israel's national life. The text demonstrates that true prosperity comes through proper worship and covenant obedience rather than merely military or political success.

Doctrinally, this passage teaches about Godly governance and administration. Cross-references throughout Chronicles connect David's reign to the broader redemptive narrative, showing how God's covenant promises advance through faithful human leadership while ultimately depending on divine grace and power. The messianic implications are profound: Christ's kingdom administration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Background: This section describes events from David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) but was written centuries later during the Persian period (c. 450-400 BCE). The Chronicler's selectivity in retelling David's story serves his theological purposes—he omits David's sins (Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion) while emphasizing David's worship reforms and temple preparations.

The historical setting of Military and civil administration - kingdom organization occurred during Israel's united monarchy, when the nation reached its territorial and political zenith. Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant building projects and administrative development. However, the Chronicler writes for a much smaller, struggling post-exilic community, using David's golden age to inspire hope for restoration.

Ancient Near Eastern parallels show that temple construction and royal sponsorship of worship were common across cultures. However, Israel's understanding of worship centered on covenant relationship with the one true God rather than manipulation of capricious deities. This theological distinctiveness shapes the Chronicler's presentation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse's emphasis on Godly governance and administration challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Christ's kingdom administration teach you about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work?
  3. In what practical ways can you apply the principles of covenant faithfulness and proper worship demonstrated in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וּבְנֵ֣י1 of 27

Now the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל׀2 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְֽמִסְפָּרָ֡ם3 of 27

after their number

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

רָאשֵׁ֣י4 of 27

to wit the chief

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הָֽאָב֣וֹת5 of 27

fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְשָׂרֵ֣י6 of 27

and captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

אָֽלֶף׃7 of 27

of thousands

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְהַמֵּא֡וֹת8 of 27

and hundreds

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְשֹֽׁטְרֵיהֶם֩9 of 27

and their officers

H7860

properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate

הַמְשָֽׁרְתִ֨ים10 of 27

that served

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

אֶת11 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ12 of 27

the king

H4428

a king

לְכֹ֣ל׀13 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דְּבַ֣ר14 of 27

in any matter

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַֽמַּחֲלֹ֙קֶת֙15 of 27

course

H4256

a section (of levites, people or soldiers)

הַבָּאָ֤ה16 of 27

which came in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְהַיֹּצֵאת֙17 of 27

and went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

חָדְשֵׁ֣י18 of 27

by month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

חָדְשֵׁ֣י19 of 27

by month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

לְכֹ֖ל20 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חָדְשֵׁ֣י21 of 27

by month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשָּׁנָ֑ה22 of 27

of the year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַֽמַּחֲלֹ֙קֶת֙23 of 27

course

H4256

a section (of levites, people or soldiers)

הָֽאַחַ֔ת24 of 27

of every

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

עֶשְׂרִ֥ים25 of 27

were twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה26 of 27

and four

H702

four

אָֽלֶף׃27 of 27

of thousands

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand


Study Guide

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 27:1 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 27:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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