1 Chronicles 23:27
in 1 Chronicles 23For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and upward.
KJV
For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:
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This verse in 1 Chronicles 23
Commentary
6 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
By the “last words of David” some understand an historical work on the latter part of his reign, drawn up probably by Gad or Nathan (compare 1Ch 27:24; 1Ch 29:29). Others suppose that he left behind him a work containing directions for the service of the sanctuary.
This site's exposition
after the house of their fathers
on 1 Chronicles 23:24-27
The chapter states its own theology plainly: David lowers the service age from thirty to twenty because the Lord God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, and the Levites shall no more carry the tabernacle. The change is structural, not sentimental. Carrying gear on the march required a man's full strength, so Numbers 4 began the count at thirty; standing service in a settled house needs no such threshold, so David's last recorded ordinance opens the office at twenty and multiplies the hands available for a permanent temple.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the L ORD , to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — scripture-overlap:96%@v12-13
For by the last words of David,.... Or therefore by the last orders he gave before his death: the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above; as able and sufficient to do the work of their office.
Now the people of Israel were multiplied, and there was a more general resort to Jerusalem, and would be when the temple was built, than had ever been at Shiloh, or Nob, or Gibeon; it was therefore requisite there should be more hands employed in the temple-service, that every Israelite who brought an offering might find a Levite ready to assist him.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
The number of thirty-eight thousand Levites, exclusive of priests, was doubtless more than sufficient for the ordinary service of the tabernacle. But this pious king thought that it would contribute to the glory of the Lord to employ as many officers in his divine service as possible.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
the sons of the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and upwards Then David established these watches, so that when Solomon his son would come, they would be prepared for him.
1 more on this passage, in their own words ▾
For their station was alongside the sons of Aaron, etc. This resembles (Num.:2): “.. and they shall join with you and minister to you.”
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 6 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
12 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כִּ֣י | ki | for | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| בְדִבְרֵ֤י | vedivrei | by [the] words of | H1697 → | 1440 times |
| דָוִיד֙ | david | David | H1732 → | 999 times |
| הָאַ֣חֲרֹנִ֔ים | haacharonim | <the> last | H314 → | |
| הֵ֖מָּה | hemah | they | H1992 → | 553 times |
| מִסְפַּ֣ר | mispar | [were] [the] number of | H4557 → | 134 times |
| בְּנֵי־ | benei- | [the] descendants of | H1121 → | 4930 times |
| לֵוִ֑י | levi | Levi | H3878 → | 59 times |
| מִבֶּ֛ן | miben | from a son of | H1121 → | 4930 times |
| עֶשְׂרִ֥ים | ʾesrim | twenty | H6242 → | 315 times |
| שָׁנָ֖ה | shanah | year[s] | H8141 → | 877 times |
| וּלְמָֽעְלָה׃ | ulemaelah | and <to> upwards <towards> | H4605 → | 140 times |
כִּ֣יfor
kiH3588 →4482 times
בְדִבְרֵ֤יby [the] words of
vedivreiH1697 →1440 times
דָוִיד֙David
davidH1732 →999 times
הָאַ֣חֲרֹנִ֔ים<the> last
haacharonimH314 →
הֵ֖מָּהthey
hemahH1992 →553 times
מִסְפַּ֣ר[were] [the] number of
misparH4557 →134 times
בְּנֵי־[the] descendants of
benei-H1121 →4930 times
לֵוִ֑יLevi
leviH3878 →59 times
מִבֶּ֛ןfrom a son of
mibenH1121 →4930 times
עֶשְׂרִ֥יםtwenty
ʾesrimH6242 →315 times
שָׁנָ֖הyear[s]
shanahH8141 →877 times
וּלְמָֽעְלָה׃and <to> upwards <towards>
ulemaelahH4605 →140 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Psalms 72:20Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.
it leads to
- 2 Samuel 23:1
These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist…
- 2 Samuel 23:1
Through
2 Samuel 23:1These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist…
it leads to
- 1 Samuel 16:12–13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
- Psalms 89:20
I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.
- 2 Samuel 7:8–9
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My…
- Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to…
- 1 Samuel 16:12–13
Through
1 Chronicles 23:24These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD.
it leads to
- 1 Chronicles 23:3
The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.
- Numbers 10:21
Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.
- Numbers 10:17
Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.
- 1 Chronicles 23:3
About 1 Chronicles
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.