Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:

1 CHRONICLES 15:9KJV
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1 Chronicles 15:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 15:9 mean?

1 Chronicles 15:9 lists Eliel as the chief among the sons of Hebron, along with eighty of his brothers, as part of a record of those assigned to help carry the Ark of the Covenant. This verse highlights the specific family group and their leader who were chosen for this important religious task.

This verse appears in a section where King David is organizing the Levites for the safe and proper transport of the Ark to Jerusalem. The chronicler is carefully naming each family and its leaders to show the order and seriousness with which this sacred duty was approached, emphasizing the involvement of the sons of Hebron and their chief, Eliel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 15:9

  • "sons" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word means "descendants" or "members of the family," showing that the group comes from the line of Hebron.
  • "chief" (שַׂר, sar): This word is often used for a leader, prince, or head of a group. Here, it highlights Eliel’s authority among his relatives.
  • "fourscore" (שְׁמוֹנִים, shəmonim): This word means "eighty." The verse is specific about the number of Hebron’s descendants involved, showing the size and importance of this family’s contribution.

Why 1 Chronicles 15:9 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the careful organization and structure King David used when moving the Ark, showing that it was not a casual event but a well-planned, communal effort.
  • By naming Eliel as chief and listing the exact number of his brothers, the chronicler emphasizes the importance of leadership and family roles in Israel’s worship practices.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that every Levite family had a part to play, reinforcing the idea that serving God was a shared responsibility among the people.

Where else these words appear

“Eliel” Hebrew H447 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 5:24 And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:22 And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
  • 1 Chronicles 12:11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

“fourscore” Hebrew H8084 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
  • 2 Samuel 19:35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
  • 2 Chronicles 14:8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

“Hebron” Hebrew H2275 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 13:18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
  • Joshua 21:11 And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.
  • 2 Samuel 5:5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.