And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

1 CHRONICLES 16:38KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:38 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:38 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:38 lists Obededom and his relatives, numbering sixty-eight in total, along with Obededom (the son of Jeduthun) and Hosah, as those assigned to serve as porters, or gatekeepers, for the ark. This verse records the people responsible for guarding and caring for the sacred space where the ark was kept.

This verse is part of a larger section where King David organizes the Levites for service after bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The focus here is on assigning trustworthy men to the important role of guarding the entrances, showing the care and order involved in Israel’s worship practices.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:38

  • Obededom (עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם, Oved Edom): This name means "servant of Edom." Obededom is highlighted here as a key figure entrusted with the care of the ark, reflecting his respected status among the Levites.
  • brethren (אַח, ach): This word refers to relatives or fellow Levites, not just literal brothers. It shows that a whole group from Obededom’s family was involved in this sacred duty.
  • porters (שָׁעַר, shoar`): This term means "gatekeepers." Their job was to guard the entrances to the area where the ark was kept, a role of both honor and responsibility.

Why 1 Chronicles 16:38 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the care of the ark was not left to just one person but was a shared responsibility among a group of trusted Levites, emphasizing the seriousness of the task.
  • By naming Obededom and his family, the text connects back to earlier stories where Obededom’s house was blessed for hosting the ark, showing continuity and trust in his service.
  • The verse highlights the careful organization and structure of worship in ancient Israel, with specific roles assigned to ensure the sanctity and security of the ark.

Where else these words appear

“Hosah” Hebrew H2621 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:10 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;)
  • 1 Chronicles 26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

“Jeduthun” Hebrew H3038 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:16 And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

“Obededom” Hebrew H5654 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

“porters” Hebrew H7778 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:5 Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.