1 Chronicles 24:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 24:10 mean?

1 Chronicles 24:10 lists the seventh and eighth divisions of the priestly families, assigning the seventh to Hakkoz and the eighth to Abijah. This verse is part of a larger record that organizes the priestly duties for service in the temple.

In this chapter, the chronicler is documenting how King David, with the help of priests and officials, divided the descendants of Aaron into groups for orderly temple service. Each group, or "course," would serve at a set time, and these assignments ensured that the temple worship was carried out smoothly and fairly among the priestly families.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 24:10

• שְׁבִיעִי (shevi‘i, H7637): "seventh" — This word marks the sequence of the priestly divisions, showing the careful order in which duties were assigned.
• חַקּוֹץ (Hakkoz, H6976): "Hakkoz" — This is a personal name, identifying the head of the seventh priestly division.
• שְׁמִינִי (shemini, H8066): "eighth" — Like "seventh," this word continues the structured listing of the priestly courses.
• אֲבִיָּה (Abijah, H29): "Abijah" — Another personal name, here marking the leader of the eighth division; this family would later be notable in the New Testament as the priestly line of Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father.

Why 1 Chronicles 24:10 matters

• This verse clarifies that priestly service in the temple was highly organized, with each family assigned a specific time to serve, preventing favoritism or confusion.
• The mention of Abijah is significant because it connects Old Testament priestly divisions to New Testament figures, showing continuity in Israel’s religious life.
• Understanding the structure here helps make sense of later references to priestly "courses" or divisions, especially in the context of temple worship and the lineage of certain biblical figures.