Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

1 CHRONICLES 24:5KJV
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1 Chronicles 24:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 24:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 24:5 describes how the priestly families, descended from Eleazar and Ithamar, were divided into groups by casting lots so that both families would have a fair share of responsibilities as leaders in the temple. The verse explains that these groups were chosen to serve as governors of the sanctuary and the house of God.

This verse is part of a section where King David is organizing the priests for their duties in the temple. David is addressing the priests and Levites, making sure that both major priestly lines—Eleazar and Ithamar—are represented equally in the temple service. The use of lots was a way to ensure fairness and remove personal bias from the selection process.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 24:5

  • "divided" (חָלַק, ḥālaq) means to apportion or distribute. Here, it emphasizes that the priestly duties were carefully assigned, not left to chance or favoritism.
  • "lot" (גּוֹרָל, gōral) refers to the practice of casting lots, a common biblical method for making impartial decisions. This shows that the assignments were seen as directed by God, not human preference.
  • "governors" (שַׂר, sar) means leaders or officials. The verse highlights that the priests were not just performing rituals but also had leadership roles in the sanctuary and the house of God.
  • "sanctuary" (קֹדֶשׁ, qōdesh) points to the holy place, underlining the sacred nature of their responsibilities.

Why 1 Chronicles 24:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priestly service was organized and structured, not random or based on family status alone, which helps explain the fairness of temple service.
  • It highlights the importance of both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants, showing that both lines were valued and included in leadership, which connects to earlier stories about Aaron’s sons.
  • The use of lots reveals a trust in God’s guidance for important decisions, a theme that appears elsewhere in the Old Testament and shapes how leadership and service were understood in Israel.

Where else these words appear

“sort” Hebrew H428 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Numbers 10:28 Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
  • 1 Kings 20:29 And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.

“Ithamar” Hebrew H385 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 3:2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:3 And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

“divided” Hebrew H2505 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 1 Kings 18:6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
  • Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

“lot” Hebrew H1486 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
  • Joshua 19:24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.