1 Chronicles 25:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 25:14 mean?

1 Chronicles 25:14 records that the seventh group of musicians chosen for temple service was led by Jesharelah, along with his sons and brothers, making a total of twelve people in this group. This verse is part of a list assigning specific families to serve in the musical worship of the temple.

This verse comes from a section where King David is organizing the Levites for musical duties in the temple. The chapter lists the heads of families, their sons, and their relatives, dividing them into groups for rotation in worship. Jesharelah is one of these leaders, and the number twelve likely reflects a standard group size for each division.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 25:14

• שְׁבִיעִי (shevi‘i, "seventh"): This word marks the order of the group, showing that Jesharelah’s family was the seventh in the sequence. The careful numbering emphasizes the structured and organized nature of temple service.
• יְשַׁרְאֵלָה (Yeshare’elah, "Jesharelah"): This is the name of the group leader. Each group is identified by its leader, highlighting the importance of family lines in temple duties.
• בֵּן (ben, "sons"): This word refers to the male descendants of Jesharelah, showing that the service included not just the leader but also his family.
• אָח (ach, "brethren"): This term means brothers or close relatives, indicating the group included extended family, not just immediate sons.
• שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר (shnayim asar, "twelve"): This phrase specifies the total number in the group, suggesting a set size for each musical division.

Why 1 Chronicles 25:14 matters

• This verse shows the careful organization and planning that went into temple worship, with each family given a specific role and group size.
• The mention of both sons and brethren suggests that temple service was a family affair, involving extended relatives, not just direct descendants.
• The structure here connects to the broader chapter, which emphasizes fairness and order in worship, as each group—regardless of status—had an equal number and a set turn.