Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:

1 CHRONICLES 25:9KJV
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1 Chronicles 25:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 25:9 mean?

1 Chronicles 25:9 describes how the first and second lots were drawn to assign specific duties among the musicians in the temple, with the first lot going to Joseph, a descendant of Asaph, and the second to Gedaliah, each group consisting of twelve men including their brothers and sons. This verse shows the organized and fair way the temple musicians were chosen for their service.

The setting is King David’s time, as the Levites are being organized for worship in the temple. The process involves drawing lots, which was a common biblical method for making impartial decisions. The verse highlights the careful structure and equal participation among the families of musicians, showing the importance placed on worship and order in the temple.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 25:9

  • "Lot" (גּוֹרָל, goral): This word means a portion or allotment, often decided by casting lots. In this context, it shows that the assignments were made by chance rather than favoritism, emphasizing fairness.
  • "First" (רִאשׁוֹן, rishon) and "second" (שֵׁנִי, sheni): These words mark the order in which the lots were drawn, underlining the systematic approach.
  • "Brethren" (אָח, ach) and "sons" (בֵּן, ben): These words make it clear that the groups included both immediate family and extended relatives, not just direct sons, showing the communal nature of the service.
  • "Twelve" (שְׁנֵים, shenayim; עֶשֶׂר, eser): The number twelve is significant, often representing completeness or wholeness in the Bible, and here it shows that each group was made up of twelve members.

Why 1 Chronicles 25:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple musicians were chosen by lot, not by personal preference, highlighting the fairness and impartiality of the process.
  • It connects to the larger passage, which details the organization of worship in the temple, showing that music and worship were treated with great care and structure.
  • The mention of both "brethren and sons" in each group emphasizes the involvement of extended families, not just individuals, in the worship life of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Gedaliah” Hebrew H1436 · used in 31 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:22 And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.
  • Jeremiah 40:7 Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

“Asaph” Hebrew H623 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
  • Psalms 50:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

“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.