Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

1 CHRONICLES 27:20KJV
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1 Chronicles 27:20 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 27:20 mean?

1 Chronicles 27:20 lists two leaders from the tribes of Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh: Hoshea son of Azaziah for Ephraim, and Joel son of Pedaiah for the half-tribe of Manasseh. These men were responsible for representing and overseeing their respective tribes in King David’s administration.

This verse is part of a larger section where the writer details the organization of Israel’s tribes under King David, specifically naming those who held authority over each tribe. The focus here is on the practical leadership structure, showing how each group within Israel had a designated leader to help manage the affairs of the nation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 27:20

  • אֶפְרַיִם (Ephraim, transliteration: Ephrayim): This is the name of one of the main tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph’s son Ephraim. Mentioning Ephraim highlights the importance of this tribe in Israel’s leadership.
  • מַנַּשֶּׁה (Manasseh, transliteration: Menasheh): This refers to another major tribe, also descended from Joseph, but here specifically the “half-tribe” that settled on one side of the Jordan River. The division of Manasseh into two halves is a unique feature in Israel’s tribal structure.
  • חֲצִי (half, transliteration: chatzi): This word marks the distinction that only half of the tribe of Manasseh is being referenced, which is significant for understanding the tribal divisions and land allotments in ancient Israel.

Why 1 Chronicles 27:20 matters

  • This verse shows the careful organization and delegation of leadership in ancient Israel, emphasizing that each tribe had recognized leaders under King David’s rule.
  • By naming specific individuals, the text preserves a historical record and gives insight into the real people involved in governing the nation.
  • The mention of the “half tribe of Manasseh” helps clarify the unique situation of this tribe, which was split between land on both sides of the Jordan, a detail important for understanding Israel’s geography and history.

Where else these words appear

“Azaziah” Hebrew H5812 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

“Pedaiah” Hebrew H6305 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:36 Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:19 And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:
  • Nehemiah 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

“Hoshea” Hebrew H1954 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
  • 2 Kings 17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
  • 2 Kings 18:9 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

“Joel” Hebrew H3100 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Samuel 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:36 The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
  • 1 Chronicles 23:8 The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.