And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:

1 CHRONICLES 27:28KJV
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1 Chronicles 27:28 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 27:28 mean?

1 Chronicles 27:28 lists two officials in King David’s administration: Baalhanan the Gederite, who oversaw the olive and sycomore trees in the lowlands, and Joash, who was in charge of the storage cellars for oil. The verse highlights the organized management of agricultural resources in David’s kingdom.

This verse is part of a larger section where the chronicler records the officials responsible for various aspects of the king’s property and resources. The focus here is on the practical administration of food and oil supplies, showing how David’s government delegated responsibility to trusted individuals for the care of important crops and their storage.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 27:28

  • זֵיתִים (zeitim, H2132): This word means "olive trees." Olives were a key crop in ancient Israel, valued for oil used in food, lamps, and religious rituals.
  • שִׁקְמִים (shiqmim, H8256): This word refers to "sycomore trees," which produced a type of fig and grew in the lowland areas. Their mention shows the variety of agricultural management.
  • מִּקְוֵי (miqvei, H214): This word is translated as "cellars" or "storehouses," referring to places where oil was stored, indicating the importance of preserving and managing surplus produce.
  • שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081): This word means "oil," specifically olive oil, which was a staple product with many uses in daily life and worship.

Why 1 Chronicles 27:28 matters

  • This verse shows the level of organization and specialization in King David’s administration, with specific officials assigned to agricultural management.
  • The mention of both olive and sycomore trees, as well as oil storage, highlights the economic importance of these resources in ancient Israel.
  • By naming the officials and their duties, the chronicler emphasizes the trust and responsibility placed on individuals, reflecting the broader structure and stability of David’s reign.

Where else these words appear

“Joash” Hebrew H3135 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 7:8 And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.

“Baalhanan” Hebrew H1177 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 36:38 And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
  • Genesis 36:39 And Baalhanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:49 And when Shaul was dead, Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

“trees” Hebrew H8256 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:27 And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:27 And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance.
  • Isaiah 9:10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

“plains” Hebrew H8219 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • Joshua 15:33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
  • 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.