And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:

1 CHRONICLES 27:29KJV
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1 Chronicles 27:29 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 27:29 mean?

1 Chronicles 27:29 lists two officials who were in charge of King David’s livestock: Shitrai the Sharonite managed the herds in the region of Sharon, while Shaphat son of Adlai oversaw the herds in the valleys. The verse details part of the administrative organization of David’s kingdom.

This verse is part of a longer section where the writer records the leaders responsible for different areas of King David’s resources and territories. The focus here is on the practical management of royal herds, showing how the kingdom was divided into regions (like Sharon and the valleys) with specific people assigned to oversee important assets. It highlights the structured and regional approach to governance in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 27:29

  • שָּׁרוֹן (Sharon, transliterated "Sharon") refers to a fertile plain along the Mediterranean coast, known for its rich pastureland. Naming this region emphasizes the importance of agriculture and livestock in Israel’s economy.
  • שִׁטְרַי (Shitrai, transliterated "Shitrai") and הַשָּׁרוֹנִי (ha-Sharonite, transliterated "the Sharonite") identify the official and his connection to Sharon, showing that local leaders often came from the regions they managed.
  • בָּקָר (baqar, transliterated "herds") means cattle or oxen, underlining that these officials were responsible for valuable livestock, not just general animals.
  • עֵמֶק (ʿemeq, transliterated "valleys") points to another specific geographic area, indicating that the kingdom’s resources were managed according to the land’s natural divisions.

Why 1 Chronicles 27:29 matters

  • This verse shows the detailed and organized way King David’s administration managed the kingdom’s resources, highlighting the importance of good leadership and regional oversight.
  • The mention of specific regions and officials helps us see how ancient Israel was divided for practical governance, not just for military or tribal purposes.
  • By naming individuals and their roles, the text gives a glimpse into the everyday workings of the kingdom, reminding readers that leadership involved not only spiritual matters but also practical, economic responsibilities.

Where else these words appear

“Sharon” Hebrew H8289 · used in 7 verses

  • Joshua 12:18 The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
  • Song of Solomon 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
  • Isaiah 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

“Shaphat” Hebrew H8202 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 13:5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
  • 1 Kings 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
  • 2 Kings 6:31 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

“valleys” Hebrew H6010 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • Job 39:21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.

“fed” Hebrew H7462 · used in 144 verses

  • Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
  • Psalms 49:14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
  • Jeremiah 33:12 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.