And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
1 CHRONICLES 29:8KJVWhat does 1 Chronicles 29:8 mean?
1 Chronicles 29:8 describes how those who possessed precious stones contributed them to the treasury of the LORD’s house, with Jehiel the Gershonite overseeing the collection. This verse shows people willingly giving valuable items for the temple’s use.
In this setting, King David is gathering resources from the leaders and people of Israel to prepare for building the temple in Jerusalem. The verse highlights the specific contribution of precious stones, entrusted to Jehiel, a member of the Gershonite Levites, who was responsible for managing these offerings.
The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 29:8
- "stones" (אֶבֶן, ʾeven): This word refers to precious stones or gems, emphasizing the value and rarity of what was given, not just ordinary rocks.
- "treasure" (אוֹצָר, ʾotsar): This term means a storehouse or treasury, pointing to an organized place where offerings for the temple were carefully kept and managed.
- "hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, giving something "by the hand of" someone often means through their supervision or care, showing Jehiel’s trusted role in handling the offerings.
Why 1 Chronicles 29:8 matters
- This verse clarifies that the gifts for the temple were not only gold and silver but also included precious stones, showing the variety and richness of the offerings.
- Naming Jehiel the Gershonite connects the act of giving to a specific, trustworthy Levite family, highlighting the careful management and accountability in temple preparations.
- The verse fits into the larger context of 1 Chronicles 29, where the generosity and unity of Israel’s leaders and people are emphasized as they support the building of the temple.