These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

1 CHRONICLES 4:23KJV
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1 Chronicles 4:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:23 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:23 describes a group of people who worked as potters and lived among plants and hedges, carrying out their work for the king. The verse highlights their specific trade and their service connected to the royal household.

This verse is part of a genealogy listing in 1 Chronicles, where the writer records the descendants of Judah. The mention of potters and their living situation shows that even those with humble or specialized jobs had a recognized place and purpose in the community, especially when their work supported the king’s needs.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:23

  • potters (יֹצְרִים, yotserim): This word means those who shape or form, usually referring to makers of pottery. Their mention here shows that skilled trades were valued and recorded in Israel’s history.
  • plants (נְטָעִים, neta‘im): This word refers to plantings or gardens. The verse notes that these potters lived among cultivated areas, suggesting their homes were near gardens or orchards, possibly for practical reasons related to their craft.
  • hedges (גְּדֵרָה, gederah): This word means enclosures or fences, often used for protection or marking boundaries. Living among hedges could indicate a rural or protected setting, perhaps on the outskirts of towns.
  • work (מְלָאכָה, melakhah): This word means work, occupation, or service. Here, it refers to the tasks these potters performed for the king, showing their labor was officially recognized and important.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:23 matters

  • This verse shows that the chronicler valued all kinds of work, not just leadership or priestly roles, by including artisans in the official records.
  • The detail about living among plants and hedges suggests that these workers had a distinct place in society, possibly set apart for their craft or for practical reasons related to their trade.
  • By connecting their work to the king, the verse highlights that even everyday labor could be significant when done in service to the community and its leaders.

Where else these words appear

“hedges” Hebrew H1448 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 32:16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
  • 1 Samuel 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
  • Ezekiel 42:12 And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.

“potters” Hebrew H3335 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
  • Isaiah 41:25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.
  • Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

“work” Hebrew H4399 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
  • 2 Chronicles 24:13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.