These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.
1 CHRONICLES 4:23KJVWhat 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.