And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 CHRONICLES 9:16KJV
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1 Chronicles 9:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 9:16 mean?

1 Chronicles 9:16 lists two men, Obadiah and Berechiah, along with their family lines, and notes that they lived in the villages of the Netophathites. This verse is part of a record showing who lived where after the Israelites returned from exile.

The verse appears in a section where the writer is carefully documenting the families and their roles in Jerusalem and nearby villages. Naming Obadiah and Berechiah, along with their ancestors, helps trace the continuity of certain Levite families. The mention of the Netophathites points to a specific group of villages near Jerusalem, showing where these families settled and served.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 9:16

  • נְתוֹפָתִי (Netophathites, Netophati): This word refers to people from Netophah, a small village near Bethlehem. Mentioning the Netophathites highlights the local roots of these Levite families and their connection to the area surrounding Jerusalem.
  • יָשַׁב (dwelt, yashav): This verb means "to dwell" or "to live." It emphasizes that these men and their families were settled residents, not just passing through or temporarily assigned.

Why 1 Chronicles 9:16 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the organization and settlement of Levite families after the exile, showing the careful record-keeping of who served where.
  • By tracing the lineage and location of these men, the verse connects the present community to their ancestral roles, reinforcing a sense of continuity and belonging.
  • The mention of the Netophathites ties the Levites to specific places, which is important for understanding how worship and service were distributed among the people after their return.

Where else these words appear

“Galal” Hebrew H1559 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:15 And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
  • Nehemiah 11:17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

“Netophathites” Hebrew H5200 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Samuel 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
  • 1 Chronicles 2:54 The sons of Salma; Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

“Berechiah” Hebrew H1296 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:20 And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushabhesed, five.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
  • Nehemiah 3:30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.

“Jeduthun” Hebrew H3038 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
  • 1 Chronicles 25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.