And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.

1 CHRONICLES 9:32KJV
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1 Chronicles 9:32 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 9:32 mean?

1 Chronicles 9:32 describes how certain members of the Kohathite clan were responsible for preparing the “shewbread” every Sabbath. This verse highlights a specific duty assigned to a group within the Levites, showing the organized way temple service was carried out.

The book of 1 Chronicles is recounting the roles of different Levite families after the return from exile. The Kohathites were one of the main Levitical families, and here, some of their “brethren” (fellow Levites) were given the task of making the special bread that was set out in the temple each week. This bread, called “shewbread,” was a regular offering placed before God as part of Israel’s worship.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 9:32

  • שֶׁבֶת (shewbread, H3899, H4635; lechem hapanim): This word refers to the special bread set out in the sanctuary. The Hebrew term literally means “bread of the presence,” emphasizing that it was placed before God as a continual offering.
  • כֹּהָתִי (Kohathites, H6956; kohati): The Kohathites were one division of the Levites, descended from Kohath. Their specific mention shows the careful division of responsibilities among the Levite clans.
  • הֵכִין (prepare, H3559; hekin): This verb means “to prepare” or “to set in order,” pointing to the careful, ongoing work required to make the shewbread fresh every Sabbath.

Why 1 Chronicles 9:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple service was highly organized, with specific families assigned to particular tasks, reflecting the importance of order in worship.
  • The mention of the Sabbath and the regular preparation of the shewbread shows how Israel’s worship was structured around weekly rhythms and ongoing offerings to God.
  • By naming the Kohathites and their role, the verse connects to the broader theme in Chronicles of honoring the Levites’ service and preserving the memory of their contributions after the exile.

Where else these words appear

“shewbread” Hebrew H4635 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 24:6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:29 Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
  • 2 Chronicles 13:11 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

“Kohathites” Hebrew H6956 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 3:27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
  • Numbers 4:37 These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:33 And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.