And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.

1 CHRONICLES 9:33KJV
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1 Chronicles 9:33 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 9:33 mean?

1 Chronicles 9:33 describes how certain Levite families were set apart as singers, living in special rooms at the temple and relieved from other duties so they could focus on singing and music for worship day and night. These singers had a unique, ongoing responsibility among the Levites, dedicated to leading worship without interruption.

This verse is part of a larger section listing the roles of Levites after the return from exile, highlighting the importance of music in temple worship. The chronicler is explaining to the returned Israelites how the organization of temple service worked, especially the special status of the singers who served God continually.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 9:33

  • singers (שָׁרִים, sharim): This word refers to those specifically appointed to sing in the temple, not just anyone who sang. Their role was formal and central to worship.
  • chambers (לְשָׁכוֹת, leshakot): These are the rooms or spaces in the temple complex where the singers stayed. It shows they lived on-site, emphasizing their continual readiness.
  • free (פְּטוּרִים, peturim): This word means they were exempt or released from other duties. The singers were not required to do other Levite tasks, highlighting the priority of their musical service.
  • work (מְלָאכָה, melakhah): This term means work or service, and here it refers specifically to the ongoing task of singing and worship, showing it was considered real, important work.

Why 1 Chronicles 9:33 matters

  • This verse clarifies that music and singing were not side activities but essential, full-time roles in Israel’s worship life, with dedicated people set apart for this purpose.
  • It shows the careful organization of temple service, with some Levites freed from other tasks to focus solely on leading worship, which may challenge the idea that all Levites did the same work.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of 1 Chronicles, which is about restoring proper worship and temple order after the exile, helping the returned community understand their heritage and the value of each role.

Where else these words appear

“free” Hebrew H6362 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 19:10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • 1 Kings 6:35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

“chambers” Hebrew H3957 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
  • Nehemiah 13:8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
  • Ezekiel 41:10 And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.

“day” Hebrew H3119 · used in 50 verses

  • Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
  • Nehemiah 4:9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
  • Isaiah 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

“singers” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.