1 Chronicles 23:24

Authorized King James Version

These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵ֣לֶּה
H428
these or those
#2
מִבֶּ֛ן
H1121
These were the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
לֵוִי֩
H3878
of Levi
levi, a son of jacob
#4
בֵּ֣ית
H1004
after the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
הָֽאָב֣וֹת
H1
of the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#6
רָאשֵׁ֧י
H7218
even the chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#7
הָֽאָב֣וֹת
H1
of the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#8
לִפְקֽוּדֵיהֶ֗ם
H6485
as they were counted
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#9
בְּמִסְפַּ֤ר
H4557
by number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#10
שֵׁמוֹת֙
H8034
of names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#11
לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָ֔ם
H1538
by their polls
a skull (as round); by implication, a head (in enumeration of persons)
#12
עֹשֵׂה֙
H6213
that did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#13
הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה
H4399
the work
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#14
לַֽעֲבֹדַ֖ת
H5656
for the service
work of any kind
#15
בֵּ֣ית
H1004
after the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#16
יְהוָ֑ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
מִבֶּ֛ן
H1121
These were the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#18
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
H6242
of twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#19
שָׁנָ֖ה
H8141
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#20
וָמָֽעְלָה׃
H4605
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection