1 Chronicles 26:32

Authorized King James Version

And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶחָ֣יו
H251
And his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#2
בְּנֵי
H1121
men
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
חַ֗יִל
H2428
of valour
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#4
אַלְפַּ֛יִם
H505
were two thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#5
וּשְׁבַ֥ע
H7651
and seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#6
מֵא֖וֹת
H3967
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#7
רָאשֵׁ֣י
H7218
chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#8
הָֽאָב֑וֹת
H1
fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#9
וַֽיַּפְקִידֵ֞ם
H6485
made rulers
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#10
דָּוִ֣יד
H1732
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#11
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
H4428
of the king
a king
#12
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הָרֽאוּבֵנִ֤י
H7206
over the Reubenites
a reubenite or descendant of reuben
#14
וְהַגָּדִי֙
H1425
the Gadites
a gadite (collectively) or descendants of gad
#15
וַֽחֲצִי֙
H2677
and the half
the half or middle
#16
שֵׁ֣בֶט
H7626
tribe
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#17
הַֽמְנַשִּׁ֔י
H4520
of Manasseh
a menashshite or descendant of menashsheh
#18
לְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
וּדְבַ֥ר
H1697
and affairs
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#20
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
H430
pertaining to God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#21
וּדְבַ֥ר
H1697
and affairs
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#22
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
H4428
of the king
a king

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to 1 Chronicles. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection