Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 23:4
Of which, twenty and four thousand [were] to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand [were] officers and judges:
4. twenty and four thousand ] These were divided into courses (1Ch 23:6), serving by turn, apparently twenty-four in number, consisting each of a thousand men. The priests also were divided into a corresponding number of courses (1Ch 24:4; 1Ch 24:18).
to set forward the work ] R.V. to oversee the work. This phrase assumes that the work itself was done by others, e.g. by Nethinim (see 1Ch 9:2, note). In 1Ch 23:24 (cp. 1Ch 23:28), however, the Levites are described as doing the work.
officers and judges ] Cp. 2Ch 19:8; 2Ch 19:11. In Deu 17:9 (cp. ib. Deu 16:18) the harder causes are reserved for “the priests the Levites,” ordinary causes being decided by judges who were not Levites.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
To set forward the work of the house of the Lord, i.e. to take care that all the work of the temple about sacrifices and other parts or means of Gods service should be punctually and diligently performed, either by themselves or others; which they were not to do all at once, but by courses, a thousand at a time, as we shall shortly see.
Officers and judges; whose work it seems to have been to judge of and determine all difficult causes or differences which might arise, either among the inferior priests or Levites about their sacred administrations, or among the people, which being governed in all their concerns only by the laws of Moses, it was fit and necessary that the priests and Levites should be consulted and concerned in their matters.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. twenty and four thousand were toset forward the work of the house of the LordThey were not topreside over all the services of the temple. The Levites were subjectto the priests, and they were superior to the Nethinim and otherservants, who were not of the race of Levi. But they had certaindepartments of duty assigned, some of which are here specified.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Of which twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the Lord,…. To prepare for the work of the priests by slaying the sacrifices, flaying them, cutting them in pieces, and washing them, and bringing them to the altar; 1000 of these served weekly in their turns:
and six thousand were officers and judges: that acted as justices of the peace in the several parts of the country, heard causes and administered justice to the people, being trained up in and acquainted with the laws of God, civil as well as ecclesiastic; some were more properly judges, and others executioners of their sentence; see
De 16:18.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward.It is clear from 1Ch. 23:5 that David himself is supposed to utter both verses, thus personally assigning their commission to the Levites. The Hebrew here is peculiar. We may render: Of these let there be for superintending the work of the house of Jehovah twenty-four thousand, and scribes and judges six thousand.
To set forward.An infinitive, as at 1Ch. 22:12. The verb is that of which the participle often occurs in the titles of the Psalms. (Authorised Version, chief musician.) It means to lead, or superintend. The Levites had a share in prisoners of war, according to Num. 31:30. These they could employ in the more menial work of the sanctuary. The Gibeonites were spared on condition of becoming hewers of wood and drawers of water, i.e., Levitical bondsmen; and other whole cities may have received the same terms (Jos. 9:23; Jos. 9:27). We have details of the functions of these superintending Levites in 1Ch. 23:28-32, below.
And six thousand were officers and judges.See above. Officers (shtrm) are first mentioned in Exo. 5:6 (see Note there; and comp. Deu. 16:18). The word means writers (comp. Assyrian sadhru, to write). The progress of the entire people in power and civilisation elevated the Levites also; and from a warlike troop of defenders of the sanctuary, they became peaceful guardians of the great Temple at Jerusalem and its treasures, musicians and artists in its service, instructors and judges scattered throughout the whole country (Ewald).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. To set forward the work of the house Rather, to preside over the work; to attend to the various kinds of service specified in 1Ch 23:28-32.
Officers and judges Hebrew, Shoterim and Shophetim. They served as local magistrates and judges throughout the various cities of the land. See notes on Jos 1:10, and comp. 1Ch 26:29, and 2Ch 19:8-10.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ch 23:4. Were to set forward the work Were to preside over the works. Houbigant.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
I do not interrupt the reading of this list of the Levites, but bring the account altogether into one view, because the observations arising out of the whole are one and the same. The Reader may perhaps be led to remark, from the great number of Levites here mentioned, and which it should seem were much increased from the days of Moses, (see Num 4:48 ) how large an house of servants the Lord kept. And what a precious thought it is, that there was not only room enough for them, but a plentiful table for them, and every supply. The promise runs to this amount; They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fulness of thine house, and thou shalt make them drink of the rivers of thy pleasures. Psa 36:8 . Reader! do not overlook the privilege still of Jesus’s people. They are spiritual Levites, nay, they are royal Levites, for he hath made them kings and priests unto God and the Father. Rev 1:6 . Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will be still praising thee. Psa 84:4 . But is there not an additional note to this divine song. Yes! there is, when the believer can sing it under the Spirit’s teaching. I mean, when Jesus himself is beheld as the house and home, and habitation of his redeemed. If Moses sung this song. Reader, why may not you and I? Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations, Psa 90:1 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 23:4 Of which, twenty and four thousand [were] to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand [were] officers and judges:
Ver. 4. Of which, twenty and four thousand were, &c. ] That is, They performed their different offices in their various courses, Hinc sequitur, Hence it followeth, saith an expositor, that each priest and Levite ministered in the temple not much oftener than twice a year; for there were of them twenty-four classes, each whereof served a week together, and no more. Gospel ministers have a far harder task.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
set forward = oversee.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
twenty: 1Ch 23:28-32, 1Ch 6:48, 1Ch 9:28-32, 1Ch 26:20-27
set forward: or, oversee, Neh 11:9, Neh 11:22, Act 20:28
officers and judges: 1Ch 26:29-31, Deu 16:18, Deu 17:8-10, 2Ch 19:8, Mal 2:7
Reciprocal: Exo 22:8 – the judges Num 4:3 – to do 2Ch 34:13 – and of the Levites Ezr 7:25 – set magistrates Neh 3:17 – the ruler Eze 44:24 – in controversy
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 23:4. To set forward the work of the house of the Lord To take care that all the work of the temple, about sacrifices, should be punctually performed, either by themselves or others; which they were not to do all at once, but by courses, a thousand at a time. Six thousand were officers and judges Not in the affairs of the temple, there the priests presided, but in several parts of the kingdom, where they assisted the princes and elders of every tribe, in the administration of justice.