Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 24:31
These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.
31. over against their brethren ] R.V. even as their brethren.
and Ahimelech ] We expect and Abiathar; cp. 1Ch 24:3; 1Ch 15:11 ; 1Ch 18:16; with the notes.
the chief of the fathers ] R.V. the heads of the fathers’ houses.
even the principal brethren ] R.V. the fathers’ houses of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The principal fathers over against their younger brethren – i. e., all the Levitical houses enumerated drew lots in their courses on equal terms, the older families having no advantage over the younger ones. As there were 24 courses of the priests, so we must suppose that there were 24 of the Levites, though the number of the families as given in the text 1 Chr. 23:7-23; 1Ch 24:20-30 is 25.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 31. These likewise cast lots] The Levites were divided into twenty-four orders; and these were appointed by lot to serve under the twenty-four orders of the priests: the first order of Levities under the first order of priests, and so on. The meaning is not very clear: “both elder and younger,” says Bishop Patrick, “had their places by lot, not by seniority of houses. They who were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less; and were to take their courses according to the lot they drew.” This may have been the case; but we are very little interested in the subject.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Over against their brethren the sons of Aaron, i.e. answerable for number and order to those of the priests, so as there should be a several course of the Levites for each course of the priests. This is expressed concerning the singers, 1Ch 25, and the like is implied concerning the porters, 1Ch 26, and is here sufficiently intimated concerning those Levites which were employed in other sacred ministrations.
The principal fathers over against their younger brethren; the lots of the elder and younger brethren were promiscuously put together, and the order was settled as the lots came forth, without any regard to the age, or dignity, or number of the persons or families, the youngest family having thee first course if they had the first lot, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
These likewise cast lots over against their brethren, the sons of Aaron,…. These, being divided into twenty four classes also, cast lots, which class should answer to, attend upon, and serve the first course of the priests, and which the second, and so on. And this they did in the same solemn and public manner as the priests had done:
in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites; as in 1Ch 24:6
even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren; the sense is, either that the one stood over against the other, to be distributed by lot, the one as well as the other; or they were chosen by lot, let it fall as it would, without any regard to age or dignity, to the seniority or largeness of houses and families; but as they were chosen, be they younger or elder, richer or poorer, their families more or less numerous and ancient, so they took their places.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(31) These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron.Rather, Just like, in the same way as their brethren, the priests. The same compound preposition (leummath) recurs in 1Ch. 26:12; 1Ch. 26:16. In 2Sa. 16:13 it has the sense of over against, or parallel with. The lots were cast, as in the case of the priests, to determine the order according to which the classes were to serve in rotation.
Their brethren the sons of Aaron.This expression seems to indicate that the preceding list does not include all the Levites, but only those who assisted the priests in the Temple services: that is, the 24,000 of 1Ch. 23:4. The chronicler naturally returned to them after his account of the priestly classes. Hence, perhaps, the omission of the Gershonite houses is intentional. The narrative proceeds to treat of the Levites who were not in immediate attendance on the priesthood in 1 Chronicles 25, 26
The chief of the fathers.Rather, the chiefs of the clans.
Even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.Rather, clansthe chief just like his younger brother. The word fathers (bth) is a brief form of father-houses (bth- bth). The meaning appears to be that all the Levitical houses received their position by lot, senior and junior branches alike. The order, as thus determined, is not communicated; nor is it expressly stated that the Levitical classes were twenty-four in number, but it appears highly probable, both from the data of the text, and from the analogy of the classes of the priests and the musicians (1 Chronicles 25).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
31. The principal fathers over against their younger brethren These courses were decided by lot, so that in the present classification the older houses had no advantage over the younger. Hence the differences between this list and that of chapter 23.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ch 24:31. Even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren The meaning, says Bishop Patrick, is, that both elder and younger had their places by lot, not by seniority of houses: they who were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less, and all were to take their courses according to the lot that they drew.
REFLECTIONS.1st, The family of Eleazar, being most numerous, had sixteen courses; Ithamar only eight. That there might be no dispute about precedence, God appoints the determination of the order in which they should minister to be by lot: and these courses, though interrupted probably during the reigns of wicked kings, or in the captivity, yet subsisted still at their return, and till the destruction of the second temple. In Luk 1:5 we find John the Baptist’s father of the course of Abijah, 1Ch 24:10. Note; Order and regularity in God’s worship must be carefully preserved.
2nd, The Levites, divided into the same number of courses as the priests, cast lots also to determine their order of service. When God determined their lot, there could be no room for strife. The priests are called their brethren, because, though the Levites were in a station inferior, yet they were employed in the same sacred service, and to be regarded, not as servants, but as assistants in their work.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS
WHAT a sweet thought ariseth out of the perusal of this chapter! we here behold Levites set apart by lot to stand before the Lord, according to the order of their course in their daily ministration. And no doubt, beheld with an eye to Jesus, as a figure for the time then present, the order was beautiful, their ministration lovely, and they were accepted before God in Jesus. But what a sweet thought ariseth out of this very contemplation, when we consider the whole of this service as shadows only of good things to come, the body of which was Jesus; and now behold the whole body of Levites, even all the mystical members of Jesus, as set apart to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy, accept able, before God in Jesus, as their reasonable service. The Levites ministered only in the order of their course. But Jesus’s Priests continually. They, when they had fulfilled their monthly station, retired to make way for the ministration of others. But Jesus’s Levites are supposed daily and hourly to draw nigh to a throne of grace, having boldness to enter into the holiest at all times, and upon all occasions, by the blood of Jesus. Think, then, ye of this royal priesthood, to what vast dignity ye are called! Jesus, your great high priest, hath brought you nigh. He hath opened this new and living way by his blood, and ever liveth to keep it open by his intercession! See, then, that ye live up to this high privilege. A throne of grace is always open, always accessible, and the promise calls us to approach. Sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, consecrated by the word and prayer, and receiving of the fulness of the Spirit, let us draw near with true hearts, in full assurance of faith.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
cast lots. See notes on the Urim and Thummim (Exo 28:30. Num 26:55).
over against = equally with.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
lots: 1Ch 24:5, 1Ch 24:6, Num 26:56
even the principal: The whole company being ranged according to their families, with the proper number of divisions, the order of their courses was assigned them by lot, without respect to rank or seniority. 1Ch 25:8, 1Ch 26:13
Reciprocal: 1Ch 6:53 – Zadok 1Ch 15:12 – Ye are the chief 1Ch 24:3 – Zadok 1Ch 26:32 – chief fathers 1Ch 27:17 – of the Aaronites 2Ch 1:2 – the chief 2Ch 5:2 – the chief 2Ch 23:18 – whom David Ezr 8:1 – the chief Pro 18:18 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 24:31. These likewise cast lots There was the like solemnity used in their distribution as there was in that of the priests, by casting lots; whereby they knew what Levites should wait in every course with the sons of Aaron. Even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren These words are somewhat obscure, but the meaning, says Bishop Patrick, is, that both elder and younger had their places by lot, not by seniority of houses: they who were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less: and they were to take their courses as they fell either to the elder or the younger family.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
24:31 These likewise cast {f} lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.
(f) That is, every one had that honour which fell to him by lot.