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Contemporary English Version

1 Chronicles 24:6

As each group was assigned their duties, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the Levite wrote down the name of the family leader in charge of that group. The witnesses were David and his officials, as well as Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the family leaders from the clans of the priests and the Levites.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Abiathar;   Eleazar (Eleazer);   Ithamar;   Lot, the;   Nethaneel;   Priest;   Scribe (S);   Shemaiah;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Priests;   Scribes;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Abiathar;   Ahimelech;   Shemaiah;   Zacharias;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Priest;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Courses;   Nethaneel;   Scribes;   Shemaiah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Abiathar;   Nethaneel;   Priest;   Shemaiah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Lots;   Nethaneel;   Scribe;   Shemaiah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Abiathar;   Ahimelech;   Chronicles, I;   Nethanel;   Priests and Levites;   Shemaiah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abiathar;   Chief Priests ;   Lots;   Lots ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Courses;   Ithamar ;   Nethaneel ;   Shemaiah ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Abia course of;   Abiathar;   High priest;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Nethan'e-El;   Priest;   Shemai'ah;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Priest;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Abiathar;   Ahijah;   Ahimelech;   Chronicles, Books of;   Father's House;   Genealogy;   Nethanel;   Priest, High;   Shemaiah;   Zadok;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Priest;   Zadok;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The secretary, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the officers, the priest Zadok, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites. One ancestral family was taken for Eleazar, and then one for Ithamar.
Hebrew Names Version
Shemayah the son of Netan'el the Sofer, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Tzadok the Kohen, and Achimelekh the son of Avyatar, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the Kohanim and of the Levites; one fathers' house being taken for El`azar, and one taken for Itamar.
King James Version
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
English Standard Version
And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father's house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.
New Century Version
Shemaiah son of Nethanel, from the tribe of Levi, was the secretary. He recorded the names of those descendants in front of King David, the officers, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the families of the priests and Levites. The work was divided by lots among the families of Eleazar and Ithamar. The following men with their groups were chosen.
New English Translation
The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, wrote down their names before the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the priestly and Levite families. One family was drawn by lot from Eleazar, and then the next from Ithamar.
Amplified Bible
Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the officers, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar [the priest who escaped Saul's massacre at Nob], and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites; one father's household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.
New American Standard Bible
Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and the Levites; one father's household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.
World English Bible
Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers' house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And Shemaiah the sonne of Nethaneel the scribe of the Leuites, wrote them before ye King and the princes, and Zadok the Priest, and Ahimelech the sonne of Abiathar, and before ye chiefe fathers of the Priests and of the Leuites, one familie being reserued for Eleazar, and another reserued for Ithamar.
Legacy Standard Bible
Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, wrote them down in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites; one father's household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.
Berean Standard Bible
The secretary, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites-one family being taken from Eleazar, and then one from Ithamar.
Complete Jewish Bible
Sh'ma‘yah the son of N'tan'el the secretary, one of the L'vi'im, recorded them in the presence of the king, the officers, Tzadok the cohen, Achimelekh the son of Evyatar, and the clan leaders of the cohanim and of the L'vi'im — with two clan divisions taken from El‘azar for each one from Itamar.
Darby Translation
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, [one] of the Levites, inscribed them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the chief fathers of the priests and Levites: one father's house was drawn for Eleazar, and one drawn for Ithamar.
Easy-to-Read Version
Shemaiah was the secretary. He was Nethanel's son. Shemaiah was from the tribe of Levi. Shemaiah wrote the names of those descendants. He wrote their names in front of King David and these leaders: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech, and the leaders from the families of the priests and of the Levites. Ahimelech was Abiathar's son. Each time they threw the lots a man was chosen, and Shemaiah wrote down that man's name. So they divided the work among groups of men from the families of Eleazar and Ithamar.
George Lamsa Translation
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaniel the scribe, one of the Levites, recorded them before King David and the elders of Israel and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and before the chiefs of the fathers of the priests and of the Levites, one principal family being taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.
Good News Translation
The descendants of Eleazar and of Ithamar took turns drawing lots. Then they were registered by Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite secretary. The king, his officials, the priest Zadok, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of the priestly families and of the Levite families, were all witnesses.
Lexham English Bible
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them before the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites, one father's house drawn by Lot for Eleazar and one drawn by lot for Ithamar.
Literal Translation
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the rulers, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the rulers of the fathers of the priests and Levites. One father's house was taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the Scrybe Semeia the sonne of Nethaneel one of the Leuites, wrote them vp before ye kynge and before the rulers, and before Sadoc the prest, & before Ahimelech the sonne of Abiathar, & before the chefe of the fathers amonge the prestes & Leuites: namely one fathers house for Eleasar, and the other for Ithamar.
American Standard Version
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers' house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
Bible in Basic English
And Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was a Levite, put down their names in writing, the king being present with the rulers, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites; one family being taken for Eleazar and then one for Ithamar, and so on.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Semeia the sonne of Nathanael the scribe, of the kinred of the Leuites, wrote them before the king & the lordes, & before Zadoc the priest and Ahimelec the sonne of Abiathar, and before the auncient fathers of the priestes and Leuites, one principall housholde being reserued for Eleazar, and one for Ithamar.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites: one father's house being taken for Eleazar, and proportionately for Ithamar.
King James Version (1611)
And Shemaiah the sonne of Nathanael the Scribe, one of the Leuites, wrote them before the King and the Princes, and Zadok the Priest, and Ahimelech the sonne of Abiathar, and before the chiefe of the fathers of the priests and Leuites: one principall houshold being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Samaias the son of Nathanael, the scribe, of the family of Levi, wrote them down before the king, and the princes, and Sadoc the priest, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar were present; and the heads of the families of the priests and the Levites, each of a household were assigned one to Eleazar, and one to Ithamar.
English Revised Version
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ [houses] of the priests and of the Levites: one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Semeye, the sone of Nathanael, a scribe of the lynage of Leuy, discriuede hem bifore the king and pryncis, and bifor Sadoch, the preest, and Achymelech, the sone of Abiathar, and to the prynces of meynees of the preestis and of the dekenes; he discriuyde oon hows of Eleazar, that was souereyn to othere, and `the tother hows of Ithamar, that hadde othere vndir hym.
Update Bible Version
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers' house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken, one taken for Ithamar.
Webster's Bible Translation
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, [one] of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and [before] the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and [one] taken for Ithamar.
New King James Version
And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and Levites, one father's house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
New Living Translation
Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, acted as secretary and wrote down the names and assignments in the presence of the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites. The descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar took turns casting lots.
New Life Bible
The writer Shemaiah, the Levite son of Nethanel, wrote down their names. He wrote them in front of the king, the princes, Zadok the religious leader, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the families of the religious leaders and of the Levites. One family was taken for Eleazar, and one for Ithamar.
New Revised Standard
The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king, and the officers, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of ancestral houses of the priests and of the Levites; one ancestral house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Shemaiah son of Nethanel the scribe from among the Levites, wrote them down, before the king and the rulers and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the ancestral chiefs, pertaining to the priests and to the Levites, - one ancestral house, was taken for Eleazar, and, was equally taken, for Ithamar.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Semeias the son of Nathanael the scribe a Levite, wrote them down before the king and the princes, and Sadoc the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the princes also of the priestly and Levitical families: one house, which was over the rest, of Eleazar: and another house, which had the rest under it, of Ithamar.
Revised Standard Version
And the scribe Shemai'ah the son of Nethan'el, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahim'elech the son of Abi'athar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; one father's house being chosen for Elea'zar and one chosen for Ith'amar.
Young's Literal Translation
And Shemaiah son of Nethaneel the scribe, of the Levites, writeth them before the king and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and heads of the fathers, for priests and for Levites: one house of a father being taken possession of for Eleazar, and one being taken possession of for Ithamar.
THE MESSAGE
The secretary Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, wrote down their names in the presence of the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the priestly and Levitical families. They took turns: One family was selected from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites; one father's household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.

Contextual Overview

1 Aaron's descendants were then divided into work groups. Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died long before their father, without having any sons. That's why Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 3 David divided Aaron's descendants into groups, according to their assigned work. Zadok, one of Eleazar's descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar's descendants, helped David. 4 Eleazar's descendants were divided into sixteen groups, and Ithamar's were divided into eight groups, because Eleazar's family included more family leaders. 5 However, both families included temple officials and priests, and so to make sure the work was divided fairly, David asked God what to do. 6 As each group was assigned their duties, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the Levite wrote down the name of the family leader in charge of that group. The witnesses were David and his officials, as well as Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the family leaders from the clans of the priests and the Levites. 7Each group of priests went by the name of its family leader, and they were assigned their duties in the following order: Jehoiarib, Jedaiah, Harim, Seorim, Malchijah, Mijamin, Hakkoz, Abijah, Jeshua, Shecaniah, Eliashib, Jakim, Huppah, Jeshebeab, Bilgah, Immer, Hezir, Happizzez, Pethahiah, Jehezkel, Jachin, Gamul, Delaiah, Maaziah. 19 These men were assigned their duties at the temple, just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded their ancestor Aaron.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the scribe: 1 Kings 4:3, 2 Chronicles 34:13, Ezra 7:6, Nehemiah 8:1, Matthew 8:19, Matthew 13:52, Matthew 23:1, Matthew 23:2

principal household: Heb. house of the father, 1 Chronicles 23:24

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 24:3 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 24:31 - lots 1 Chronicles 25:1 - the captains 2 Chronicles 5:2 - the chief 2 Chronicles 23:2 - the chief of Nehemiah 12:12 - the chief

Cross-References

Genesis 24:13
The young women of the city will soon come to this well for water,
Genesis 24:22
The servant had brought along an expensive gold ring and two large gold bracelets. When Rebekah had finished bringing the water, he gave her the ring for her nose and the bracelets for her arms.
Galatians 5:1
Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.
Hebrews 10:39
We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved.
Hebrews 11:9
Because Abraham had faith, he lived as a stranger in the promised land. He lived there in a tent, and so did Isaac and Jacob, who were later given the same promise.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe,.... The Targum is, Moses the chief scribe, so called: one

of the Levites wrote them: the lots, and the names upon them, put into the urn, and as they came out, which was first, second, c. and this was done

before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites and in this public manner, before such great personages, and in the presence of those that were interested in the affair, that it might appear plainly no fraudulent methods were taken, and that there might be no suspicion of any:

one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one for Ithamar; the sense of Jarchi as above, and other Jewish writers, is, that one was added to each family of Eleazar, and so made sixteen, and Ithamar's were retained, and left as at first, eight: but the sense is, that first one family of Eleazar was taken, and then one of Ithamar's family, and then one of Eleazar's again, and so on until sixteen were gone through; and then the other eight were divided under so many heads of the family of Eleazar.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wrote them before the king - i. e., “wrote down their names as the lots were drawn forth.”

Ahimelech the son of Abiathar - A wrong reading. It should be “Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech.” See the 2 Samuel 8:17 note.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Chronicles 24:6. And Shemaiah — "Moses the great scribe, who is called Shemaiah, the son of Nethaneel, of the tribe of Levi, wrote them down." - T.

One principal household - for Eleazar — The family of Eleazar was the most illustrious of the sacerdotal families, because Eleazar was the first-born of Aaron, Ithamar's family was the second in order and dignity; therefore one of the principal families of Eleazar was first taken, and then one of Ithamar's, and thus alternately till the whole was finished.


 
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