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Easy-to-Read Version

1 Chronicles 24:31

They were chosen for special jobs by throwing lots, like their relatives, the priests. The priests were Aaron's descendants. They threw lots in front of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the leaders of the priests' and Levite families. The older families and the younger families were treated the same when their jobs were chosen.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Abiathar;   Lot, the;   Porters;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Priests;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Abiathar;   Ahimelech;   Zacharias;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Abiathar;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Jerahmeel;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Lots;   Patriarch ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Abia course of;   Abiathar;   Levites;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Abiathar;   Abimelech;   Father's House;   Patriarch;   Principal;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
They also cast lots the same way as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.
Hebrew Names Version
These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aharon in the presence of David the king, and Tzadok, and Achimelekh, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the Kohanim and of the Levites; the fathers' [houses] of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
These also, the head of each father's house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites.
New Century Version
They were chosen for special jobs by throwing lots in front of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, the leaders of the families of the priests, and the Levites. They did this just as their relatives, the priests, Aaron's descendants, had done. The families of the oldest brother and the youngest brother were treated the same.
New English Translation
Just like their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, they also cast lots before King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, the leaders of families, the priests, and the Levites. The families of the oldest son cast lots along with those of the youngest.
Amplified Bible
These also cast lots as did their relatives the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of father's households as well as those of his younger brother.
New American Standard Bible
These also cast lots just as their relatives, the sons of Aaron did in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of fathers' households as well as those of his younger brother.
World English Bible
These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers' [houses] of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And these also cast lots with their brethren the sonnes of Aaron before King Dauid, & Zadok and Ahimelech and the chiefe fathers of the Priests, and of the Leuites, euen the chiefe of the families against their yonger brethren.
Legacy Standard Bible
These also cast lots alongside their relatives the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of fathers' households alongside those of his younger brother.
Berean Standard Bible
As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites-the family heads and their younger brothers alike.
Contemporary English Version
Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses.
Complete Jewish Bible
These likewise cast lots, as had their kinsmen the descendants of Aharon, in the presence of David the king, Tzadok, Achimelekh, and the clan leaders of the cohanim and of the L'vi'im; with the senior and junior clans casting lots equally.
Darby Translation
These likewise cast lots just as their brethren the sons of Aaron before David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief fathers of the priests and Levites,—the chief fathers just as the youngest of their brethren.
George Lamsa Translation
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.
Good News Translation
The head of each family and one of his younger brothers drew lots for their assignments, just as their relatives, the priests descended from Aaron, had done. King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites were witnesses.
Lexham English Bible
And lots were also cast for these, just as their brothers, the sons of Aaron, before David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families for the priests and for the Levites the fathers, on the principle of the chief and younger brother alike.
Literal Translation
And they also made fall lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did before the face of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers, for the priests and Levites, eventhe head of the fathers, as well as hisyounger brother.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the lot was cast for them also besyde their brethren the children of Aaron, in the presence of kynge Dauid and Sadoc and Ahimelech, and before the chefe fathers amonge the prestes & Leuites, as well for the leest brother as for the chefest amonge the fathers.
American Standard Version
These likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers' houses of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
Bible in Basic English
Selection was made of these in the same way as of their brothers the sons of Aaron, David the king being present, with Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites; the families of the chief in the same way as those of his younger brother.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And these cast lottes next to their brethren the sonnes of Aaron in the presence of Dauid the king, and Zadoc, and Ahimelec, and the auncient fathers of the priestes & Leuites, euen the principall fathers, before their younger brethren.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
These likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers' houses of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
King James Version (1611)
These likewise cast lots ouer against their brethren the sonnes of Aaron, in the presence of Dauid the King, and Zadok and Ahimelech, and the chiefe of the fathers of the priests and Leuites, euen the principall fathers ouer against their yonger brethren.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And they also received lots as their brethren the sons of Aaron before the king; Sadoc also, and Achimelech, and the chiefs of the families of the priests and of the Levites, principal heads of families, even as their younger brethren.
English Revised Version
These likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ [houses] of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers’ [houses] of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Also and thei senten lottis ayens her britheren, the sones of Aaron, bifor Dauid the kyng, and bifor Sadoch, and Achymelech, and the princes of meynees of preestis and of dekenes; lot departide euenli alle, bothe the gretter and the lesse.
Update Bible Version
These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers' [houses] of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
New King James Version
These also cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and Levites. The chief fathers did just as their younger brethren.
New Living Translation
Like the descendants of Aaron, they were assigned to their duties by means of sacred lots, without regard to age or rank. Lots were drawn in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and the Levites.
New Life Bible
The head of each family and his younger brother drew names just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did. They drew them in front of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the religious leaders and of the Levites.
New Revised Standard
These also cast lots corresponding to their kindred, the descendants of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of ancestral houses of the priests and of the Levites, the chief as well as the youngest brother.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Moreover, they also, cast lots along with their brethren the sons of Aaron, before David the king and Zadok and Ahimelech, and the ancestral chiefs, pertaining to the priests and to the Levites, the ancestral chief along with his younger brethren.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they also cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron before David the king, and Sadoc, and Ahimelech, and the princes of the priestly and Levitical families, both the elder and the younger. The lot divided all equally.
Revised Standard Version
These also, the head of each father's house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brethren the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahim'elech, and the heads of fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites.
Young's Literal Translation
and they cast, they also, lots over-against their brethren the sons of Aaron, before David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and heads of the fathers, for priests and for Levites; the chief father over-against his younger brother.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
These also cast lots just as their relatives the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of fathers' households as well as those of his younger brother.

Contextual Overview

20 These are the names of the rest of Levi's descendants: Shubael was a descendant of Amram. Jehdeiah was a descendant of Shubael. 21 Isshiah was the oldest son of Rehabiah. 22 From the Izhar family group there was Shelomoth. Jahath was a descendant of Shelomoth. 23 Jeriah was the oldest son of Hebron. Amariah was Hebron's second son. Jahaziel was his third son, and Jekameam was his fourth son. 24 Uzziel's son was Micah. Micah's son was Shamir. 25 Isshiah was Micah's brother. Isshiah's son was Zechariah. 26 Merari's descendants were Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah his son. 27 Jaaziah son of Merari had sons named Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Mahli's son was Eleazar, but Eleazar did not have sons. 29 Kish's son was Jerahmeel.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

lots: 1 Chronicles 24:5, 1 Chronicles 24:6, Numbers 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. 1 Chronicles 25:8, 1 Chronicles 26:13

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:53 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 15:12 - Ye are the chief 1 Chronicles 24:3 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 26:32 - chief fathers 1 Chronicles 27:17 - of the Aaronites 2 Chronicles 1:2 - the chief 2 Chronicles 5:2 - the chief 2 Chronicles 23:18 - whom David Ezra 8:1 - the chief Proverbs 18:18 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 26:29
We did not hurt you; now you should promise not to hurt us. We sent you away, but we sent you away in peace. Now it is clear that the Lord has blessed you."
Judges 17:2
Micah said to his mother, "Do you remember that someone stole 28 pounds of silver from you? I heard you say a curse about that. Well, I have the silver. I took it." His mother said, "The Lord bless you, my son."
Ruth 3:10
Then Boaz said, "May the Lord bless you, young woman. You have been very kind to me. Your kindness to me is greater than the kindness you showed to Naomi in the beginning. You could have looked for a young man to marry, rich or poor. But you did not.
Psalms 115:15
May you receive blessings from the Lord , who made heaven and earth.
Proverbs 17:8
Some people think a bribe is like a lucky charm—it seems to work wherever they go.
Proverbs 18:16
Gifts can open many doors and help you meet important people.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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 1 Chronicles 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 Chronicles 23:7-23; 1 Chronicles 24:20-30 is 25.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Chronicles 24:31. 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.


 
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