1 chronicles 25:17 - the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 25:17

What does "1 chronicles 25:17" mean?


This verse, 1 Chronicles 25:17, is part of a larger passage describing the organization of musicians in the temple during the reign of King David. Let's break it down:

"the tenth to Shimei": This refers to the tenth group or division of musicians established by David. The previous verses (1 Chronicles 25:9-16) list the first nine groups and their leaders.
"his sons and his brothers": Shimei was the leader of this tenth division. He had sons and brothers who worked with him in this musical service. This indicates a family-based system, likely passing down musical skill and traditions.
"twelve": This means that the tenth group, led by Shimei, consisted of twelve members, including Shimei himself and his family members.

Therefore, the verse means that Shimei led the tenth division of temple musicians, and his group consisted of twelve people including his sons and brothers.

Contextual Significance:

This verse, and the entire chapter, is important for understanding:

The organization of temple worship: It highlights the structured and deliberate approach to musical performance in the temple. It wasn't just random singing and playing; it was meticulously organized into divisions with specific roles and leaders.
The Levitical role: The musicians were predominantly Levites, fulfilling their assigned duties in the temple.
The importance of music: David placed a high value on music in worship, as evidenced by the elaborate arrangements described here.
Hereditary skills: The mention of sons and brothers working together suggests that musical talent and knowledge were often passed down through families.

In essence, 1 Chronicles 25:17 tells us a small piece of the larger story about how King David structured the temple service and the role that music played in it. It highlights the contribution of Shimei and his family to this important aspect of Israelite worship.

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