I Chronicles 24:5
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Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
They divided by lot - This prevented jealousies: for, as all the families were equally noble, they had equal right to all ecclesiastical and civil distinctions.
Open source ↗Thus were they divided by lot--This method of allocation was adopted manifestly to remove all cause of jealousy as to precedence and the right of performing particular duties.
Open source ↗Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another,.... Which course should serve first, and which next, and so on; and who should be the chief to each course; which course was to serve a week, and then go out; and this method was taken to prevent envy, strife, and contention about precedence: for the governors of the sanctuary; or of the holy things, or who presided in things ecclesiastical: and governors of the house of God: or rather "governors of God", appointed by him judges in civil things: were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar: there were, of both families, some employed both in sacred and civil things, and who presided in each.
Open source ↗Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another,.... Which course should serve first, and which next, and so on; and who should be the chief to each course; which course was to serve a week, and then go out; and this method was taken to prevent envy, strife, and contention about precedence: for the governors of the sanctuary; or of the holy things, or who presided in things ecclesiastical: and governors of the house of God: or rather "governors of God", appointed by him judges in civil things: were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar: there were, of both families, some employed both in sacred and civil things, and who presided in each.
Open source ↗This chapter gives us a more particular account of the distribution of the priests and Levites into their respective classes, for the more regular discharge of the duties of their offices, according to their families. I. Of the priests (v. 1-19). II. Of the Levites (Ch1 24:20-31).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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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.
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of God’s temple;
His officials also contributed willingly to the people and priests and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the administrators of the house of God, gave the priests 2,600 Passover offerings and 300 bulls.
Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, where he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
“Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,
along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.