1 Chronicles 18:16
1 Chronicles 18:16 in Multiple Translations
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
And Zadok, the son of Ahitub; and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was the scribe;
Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were the priests, while Shavsha was secretary.
And Zadok the sonne of Ahitub, and Abimelech the sonne of Abiathar were the Priests, and Shausha the Scribe,
and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Abimelech son of Abiathar, [are] priests, and Shavsha [is] scribe,
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe;
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Susa, scribe.
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the Supreme Priests. Shavsha was the official secretary.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 18:16
BAB
Word Study
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1 Chronicles 18:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/צָד֧וֹק
בֶּן
אֲחִיט֛וּב
וַ/אֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ
בֶּן
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
כֹּהֲנִ֑ים
וְ/שַׁוְשָׁ֖א
סוֹפֵֽר
וְ/צָד֧וֹק
Tsâdôwq
H6659
Zadok
Conj | N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
אֲחִיט֛וּב
ʼĂchîyṭûwb
H285
Ahitub
N-proper
וַ/אֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
Ahimelech
Conj | N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
ʼEbyâthâr
H54
Abiathar
N-proper
כֹּהֲנִ֑ים
kôhên
H3548
priest
N-mp
וְ/שַׁוְשָׁ֖א
Shavshâʼ
H7798
Shavsha
Conj | N-proper
סוֹפֵֽר
çâphar
H5608
to recount
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 18:16
וְ/צָד֧וֹק
Tsâdôwq
H6659
"Zadok"
Conj | N-proper
Zadok was a high priest in Israel who supported King David and anointed Solomon as king. His name means righteous and he is mentioned in 1 Kings and Nehemiah. Zadok was a key figure in Israel's history.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.13.13 § Zadok = "righteous" 1) the high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul's death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king 2) a priest, son of Meraioth, father of Meshullam of the house of Ahitub; apparently a nephew of 1 3) father of Jerusha, the wife of king Uzziah and mother of king Jotham of Judah 4) son of Baana and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 5) son of Immer and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 6) a leader of the people in the time of Nehemiah 7) a scribe appointed by Nehemiah as one of the treasurers over the storehouse 8) a valiant warrior of the tribe of Benjamin who joined David at Hebron. Same as 1?
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: Zadok. See also: 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 5:34; Ezekiel 48:11.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אֲחִיט֛וּב
ʼĂchîyṭûwb
H285
"Ahitub"
N-proper
Ahitub was a priest in the Bible, mentioned in 1 Chronicles as the son of Uzzi and father of Meraioth. His name means my brother is good, and he was part of the tribe of Levi, playing a role in the religious leadership of Israel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.6; son of: Uzzi (H5813); father of: Meraioth (H4812); also called Ahitub at 1Ch.9.11; 1x Another name of ze.rach.yah (זְרַחְיָה "Zerahiah" H2228G) § Ahitub = "my brother is good (goodness)" 1) a grandson of Eli 2) the father of Zadok the priest
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Ahitub. See also: 1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Chronicles 5:34; Nehemiah 11:11.
וַ/אֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
"Ahimelech"
Conj | N-proper
Abimelech was the name of two Philistine kings and two Israelites in the Bible, including a king who met Abraham and a priest who helped David. The name means 'my father is king'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; son of: Abiathar (H0054); brother of: Jonathan (H3083I) Another spelling of a.chi.me.lekh (אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Ahimelech" H0288I) § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Abimelech. See also: Genesis 20:2; Judges 9:20; Psalms 34:1.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
ʼEbyâthâr
H54
"Abiathar"
N-proper
Abiathar, an Israelite priest, was a faithful follower of David, but later rebelled with Adonijah, and is mentioned in 1 Samuel 22:20. His name means 'my father is great'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.20; son of: Ahimelech (H0288); father of: Ahimelech (H0288I), Jonathan (H3083I) Also named: Abiathar (Ἀβιαθάρ "Abiathar" G0008) § Abiathar = "my father is great" priest, son of Ahitub (Ahimelech), faithful to David, but later rebelled with Adonijah
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: Abiathar. See also: 1 Samuel 22:20; 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Chronicles 27:34.
כֹּהֲנִ֑ים
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
N-mp
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
וְ/שַׁוְשָׁ֖א
Shavshâʼ
H7798
"Shavsha"
Conj | N-proper
Shavsha was an Israelite who lived during King David's time and worked as a royal scribe. He was the father of Elihoreph and Ahijah. The name Shavsha means 'nobility'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; father of: Elihoreph (H0456) and Ahijah (H0281); also called Shavsha at 1Ch.18.16; Sheva(Ketiv: Sheya) at 2Sa.20.25; Shisha at 1Ki.4.3; Another name of se.ra.yah (שְׂרָיָהוּ "Seraiah" H8304G) § Shavsha = "nobility" the royal scribe or secretary for David
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Shavsha. See also: 1 Chronicles 18:16.
סוֹפֵֽר
çâphar
H5608
"to recount"
N-ms
This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.
Definition: v 1) to count, recount, relate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to count (things) 1a2) to number, take account of, reckon 1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered 1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare 1c1) to recount (something), rehearse 1c2) to talk 1c3) to count exactly or accurately 1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. See also: Genesis 15:5; Esther 8:9; Psalms 2:7.
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 18:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Chronicles 18:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 18:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 18:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:16
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 18:16
- Sermons on 1 Chronicles 18:16
Context — David’s Officers
14Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:
15Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
16Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;
17Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 8:17 | Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 20:25 | Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; |
| 3 | 1 Kings 4:3 | Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 24:6 | The scribe, 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. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 2:35 | And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place. |
1 Chronicles 18:16 Summary
This verse, 1 Chronicles 18:16, tells us about some of the important leaders in King David's government, including two priests named Zadok and Ahimelech, and a scribe named Shavsha. These leaders helped King David make sure everything ran smoothly and that God's people were taken care of, much like the leaders in Exodus 18:13-27 who helped Moses. By having spiritual leaders like Zadok and Ahimelech, King David showed that he valued God's Word and worship, as seen in Psalm 119:1-8. This reminds us that our leaders should prioritize serving God and His people, just like King David did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Zadok and Ahimelech in the Bible?
Zadok and Ahimelech were two prominent priests in King David's administration, as seen in 1 Chronicles 18:16, and they played significant roles in Israel's spiritual life, similar to the priests mentioned in Leviticus 1:1-7.
What was the role of a scribe in ancient Israel?
A scribe, like Shavsha in 1 Chronicles 18:16, was responsible for recording important documents and events, much like the scribes mentioned in Ezra 7:11-12 who helped with the restoration of Jerusalem.
How did King David organize his government?
King David established a well-organized government with various officials, including priests, scribes, and military leaders, as seen in 1 Chronicles 18:14-17, reflecting the wisdom and leadership principles found in Proverbs 24:3-4.
Why is it important to have spiritual leaders like Zadok and Ahimelech?
Spiritual leaders like Zadok and Ahimelech, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 18:16, are essential for guiding God's people in their faith and obedience, as emphasized in Hebrews 13:17 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from the way King David valued and organized his spiritual leaders, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
- How do the roles of Zadok, Ahimelech, and Shavsha in 1 Chronicles 18:16 illustrate the importance of teamwork and collaboration in serving God?
- In what ways can we, like King David, prioritize justice and righteousness in our own communities, as seen in 1 Chronicles 18:14?
- What does the presence of priests and scribes in King David's administration reveal about the centrality of God's Word and worship in his kingdom?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 18:16
See Gill "1 Chronicles 18:1".
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 18:16
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; Abimelech - elsewhere Ahimelech (cf.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:16
(16) Zadok, of the line of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:4-8). (Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:28; 1 Chronicles 16:39; 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 15:24; 2 Samuel 19:11; 1 Kings 1:8; 1 Kings 4:4.) Abimelech the son of Abiathar.—Read Ahimelech the son of Abiathar. Samuel has “Ahimelech the son of Abiathar.” Elsewhere Zadok and Abiathar figure as the priests of David’s reign (comp. 2 Samuel 15:29; 2 Samuel 15:35), and as Abiathar was a son of the Ahimelech who was slain at Nob by Saul’s orders (1 Samuel 22:20), it has been proposed to read here and in the parallel passage,” Abiathar the son of Ahimelech.” The correction, however, is far from certain, inasmuch as an “Ahimelech son of Abiathar,” who was priest in David’s time, is mentioned thrice in 1 Chronicles 24:3; 1 Chronicles 24:6; 1 Chronicles 24:31, and this Ahimelech may have been acting as locum tenens for his father at the time when this brief list was drawn up. In the absence of details, it would be arbitrary to alter the text of four different passages of the Chronicles. In Samuel the Syriac and Arabic read “Abiathar son of Ahimelech,” but here LXX., Vulg., Syriac, Arabic, all have “Ahimelech son of Abiathar.” Abiathar was of the lineage of Ithamar. Shavsha.—Besides the variants in the margin, 2 Samuel 20:25 has “Shĕ ?va” (Heb. margin, Shĕ ?ya). Seraiah (with which comp. Israel) appears to be the original name. (Comp. Syriac and Arabic, “Sarîyâ.”)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18:16
Verse 16. Zadok-and Abimelech - priests] Both high priests; one at Gibeon, and the other at Jerusalem, as we have seen 1 Chronicles 16:39. Shavsha was scribe] Called Seraiah, 2 Samuel 8:17.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 18:16
16. Abimelech the son of Abiathar] In 2 Samuel 8:17, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, but read Abiathar son of Ahimelech in both passages. Cp. 1 Chronicles 15:11; 1 Chronicles 24:2, notes; and Kirkpatrick on 2 Samuel 8:17. Shavsha] 2 Samuel 8:17, Seraiah; ib. 2 Samuel 20:25 Sheva; and 1 Kings 4:3 (perhaps), Shisha. Shisha and Shavsha probably represent two different attempts to pronounce a foreign name; Seraiah and Sheva are mere errors of transcription. Foreigners were admitted to posts of authority in the empire of David and Solomon; Ittai the Gittite and Uriah the Hittite are instances. scribe] R.V. mg., secretary. See 2 Kings 12:10; 2 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 22:3; cp. 2 Kings 25:19, a passage which suggests that there was a second scribe with military duties. The first, the king’s scribe, would formulate the king’s orders and conduct his correspondence with foreign powers.
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 18:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(2 Samuel) Fighting to Keep Unity by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a story from the Bible about a wise woman who saves her city from a siege. The woman approaches Joab, a military leader, and proposes a solut |
|
Two Ministries Two Priesthoods by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses four stages of the preaching of the word of God. The first stage involves God breaking the strength of the preacher and his family, resulting |
|
Faith Identification With Christ by A.W. Tozer | Greek Word Studies delves into the concept of 'phronesis' as practical understanding and discernment of everyday needs and problems, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planni |