Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 26:2
Meshelemiah, a Levite, was a gatekeeper who lived during the Exile and Return, and was the father of several sons, including Zechariah and Jediael, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:21.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.9.21; father of: Zechariah (H2148A), Jediael (H3043J), Zebadiah (H2069J), Jathniel (H3496), Elam (H5867H), Jehohanan (H3076I) and Eliehoenai (H0454A); also called Shelemiah at 1Ch.26.14; Also named: she.lem.yah (שֶׁלֶמְיָהוּ "Shelemiah" H8018O) § Meshelemiah = "whom Jehovah repays" a Korhite Levite porter or gatekeeper of the house of God in the time of David
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Meshelemiah. See also: 1 Chronicles 9:21; 1 Chronicles 26:2; 1 Chronicles 26:9.
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.
Zechariah means Jehovah remembers, a name given to 29 Israelites, including a prophet and priest who lived during the Exile and Return, as mentioned in Nehemiah 12:35 and Zechariah 1:1.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.35; son of: Jonathan (H3129K); brother of: Shemaiah (H8098V), Azarel (H5832J), Milalai (H4450), Gilalai (H1562), Maai (H4597), Nethanel (H5417P), Judah (H3063K) and Hanani (H2607K) § Zechariah = "Jehovah remembers" 11th in order of the minor prophets; a priest, son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, who, along with Haggai, directed the rebuilding of the temple in the days of Zerubbabel
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: Zachariah, Zechariah. See also: 2 Kings 14:29; 2 Chronicles 29:1; Isaiah 8:2.
In the Bible, this word refers to the firstborn child or animal, often holding a special status or responsibility. It appears in stories like Genesis and Exodus, highlighting the importance of birth order. The KJV translates it as 'eldest' or 'firstborn'.
Definition: 1) firstborn, firstling 1a) of men and women 1b) of animals 1c) noun of relation (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 96 OT verses. KJV: eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). See also: Genesis 10:15; Deuteronomy 21:17; Psalms 78:51.
Jediael means God makes known, and was the name of three Israelites, including a chief patriarch of the tribe of Benjamin and a Korahite gatekeeper in 1 Chronicles 26.2.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.26.2; son of: Meshelemiah (H4920); brother of: Zechariah (H2148A), Zebadiah (H2069J), Jathniel (H3496), Elam (H5867H), Jehohanan (H3076I) and Eliehoenai (H0454A) § Jediael = "God makes known" 1) a chief patriarch of the tribe of Benjamin; maybe the same as 'Ashbel' 2) the 2nd son of Meshelemiahand a Korahite gatekeeper 3) son of Shimri and one of David's mighty warriors 4) one of the chiefs of the thousands of Manasseh who joined David on his march to Ziklag; maybe the same man as 3 above
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Jediael. See also: 1 Chronicles 7:6; 1 Chronicles 11:45; 1 Chronicles 26:2.
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means second or again, like when Moses went up Mount Sinai a second time in Exodus 24:15-18. It can also mean another or something distinct.
Definition: 1) second 1a) second (the ordinal number) 1b) again (a second time) 1c) another, other (something as distinct from something else)
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time). See also: Genesis 1:8; 1 Kings 6:1; Isaiah 11:11.
Zebadiah means endowment of Jehovah, the name of nine Israelites, including a Benjamite and a priest. He is mentioned in Ezra 10:20. Zebadiah lived during the time of Exile and Return.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.10.20 § Zebadiah = "endowment of Jehovah" 1) a Benjamite of the sons of Beriah 2) a Benjamite of the sons of Elpaal 3) one of the sons of Jeroham of Gedor and one of David's men 4) son of Asahel, brother of Joab, and one of David's men 5) son of Michael, of the sons of Shephatiah 6) a priest of the sons of Immer, who had a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 7) a Levite, 3rd son of Meshelemiah the Korhite 8) a Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat 9) son of Ishmael and prince of the house of Judah in the reign of Jehoshaphat
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Zebadiah. See also: 1 Chronicles 8:15; 1 Chronicles 27:7; Ezra 10:20.
This Hebrew word means third in a sequence, like a third day or year. It is used in the Bible to describe time, rank, or quantity, such as the third day of creation in Genesis.
Definition: 1) third, one third, third part, third time 1a) ordinal number
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: third (part, rank, time), three (years old). See also: Genesis 1:13; 1 Kings 22:2; Isaiah 15:5.
Jathniel was an Israelite and a Korhite Levite, his name means 'God hires me', son of Meshelemiah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.26.2; son of: Meshelemiah (H4920); brother of: Zechariah (H2148A), Jediael (H3043J), Zebadiah (H2069J), Elam (H5867H), Jehohanan (H3076I) and Eliehoenai (H0454A) § Jathniel = "God hires me" a Korhite Levite and the 4th of the family of Meshelemiah
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Jathniel. See also: 1 Chronicles 26:2.
This Hebrew word means fourth, and is used to describe something that is four-sided or divided into four parts, like a square or a quarter.
Definition: 1) fourth 1a) fourth 1b) four square 1c) fourth part Aramaic equivalent: re.vi.ay (רְבִיעִי "fourth" H7244)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: foursquare, fourth (part). See also: Genesis 1:19; 1 Chronicles 8:2; Jeremiah 25:1.
Context — The Divisions of the Gatekeepers
1These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.
4And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
1 Chronicles 9:21 |
Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. |
1 Chronicles 26:2 Summary
The verse 1 Chronicles 26:2 lists the sons of Meshelemiah, who was a gatekeeper in the temple. This list is important because it shows the value of family and lineage in the biblical narrative, as seen in Genesis 5:1-32. Just like Meshelemiah's sons had important roles, we each have our own unique contributions to make in our families and communities, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. By recognizing and respecting these roles, we can honor God and build stronger relationships with those around us, as seen in Ephesians 6:1-4 and Colossians 3:18-21.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of listing the sons of Meshelemiah in 1 Chronicles 26:2?
The listing of Meshelemiah's sons is significant because it highlights the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative, as seen in Genesis 5:1-32 and 1 Chronicles 1:1-54. This emphasis on family lineage helps to establish the genealogical context for the divisions of the gatekeepers.
Who was Meshelemiah and why is he mentioned in 1 Chronicles 26:2?
Meshelemiah was a son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph, and is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 26:1 as one of the Korahite gatekeepers. His sons are listed in 1 Chronicles 26:2 to provide further detail about the divisions of the gatekeepers.
What can we learn from the fact that Zechariah is listed as the firstborn son of Meshelemiah in 1 Chronicles 26:2?
The fact that Zechariah is listed as the firstborn son of Meshelemiah highlights the importance of birth order in biblical times, as seen in Genesis 25:31 and Deuteronomy 21:15-17. This emphasis on birth order helps to establish the hierarchy and responsibilities within families and communities.
How does the listing of Meshelemiah's sons in 1 Chronicles 26:2 relate to the broader narrative of 1 Chronicles?
The listing of Meshelemiah's sons in 1 Chronicles 26:2 is part of the larger narrative of 1 Chronicles, which focuses on the history of the Israelites and the establishment of the temple and its personnel, as seen in 1 Chronicles 13:1-14:17 and 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:6.
Reflection Questions
- What does the emphasis on family lineage in 1 Chronicles 26:2 reveal about God's design for human relationships?
- How can we apply the importance of family and lineage in our own lives, as seen in 1 Chronicles 26:2 and other biblical passages?
- What does the listing of Meshelemiah's sons teach us about the value of individual contributions to the larger community, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31?
- In what ways can we honor God by recognizing and respecting the roles and responsibilities within our own families and communities, as seen in Ephesians 6:1-4 and Colossians 3:18-21?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 26:2
Ver. 2,3. And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn,.... And six more, who are mentioned in their order: Jediael, Zebadiah, and Jathniel, Elam, Jehohanan, and Elioenai.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 26:2
And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 26:2
(2) And the sons of Meshelemiah were.—Rather, And Meshelemiah had sons, viz., Zechariah the firstborn. (See 1 Chronicles 9:21, and 1 Chronicles 26:14 below.) The seven “sons” of Meshelemiah-Shallum represent seven guilds of porters.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 26:2
2. And the sons of Meshelemiah were] R.V. And Meshelemiah had sons. Zechariah] Cp. 1 Chronicles 9:21.