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1 Chronicles 15:22 — Word Study

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WLCוּכְנַנְיָ֥הוּ שַֽׂר־ הַלְוִיִּ֖ם בְּמַשָּׂ֑א יָסֹר֙ בַּמַּשָּׂ֔א כִּ֥י מֵבִ֖ין הֽוּא׃

BSAChenaniahKᵉnanyâh [the leader, chief] the headsar LeviteLêvîyîy [a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons] was the directoryâçar [overseer, master] of the musicmassâʼ [song, singing] becausekîy he [was]hûwʼ [considered to be, known as] highly skilledbîyn [intelligent, discerning, having understanding]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 15
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 22 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Hu') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Chronicles 15:22quick helps
In a sentenceChenaniah, a Levite, was the skilled director of the music.
Who is speakingThe narrator of 1 Chronicles, detailing the organization of worship.
Where we areIn the context of the Levites' roles during the ark's procession.
The hard wordיָסֹר֙
Take awayMusic in worship is a disciplined art, requiring skill and understanding.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהוּא verbיָסַר The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 15:22

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Organization of Worshipgenerated

21And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith.
22Chenaniah the head Levite was the director of the music because he was highly skilled.
23Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark.
24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.

1 Chronicles 15:22 describes the role of Chenaniah, a Levite, as the director of music during the procession of the ark. This verse highlights the importance of skilled leadership in worship, as Chenaniah was responsible for overseeing the musical aspects, ensuring that the worship was conducted properly and with excellence. The surrounding verses (1 Chronicles 15:21, 23, 24) further detail the roles of other Levites and priests, emphasizing the organized structure of worship in ancient Israel.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 15:16–27David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals.
21 Chronicles 25:7–8Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

he instructed1 Chronicles 25:7–8

The Key Word כְּנַנְיָהוּ, u.khe.nan.Ya.hugenerated

The name כְּנַנְיָהוּ (Kenanyah) means 'Jehovah establishes', indicating a divine role in his leadership. As a Levite, he was part of the tribe set apart for religious duties, and his position as the director of music shows the significance of music in worship.

The parsing reveals that he is a masculine proper noun, indicating his identity as a specific individual. His role as a leader in music highlights the importance of skill and discernment in worship settings, as he was known for his abilities.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause centers around the subject, כְּנַנְיָהוּ, Chenaniah, with the predicate describing his role as the director of music. The structure is straightforward, presenting his identity and function clearly.

The sentence flows logically, with the subject followed by the description of his leadership and skills, emphasizing the importance of his role in the worship context.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, כְּנַנְיָהוּ is rendered as ξωνενια, which does not carry the same meaning as the Hebrew. This choice may reflect a different understanding of his role or a broader interpretation of his significance in worship.

The term used in the LXX for יָסֹר֙ is ἄρξων, which aligns with the leadership aspect but may not fully capture the instructive nuance present in the Hebrew.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 15:22 tells us that Chenaniah was the head Levite and the director of music because he was highly skilled. This verse emphasizes the importance of having skilled leaders in worship, particularly in music, which played a significant role in the religious life of Israel.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Chenaniah was the director of music?

It means that Chenaniah was responsible for overseeing the musical aspects of worship, ensuring that the music was performed skillfully during the procession of the ark.

Why is music important in worship?

Music is important in worship as it enhances the experience of praising God, helps to convey messages of faith, and unites the congregation in a shared expression of worship.

What does it mean to be highly skilled in this context?

Being highly skilled means that Chenaniah had exceptional abilities in music, allowing him to lead effectively and contribute to the worship experience.

How do Levites like Chenaniah contribute to the spiritual life of Israel?

Levites like Chenaniah played a crucial role in the spiritual life of Israel by leading worship, teaching the law, and maintaining the tabernacle and later the temple.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What role does music play in my worship experience?
  2. How can I develop my skills to serve in a leadership capacity like Chenaniah?
  3. In what ways can I encourage others to participate in worship through music?
  4. How does understanding the roles of Levites enhance my appreciation for worship?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Richard Challoner comments on the significance of music in worship, suggesting that singing praises to God is akin to prophecy, especially when performed by inspired individuals.

Richard Challoner 1691–1781
The prophecy, to give out the tunes: Singing praises to God is here called prophecy: the more, because these singers were often inspired men.
Early Church Fathers on 1 Chronicles 15 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 15:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Chenaniah chief of the Levites was for song,.... But the chief for the song were Heman, Asaph, and Ethan; rather for the burden, as the Targum; for the lifting up and bearing the ark: he

Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 15 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful. Chenaniah, chief of the Levites.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 15 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Was for song, Heb. was for lifting up; either, 1. Of the ark; he was for carriage of the ark, being appointed to instruct or direct the time and manner of carrying the ark, and when they should make a stand or a change in the bearers. Or rather, 2. Of the voice; he was the moderator of the music, instructing them when and how to lift up their voices, or change their notes, or make their stops, which best agrees with the following reason, because he was skillful; for this required far more skill than the carriage of the ark, which any man of common discretion could easily govern; and with , where this same Chenaniah is joined with the singers.

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 15 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Chronicles 15:22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, [was] for song: he instructed about the song, because he [was] skilful.Ver. 22. Because he was skilful.] In music: and haply in other arts also.

Read John Trapp on 1 Chronicles 15 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) Rather, And Chenaniah, captain (i.e., conductor) of the Levites in bearing (that is, the sacred vessels), was conducting the bearing, because he was skilled—scil., in the traditional regulations connected with bearing the Ark duly and rightly. Chenaniah.—1 Chronicles 15:27, and 1 Chronicles 26:29. Chief of the Levites.—Not one of the six princes (1 Chronicles 15:5-10), or heads of houses, but president of the carriage of the Ark.Was for song.—So the LXX., which reads “leader of the songs;” but the Syriac has “bore the burden daily” and although the word massâ—i.e., “lifting up,” or “bearing”—might mean “lifting up the voice,” (1) the context is against that meaning here, for Heman…

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 15 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 22. Chenaniah - he instructed about the song] This appears to have been the master singer; he gave the key and the time, for he presided במשא bemassa, in the elevation, probably meaning what is called pitching the tune, for he was skilful in music, and powerful in his voice, and well qualified to lead the band: be might have been precentor,

Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 15 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

22. was for song] The Heb. word (massa) used here twice for “song” (lit. “burden”) means sometimes “burden” in a physical sense; hence R.V. mg. was over the carrying of the ark.

Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 15 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For song - See the margin. Hebraists are still at variance as to the meaning of this passage, some supposing elevation or, delivery of the voice, others elevation of the ark, to be intended.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Chronicles 15 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Chenaniah the head Levite was the director of the music because he was highly skilled.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the singing. He taught the singers, because he was skillful.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Chenaniah the head Levite was the director of the music because he was highly skilled.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was in charge of transport, for he was well-informed on this matter;

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But Chenaniah the chiefe of the Leuites had the charge, bearing ye burden in the charge, for he was able to instruct.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites for the music, gave instruction in music, for he was skilful.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Chenaniah, head of the Levites, [is] over the burden; he instructeth about the burden, for he [is] intelligent.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Chenaniah, head of the Levites, [is] over the burden; he instructs about the burden, for he [is] intelligent.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Kenanyahu was the chief of the Levites in conducting the singing: he instructed in conducting the singing, because he was skilful.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Kenaniah, leader of the Levites, was the director of the singing because he was a teacher of music.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And Chonenias chief of the Levites, presided over the prophecy, to give out the tunes: for he was very skillful.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites in singing, was chosen to lead the music because of his ability.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was master of the music: he gave directions about the song, because he was expert.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וּandclausenoun phrase · subjectכְנַנְיָ֥הוּKenaniahnoun phrasenoun phraseשַֽׂרthe.leadernoun phraseהַofלְוִיִּ֖םthe.Levitesprepositional phraseבְּinמַשָּׂ֑אa.lifting.uppredicateיָסֹר֙an.instructorprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּinnoun phrasethe.liftingמַּשָּׂ֔אupכִּ֥י(dm)clauseverbמֵבִ֖ין[was].understandingsubjectהֽוּאhe

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the content of this verse, with eight of the nine words matched. The differences in wording highlight variations in interpretation rather than significant textual discrepancies.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וּכְנַנְיָ֥הוּ שַֽׂר־ הַלְוִיִּ֖ם בְּמַשָּׂ֑א יָסֹר֙ בַּמַּשָּׂ֔א כִּ֥י מֵבִ֖ין הֽוּא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וּכְנַנְיָ֥הוּξωνενιαשַֽׂר־ἄρξωνהַלְוִיִּ֖םλευιτῶνיָסֹר֙ἄρξωνבַּמַּשָּׂ֔אᾠδῶνכִּ֥יὅτιמֵבִ֖יןσυνετὸςהֽוּא׃ἦν

8 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

1 Chronicles 15:22כְּנַנְיָהוּand Kenaniaand Kenaniahכְּנַנְיָהוּשַׂר[the] leade[the] leader ofשַׂרלֵוִיthe Levitesthe Levitesלֵוִימַשָּׂאin a liftinin a lifting upמַשָּׂאיָסַרan instructan instructorיָסַרמַשָּׂאin the liftin the lifting מַשָּׂאכִּיforforכִּיבִּין[was] a tea[was] a teacherבִּיןהוּאheheהוּאנָשָׂאto lift: rto lift: raiseנָשָׂאכַּנָּהכַּנָּהשָׂרַרto ruleto ruleשָׂרַרלֵוִיLeviLeviלֵוִייָסַרto disciplto disciplineיָסַרדַּמֶּשֶׂקDamascusDamascusדַּמֶּשֶׂקמַשָּׂאburdenburdenמַשָּׂאשִׁירto singto singשִׁירחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyfiftyחֲמִשִּׁיםכֹּהֵןpriestpriestכֹּהֵןעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהשׁוֹטwhipwhipשׁוֹטיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָכָםwisewiseחָכָםטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵאעֵתtimetimeעֵת
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 15:22

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
וּכְנַנְיָ֥הוּu.khe.nan.Ya.hu and Kenaniah H3663 Conjunction · noun proper masculine
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Chenaniah was a Levite who led music in the procession of the ark. His name means 'Jehovah establishes', showing God's power and strength. He's mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15:22.
Amplified meaning
the leader, chief
Tyndale gloss
Chenaniah
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כְּנַנְיָהוּ (Kenanyah) means 'Jehovah establishes' and refers to a man from the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is identified as a Levite song leader involved in the ark's procession and as an officer of David. The name is derived from roots meaning 'to plant' and 'Jah' (God), indicating a connection to divine establishment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כְּנַנְיָ֫הוּ n.pr.m. (י׳ is firm)

a Levite = כְּנַנְיָה

an Izharite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3663 כְּנַנְיָהוּ, כְּנַנְיָה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3663 Knanyah ken-an-yaw'

or Knanyahuw {ken-an-yaw'-hoo}; from 3661 and 3050; Jah has

planted; Kenanjah, an Israelite:--Chenaniah.

see HEBREW for 03661

see HEBREW for 03050

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כְּנַנְיָ֫הוּ (ke.nan.yah) — Chenaniah.

A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.15.22

§ Chenaniah = "Jehovah establishes"

1) a Levite song leader who assisted in the procession of transporting the ark

2) an Izharites officer of David

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculine
HC/Npm
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
שַֽׂר־sar- [the] leader of H8269 Noun common · masculine singular construct
421× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Tyndale gloss
ruler
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׂר (sar) refers to a leader or ruler, encompassing a range of meanings from prince and chief to official and captain. It denotes various ranks, including military commanders and religious leaders, and can also imply a noble or merchant of high status. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to rule'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׂר 420 n.m. chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8269 שַׂר chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8269 sar sar

from 8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain

(that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper,

lord, ((-task- ))master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.

see HEBREW for 08323

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׂר (sar) — ruler.

1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain

1a) chieftain, leader

1b) vassal, noble, official (under king)

1c) captain, general, commander (military)

1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes)

1e) heads, princes (of religious office)

1f) elders (of representative leaders of people)

1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity)

1h) patron-angel

1i) Ruler of rulers (of God)

1j) warden

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
הַלְוִיִּ֖םhal.vi.Yim the Levites H3881 Particle · noun gentilic masculine plural absolute
291× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Amplified meaning
a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons
Tyndale gloss
Levi
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֵוִי (Leviy) refers to a Levite, a member of the tribe of Levi, which is the third son of Jacob and Leah. This term encompasses the descendants of Levi, who were set apart for religious duties. The word is linked to the Hebrew root for 'joining,' reflecting the tribe's special role in service to God. It first appears in Genesis 29:34.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵוִי 291 adj.gent. Levite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3881 לֵוִי Levite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3881 Leviyiy lay-vee-ee'

or Leviy {lay-vee'}; patronymically from 3878; a Levite or

descendant of Levi:--Leviite.

see HEBREW for 03878

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵוִי (le.viy.yi) — Levi.

Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34;

son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);

brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);

half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);

father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115)

Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878)

§ Levite, of Levi "joined to"

1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah

1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Ngmpa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ngmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

le'-vits.

See PRIESTS AND LEVITES.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(descendants of Levi). Sometimes the name extends to the whole tribe, the priests included, (Exodus 6:25; Leviticus 25:32; Numbers 35:2; Joshua 21:3,41) etc; sometimes only to those members of the tribe who were not priests, and as distinguished from them. Sometimes again it is added as an epithet of the smaller portion of the tribe, and we read of "the priests the Levites." (Joshua 3:3; Ezekiel 44:15) The history of the tribe and of the functions attached to its several orders is essential to any right apprehension of the history of Israel as a people. It will fall…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

All the descendants of Levi may be comprised under this name, Ex 6:16,25 Jos 3:3, (see LEVI;) but chiefly those who were employed in the lower services in the temple, by which they were distinguished from the priests, who were of the race of Levi by Aaron, and were employed in higher offices, Nu 3:6-10 18:2-7. God chose the Levites for the service of his tabernacle and temple, instead of the firstborn of all Israel, to whom such duties naturally belonged, and who were already sacred to God in memory of the great deliverance in Egypt. Ex 13:1-22 Nu 3:12,13,39-51. In the wilderness, the Levites took charge of the tabernacle…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ (The descendants of Levi)

→ Set apart as ministers of religion Nu 1:47-54; 3:6-16; 16:9; 26:57-62; De 10:8; 1Ch 15:2

→ Substituted in the place of the firstborn children Nu 3:12,41-45; 8:14,16-18; 18:6

→ Religious zeal of Ex 32:26-28; De 33:9,10; Mal 2:4,5

→ Consecration of Nu 8:6-21

→ Sedition among, led by Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, on account of jealousy toward Moses and Aaron Nu 16; with 4:19,20

and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
בְּמַשָּׂ֑אbe.ma.Sa' in a lifting up H4853 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
66× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a message from God, like a prophecy or oracle, often given through a prophet. It can also mean a burden or a song. It appears in books like Isaiah and Ezekiel, where God speaks through prophets to His people.
Amplified meaning
song, singing
Tyndale gloss
burden
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַשָּׂא (massa') refers to a load or burden, encompassing meanings like tribute and lifting. It can also signify an utterance or oracle, often linked to prophecy or song. The word is built from the root meaning to carry or lift, and it appears in contexts related to both physical and figurative burdens.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַשָּׂא n.m. load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute

base

מַשָּׂא n.m. utterance, oracle

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4853a מַשָּׂא load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute H4853b מַשָּׂא utterance, oracle

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4853 massa' mas-saw'

from 5375; a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly)

porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom,

especially singing; mental, desire:--burden, carry away,

prophecy, X they set, song, tribute.

see HEBREW for 05375

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — burden.

1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting

1a) load, burden

1b) lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up

1c) bearing, carrying

1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne

מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — oracle.

utterance, oracle, burden

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
יָסֹר֙ya.Sor an instructor H3256 Verb · Qal · infinitive absolute
43× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To discipline or correct someone, often by teaching or punishing them, as seen in Proverbs where parents are told to instruct their children. This word is used to describe God's correction of his people.
Amplified meaning
overseer, master
Tyndale gloss
to discipline
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָסַר (yacar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discipline or chasten. It encompasses a range of actions including instructing, correcting, and admonishing, with nuances depending on the grammatical form used. The entries indicate that it can involve both physical punishment and verbal instruction, with various forms expressing different aspects of correction and teaching.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָסַר] vb. discipline, chasten, admonish

Qal

admonish

instruct

discipline

Niph. let oneself be corrected, admonished

Pi.

discipline, correct (the moral nature, with more or less severity acc. to circumstances)

more severely, chasten, chastise

Nithp. pass. be disciplined, corrected

Hiph. chasten

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3256 [יָסַר] discipline, chasten, admonish

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3256 yacar yaw-sar'

a primitive root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or

figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct:--bind, chasten,

chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore,

teach.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָסַר (ya.sar) — to discipline.

1) to chasten, discipline, instruct, admonish

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to chasten, admonish

1a2) to instruct

1a3) to discipline

1b) (Niphal) to let oneself be chastened or corrected or admonished

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to discipline, correct

1c2) to chasten, chastise

1d) (Hiphil) to chasten

1e) (Nithpael) to teach

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Ptc — Verb · Qal · infinitive absolute
HVqaa
and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
בַּמַּשָּׂ֔אba.ma.Sa' in the lifting up H4853 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
66× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a message from God, like a prophecy or oracle, often given through a prophet. It can also mean a burden or a song. It appears in books like Isaiah and Ezekiel, where God speaks through prophets to His people.
Tyndale gloss
burden
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַשָּׂא (massa') refers to a load or burden, encompassing meanings like tribute and lifting. It can also signify an utterance or oracle, often linked to prophecy or song. The word is built from the root meaning to carry or lift, and it appears in contexts related to both physical and figurative burdens.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַשָּׂא n.m. load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute

base

מַשָּׂא n.m. utterance, oracle

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4853a מַשָּׂא load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute H4853b מַשָּׂא utterance, oracle

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4853 massa' mas-saw'

from 5375; a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly)

porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom,

especially singing; mental, desire:--burden, carry away,

prophecy, X they set, song, tribute.

see HEBREW for 05375

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — burden.

1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting

1a) load, burden

1b) lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up

1c) bearing, carrying

1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne

מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — oracle.

utterance, oracle, burden

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
כִּ֥יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
מֵבִ֖יןme.Vin [was] a teacher H995 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Amplified meaning
intelligent, discerning, having understanding
Tyndale gloss
to understand
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בִּין vb. discern

Qal

perceive

understand, know (with mind)

observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

have discernment, insight, understanding

Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

Po. he attentively considereth him

Hiph.

understand

give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

give understanding, make understand, teach

Hithp.

shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

get understanding, understand

shew oneself to have understanding

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H995 בִּין discern .. perceive

. understand, know (with mind)

. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)

. have discernment, insight, understanding

. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding

. he attentively considereth him

. . understand

. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern

. give understanding, make understand, teach

. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently

. get understanding, understand

. shew oneself to have understanding

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

995 biyn bene

a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),

i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,

diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,

have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be

prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,

make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)

wise(-ly, man).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בִּין (bin) — to understand.

1) to discern, understand, consider

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to perceive, discern

1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)

1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider

1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding

1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to understand

1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach

1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently

1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct

2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
and Kenaniah [the] leader of the Levites in a lifting up an instructor in the lifting up for [was] a teacher he
הֽוּא׃Hu' he H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Amplified meaning
considered to be, known as
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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