1 Chronicles 9:20
New International Version
In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him.

New Living Translation
Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers in earlier times, and the LORD had been with him.

English Standard Version
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the chief officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.

Berean Standard Bible
In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him.

King James Bible
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

New King James Version
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.

New American Standard Bible
Phinehas the son of Eleazar was supervisor over them previously, and the LORD was with him.

NASB 1995
Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously, and the LORD was with him.

NASB 1977
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously, and the LORD was with him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously, and Yahweh was with him.

Amplified Bible
Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in times past, and the LORD was with him.

Christian Standard Bible
In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been their leader, and the LORD was with him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been their leader, and the LORD was with him.

American Standard Version
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and Jehovah was with him.

Contemporary English Version
Phinehas son of Eleazar had supervised their work because the LORD was with him.

English Revised Version
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(Phinehas, Eleazar's son, had been the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him.)

Good News Translation
Phinehas son of Eleazar--may the LORD be with him!--had supervised them at one time.

International Standard Version
Eleazar's son Phinehas used to be Commander-in-Chief over them—the LORD was with him.

Majority Standard Bible
In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him.

NET Bible
Phinehas son of Eleazar had been their leader in earlier times, and the LORD was with him.

New Heart English Bible
Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

World English Bible
Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and Yahweh was with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Phinehas son of Eleazar has been leader over them formerly; YHWH [is] with him.

Young's Literal Translation
and Phinehas son of Eleazar hath been leader over them formerly; Jehovah is with him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Phinehas son of Eleazar was leader over them to their face; Jehovah with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Phinees the son of Eleazar, was their prince before the Lord,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, was their ruler before the Lord.

New American Bible
Phinehas, son of Eleazar, had been their chief in times past; the LORD was with him.

New Revised Standard Version
And Phinehas son of Eleazar was chief over them in former times; the LORD was with him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Phinkhas, son of Eliazar, was Master over them from the first, and LORD JEHOVAH was with him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, the LORD being with him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Phinees son of Eleazar was head over them before the Lord, and these were with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The People of Jerusalem
19Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives from the Korahites were assigned to guard the thresholds of the Tent, just as their fathers had been assigned to guard the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD. 20In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him. 21Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.…

Cross References
Numbers 3:32
The chief of the leaders of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest; he oversaw those responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

Numbers 25:7-13
On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand, / followed the Israelite into his tent, and drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and on through the belly of the woman. So the plague against the Israelites was halted, / but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000. ...

Exodus 6:25
Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the Levite families by their clans.

Numbers 4:16
Eleazar son of Aaron the priest shall oversee the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. He has oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including the holy objects and their utensils.”

Numbers 18:1-7
So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. / But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. ...

1 Samuel 2:35
Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.

1 Samuel 22:17-18
Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. / So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

1 Samuel 2:30-31
Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. / Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age.

1 Samuel 3:11-14
Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle. / On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken about his house, from beginning to end. / I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them. ...

1 Samuel 14:3
including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

1 Samuel 22:20-23
But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David. / And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. / Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house. ...

1 Samuel 23:6
(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

1 Samuel 30:7
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,

2 Samuel 8:17
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;

1 Kings 2:26-27
Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” / So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.


Treasury of Scripture

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

Phinehas

Numbers 3:32
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.

Numbers 4:16,28,33
And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof…

Numbers 31:6
And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.

the Lord

Numbers 25:11-13
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy…

1 Samuel 16:18
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

Acts 7:9,10
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, …

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1 Chronicles 9
1. The original of Israel and Judah's genealogies
2. The Israelites
10. The priests
14. and the Levites, with Nethinims, who dwelt in Jerusalem
27. The charge of certain Levites
35. The stock of Saul and Jonathan














In earlier times
This phrase sets the historical context, indicating a reference to a period before the chronicler's present. It suggests a looking back to a foundational or formative era in Israel's history. The Hebrew word for "earlier" (קֶדֶם, qedem) often denotes ancient times or the east, symbolizing origins and beginnings. This reminds us of the importance of understanding our spiritual heritage and the lessons from the past that shape our faith journey today.

Phinehas son of Eleazar
Phinehas is a significant figure in Israel's history, known for his zealousness for God's holiness. The Hebrew name "Phinehas" (פִּינְחָס, Pinchas) is thought to mean "mouth of brass" or "oracle," reflecting his role as a decisive leader. As the son of Eleazar, the high priest, Phinehas represents a lineage of priestly authority and spiritual leadership. His actions, particularly in Numbers 25, where he stopped a plague by taking a stand against immorality, highlight the importance of righteous leadership and the courage to uphold God's standards.

was the ruler over them
This phrase indicates Phinehas' position of authority. The Hebrew word for "ruler" (נָגִיד, nagid) can mean leader, prince, or overseer, suggesting a role of governance and spiritual oversight. Phinehas' leadership was not merely administrative but deeply spiritual, guiding the people in adherence to God's laws. This serves as a reminder of the need for leaders who are not only capable but also spiritually attuned and committed to God's will.

and the LORD was with him
This statement underscores the divine endorsement of Phinehas' leadership. The presence of the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) with Phinehas signifies approval, guidance, and empowerment. In the Hebrew context, God's presence is synonymous with blessing, protection, and success. This phrase encourages believers to seek God's presence in their lives, understanding that true success and fulfillment come from walking in alignment with His will and purpose.

(20) And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past.--Or, of yore. Phinehas may have held this office of president (nagid, 1Chronicles 9:11) of the warders before he became high priest, just as Eleazar had held a similar position during the lifetime of Aaron (Numbers 3:32). Nothing is said of it elsewhere.

And the Lord was with him.--Rather, The Lord be with him! a pious ejaculation, such as the Jews of later times were wont to use in speaking of a departed worthy; and of interest to us as indicating a belief in continued existence after death. (Comp. 1Chronicles 22:11; 1Chronicles 22:16.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In earlier times
לְפָנִ֖ים (lə·p̄ā·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

Phinehas
וּפִֽינְחָ֣ס (ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6372: Phinehas -- three Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Eleazar
אֶלְעָזָ֗ר (’el·‘ā·zār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 499: Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites

had been
הָיָ֧ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in charge
נָגִ֨יד (nā·ḡîḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5057: A commander, civil, military, religious, honorable themes

of [the gatekeepers],
עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was with him.
עִמּֽוֹ׃ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 9:20 Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
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