1 Chronicles 24:1

Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) Now these are the divisions.—Literally, And for the sons of Aaron, their divisions (were as follows). The sentence forms a superscription to the section (1Chronicles 24:1-19).

The sons of Aaron are named above (1Chronicles 6:3). (Comp. Exodus 6:23.) As usual, the writer starts ab ovo.

Benson Commentary

1 Chronicles 24:1-2. These are the divisions of the sons of Aaron — The several branches into which that family was divided. Therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office — Their brethren being dead, and leaving no issue, they and their sons were the only persons to whom the execution of that office could be committed according to the law.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

24:1-31 The divisions of the priests and Levites. - When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Though the Levites were not allowed by themselves to offer sacrifice, yet there were many respects in which they assisted the priests when sacrifice was offered. See 2 Chronicles 29:34; 2 Chronicles 35:11-12.

The set feasts - The Passover, Feast of Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles (marginal reference).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 24

1Ch 24:1-19. Division of the Sons of Aaron into Four and Twenty Orders.

1. Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron—(See on [402]1Ch 23:6).The priests are divided by lot into twenty-four orders, 1 Chronicles 24:1-19. Ministers allotted them out of the Levites, out of the tribe of the Kohathites and Merarites, 1 Chronicles 24:20-31.

The divisions, i.e. the several branches into which that family was divided or distributed.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron,.... Into the classes or courses following:

the sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar; 1 Chronicles 6:3, these were the immediate sons of Aaron; but the division or distribution of them into classes are of their posterity in the times of David, who descended from the two latter.

Geneva Study Bible

Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ch. 1 Chronicles 24:1-19. David’s Organization of the Priests by courses

1. Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron] R.V. And the courses of the sons of Aaron were these.

the sons of Aaron] Song of Solomon 6:3; Exodus 6:23.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - The Hebrew of this verse reads, And to the sons of Aaron, their divisions מַחְלְקותָם); the sons of Aaron: Nadeb and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. The word "divisions" is the same word that is translated "courses" in ver. 6, and which verse also would read literally, "And David divided them divisions to the sons of Levi, to Gershon, Kohath, and Merari." Our present verse evidently continues both the subject and construction of that verse. Of the four sons (Exodus 6:23), two died without issue, viz. Nadab and Abihu (ver. 2); and the other two have to supply the "chief men of the house," viz. Eleazar sixteen, and Ithamar eight (ver. 4). 1 Chronicles 24:1

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The division of the priests and Levites into classes. - Vv. 1-19. The twenty-four classes of priests. After the statement as to the fathers'-houses of the Levites (1 Chronicles 23), we have next the arrangements of the priests for the performance of the service in the sanctuary; the priestly families descended from Aaron's sons Eleazar and Ithamar being divided into twenty-four classes, the order of whose service was settled by lot.

1 Chronicles 24:1 contains the superscription, "As for the sons of Aaron, their divisions (were these)." To make the division clear, we have an introductory notice of Aaron's descendants, to the effect that of his four sons, the two elder, Nadab and Abihu, died before their father, leaving no sons, so that only Eleazar and Ithamar became priests (יכהנוּ), i.e., entered upon the priesthood. The four sons of Aaron, 1 Chronicles 24:1, as in 1 Chronicles 6:3, Exodus 6:23.