1 Chronicles 26:23

Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) of the Amramites, and the Izharites.—Or, As for the Amramites, &c. This enumeration of the four great clans of Kohath is a sort of heading to the rest of the chapter, which relates to Amramites (1Chronicles 26:24-28), Izharites (1Chronicles 26:29), and Hebronites (1Chronicles 26:30-32). (Comp. 1Chronicles 23:12-20.)

Benson Commentary

1 Chronicles 26:23. Of the Amramites — Or, Concerning the Amramites, &c. The meaning is, the persons following were of these, or the most of these families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct, whence it is that we read no more of them in the Scripture, but only in this place, and Numbers 3:27, or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

26:1-32 The offices of the Levites. - The porters and treasurers of the temple, had occasion for strength and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary, and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar; flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps; quantities of these were kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house, enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries, the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness, we must give him the glory, and endeavour to dispose of our abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church, as truly as the ministry, and must not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man. Wisdom, courage, strength of faith, holy affections, and constancy of mind in doing our duty, are requisite or useful for every station.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The divisions of the porters - The account of the porters here given makes them only twenty-four in number at any one time; 1 Chronicles 23:5 states that the duty was discharged by 4,000 persons. Perhaps of the 93 chief porters here spoken of 1 Chronicles 26:8-9, 1 Chronicles 26:11, 1 Chronicles 26:24 were always on guard as officers, while of the remaining 3,907, a certain proportion were each day on duty as their subordinates.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

1Ch 26:20-28. Levites That Had Charge of the Treasures.

20. of the Levites, Ahijah—The heading of this section is altogether strange as it stands, for it looks as if the sacred historian were going to commence a new subject different from the preceding. Besides, "Ahijah, whose name occurs after" the Levites, is not mentioned in the previous lists. It is totally unknown and is introduced abruptly without further information; and lastly, Ahijah must have united in his own person those very offices of which the occupants are named in the verses that follow. The reading is incorrect. The Septuagint has this very suitable heading, "And their Levitical brethren over the treasures," &c. [Bertheau]. The names of those who had charge of the treasure chambers at their respective wards are given, with a general description of the precious things committed to their trust. Those treasures were immense, consisting of the accumulated spoils of Israelitish victories, as well as of voluntary contributions made by David and the representatives of the people.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Or, as concerning the Amramites, &c. The meaning is, the persons here following were of these, or the most of these, families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct; whence it is that we read no more of them in the Scripture, but only in this place, and Numbers 3:27; or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Of the Amramites and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites. Who sprang from the four sons of Kohath, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, Exodus 6:18 with respect to the concerns they severally had in the trust of the treasures, the account follows, all but the Uzzielites, who are not after mentioned.

Geneva Study Bible

Of the {l} Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

(l) These also had charge over the treasures.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. the Amramites etc.] Cp. 1 Chronicles 23:12.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - The chiefs of the preceding two verses were introduced as descendants of Gershon through his son Laadan. The four names of this verse would seem to stand collectively for that of their father Kohath. One might, under these circumstances, have looked for the name of some member of each of these sub-families to appear in the number of the treasure-keepers just about to be mentioned. This is not so. Yet among other officials, and before the end of the general subject, the Izharites (ver. 29) and the Hebronites (vers. 30, 31) do appear. This may possibly explain the mapping out thus of the Kohath family. 1 Chronicles 26:23

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

1 Chronicles 26:23 and 1 Chronicles 26:24 also go together: "As to the Amramites, Jisharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites (the four chief branches of the Kohathite family of Levites, 1 Chronicles 23:15-20), Shebuel the son of Gershon, the son of Moses, was prince over the treasures" (w before Shebuel introduces the apodosis, cf. Ew. 348, a, and equals Germ. "so war").