Lexical Summary Gamul: Reward, Recompense, Benefit Original Word: גְּמוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gamul Passive participle of gamal; rewarded; Gamul, an Israelite -- Gamul. See also Beyth Gamuwl. see HEBREW gamal see HEBREW Beyth Gamuwl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gamal Definition "weaned," a Levite NASB Translation Gamul (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גָּמוּל proper name, masculine (weaned) a chief of the Levites 1 Chronicles 24:17. See also בֵּית גָּמוּל (Jeremiah 48:28). Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting Gamul is mentioned once in the Old Testament, in the listing of the priestly divisions arranged by King David and the priest Zadok: “the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah” (1 Chronicles 24:17). Each of the twenty-four divisions served at the sanctuary for one week, twice a year, in a continual rotation that ensured orderly, uninterrupted worship at the temple (compare 1 Chronicles 24:7-19; 2 Chronicles 23:8). Gamul therefore designates both the leading priest and the house of priests who bore his name. Priestly Service and Organization 1. Origin in Davidic Reforms 2. Weekly Rotation and Feasts Historical Background The name appears amid the change from a mobile tabernacle to a permanent temple. David’s reforms reflected (a) growth in Israel’s population, requiring more priests; (b) an anticipation of Solomon’s temple; and (c) the king’s desire that worship center on the LORD rather than the monarchy. By identifying Gamul’s division, the chronicler preserves the memory of families who upheld covenant worship through turbulent periods—from Solomon’s glory (1 Kings 8) to exile and return (Ezra 6:18). Theological Significance 1. Corporate Responsibility in Worship The inclusion of Gamul in the roster underscores that every priestly house, no matter how briefly mentioned, bore equal responsibility for sacred service. God values faithfulness even when history provides scant detail (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:2). 2. Order Reflects Divine Holiness The systematic rotation of priests reveals that God is “not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Spiritual service today likewise flourishes under God-honoring structure. 3. Continuity to New-Covenant Ministry While the Levitical priesthood was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:23-28), the principle that believers are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) finds its Old Testament shadow in divisions like Gamul’s. The duty of regular, devoted worship did not cease with the temple’s veil tearing; it was opened to all who are in Christ. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Faithfulness in obscurity: Gamul’s name surfaces once, yet his house faithfully executed its appointed weeks for generations. Ministry significance is measured by obedience, not prominence. Key Reference 1 Chronicles 24:17 — “the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.” Summary Gamul designates the twenty-second priestly division instituted by David. Though the biblical record offers only a single mention, this house played a crucial role in sustaining Israel’s continual worship, exemplifying ordered service, intergenerational faithfulness, and the broader biblical theme that every servant in God’s economy—named or unnamed—contributes to His glory. Forms and Transliterations לְגָמ֖וּל לגמול lə·ḡā·mūl legaMul ləḡāmūlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 24:17 HEB: אֶחָ֣ד וְעֶשְׂרִ֔ים לְגָמ֖וּל שְׁנַ֥יִם וְעֶשְׂרִֽים׃ NAS: the twenty-second for Gamul, KJV: the two and twentieth to Gamul, INT: the one and twentieth Gamul the two and twentieth 1 Occurrence |
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