Lexical Summary Chuppah: Huppah Original Word: חֻפָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Huppah The same as chuppah; Chuppah, an Israelite -- Huppah. see HEBREW chuppah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chaphaph Definition an Isr. priest NASB Translation Huppah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. חֻמָּה proper name, masculine 1 Chronicles 24:13 priest of 13th course ᵐ5 Οφφα. Topical Lexicon Identity and Meaning חֻפָּה (Huppah) appears once in the Old Testament as a proper name, designating the leader of the thirteenth priestly division established by King David (1 Chronicles 24:13). While the root idea of the word suggests covering or shelter, Scripture presents Huppah not as an object but as a man set apart for holy service in the temple. Setting in the Chronicler’s Record 1 Chronicles 24 recounts how David, assisted by Zadok and Ahimelek, reorganized the descendants of Aaron into twenty-four courses so that “they were assigned by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both the descendants of Eleazar and those of Ithamar” (1 Chronicles 24:5). Each course ministered for one week twice a year, with all priests attending the great festivals. Huppah heads the thirteenth course, falling midway in the rota—a placement that underscores both order and inclusiveness within temple worship. Historical Background 1. Purpose of the Courses 2. Organization and Administration Ministry Significance Huppah’s inclusion in the list testifies that every priestly family—whether renowned or obscure—was integral to Israel’s worship. The Chronicler chronicles each name to highlight: 1. Covenant Faithfulness God fulfills His covenant with Levi by maintaining generations of priests who minister before Him (Numbers 18:5). Huppah stands as a link in that unbroken chain. 2. Anticipation of the Perfect Priest The twenty-four courses foreshadow the heavenly worship scene of Revelation 4, where twenty-four elders surround the throne. In both, ordered worship anticipates and centers on God’s redemptive presence, prefiguring Jesus Christ, who “always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 3. Shared Service No single family monopolized temple ministry. Huppah’s course served only during allotted weeks, reminding believers that ministry today is likewise shared among the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Legacy in Jewish Tradition Rabbinic sources preserve detailed lists of priestly courses and claim that after the destruction of the Second Temple each division relocated to specific Galilean towns, maintaining communal identity until the present. Although Huppah’s particular descendants are not traced, the survival of the roster itself illustrates the high regard for Davidic organization. Lessons for the Church 1. God values faithfulness more than fame; Huppah is remembered for steady service, not spectacular deeds. Key Reference 1 Chronicles 24:13 – “the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab.” Forms and Transliterations לְחֻפָּה֙ לחפה lə·ḥup·pāh lechupPah ləḥuppāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 24:13 HEB: לְחֻפָּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ר NAS: the thirteenth for Huppah, the fourteenth KJV: The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth INT: Huppah three ten 1 Occurrence |
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