Lexical Summary Yechieli: Yechieli Original Word: יְחִיאֵלִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jehieli Patronymically from Ychiy'el; a Jechielite or descendant of Jechiel -- Jehieli. see HEBREW Ychiy'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Yechiel Definition desc. of Jehiel NASB Translation Jehieli (1), Jehielites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְחִיאֵלִי proper name, masculine (patronymic), 1 Chronicles 26:21,22 (ᵐ5 Ιειηλ; ᵐ5L omit in 1 Chronicles 26:22). Topical Lexicon Lineage and Identification Yechieli designates the Levitical family that traced its descent from Jehiel, first-born of Ladan (also called Libni), the elder branch of Gershon son of Levi (1 Chronicles 23:7-9). The gentilite form distinguishes the clan (“sons of Jehiel”) from the ancestor himself and places the group within the carefully preserved Levitical registers that legitimated service in the sanctuary. Scriptural Occurrences The name appears only in 1 Chronicles 26:21-22, a section that records David’s final arrangements for temple service: Role in Temple Administration 1. Guardians of the Treasuries. David divided the Levites into functional groups—gatekeepers, officers, musicians, and treasurers. The Yechieli clan received the trust of overseeing the storehouses that contained both free-will offerings brought by worshipers and the spoils David dedicated from his military victories (1 Chronicles 26:20, 26-27). Their ministry combined practical skill with spiritual accountability, ensuring that resources were available for sacrificial worship and future construction under Solomon. 2. Continuity of Service. Earlier genealogies (1 Chronicles 23:8) list the same three names—Jehiel, Zetham, Joel—indicating that by the time David numbered the Levites (about 970 BC) at least two generations of Yechielites were already active. The Chronicler’s interest in this family centuries later (after the exile) suggests that the tradition of faithful stewardship left a lasting imprint on Israel’s collective memory. 3. Integration with Other Levitical Duties. The Gershonites managed the fabrics and movable parts of the tabernacle during the wilderness years (Numbers 3:25-26). When their descendants became custodians of the temple treasuries, the same attitude of careful handling of holy things carried over from the portable sanctuary to the permanent house on Mount Zion. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. Stewardship Under the Living God. The clan’s name contains the verbal idea “lives,” affirming that the God they served is ever-living. Their assignment illustrates the principle that the resources of God’s people are placed in trustworthy hands for the glory of the One who lives forever (Psalm 24:1). 2. Faithfulness in Hidden Service. While singers and gatekeepers ministered in public view, treasurers labored largely behind the scenes. Yet Scripture records their names, validating unseen obedience (compare Matthew 6:4). The Yechielites model the New Testament exhortation, “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). 3. Holiness of Material Resources. By separating and guarding dedicated things, the clan underscored that even gold and silver become holy when devoted to the LORD (Haggai 2:8). Their ministry anticipates the believer’s call to present bodies, gifts, and possessions as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). Possible Later Continuity Although the specific title Yechieli does not reappear after 1 Chronicles, Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s lists mention treasurers from the Gershonite line (Ezra 8:28-30; Nehemiah 13:13). The meticulous Chronicler would have preserved the memory of earlier faithful stewards to encourage post-exilic Levites to similar diligence in the rebuilt temple. Christ-Centered Application In Jesus Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The Yechieli custodians foreshadow believers who guard the gospel treasure (2 Timothy 1:14) and distribute it for the building of a spiritual house. Their example calls every servant to combine reverence, accountability, and generosity until the eternal temple descends, when faithful stewards will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). Forms and Transliterations יְחִֽיאֵלִ֑י יְחִיאֵלִֽי׃ יחיאלי יחיאלי׃ yə·ḥî·’ê·lî yechieLi yəḥî’êlîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 26:21 HEB: לְלַעְדָּ֥ן הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י יְחִיאֵלִֽי׃ NAS: belonging to Ladan, [namely], the Jehielites, [were] the heads KJV: the Gershonite, [were] Jehieli. INT: to Ladan the Gershonite the Jehielites 1 Chronicles 26:22 2 Occurrences |
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