Lexical Summary Pitstsets: Blossom, Bud Original Word: פִצֵּץ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pitstsets, a priest -- ApsesFrom an unused root meaning to dissever; dispersive; Pitstsets, a priest -- Apses (including the article). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִּצֵּץ only ׳הַמּ proper name, masculine priestly name 1 Chronicles 24:15; τῷ Φεταια, A Αφεσση, ᵐ5L Αφεσσει. מַּצֵּץ see בֵּית מַּצֵּץ p. 112. Topical Lexicon Name and Position within the Priestly Orders Happizzez appears once in Scripture as the eighteenth of the twenty-four priestly divisions organized by King David (1 Chronicles 24:15). The list reflects the impartial casting of lots that assigned each family of Aaron’s descendants a fixed rotation of service in the sanctuary. Historical Setting David’s reformation of priestly ministry around 970 B.C. sought to bring orderly, continual worship before the Ark and, later, Solomon’s Temple. By distributing the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar into twenty-four equal courses, the monarchy ensured that every priestly household would minister before the LORD and that no single line would dominate worship. Happizzez therefore stands as one unit in a carefully balanced structure that upheld both unity and diversity among the sons of Aaron. Duties of the Course Each division served for one week, twice a year, from Sabbath to Sabbath, supplementing the national convocations at the three pilgrimage festivals (2 Chronicles 23:8; 2 Chronicles 31:2). While Scripture does not record specific exploits of the Happizzez course, its members shared the common priestly responsibilities: Faithful execution of these duties maintained the continual witness that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22), foreshadowing the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Continuity after the Exile Only four courses are expressly named among the priests who returned from Babylon (Ezra 2:36-39), yet rabbinic tradition records that these survivors reorganized into twenty-four lots, preserving the original order. Thus the name Happizzez likely continued to designate a specific rotation in Second Temple times, reminding the post-exilic community of David’s pattern even when genealogical lines were fragmented. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Order: The casting of lots illustrates God’s control over seemingly random events (Proverbs 16:33), while the structured calendar embodies orderly worship (1 Corinthians 14:40). Practical Ministry Applications • Rotational Service: Congregations today may model equitable sharing of responsibilities, preventing burnout and fostering broad participation. Key Scripture “the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez” (1 Chronicles 24:15). Forms and Transliterations לְהַפִּצֵּ֖ץ להפצץ lə·hap·piṣ·ṣêṣ ləhappiṣṣêṣ lehappitzTzetzLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 24:15 HEB: שִׁבְעָ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ר לְהַפִּצֵּ֖ץ שְׁמוֹנָ֥ה עָשָֽׂר׃ NAS: the eighteenth for Happizzez, KJV: to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses, INT: seven teen Happizzez eight teen 1 Occurrence |
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