1 Chronicles 26:29

OFFICERS AND JUDGES. (Ch1 26:29-32)

officers and judges--The word rendered "officers" is the term which signifies scribes or secretaries, so that the Levitical class here described were magistrates, who, attended by their clerks, exercised judicial functions; there were six thousand of them (Ch1 23:4), who probably acted like their brethren on the principle of rotation, and these were divided into three classes--one (Ch1 26:29) for the outward business over Israel; one (Ch1 26:30), consisting of seventeen hundred, for the west of Jordan "in all business of the Lord, and in the service of the king"; and the third (Ch1 26:31-32), consisting of twenty-seven hundred, "rulers for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king."

Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 27

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

III. THE LEVITES CHARGED WITH BUSINESS EXTERNAL TO THE SANCTUARY (1Ch_26:29-32).

(29) Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons.—As to the Izharites, Chenaniah, &c. Izhar was the second, as Hebron (1Ch_26:30) was the third of the Kohathite stocks (1Ch_23:12).

The outward business is defined as that of “officers” (shoterîm, scribes) and judges. Six thousand Levites were set apart for these duties (1Ch_23:4). As Neh_11:16 mentions “the outward business of the house of God,” the outward business here spoken of may have been in part connected with the Temple, and included such work as the collection of tithes and taxes.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 26:29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons [were] for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.

Ver. 29. For the outward business.] Country employment, as provision of fuel, first fruits, tithes, &c., expounding also of the law, and therehence answering cases, solving doubts; superintendents, some say they were, throughout the whole kingdom.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 26:29. Chenaniah, &c., were for the outward business — That is, the business without the city of Jerusalem; which neither belonged to the singers nor the porters, whose business was within the city. For officers and judges — To be assessors with the ordinary judges in the several cities and towns, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights, was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites, being the established interpreters, must needs be the most proper judges of things depending thereon.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Meaning, of things that were out of the city.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

All the offices of the house of God being well provided with Levites, we have here an account of those that were employed as officers and judges in the outward business, which must not be neglected, no, not for the temple itself. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church as truly as the ministry is. And here we are told, 1. That the Levites were employed in the administration of justice in concurrence with the princes and elders of the several tribes, who could not be supposed to understand the law so well as the Levites, who made it their business to study it. None of those Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; either one was enough to engage the whole man or it was presumption to undertake both. 2. Their charge was both in all business of the Lord, and in the service of the kings, Ch1 26:30 and again Ch1 26:32. They managed the affairs of the country, as well ecclesiastical as civil, took care both of God's tithes and the king's taxes, punished offences committed immediately against God and his honour and those against the government and the public peace, guarded both against idolatry and against injustice, and took care to put the laws in execution against both. Some, it is likely, applied themselves to the affairs of religion, others to secular affairs; and so, between both, God and the king were well served. It is happy with a kingdom when its civil and sacred interests are thus interwoven and jointly minded and advanced. 3. There were more Levites employed as judges with the two tribes and a half on the other side of Jordan than with all the rest of the tribes; there were 2700; whereas as the west side of Jordan there were 1700, Ch1 26:30, Ch1 26:32. Either those remote tribes were not so well furnished as the rest with judges of their own, or because they, lying furthest from Jerusalem and on the borders of the neighbouring nations, were most in danger of being infected with idolatry, and most needed the help of Levites to prevent it. The frontiers must be well guarded. 4. This is said to be done (as were all the foregoing settlements) in the fortieth year of the reign of David (Ch1 26:31), that is, the last year of his reign. We should be so much the more industrious to do good as we can see the day approaching. If we live to enjoy the fruit of our labours, grudge it not to those that shall come after us.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 29. Outward business] Work done without the city; cutting of timber, hewing stones, ploughing the fields belonging to the sanctuary. - Jarchi.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

29. Izharites] Cp. 1Ch_23:12.

the outward business] This business as here defined “for officers and for judges” (cp. 2Ch_19:11) is perhaps different from that mentioned in Neh_11:16 (“the outward business of the house of the Lord”).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Them. Hebrew, "for officers (shoterim, "scribes," (Haydock) whose power was very great.; Calmet) and judges." The former are often placed first, as more honourable, so that they were not mere heralds or executioners. The administration of justice was chiefly in the hands of the Levitical tribe, chap. xxiii. 4. The sons of Hebron resided on the east, while those of Isaar and Oziel probably acted as judges on the western side of the Jordan, ver. 30. (Calmet) --- They were not confined to the temple, but taught the people the law of Moses in the cities abroad. (Menochius)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Chenaniah and his sons, who are probably thought to have been one thousand six hundred, for that sum added to the one thousand seven hundred, 1Ch 26:30, and the two thousand seven hundred, 1Ch 26:32, make up those six thousand Levites which were

officers and judges, 1Ch 23:4.

For the outward business; for that business of the Lord and of the king (as it is explained here, 1Ch 26:30,32) which was to be done without the temple, and without Jerusalem; for what was to be done within them was committed to other hands, as we have seen.

Over Israel, synecdochically; i.e. over part of Israel, even over the midland part, and that which lay upon the sea-coast; for the other parts of the land on both sides of Jordan are here committed to others, 1Ch 26:30-32.

For officers and judges; who shall be officers and judges over the people in the several cities and towns or parts of the land, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common or municipal law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights, was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites being the best and established interpreters, must needs therefore be the most proper judges of things depending thereupon.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

29. For the outward business over Israel — The business of local scribes, magistrates, and teachers of the people. See note on 1Ch_23:4. As such their office was, as expressed in 1Ch_26:32, to attend to “every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.” They were to proclaim, expound, and enforce among the people the law of God and the commands of the king.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 29-32. The chapter closes with some enumeration of those who were appointed to the outward business (hkalMlhnwOyjih) over Israel i.e. the secular or civic rather than temple business.

Though the Authorized Version of 1Ch_15:22 would make it appear very unlikely that the Chenaniah, a "chief of the Levites," here spoken of was identical with the present Chenaniah, yet the other translation of that passage, and the view that some take of it as describing one who had the special ordering of the carrying of the ark, would leave it more likely. For the officers and judges, see 1Ch_23:4; 2Ch_19:5-11. The too generic term "officers" (Exo_5:6-19: Num_11:16, etc.) may be advantageously superseded by the word "scribes." These scribes and judges, it appears, were taken from the families of Izhar and Hebron alone, without any Amramite or Uzzielite of the other Kohathites, and without any Gershonite or Merarite of the other Levites.

Officers and judges.

Israel was a theocracy; the state was the Church, and the Church was the state. Hence the king seems half a priest; and the Levites were appointed to the discharge of civil and magisterial offices.

I CIVIL SOCIETY AND CIVIL ORDER ARE Or GOD. Jehovah is the supreme Governor, the Lord and King of all. Subordination and obedience are principles in the Divine government. Earthly governments are all imperfect, yet they contain in them elements of Divine significance. "The powers that be are ordained of God;" not that all rulers act righteously, or that there are no cases where resistance is justifiable; but that so far as governments embody the principles of peace and order they have the sanction of the King of kings.

II IT IS LAWFUL FOR RELIGIOUS MEN TO SERVE IN THE STATE. Just as labour, trade, navigation, etc., are all lawful, and are sanctified by the Word of God and by prayer, so is it with the office of the magistrate, the servant of the state.

III IT IS FOR THE ADVANTAGE OF ALL PARTIES THAT RELIGIOUS MEN SHOULD TAKE CIVIL OFFICE. For the officers and judges themselves, as the position will enlarge the area of their influence, and promote the soundness of their judgment and the widening of their sympathies. For the subjects generally, who will benefit when Christianity is brought to bear upon the discharge of duties which involve the general interests.

IV GOOD RULERS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE CONFIDENCE, CO-OPERATION, AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE. We cannot be too thankful when men of Christian character are appointed to public positions. It becomes us, remembering the special dangers and temptations to which such persons are exposed, to plead on their behalf at the throne of grace, that they may be taught by the Holy Spirit to speak the truth fearlessly, to rebuke iniquity, to act righteously, and so to secure the public tranquillity and well-being, and the glory of God. T.

Vers. 29-32.

The business of the Lord and the service of the king.

The duties which an Israelite might render to his Divine and to his earthly sovereign are thus expressed (ver. 30). They are also spoken of as "matters pertaining to God and affairs of the king" (ver. 32). The distinction thus drawn is suggestive of the relation which the two services sustain to one another. We conclude

I THAT THEY ARE CLEARLY DISTINGUISHABLE, ONE FROM THE OTHER. It is one thing to "serve God" and another thing to "honour the king." We may remember those who have been most devoted courtiers, but indifferent servants of God. "Had I but served my God," etc. (Wolsey). There have been very consecrated men who have lived a life of protest or even of hostility to the "reigning house." Indeed, it may be the bounden duty of a good man to disobey the mandates of his earthly sovereign. The honours we pay to the "noble army of martyrs" are the best witness that we do make this distinction in our minds. It is a possible thing that we may find ourselves citizens of a country where the laws of the land are directly at variance with the will of God. But it is also true

II THAT THEY ARE COMMONLY FOUND TO BE CONSISTENT ONE WITH THE OTHER. Happily it is not often the case now that a man has to choose whether he will "love the one and hate the other," etc. Usually both may be honourably and faithfully served at the same time. Indeed, it will be found:

1. That we never serve the king better than when we are actively servingGod. To be engaging in Divine worship, and thus encouraging piety and the good morals which are its invariable attendant; to be evangelizing, and thus to be elevating and enriching those who have fallen into sin and vice; to be occupied in any of the thousand forms of philanthropy which distinguish this age of ours; to be thus occupied in the "business of the Lord" is to be taking a very true and useful part in "the service of the king." Indeed, the monarch of a land has no more loyal and serviceable subjects than those whose piety prompts them to "every good word and work" among their fellow-subjects. It may be equally true:

2. That we never serve God more truly than when we are serving the king.With the Jew, patriotism and piety were inseparably united. He who wished to please and honour Jehovah strove to serve Israel. He who injured the people of God was an enemy of the Most High. And so with us. The statesman who is faithfully and conscientiously serving his country may be pleasing and serving God quite as much as the minister in the pulpit, or the writer of sacred hooks at his desk. And not only the statesman who is charged with great and high things: all of us in our humbler ranks, when we join with our fellow-citizens in promoting the welfare of our common country, may be "serving God acceptably." Only, if we wish to enjoy his smile and win his Divine blessing in the act, we must do our work

(1) unselfishly,

(2) devoutly. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Judges - Judges over the people, in the several cities and towns, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites being the established interpreters, must needs be the most proper Judges of things depending thereon.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

Izhar ... Hebron

Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:12. (See: How to Translate Names)

civil affairs of Israel

"daily business of the people of Israel." This refers to the regular business of the people of Israel, not connected to the military or to the temple.

Kenaniah ... Hashabiah

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1,700 capable men

"one thousand seven hundred capable men" (See: Numbers)

Yahweh's work and the king's work

"work done for Yahweh and the king."

translationWords

descend

Israel

judge, judges

brother

Yahweh

works

Jordan River

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

Of the Izharites: Chenaniah and his sons to the outside work to the work that was done outside the city, in the forests and in the mountains; to hew cedars and to quarry stones and to plow fields belonging to the Sanctuary.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.