The Levites Organized
1 Chronicles 23
David makes Solomon king over Israel and takes a census of the Levites, organizing them by their family lines of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari and by the household of Aaron. He explains that since the Lord has given Israel rest and the ark now dwells in Jerusalem, the Levites are to devote themselves to the service, praise, and daily ministrations of the house of the Lord rather than to carrying the tabernacle.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonWHEN David was old and full of days, and had made Solomon his son king over Israel
BrentonAnd David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel in his stead.
GreekΚαὶ Δαυὶδ πρεσβύτης καὶ πλήρης ἡμερῶν, καὶ ἐβασίλευσε Σαλωμὼν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἀνθʼ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVSo when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
JPSNow David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2
Thomsonin his stead, then he assembled all the chiefs of Israel, and the priests and the Levites,
BrentonAnd he assembled all the chief men of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites.
Greekκαὶ συνήγαγε τοὺς πάντας ἄρχοντας Ἰσραὴλ καὶ τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ τοὺς Λευείτας.
KJVAnd he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
JPSAnd he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
3
Thomsonand the Levites were numbered, from thirty years old and upwards; and the number of them by their poll, amounted to thirty-eight thousand men.
BrentonAnd the Levites numbered themselves from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls amounted to thirty and eight thousand men.
GreekΚαὶ ἠρίθμησαν οἱ Λευῖται ἀπὸ τριακονταετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω, καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτῶν κατὰ κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν εἰς ἄνδρας τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ χιλιάδας.
KJVNow the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
JPSAnd the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
4
ThomsonOf these, twenty-four thousand were for the works for the house of the Lord; and six thousand were scribes and judges;
BrentonOf the overseers over the works of the house of the Lord there were twenty-four thousand, and there were six thousand scribes and judges;
GreekἈπὸ τῶν ἐργοδιωκτῶν ἐπὶ τὰ ἔργα οἴκου Κυρίου εἴκοσι τέσσαρες χιλιάδες, καὶ γραμματεῖς καὶ κριταὶ ἑξακισχίλιοι,
KJVOf which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:
JPSOf these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges;
5
Thomsonand four thousand were guards of the gates, and four thousand were to praise the Lord with musical instruments, which he had made for praising the Lord.
Brentonand four thousand door-keepers, and four thousand to praise the Lord with instruments which he made to praise the Lord.
Greekκαὶ τέσσαρες χιλιάδες πυλωροὶ καὶ τώσσαρες χιλιάδες αἰνοῦντες τῷ κυρίῳ ἐν ὀργάνοιν οἷς ἐποίησε τοῦ αἰνεῖν τῷ κυρίῳ.
KJVMoreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
JPSand four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised the LORD ‘with the instruments which I made to praise therewith.’
6
ThomsonAnd David distributed them into daily classes, under the heads of Gerson, Kaath and Merari, the sons of Levi.
BrentonAnd David divided them into daily courses, for the sons of Levi, for Gedson, Caath, and Merari.
Greekκαὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοὺς Δαυὶδ ἐφημερίας τοῖς υἱοῖς Λευῖ, τῷ Γεδσών, Καάθ, καὶ Μαραρί·
KJVAnd David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
JPSAnd David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7
ThomsonNow to Gerson belonged Edan and Semei;
BrentonAnd for the family of Gedson, Edan, and Semei.
Greekκαὶ τῷ Γεδσὼν, Ἐδὰν, καὶ Σεμεΐ.
KJV—
JPS—
8
Thomsonthe sons of Edan were chief Jeiel, and Zethan and Joel, three:
BrentonThe sons of Edan were Jeiel, the chief, and Zethan, and Joel, three.
Greekγἱοὶ τῷ Ἐδάν, ἄρχων Ἰεϊὴλ, καὶ Ζηθὸμ, καὶ Ἰωήλ, καὶ τρεῖς.
KJVThe sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.
JPSThe sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three.
9
Thomsonthe sons of Semei were Salomith, Jeiel and Dan, three. Those were the chiefs of the families of the Edanites;
BrentonThe sons of Semei; Salomith, Jeiel, and Dan, three: these were the chiefs of the families of Edan.
Greekγἱοὶ Σεμεῒ, Σαλωμὶθ, Ἰεϊὴλ, καὶ Δὰν, τρεῖς· οὗτοι ἄρχοντες πατριῶν τῶν Ἐδάν·
KJVThe sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan.
JPSThe sons of Shimei: Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’houses of Ladan.
10
Thomsonbut the Semeites had also Jeth and Ziza, and Joas and Beria; these four were sons of Semei,
BrentonAnd to the sons of Semei, Jeth, and Ziza, and Joas, and Beria: these were the four sons of Semei.
Greekκαὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς Σεμεΐ· Ἰὲθ, καὶ Ζιζὰ, καὶ Ἰῶας, καὶ Βεριά· οὗτοι υἱοὶ Σεμεΐ, τέσσαρες.
KJVAnd the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.
JPSAnd the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.
11
Thomsonand Jeth was the chief and Ziza the second, and Joas and Beria not having many children were comprehended in one muster, for a house of a family.
BrentonAnd Jeth was the chief, and Ziza the second: and Joas and Beria did not multiply sons, and they became only one reckoning according to the house of their father.
Greekκαὶ ἦν Ἰὲθ ὁ ἄρχων· καὶ Ζιζὰ ὁ δεύτερος· καὶ Ἰωὰς καὶ Βεριὰ οὐκ ἐπλήθυναν υἱοὺς, καὶ ἐγένετο εἰς οἶκον πατριᾶς εἰς ἐπίσκεψιν μίαν.
KJVAnd Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father’s house.
JPSAnd Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they became a fathers’house in one reckoning.
12
ThomsonAnd the sons of Kaath were Ambram, Issaar, Chebron, Oziel; four.
BrentonThe sons of Caath; Ambram, Isaar, Chebron, Oziel, four.
Greekγἱοὶ Καάθ, Ἀμβρὰμ, Ἰσαάρ, Χεβρών, Ὀζιὴλ, τέσσαρες.
KJV—
JPS—
13
ThomsonThe sons of Ambram were Aaron and Moses. Now Aaron was set apart for the sanctification of the most holy things, he and his sons, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister in the priest’s office, and to bless in His name forever.
BrentonThe sons of Ambram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was appointed for the consecration of the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister and bless in his name for ever.
Greekγἱοὶ Ἀμβρὰμ, Ἀαρὼν καὶ Μωυσῆς· καὶ διεστάλη Ἀαρὼν τοῦ ἁγιασθῆναι ἅγια ἁγίων, αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος, τοῦ θυμιᾷν ἐναντίον τοῦ κυρίου, λειτουργεῖν καὶ ἐπεύχεσθαι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος.
KJVThe sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.
JPSThe sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should be sanctified as most holy, he and his sons for ever, to offer before the LORD, to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name for ever.
14
ThomsonBut as for Moses the man of God, his sons were classed in the tribe of Levi.
BrentonAnd as for Moses the man of God, his sons were reckoned to the tribe of Levi.
GreekΚαὶ Μωυσῆς ἄνθρωπος τοῦ Θεοῦ, υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐκλήθησαν εἰς φυλὴν τοῦ Λευεί.
KJVNow concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
JPSBut as for Moses the man of God, his sons are named among the tribe of Levi.
15
ThomsonThe sons of Moses were Gersam and Eliezer.
BrentonThe sons of Moses; Gersam, and Eliezer.
Greekγἱοὶ Μωυσῆ, Γηρσὰμ, καὶ Ἐλιέζερ.
KJVThe sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.
JPSThe sons of Moses: Gershom, and Eliezer.
16
ThomsonOf the Gersamites, Subael was chief,
BrentonThe sons of Gersam; Subael the chief.
Greekγἱοὶ Γηρσὰμ, Σουβαὴλ ὁ ἄρχων.
KJVOf the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.
JPSThe sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief.
17
Thomsonand of the Eliezerites, Rabia was chief. Now Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rabia were increased to a multitude.
BrentonAnd the sons of Eliezer were, Rabia the chief: and Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rabia were very greatly multiplied.
GreekΚαὶ ἦσαν υἱοὶ τῷ Ἐλιέζερ, Ῥαβιὰ ὁ ἄρχων· καὶ οὐκ ἦσαν τῷ Ἐλιέζερ υἱοὶ ἕτεροι· καὶ υἱοὶ Ῥαβιὰ ηὐξήθησαν εἰς ὕψος.
KJVAnd the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
JPSAnd the sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18
ThomsonThe sons of Issaar were Salomith the chief.
BrentonThe sons of Isaar; Salomoth the chief.
Greekγἱοὶ Ἰσαάρ, Σαλωμὼθ ὁ ἄρχων.
KJVOf the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.
JPSThe sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief.
19
ThomsonThe sons of Chebron were Jeria the chief, Amaria the second, Jeziel the third, Jekemias the fourth.
BrentonThe sons of Chebron; Jeria the chief, Amaria the second, Jeziel the third, Jekemias the fourth.
Greekγἱοὶ Χεβρὼν, Ἰεριὰ ὁ ἄρχων, Ἀμαριὰ ὁ δεύτερος, Ἱεζιὴλ ὁ τρίτος, Ἰκεμίας ὁ τέταρτος.
KJVOf the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
JPSThe sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20
ThomsonThe sons of Oziel were Micha the chief and Isia the second.
BrentonThe sons of Oziel; Micha the chief, and Isia the second.
Greekγἱοὶ Ὀζιὴλ, Μιχὰ ὁ ἄρχων, καὶ Ἰσιὰ ὁ δεύτερος.
KJVOf the sons of Uzziel; Micah the first, and Jesiah the second.
JPSThe sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.
21
ThomsonThe sons of Merari were Mooli and Mousi. The sons of Mooli were Eleazar and Kis.
BrentonThe sons of Merari; Mooli, and Musi: the sons of Mooli; Eleazar, and Kis.
Greekγἱοὶ Μεραρί, Μοολὶ καὶ Ὁ Μουσί· υἱοὶ Μοολὶ, Ἐλεαζαρ, καὶ Κείς. καὶ Κίς.
KJVThe sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.
JPSThe sons of Merari: Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar, and Kish.
22
ThomsonNow Eleazar died, and left no sons, but only daughters. So the sons of Kis, their brethren, took them.
BrentonAnd Eleazar died, and he had no sons, but daughters: and the sons of Kis, their brethren, took them.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανεν Ἐλεάζαρ· καὶ οὐκ ἦσαν αὐτῷ υἱοὶ, ἀλλʼ ἢ θυγατέρες· καὶ ἔλαβον αὐτὰς υἱοὶ Κὶς ἀδελφοὶ αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.
JPSAnd Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only; and their brethren the sons of Kish took them to wife.
23
ThomsonThe sons of Mousi were Mouli and Eder and Jerimoth, three.
BrentonThe sons of Musi; Mooli, and Eder, and Jarimoth, three.
GreekΥἱοὶ Μουσὶ, Μοολὶ, καὶ Ἐδὲρ, καὶ Ἰαριμὼθ, τρεῖς.
KJVThe sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
JPSThe sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24
ThomsonThese are the sons of Levi, according to the houses of their patriarchal families. The chiefs of these families, according to the review of them, according to the number of their names were polled to perform the works of the service of the house of the Lord, from twenty years old and upwards.
BrentonThese are the sons of Levi according to the houses of their fathers; chiefs of their families according to their numbering, according to the number of their names, according to their polls, doing the works of service of the house of the Lord, from twenty years old and upward.
GreekΟὗτοι υἱοὶ Λευὶ κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν, ἄρχοντες τῶν πατριῶν αὐτῶν κατὰ τὴν ἐπίσκεψιν αὐτῶν, κατὰ τὸν ἀριθμὸν ὀνομάτων αὐτῶν, κατὰ κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν, ποιοῦντες τὰ ἔργα λειτουργείας οἴκου Κυρίου ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω.
KJVThese were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.
JPSThese were the sons of Levi after their fathers’houses, even the heads of the fathers’houses, according to their muster, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from twenty years old and upward.
25
ThomsonFor David said, The Lord God of Israel hath given His people rest and fixed His abode in Jerusalem forever.
BrentonFor David said, The Lord God of Israel has given rest to his people, and has taken up his abode in Jerusalem for ever.
GreekὍτι εἶπε Δαυὶδ, κατέπαυσε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατεσκήνωσεν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἕως αἰῶνος.
KJVFor David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:
JPSFor David said: ‘The LORD, the God of Israel, hath given rest unto His people, and He dwelleth in Jerusalem for ever;
26
ThomsonSo the Levites, not having to carry the tabernacle and all the utensils thereof for its service,
BrentonAnd the Levites bore not the tabernacle, and all the vessels of it for its service.
GreekΚαὶ οἱ Λευῖται οὐκ ἦσαν αἴροντες τὴν σκηνὴν καὶ τὰ πάντα σκεύη αὐτῆς εἰς τὴν λειτουργείαν αὐτῆς·
KJVAnd also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.
JPSand also the Levites shall no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it for the service thereof.’
27
Thomsonfor this cause by these last orders of David, the Levites are numbered from twenty years old and upwards,
BrentonFor by the last words of David was the number of the Levites taken from twenty years old and upward.
GreekὍτι ἐν τοῖς λόγοις Δαυὶδ τοῖς ἐσχάτοις ἐστὶν ὁ ἀριθμὸς υἱῶν Λευὶ ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω·
KJVFor by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:
JPSFor by the last ordinances of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward.
28
Thomsonfor he set them under the superintendance of Aaron to serve in the house of the Lord, over the courts and over the storehouses and over the purification of all the holy things, and over the work of the service of the house of God,
BrentonFor he appointed them to wait on Aaron, to minister in the house of the Lord, over the courts, and over the chambers, and over the purification of all the holy things, and over the works of the service of the house of God;
GreekὍτι ἔστησεν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ χειρὶ Ἀαρὼν, τοῦ λειτουργεῖν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου ἐπὶ τὰς αὐλὰς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ παστοφόρια, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν καθαρισμὸν τῶν πάντων ἁγίων, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ ἔργα λειτουργείας οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ,
KJVBecause their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
JPSFor their station was at the side of the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God;
29
Thomsonand for the shewbread, and for the fine flour of the sacrifice and for the unleavened cakes, and for the frying pan, and the mixed sacrifice, and for all kinds of measuring,
Brentonand for the shew-bread, and for the fine flour of the meat-offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for the fried cake, and for the dough, and for every measure;
Greekκαὶ εἰς τοὺς ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως, καὶ εἰς τὴν σεμίδαλιν τῆς θυσίας, καὶ εἰς τὰ λάγανα τὰ ἄζυμα, καὶ εἰς τήγανον, καὶ εἰς τὴν πεφυραμένην, καὶ εἰς πᾶν μέτρον,
KJVBoth for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
JPSfor the showbread also, and for the fine flour for a meal-offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked on the griddle, or of that which is soaked, and for all manner of measure and size;
30
Thomsonand to stand every morning to sing praises, and give thanks to the Lord, and the same every evening:
Brentonand to stand in the morning to praise and give thanks to the Lord, and so in the evening;
Greekκαὶ τοῦ στῆναι πρωῒ τοῦ αἰνεῖν καὶ ἐξομολογεῖσθαι τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ οὕτω τοεσπέρας·
KJVAnd to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;
JPSand to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;
31
Thomsonand to have charge of all the offerings of homage made to the Lord, on the sabbaths and at the new moons, and at the festivals according to the number, and according to the rule prescribed for them, continually for the Lord.
Brentonand to be over all the whole-burnt-offerings that were offered up to the Lord on the sabbaths, and at the new moons, and at the feasts, by number, according to the order given to them, continually before the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπὶ πάντων τῶν ἀναφερομένων ὁλοκαυτωμάτων τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν τοῖς σαββάτοις καὶ ἐν ταῖς νεομηνίαις καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἑορταῖς, κατὰ ἀριθμὸν, κατὰ τὴν κρίσιν ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς διαπαντὸς τῷ Κυρίῳ.
KJVAnd to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
JPSand to offer all burnt-offerings unto the LORD, on the sabbaths, on the new moons, and in the appointed seasons, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually, before the LORD;
32
ThomsonAnd they are to keep the watch of the tabernacle of the testimony, and to guard the sanctuary, and to guard the sons of Aaron, their brethren, that they may minister as priests, in the house of the Lord.
BrentonAnd they are to keep the charge of the tabernacle of witness, and the charge of the holy place, and the charges of the sons of Aaron their brethren, to minister in the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ φυλάξουσι τὰς φυλακὰς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ τὴν φυλακὴν τοῦ ἁγίου, καὶ τὰς φυλακὰς υἱῶν Ἀαρὼν ἀδελφῶν αὐτῶν, τοῦ λειτουργεῖν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου.
KJVAnd that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.
JPSand that they should keep the charge of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, for the service of the house of the LORD.