1 Chronicles 24:16 — Word Study
WLCלִֽפְתַחְיָה֙ תִּשְׁעָ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ר לִֽיחֶזְקֵ֖אל הָעֶשְׂרִֽים׃
BSAthe nineteenthtêshaʻ to PethahiahPᵉthachyâh [freed by Jehovah] the twentiethʻesrîym to JehezkelYᵉchezqêʼl [God strengthens, Ezekiel]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לִֽפְתַחְיָה֙ | to Pethahiah | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| תִּשְׁעָ֣ה | nine- | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| עָשָׂ֔ר | teen | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| לִֽיחֶזְקֵ֖אל | to Jehezkel | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| הָעֶשְׂרִֽים׃ | the twenty | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, |
| KJV | The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel, |
| ASV | the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, |
| YLT | for Pethahiah the nineteenth, for Jehezekel the twentieth, |
| WEB | the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, |
| BBE | The nineteenth Pethahiah, the twentieth Jehezkel, |
Where they part company is in the rendering of the names, but the structure remains consistent.
The structure is straightforward, with two main clauses clearly delineating the assignments.
2 commentators on this verse
Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 24:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Priestly Divisionsgenerated
1 Chronicles 24:16 details the assignments of the priests, indicating the nineteenth division goes to Pethahiah and the twentieth to Jehezkel. This organization reflects the careful planning of priestly duties during the time of David, ensuring that all priests had specific roles in the service of the temple.
Cross References
The Key Word — פְּתַחְיָה, lif.tach.Yahgenerated
The name פְּתַחְיָה (Pethachyah) means "freed by Jehovah" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament. It is derived from roots meaning 'to open' and 'Jah' (short for Jehovah). Pethahiah was a common name, notably borne by a priest during David's reign and a Levite involved in the return from exile.
The passive construction in the name suggests a divine action, indicating that Pethahiah's freedom is attributed to Jehovah's intervention.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause lists the assignments, with two prepositional phrases specifying the recipients: לִֽפְתַחְיָה֙ and לִֽיחֶזְקֵ֖אל. The structure clearly delineates the order of the priestly divisions.
The Hebrew word order emphasizes the names of the priests receiving their assignments, highlighting the systematic nature of the divisions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, פְּתַחְיָה is rendered as φεταια, which maintains the reference to the same individual. This choice shows a direct correspondence without interpretive changes.
The name יְחֶזְקֵאל is rendered as εζεκηλ, again preserving the identity of the person, indicating consistency in the translation of proper names.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 24:16 lists the assignments of the priests, stating that the nineteenth division goes to Pethahiah and the twentieth to Jehezkel. This organization reflects the careful planning of priestly duties during the time of David.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Both names reflect the roles of individuals in the priestly service, with Pethahiah meaning 'freed by Jehovah' and Jehezkel meaning 'God strengthens', indicating their divine support.
The divisions ensured that all priests had specific roles, promoting order and efficiency in temple worship.
The divisions were established by King David as part of his organization of the priesthood, as recorded in the genealogies and duties of the priests.
The structured approach to priestly duties highlights the importance of order and planning in worship and service to God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How does understanding the names and roles of these priests enhance your reading of the text?
- What can we learn about the importance of organization in our own communities from this passage?
- In what ways do you see God's provision and support reflected in the names of these individuals?
- How can we apply the principles of careful planning and organization in our spiritual lives?
Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 24:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Pethahiah.—Ezra 10:23, (Iah openeth, i.e., setteth free). (Comp. Jephthah: He, i.e., Iah, openeth.) Jehezekel.—Heb., Yĕ ?hezqêl: Ezekiel.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 24 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. Jehezekel] R.V. Jehezkel, which is the correct form of “Ezekiel” the name of the priest-prophet of the Captivity. It is possible that the prophet belonged to this twentieth coarse and that the name here given to it is derived from him.
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 24 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
Tyndale line
The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel;
The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
The ninetenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Iehezekel,
Strictly literal
the nineteenth for Pethahiah, the twentieth for Ezekiel,
for Pethahiah the nineteenth, for Jehezekel the twentieth,
for Pethahiah the nineteenth, for Jehezekel the twentieth,
For Pethachyah the nineteenth, for Ezekiel the twentieth.
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
From the Latin
The nineteenth to Pheteia, the twentieth to Hezechiel,
Simplified
The nineteenth to Pethahiah. The twentieth to Jehezkel.
The nineteenth Pethahiah, the twentieth Jehezkel,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of 1 Chronicles 24:16 reads, "לִֽפְתַחְיָה֙ תִּשְׁעָ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ר לִֽיחֶזְקֵ֖אל הָעֶשְׂרִֽים׃" which translates to "the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel." The Septuagint (LXX) agrees with the MT in that all five words match in terms of content, although the word order and articles may differ due to the nature of translation. There are no significant differences noted between these witnesses for this verse.
לִֽפְתַחְיָה֙ תִּשְׁעָ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ר לִֽיחֶזְקֵ֖אל הָעֶשְׂרִֽים׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 24:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
פְּתַחְיָה (Pethachyah) means "freed by Jehovah" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament. The name is derived from the roots meaning 'to open' and 'Jah' (short for Jehovah). Notably, Pethahiah is mentioned as a priest during David's reign and as a Levite involved in the return from exile, appearing in passages like 1 Chronicles 24:16 and Ezra 10:23.
פְּתַחְיָה n.pr.m.
priest
Levite
Judahite
base
H6611 פְּתַחְיָה
6611 Pthachyah peth-akh-yaw'
from 6605 and 3050; Jah has opened; Pethachjah, the name of
four Israelites:--Pethakiah.
see HEBREW for 06605
see HEBREW for 03050
פְּתַחְיָה (pe.tach.yah) — Pethahiah.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.24.16
§ Pethahiah = "freed by Jehovah"
1) a priest, in charge of the 19th course, in the time of David
2) a Levite and returning exile who had married a foreign wife; probably the same as 3
3) a Levite who helped lead in the confession of the people in the time of Ezra; probably the same as 2
4) son of Meshezabeel, descendant of Zerah the son of Judah; deputy of the king in all matters concerning the people
פְּתַחְיָה (pe.tach.yah) — Pethahiah.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.10.23
§ Pethahiah = "freed by Jehovah"
1) a priest, in charge of the 19th course, in the time of David
2) a Levite and returning exile who had married a foreign wife; probably the same as 3
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
peth-a-hi'-a (Pethachyah, "Yah opens up"):
(1) Chief of the 19th course of priests (1Ch 24:16).
(2) One of the Levites having "foreign wives" (Ezr 10:23; Ne 9:5; "Patheus" in 1 Esdras 9:23).
(3) Son of Meshezabeel, descendant of Judah, who was "at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people" (Ne 11:24).
Pethahiah
Loosed of the Lord. (1.) The chief of one of the priestly courses (the nineteenth) in the time of David (1 Chr. 24:16). (2.) A Levite (Ezra 10:23). (3.) Neh. 9:5. (4.) A descendant of Judah who had some office at the court of Persia (Neh. 11:24).
(freed by Jehovah). A priest, over the nineteenth course in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 24:16) (B.C. 1020.) A Levite in the time of Ezra, who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:23) He is probably the same who is mentioned in (Nehemiah 9:5) (B.C. 458.) The son of Meshezabeel, and descendant of Zerah. (Nehemiah 11:24) (B.C. 446.)
the Lord opening; gate of the Lord
תֵּ֫שַׁע (tesha`) means 'nine' and can refer to both the cardinal and ordinal forms of the number. It may also appear in combination with other numbers. The word is possibly derived from the idea of turning towards the next full number, ten.
תֵּ֫שַׁע, תִּשְׁעָה 58 n.m. et f. a nine, nonad
base
H8672 תֵּ֫שַׁע, תִּשְׁעָה nine, nonad
8672 tesha` tay'-shah
or (masculine) tishtah {tish-aw'}; perhaps from 8159 through
the idea of a turn to the next or full number ten; nine or
(ord.) ninth:--nine (+ -teen, + -teenth, -th).
see HEBREW for 08159
תֵּ֫שַׁע (te.sah) — nine.
1) nine, nonad
1a) nine (as cardinal number)
1b) ninth (as ordinal number)
1c) in combination with other numbers
Adj — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
עָשָׂר (asar) means 'ten' and is used exclusively in combination with other numbers to form the teen numbers (11-19), both as cardinal and ordinal forms. The entries indicate that it is derived from another Hebrew root, but do not elaborate on its etymology.
עָשָׂר, עֶשְׂרֵה ten, only after units to make num. 11-19, both cardinal and ordinal
base
H6240 עָשָׂר, עֶשְׂרֵה ten, only after units to make num. 11-19, both cardinal and ordinal
6240 `asar aw-sawr'
for 6235; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also
(ordinal) -teenth:--(eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-,
six-, thir-)teen(-th), + eleven(-th), + sixscore thousand, +
twelve(-th).
see HEBREW for 06235
עָשָׂר (a.sar) — ten.
1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers)
1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
HNcbsa — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
יְחֶזְקֵאל (Ychezqe'l) means "God will strengthen" and refers to Ezekiel, a significant prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile. He is noted for his prophecies over 22 years and is the author of the biblical book bearing his name. There is also mention of another Jehezkel, a priest from David's time.
יְחֶזְקֵאל n.pr.m. (God strengtheneth)
the well-known priest and prophet, son of Buzi
priest of the 19th course (assigned to David’s time)
base
H3168 יְחֶזְקֵאל
3168 Ychezqe'l yekh-ez-kale'
from 2388 and 410; God will strengthen; Jechezkel, the name
of two Israelites:--Ezekiel, Jehezekel.
see HEBREW for 02388
see HEBREW for 0410
יְחֶזְקֵאל (ye.chez.qel) — Jehezkel.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.24.16
§ Ezekiel or Jehezekel = "God strengthens"
1) son of Buzi and a priest and prophet; author of the book by his name; taken captive with Jehoiachin and exiled in Babylon where he prophesied for the next 22 years
2) a priest in charge of the 20th course in the time of David
יְחֶזְקֵאל (ye.chez.qel) — Ezekiel.
A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.1.3;
son of: Buzi (H0941)
§ Ezekiel or Jehezekel = "God strengthens"
1) son of Buzi and a priest and prophet; author of the book by his name; taken captive with Jehoiachin and exiled in Babylon where he prophesied for the next 22 years
2) a priest in charge of the 20th course in the time of David
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
עֶשְׂרִים (esriym) means 'twenty' and can also refer to the ordinal 'twentieth.' It is derived from the root word for 'ten' and has an Aramaic equivalent, עֶשְׂרִין (es.rin). The entries consistently define the term without significant disagreement.
עֶשְׂרִים (a) twenty
base
H6242 עֶשְׂרִים (a) twenty
6242 `esriym es-reem'
from 6235; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth:--(six-)score,
twenty(-ieth).
see HEBREW for 06235
עֶשְׂרִים (es.rim) — twenty.
twenty, twentieth
Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Art | Adj — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
twen'-ti.
See NUMBER.