1 Chronicles 9:30 — Word Study
WLCוּמִן־ בְּנֵי֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים רֹקְחֵ֥י הַמִּרְקַ֖חַת לַבְּשָׂמִֽים׃
BSAAnd [some]min [certain, a portion] of the sonsbên [descendants, offspring] of the priestskôhên [spiritual leaders, ministers] mixedrâqach [prepared, compounded] the spicesbesem [fragrant ointments, sweet perfumes]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּמִן־ | and some of | Conjunction, preposition |
| בְּנֵי֙ | [the] sons of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים | the priests | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| רֹקְחֵ֥י | [were those who] mixed | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine plural common |
| הַמִּרְקַ֖חַת | the mixture | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| לַבְּשָׂמִֽים׃ | of the spices | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And some of the sons of the priests mixed the spices. |
| KJV | And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. |
| ASV | And some of the sons of the priests prepared the confection of the spices. |
| YLT | And [some] of the sons of the priests are mixing the mixture for spices. |
| WEB | Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices. |
| BBE | And some of the sons of the priests were responsible for crushing the spices. |
Where they part company is in the details of the translation, but all versions agree on the actions of the priests in mixing the spices.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a participial phrase that describes the action of the subject.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָקַח
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 9:30
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 — Duties of the Priestsgenerated
1 Chronicles 9:30 describes the responsibilities of the priests in the temple, highlighting their roles in preparing sacred items, including the mixing of spices used for offerings. This verse is part of a broader account of the organization and duties of the Levitical priests, as seen in the preceding and following verses, which detail their various responsibilities.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 30:25–33 | Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil. |
| 2 | Exodus 37:29 | He also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רֹקְחֵי, ro.ke.Cheigenerated
The word רֹקְחֵי (*rokechi*) is a participle derived from the verb רָקַח (*raqach*), meaning 'to mix' or 'to compound.' It specifically refers to those who perform the action of mixing, particularly in the context of preparing fragrant mixtures like perfumes or spices.
This term emphasizes the active role of the priests in creating the mixtures, which were essential for worship and offerings. The participle form indicates that they were engaged in this work, highlighting their service in the temple.
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 verb of the sentence is רֹקְחֵי, were those who mixed, which serves as the predicate for the subject, בְּנֵי֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים, the sons of the priests. The structure indicates that the sons of the priests are identified specifically by their action of mixing the spices.
The Hebrew word order places the subject first, followed by the action, which emphasizes the role of the priests in this task.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רֹקְחֵי with μυρεψοὶ, which refers to those who prepare or mix perfumes. This choice reflects a specific focus on the role of these individuals in the context of creating aromatic substances, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
The use of μυρεψοὶ indicates a professional role in the preparation of fragrances, suggesting a recognized craft within the temple duties.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 9:30 tells us that some of the sons of the priests were responsible for mixing the spices. This task was part of their duties in the temple, where they prepared special mixtures for offerings.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This indicates that these priests had specific responsibilities in preparing the fragrant mixtures used in worship and offerings.
Spices were used for offerings and incense, which played a significant role in the worship practices of ancient Israel.
Priests had various responsibilities, including making sacrifices, maintaining the temple, and ensuring that the worship practices were followed according to God's laws.
This verse connects to passages in Exodus that describe the preparation of holy anointing oil and incense, such as in Exodus 30:25–33.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can I learn about the importance of specific roles in serving God from this verse?
- How can I apply the idea of mixing or preparing something meaningful in my own life?
- In what ways can I contribute to my community or church like the priests did in the temple?
- What does this verse teach us about the significance of worship and offerings in our relationship with God?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 9:30 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. For though the Levites had the care of the spices, they might not make the ointment with them, only the priests, see Exodus 30:23.
Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 9 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 9 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThis is added to prevent a mistake, and to show that although the Levites were intrusted with the keeping of this ointment, yet none but the priests could make it. See , etc.
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 9 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(30) A parenthetic remark. The Levites had charge of the stores of spicery, but only the priests might lawfully prepare the holy ointment and oil wherewith the sacred tent, the ark, the table, &c, were anointed (Exodus 30:23-29).
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 9 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 30. The sons of the priests made the ointment] Only the priests were permitted to make this ointment; all others were forbidden to do it on pain of death; see Exodus 30:34-38, and the notes there.
Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 9 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges30. A Priestly Duty 30. the sons of the priests] This phrase means merely “members of the priesthood, priests.” Cp. 2 Chronicles 25:13, “the soldiers of the army” (lit. “the sons of the troop”) and the common expression “the sons of the prophets.” the ointment] R.V. the confection. See Exodus 30:23-25. This “ointment” was peculiarly holy. The Levites might have charge of the oil and spices (1 Chronicles 9:29), but only the priests might make the confection. With the word “confection” cp. “confectionaries” (1 Samuel 8:13, A.V. and R.V.), “perfumers” R.V. mg.
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 9 →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
And some of the sons of the priests mixed the spices.
Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices.
And some of the sons of the priests mixed the spices.
(But some of the priests mixed the spices.)
Tyndale line
And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
And some of the sons of the priests prepared the confection of the spices.
And some of the sons of the priests prepared the confection of the spices.
And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
And certaine of the sonnes of the Priestes made oyntments of sweete odours.
Strictly literal
And it was [some one] of the sons of the priests who compounded the ointment of the spices.
And [some] of the sons of the priests are mixing the mixture for spices.
And [some] of the sons of the priests are mixing the mixture for spices.
And some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixture of the spices.
Some of the priests' sons mixed the spices.
From the Latin
And the sons of the priests made the ointments of the spices.
Simplified
(However, some of the priests were in charge of mixing the spices.)
And some of the sons of the priests were responsible for crushing the spices.
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 and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched in the translation. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the roles described in both texts.
וּמִן־ בְּנֵי֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים רֹקְחֵ֥י הַמִּרְקַ֖חַת לַבְּשָׂמִֽים׃
6 of the 6 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 9:30
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.
The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.
מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal
from, against
מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
of position, off, on the side of, on
Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
Partitively
Of time—
as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
towards, to
(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
In comparisons, beyond, above
מן is prefixed to an infin.:
with causal force, from, on account of, through
after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
with a temporal force, since, after
Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
In compounds:
base
H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against
. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
. of position, off, on the side of, on
. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
. Partitively
. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
. towards, to
. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
. In comparisons, beyond, above
. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through
. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
. with a temporal force, since, after
. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
4480 min min
or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)
{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;
hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as
follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason
of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,
since, X then, through, X whether, with.
see HEBREW for 04482
מִן־ (min) — from.
prep
1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than
1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of
1b) out of
1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)
1b2) (of material from which something is made)
1b3) (of source or origin)
1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)
1d) from, since, after (of time)
1e) than, more than (in comparison)
1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or
1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)
1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)
conj
2) that
Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
מֵן (men) — portion.
n.m.
portion
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · prepositionHC/R
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
See SON, SONS.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.
כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest
base
H3548 כֹּהֵן priest
3548 kohen ko-hane'
active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a
priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a
layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal
officer.
see HEBREW for 03547
כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.
1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler
1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)
1b) pagan priests
1c) priests of Jehovah
1d) Levitical priests
1e) Zadokite priests
1f) Aaronic priests
1g) the high priest
Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
רָקַח (raqach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to mix or compound, particularly in reference to oils and ointments. It can denote both the action of mixing and the role of a mixer or perfumer. The entries suggest various forms of the verb, including Qal, Pual, and Hiphil, indicating different usages in context.
[רָקַח] vb. mix, or compound oil, ointment (perh. denom.);—
Qal mix, compound; pt. as subst. compounders of the ointment; as a professional name, mixer, perfumer
Pu. mixed as ointment
Hiph. spice the spicing (?), i.e. spice (the meat) well, but very dub.
base
H7543 רָקַח
7543 raqach raw-kakh'
a primitive root; to perfume:--apothecary, compound, make
(ointment), prepare, spice.
רָקַח (ra.qach) — to mix.
1) to mix, compound
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to mix, compound
1a2) compounder, mixer, perfumer (participle) (subst)
1b) (Pual) mixed (participle)
1c) (Hiphil) to mix
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural commonHVqrmpc
מִרְקַ֫חַת n.f. 1. ointment-mixture. 2. ointment-pot (?)
base
H4842 מִרְקַ֫חַת
4842 mirqachath meer-kakh'-ath
from 7543; an aromatic unguent; also an
unguent-pot:--prepared by the apothecaries' art, compound,
ointment.
see HEBREW for 07543
מִרְקַ֫חַת (mir.qa.chat) — ointment.
1) ointment, mixture of ointment
2) ointment-pot
HTd/Ncfsa — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
בֹּ֫שֶׂם (besem) refers to spice, specifically balsam and the balsam tree, with connotations of fragrance and sweet odor. The word is built from a root related to scent and encompasses meanings like perfume and spicery. It appears in contexts discussing pleasant aromas.
בֹּ֫שֶׂם n.m. spice, balsam, balsam-tree
base
H1314 בֹּ֫שֶׂם spice, balsam, balsam-tree
1314 besem beh'-sem
or bosem {bo'-sem}; from the same as 1313; fragrance; by
implication, spicery; also the balsam plant:--smell, spice,
sweet (odour).
see HEBREW for 01313
בֶּ֫שֶׂם (be.sem) — spice.
1) spice, balsam, balsam tree, perfume
2) (TWOT) sweet, sweet smell, sweet odour
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
Spices
Aromatic substances, of which several are named in Ex. 30. They were used in the sacred anointing oil (Ex. 25:6; 35:8; 1 Chr. 9:29), and in embalming the dead (2 Chr. 16:14; Luke 23:56; 24:1; John 19:39, 40). Spices were stored by Hezekiah in his treasure-house (2 Kings 20:13; Isa. 39:2).