2 Samuel 8:17
New International Version
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary;

New Living Translation
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were the priests. Seraiah was the court secretary.

English Standard Version
and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary,

Berean Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;

King James Bible
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

New King James Version
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Seraiah was the scribe;

New American Standard Bible
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was scribe.

NASB 1995
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary.

NASB 1977
And Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary.

Legacy Standard Bible
and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was scribe;

Amplified Bible
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the [chief] priests, and Seraiah was the scribe;

Christian Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was court secretary;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was court secretary;

American Standard Version
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;

Contemporary English Version
Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abiathar the son of Ahimelech, were the priests. Seraiah was the secretary.

English Revised Version
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahitub's son Zadok and Abiathar's son Ahimelech were priests. Seraiah was the royal scribe.

Good News Translation
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the court secretary;

International Standard Version
Ahitub's son Zadok and Abiathar's son Ahimelech were priests, Seraiah was his personal secretary,

Majority Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;

NET Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe;

New Heart English Bible
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abiathar the son of Ahimelech, were priests; and Shisha was scribe;

Webster's Bible Translation
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Seraiah was the scribe;

World English Bible
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech son of Abiathar, [are] priests, and Seraiah [is] scribe,

Young's Literal Translation
and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech son of Abiathar, are priests, and Seraiah is scribe,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, the priests; and Seraiah, scribe.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Saraias was the scribe:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Zadok, the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were the priests. And Seraiah was the scribe.

New American Bible
Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were priests. Shavsha was scribe.

New Revised Standard Version
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, the Gelionite, and Abiathar the son of Ahimeleck were priests, and Seraiah was the scribe;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Tsaduq, son of Akhitub, Geliona, and Abiathar, son of Akhimelek the Priest, and Sharyah the Scribe
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech son of Abiathar, were priests; and Sasa was the scribe,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Officers
16Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; 17Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; 18Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 18:16
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;

1 Kings 4:2-4
and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest; / Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

1 Chronicles 24:3
With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service.

1 Chronicles 6:4-8
Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas was the father of Abishua, / Abishua was the father of Bukki, Bukki was the father of Uzzi, / Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth, ...

1 Chronicles 6:50-53
These were the descendants of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, / Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, / Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, ...

1 Chronicles 24:31
As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.

1 Chronicles 24:6
The scribe, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar, and then one from Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:19
This was their appointed order for service when they entered the house of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 24:31
As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.

1 Chronicles 24:5
Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.

1 Chronicles 24:7-18
The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, / the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, / the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, ...

1 Chronicles 24:20-31
Now these were the rest of the descendants of Levi: From the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah. / As for Rehabiah, from his sons: The first was Isshiah. / From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath. ...

1 Chronicles 24:1-19
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. / With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. ...

1 Chronicles 24:1-31
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. / With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

Zadok

1 Chronicles 6:8,53
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz, …

1 Chronicles 24:3,4
And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service…

and Seraiah

1 Chronicles 18:16
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

Shavsha scribe.

Jump to Previous
Abiathar Abi'athar Ahimelech Ahim'elech Ahitub Ahi'tub Priests Scribe Secretary Seraiah Serai'ah Zadok
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Abiathar Abi'athar Ahimelech Ahim'elech Ahitub Ahi'tub Priests Scribe Secretary Seraiah Serai'ah Zadok
2 Samuel 8
1. David subdues the Philistines and the Moabites
3. He smites Hadadezer, and the Syrians
9. Toi sends Joram with presents to bless him
11. David dedicates the presents and the spoil to God
14. He puts garrisons in Edom
16. David's officers














Zadok son of Ahitub
The name "Zadok" is derived from the Hebrew root "tsadaq," meaning "righteous" or "just." Zadok's lineage as the son of Ahitub places him within the priestly line of Aaron, specifically from the line of Eleazar. Historically, Zadok's role as a priest during King David's reign signifies a period of religious consolidation and reform. His righteousness and loyalty to David are later rewarded when he becomes the high priest under Solomon, symbolizing the enduring covenant between God and the house of David.

Ahimelech son of Abiathar
The mention of "Ahimelech" here is intriguing, as it may refer to a textual variation or a scribal tradition. In the broader biblical narrative, Abiathar is a priest who initially supported David during his flight from Saul. The name "Ahimelech" means "my brother is king," which could reflect the close relationship between the priesthood and the monarchy. This connection underscores the integral role of the priesthood in supporting and legitimizing the Davidic dynasty, emphasizing the divine approval of David's kingship.

were priests
The Hebrew term for "priests" is "kohanim," which denotes those set apart for sacred duties. The priesthood in Israel was not merely a religious office but a vital component of the nation's identity and governance. Priests served as mediators between God and the people, offering sacrifices and maintaining the sanctity of worship. In the context of David's reign, the presence of Zadok and Ahimelech as priests highlights the centrality of worship and adherence to the Mosaic Law as foundational to the kingdom's success and divine favor.

Seraiah was the scribe
The role of "scribe," or "sofer" in Hebrew, was crucial in the administration of the kingdom. Scribes were responsible for recording official documents, maintaining royal archives, and ensuring the accurate transmission of legal and religious texts. Seraiah's position as a scribe under David indicates the importance of literacy and record-keeping in the establishment of a stable and just society. This role also reflects the broader biblical theme of the power of the written word in preserving God's covenant and guiding His people.

(17) Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar.--So Ahimelech is also described in 1Chronicles 18:16; 1Chronicles 24:6; on the other hand, Abiathar is expressly said to be the son of Ahimelech in the narrative in 1Samuel 22:20-23. This difficulty is increased by the further notices of the men bearing these names. Ahimelech was certainly the high priest who gave the shew-bread to David, and was slain in consequence by Saul (1 Samuel 21, 22), and Abiathar, who fled to David, and afterwards became high priest, and was finally put out of the high-priesthood by Solomon (1 Kings 1, 2) was certainly his son; but, on the other hand, in 1Chronicles 24:3; 1Chronicles 24:6; 1Chronicles 24:31 Ahimelech. is said to have been the co-priest with Zadok during the reign of David, and our Lord says that David ate the shew-bread "in the days of Abiathar, the high priest" (Mark 2:26). These apparently conflicting facts have occasioned unnecessary perplexity. The simple solution of the difficulty seems to be that both names were borne alike by father and by son, so that both of them are spoken of sometimes under one name, sometimes under the other. . . . Verse 17. - Zadok... and Ahimelech... were the priests. We have already seen that this was contrary to the letter of the Mosaic Law, and yet that there was no schism, and that by patience matters came back to the right groove. Zadok, of the elder line of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:4-8, 50-53), was high priest at Gibeon, and Ahimelech, of the junior line of Ithamar, was the high priest at Jerusalem. Instead of Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, the Syriac transposes the names, and reads, "Abiathar the son of Ahimelech" This agrees with the list in 2 Samuel 20:25, and it is certain that Abiathar outlived David (1 Kings 2:26), and that he was David's high priest throughout his reign, though Zadok is not only constantly associated with him, but is placed first, as the man of higher rank (2 Samuel 15:24-35; 2 Samuel 17:15; 2 Samuel 19:11; 2 Samuel 20:25). It is also remarkable that our Lord makes Abiathar the person who gave David the shewbread (Mark 2:26), whereas in 1 Samuel 21. he is repeatedly called Ahimelech. As both the LXX. and the Vulgate support the Hebrew against the Syriac, and as the reading "Ahimelech" is confirmed by 1 Chronicles 18:16 and 1 Chron 24:3, 6, 31, we must reject the emendation of the Syriac, and conclude that there was a double tradition respecting these names, some manuscripts making Abiathar the father, and others giving the seniority to Ahimelech. Our Lord made Abiathar the father, but the scribes, in their editing of the Hebrew text, gave that place to Ahimelech, yet did not carry out their restoration so thoroughly as not to leave proof that the names probably ought to be reversed. Seraiah was scribe. His office was similar to that of a secretary of state with us. For Seraiah we have Shavsha in 1 Chronicles 18:16, Shisha in 1 Kings 4:3, and Sheva in 2 Samuel 20:25. This illustrates what has just been said as to the uncertainty about proper names. They are always most difficult to read, as the sense gives no aid, and these various forms of a name that does not occur elsewhere really bear witness to the high antiquity of the manuscripts uses by the scribes in settling the text of the Old Testament; and also to their self-restraint in not making them all forcibly agree.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Zadok
וְצָד֧וֹק (wə·ṣā·ḏō·wq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6659: Zadok -- the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahitub
אֲחִיט֛וּב (’ă·ḥî·ṭūḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 285: Ahitub -- 'my brother is goodness', two Israelites

and Ahimelech
וַאֲחִימֶ֥לֶךְ (wa·’ă·ḥî·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 288: Ahimelech -- 'brother of a king', an Israelite name, also a Hittite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abiathar
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר (’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

were priests;
כֹּהֲנִ֑ים (kō·hă·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

Seraiah
וּשְׂרָיָ֖ה (ū·śə·rā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8304: Seraiah -- 'Yah persists', the name of a number of Israelites

was the scribe;
סוֹפֵֽר׃ (sō·w·p̄êr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate


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OT History: 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 8:16
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