Twenty-Four Divisions of Priests

1These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron (light bringer). The sons of Aaron were Nadab (generous), Abihu (he is my father), Eleazar (God has helped), and Ithamar (coast of palms). 2But Nadab (generous) and Abihu (he is my father) died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar (God has helped) and Ithamar (coast of palms) served as priests.

3With the help of Eleazar’s (God has helped) descendant Zadok (righteous) and Ithamar’s (coast of palms) descendant Ahimelech (my brother is king), David (beloved) divided them according to the offices of their service. 4Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s (God has helped) descendants than those of Ithamar (coast of palms), they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar.

5Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God {Elohim} among both Eleazar’s (God has helped) and Ithamar’s (coast of palms) descendants.

6The scribe, Shemaiah (heard by YHWH) son of Nethanel (given of God), a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok (righteous) the priest, Ahimelech (my brother is king) son of Abiathar (my father is great), and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar (God has helped), and then one from Ithamar (coast of palms).

7The first lot fell to Jehoiarib (YHWH contends),

the second to Jedaiah (YHWH has known),

8the third to Harim (dedicated),

the fourth to Seorim (barley),

9the fifth to Malchijah (my king is YHWH),

the sixth to Mijamin (from the right hand),

10the seventh to Hakkoz (thorn),

the eighth to Abijah (YHWH is my father),

11the ninth to Jeshua (he is saved),

the tenth to Shecaniah (dweller with YHWH),

12the eleventh to Eliashib (God restores),

the twelfth to Jakim (He will raise),

13the thirteenth to Huppah (canopy),

the fourteenth to Jeshebeab (dwelling of the father),

14the fifteenth to Bilgah (cheerfulness),

the sixteenth to Immer (he has said),

15the seventeenth to Hezir (swine),

the eighteenth to Happizzez (to break),

16the nineteenth to Pethahiah (freed by YHWH),

the twentieth to Jehezkel (God strengthens),

17the twenty-first to Jachin (He will establish),

the twenty-second to Gamul (weaned),

18the twenty-third to Delaiah (YHWH has drawn),

and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah (consolation of YHWH).

19This was their appointed order for service when they entered the house of the LORD {YHWH}, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron (light bringer), as the LORD, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), had commanded him.

The Rest of the Levites

20Now these were the rest of the descendants of Levi (joined to):

From the sons of Amram (exalted people): Shubael (Shebuel);a

from the sons of Shubael (captive of God): Jehdeiah (YHWH is unity).

21As for Rehabiah (YHWH has enlarged), from his sons: The first was Isshiah (Jeshaiah).b

22From the Izharites (oil): Shelomoth (Shelomith);c

from the sons of Shelomoth (peaceful): Jahath (He will snatch up).

23From the sons of Hebron: Jeriah was the first \From the sons: Jeriah/,d Amariah (YHWH has promised) the second, Jahaziel (beheld of God) the third, and Jekameam (let the people rise) the fourth.

24From the sons of Uzziel (my strength is God): Micah (who is like God);

from the sons of Micah: Shamir (guardian).

25The brother of Micah (who is like God): Isshiah (YHWH will lend);

from the sons of Isshiah: Zechariah (YHWH remembers).

26The sons of Merari (bitter): Mahli (sick) and Mushi (yielding).

The son of Jaaziah (made bold by YHWH): Beno.

27The descendants of Merari (bitter) from Jaaziah (made bold by YHWH): Beno, Shoham (onyx), Zaccur (mindful), and Ibri (Hebrew).

28From Mahli (sick): Eleazar (God has helped), who had no sons.

29From Kish (bent): Jerahmeel (may God have pity) the son of Kish.

30And the sons of Mushi (yielding): Mahli (sick), Eder (a flock), and Jerimoth (Jeremoth).e

These were the sons of the Levites, according to their families. 31As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did (light bringer), they also cast lots in the presence of King David (beloved) and of Zadok (righteous), Ahimelech (my brother is king), and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.