The People of Jerusalem

1So all Israel (he wrestles with God) was recorded in the genealogies written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. But Judah (praised) was exiled to Babylon (confusion by mixing) because of their unfaithfulness.

2Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites (God prevails), priests, Levites, and temple servants {Nethinim}.a

3Some of the descendants of Judah (praised), Benjamin (son of the right hand), Ephraim (doubly fruitful), and Manasseh (causing to forget) lived in Jerusalem (city of peace):

4Uthai (helpful) son of Ammihud (my kinsman is majesty), the son of Omri (pupil of YHWH), the son of Imri (eloquent), the son (son of the right hand) of Bani, a descendant of Perez (breaking out) son of Judah (praised).

5From the Shilonites:

Asaiah (made by YHWH) the firstborn and his sons.

6From the Zerahites (rising):

Jeuel (God sweeps away) and 690 relatives.

7From the Benjamites (son of the right hand):

Sallu (weighed) son of Meshullam (friend), the son of Hodaviah (praise YHWH), the son of Hassenuah (bristling);

8Ibneiah (YHWH builds) son of Jeroham (showing pity);

Elah (An oak) son of Uzzi (strong), the son of Michri (worthy of price);

Meshullam (friend) son of Shephatiah (YHWH has judged), the son of Reuel (friend of God), the son of Ibnijah (whom YHWH will build up);

9and 956 of their relatives according to their genealogy. All these men were heads of their families.

10From the priests:

Jedaiah (YHWH has known), Jehoiarib (YHWH contends), and Jachin (He will establish);

11Azariah (YHWH has helped) son of Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH), the son of Meshullam (friend), the son of Zadok (righteous), the son of Meraioth (rebellious), the son of Ahitub (my brother is goodness), the chief official of God’s temple;

12Adaiah (YHWH has adorned Himself) son of Jeroham (showing pity), the son of Pashhur (freedom), the son of Malchijah (my king is YHWH);

Maasai (work of the Lord) son of Adiel (ornament of God), the son of Jahzerah (whom God leads back), the son of Meshullam (friend), the son of Meshillemith (Meshillemoth),b the son of Immer (he has said);

13and 1,760 of their relatives, the heads of their families, able men for the work of the service of the house of God {Elohim}.

14From the Levites:

Shemaiah (heard by YHWH) son of Hasshub (considerate), the son of Azrikam (help against the enemy), the son of Hashabiah (YHWH has considered), a descendant of Merari (bitter);

15Bakbakkar (searcher), Heresh (mute), Galal (influential), and Mattaniah (gift of YHWH) son of Mica (who is like God), the son of Zichri (memorable), the son of Asaph (gatherer);

16Obadiah (servant of YHWH) son of Shemaiah (heard by YHWH), the son of Galal (influential), the son of Jeduthun (praising);

and Berechiah (YHWH blesses) son of Asa (healer), the son of Elkanah (God has possessed), who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

17These were the gatekeepers:

Shallum (retribution), Akkub (insidious), Talmon (oppressor), Ahiman (my brother is a gift), and their relatives.

Shallum was their chief; 18he was previously stationed at the King’s Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites (joined to). 19Shallum (retribution) son of Kore (crier), the son of Ebiasaph (Abiasaph),c the son of Korah (bald), and his relatives from the Korahites (one of Korah) were assigned to guard the thresholds of the Tent, just as their fathers had been assigned to guard the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD {YHWH}.

20In earlier times Phinehas (mouth of brass) son of Eleazar (God has helped) had been in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD {YHWH} was with him.

21Zechariah (YHWH remembers) son of Meshelemiah (whom YHWH repays) was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

22The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David (beloved) and Samuel (his name is El) the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.

23So they and their descendants were assigned to guard the gates of the house of the LORD {YHWH}—the house called the Tent. 24The gatekeepers were stationed on the four sides {ruachowt}: east, west, north, and south. 25Their relatives came from their villages at fixed times to serve with them for seven-day periods. 26But the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and the treasuries of the house of God {Elohim}. 27They would spend the night stationed around the house of God {Elohim}, because they were responsible for guarding it and opening it every morning.

28Some of them were in charge of the articles used in worship, to count them whenever they were brought in or taken out. 29Others were put in charge of the furnishings and other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the fine flour, wine, oil, frankincense, and spices. 30And some of the sons of the priests mixed the spices.

31A Levite named Mattithiah (gift of YHWH), the firstborn son of Shallum (retribution) the Korahite (one of Korah), was entrusted with baking the bread. 32Some of their Kohathite relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the showbread every Sabbath.

33Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night. 34All these were heads of Levite families, chiefs according to their genealogies, and they lived in Jerusalem (city of peace).

The Descendants of Saul

35Jeiel (God sweeps away) the father (the founder)d of Gibeon (hill city) lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah (oppression).

36Abdon (servile) was his firstborn son, then Zur (rock), Kish (bent), Baal (lord), Ner (lamp), Nadab (generous), 37Gedor (wall), Ahio (brotherly), Zechariah (YHWH remembers), and Mikloth (staves).

38Mikloth (staves) was the father of Shimeam (Shimeah).e They too lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem (city of peace).

39Ner (lamp) was the father of Kish (bent), Kish was the father of Saul (desired), and Saul was the father of Jonathan (YHWH has given), Malchishua (my king is wealth), Abinadab (my father is willing), and Esh-baal (a man of Baal).

40The son of Jonathan (YHWH has given):

Merib-baal (Baal is my advocate), who was the father of Micah (who is like God).

41The sons of Micah (who is like God):

Pithon (harmless), Melech (king), Tahrea, and Ahaz [Pithon, Melech, and Tahrea].f

42Ahaz (he has grasped) was the father of Jarah (forested); Jarahg was the father of Alemeth (covering), Azmaveth (strong unto death), and Zimri (my music); and Zimri was the father of Moza (fountain). 43Moza (fountain) was the father of Binea. Rephaiah (Raphah)h was his son, Elasah (God has made) his son, and Azel (proximity) his son.

44And Azel (proximity) had six sons, and these were their names:

Azrikam (help against the enemy), Bocheru (firstborn), Ishmael (God hears), Sheariah (valued by YHWH), Obadiah (servant of YHWH), and Hanan (he is merciful). These were the sons of Azel.