The kingdom’s machinery, listed course by course: twelve divisions of twenty-four thousand, one for each month of the year, Jashobeam over the first; then the rulers of the tribes. On the counting itself the chronicler is careful: David 'did not take the number of them from twenty years old and under; because Hashem had said He would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven' — and Joab 'began to number, but did not finish; and there came wrath for this upon Israel.' Then the stewards of the king’s substance: treasuries, storehouses in the field, vineyards and wine-cellars, olive-trees and herds, camels and flocks, each under a named man. And at the king’s side: Jonathan his uncle, 'a man of understanding, and a scribe'; 'Ahithophel was the king’s counselor; and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend'; and Joab over the host.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Now the children of Israel after their number, namely, the heads of fathers’ houses and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the courses which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 9985
Insights
Verse structure: 26 words, 125 letters. Notable word values: "the·coming" (הַבָּאָ֤ה) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "to·all" (לְכֹ֣ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·their·officers" (וְשֹׁטְרֵיהֶם֩, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 414: the·fathers, the·one. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "to·their·number" (לְֽמִסְפָּרָ֡ם), "and·their·officers" (וְשֹׁטְרֵיהֶם֩), "the·coming" (הַבָּאָ֤ה). The root חדש appears 3 times in this verse. 21 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·sons·of" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "the·fathers" (root אב, 95x in I Chronicles); "Israel" (root ישראל, 94x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·year', dividing the verse into phrases of 21 and 5 words.
Rashi
in every matter of the divisions All this was from the beginning of his reign and onwards, and since the number of the Levites is stated, he proceeds to relate who the leaders of David’s division were. the one coming and the one leaving, month by month, for all the months of the year for all the Israelites were divided into twelve parts, and each segment served the king for a month, and the king would provide them with their expenses, as it is written in the Book of Kings (I 4:7): “And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided victuals for the king and his household.” They were ready to fight his war and to [perform] all his service in that month. All this was [instituted] at the beginning of his reign. twenty-four thousand Although Israel was more than twelve times twenty-four thousand, David chose only the mighty warriors and the rich people, who could leave their affairs and engage in the king’s affairs; David did not take the poor people, who had to support themselves.
Ralbag
who served the king — that is, the heads of the fathers’ houses, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers, were likewise organized into divisions, each serving for one month, so that each division would come in and go out in its own month. Each division — one of these heads together with those attached to him, his attendants and his servants — numbered twenty-four thousand. It is also possible that these men provided for the king as well, each in his own month, from what they collected in tax, as we find regarding Solomon, as noted in the Book of Kings.
Metzudat David
‘after their number’ — over the entire count of their men there were heads of fathers' houses, etc., appointed over them; and these officials had been in place from the beginning of his reign. And since the count of the divisions is reckoned here, he took the occasion to mention, alongside them, all the officials as well. ‘and their officers’ — and from among them were the officers of the aforementioned captains, appointed by their authority, who served the king in every matter imposed on the divisions — to urge them on and compel them to act at the proper time. ‘which came in and went out’ — each division would come in at the start of the month and go out at its end, with another entering in its place, cycling this way through all the months of the year, and so on from year to year; and each division, in its month, was responsible for carrying out all the king's needs. ‘of every course’ — the number of men in each single division was twenty-four thousand.
Metzudat Zion
The courses (hamachlekot) - An expression related to "chelek" (portion, division).
Malbim
'Now the children of Israel after their number' — the king divided Israel into twelve divisions, so that each division would provide for him and serve him one month of the year; and here [the text] tells how many served him each month and who was appointed over them. And in saying 'after their number, the heads of the fathers' houses,' it also alludes to what our Sages said, among the thirty-two hermeneutical principles of Rabbi Eliezer the son of Rabbi Yose HaGelili, in resolving an apparent contradiction between the verses: in Samuel it is written that Israel numbered eight hundred thousand, while in Chronicles it is written that they numbered one million one hundred thousand — what, then, are these extra three hundred thousand? They answered that Samuel did not count those who served the king, who numbered twelve times twenty-four thousand — that is, two hundred eighty-eight thousand — plus the twelve thousand princes of Israel. And so it is stated here that one must add to the count of the children of Israel given in Samuel the captains of thousands and of hundreds and those who served the king, who were not counted there, since each division, month by month, numbered twenty-four thousand.
Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 4387
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 61 letters. The shortest word is "over" (עַ֞ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Zabdiel" (בֶּן־זַבְדִּיאֵ֑ל, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 106: son·of·Zabdiel, and·in. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "the·first" (הָרִֽאשׁוֹנָה֙), "son·of·Zabdiel" (בֶּן־זַבְדִּיאֵ֑ל). The root על appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Zabdiel" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles); "over" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Zabdiel', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: עַ֞ל [over] (100) + הַמַּחֲלֹ֤קֶת [the·course] (583) + הָרִֽאשׁוֹנָה֙ [the·first] (567) + לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ [to·the·month] (342) + הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן [the·first] (562) + יָשׇׁבְעָ֖ם [Jashobeam] (422) + בֶּן־זַבְדִּיאֵ֑ל [son·of·Zabdiel] (106) + וְעַל֙ [and·in] (106) + מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [his·course] (584) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה [and·four] (284) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 4387.
Ralbag
Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel — this may be the same mighty man, chief of the captains, called Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite above (11:11), since most of these officers were among David’s mighty men.
Metzudat David
‘Over the [first] course’ — the one appointed over the first division, which served in the first month, was Jashobeam. ‘and in his course’ — the number of men in his division was twenty-four thousand.
Of the children of Perez was he, and the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
verse value 3026
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 34 letters. The shortest word is "the·head" (הָרֹ֛אשׁ, 4 letters) and the longest is "from·sons·of·Perez" (מִן־בְּנֵי־פֶ֗רֶץ, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "the·hosts" (הַצְּבָא֖וֹת). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·head" (root ראש, 73x in I Chronicles); "to·all·captains·of" (root שר, 42x in I Chronicles); "the·hosts" (root צבא, 26x in I Chronicles). Full calculation: מִן־בְּנֵי־פֶ֗רֶץ [from·sons·of·Perez] (522) + הָרֹ֛אשׁ [the·head] (506) + לְכׇל־שָׂרֵ֥י [to·all·captains·of] (590) + הַצְּבָא֖וֹת [the·hosts] (504) + לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ [to·the·month] (342) + הָרִאשֽׁוֹן [the·first] (562) = 3026.
Rashi
the chief of all the leaders of the hosts Jashabeam was [one] of the sons of Perez, and he was the chief of all the twelve leaders, and because he was [one] of the sons of Perez, David appointed him chief.
Metzudat David
‘the children of Perez’ — Jashobeam was of the children of Perez, a relative of David, and for this reason he was head over all the captains of the hosts, who were the officers over the divisions.
Malbim
'The chief of all' — meaning he was appointed over all twelve [captains].
And over the course of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his course, and Mikloth the ruler; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 4377
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "and·over" (וְעַ֞ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·his·course" (וּמַ֣חֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 106: and·over, and·in. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "course·of" (מַחֲלֹ֣קֶת), "Dodai" (דּוֹדַ֤י). The root מחלקת appears 3 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles); "and·over" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles); "and·four" (root ארבע, 41x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·ruler', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְעַ֞ל [and·over] (106) + מַחֲלֹ֣קֶת [course·of] (578) + הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ [the·month] (317) + הַשֵּׁנִ֗י [the·second] (365) + דּוֹדַ֤י [Dodai] (24) + הָֽאֲחוֹחִי֙ [the·Ahohite] (38) + וּמַ֣חֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [and·his·course] (590) + וּמִקְל֖וֹת [and·Mikloth] (582) + הַנָּגִ֑יד [the·ruler] (72) + וְעַל֙ [and·in] (106) + מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [his·course] (584) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה [and·four] (284) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 4377.
Rashi
Umikloth was the leader His fellow division member, who assisted him, was Umikloth.
Ralbag
Dodai the Ahohite — this is the Dodai mentioned among the mighty men, [father of] Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, above (11:12). and his course, and Mikloth the ruler — I think the vav of “and Mikloth” is superfluous, and the meaning is: “and his course was Mikloth the ruler” — that is, he was commander of this division after Dodai the Ahohite. The same is meant when it says:
Metzudat David
‘and his course’ — the one who assisted him in the affairs of his division was Mikloth the ruler.
Metzudat Zion
And Mikloth (umiklot) - This is his name, [spelled here] with a vav.
Malbim
'And his course, and Mikloth' — this one assisted him [Dodai] in command; the vav of 'u-Mikloth' is part of the name itself [not the conjunction 'and'], as I wrote above (2:18).
The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the priest, chief; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 4766
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 65 letters. The shortest word is "captain·of" (שַׂ֣ר, 2 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Jehoiada" (בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 655: the·third, the·third. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "captain·of" (שַׂ֣ר). The root שלישי appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Jehoiada" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles); "chief" (root ראש, 73x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'chief', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 5 words. Full calculation: שַׂ֣ר [captain·of] (500) + הַצָּבָ֤א [the·host] (98) + הַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙ [the·third] (655) + לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ [to·the·month] (342) + הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י [the·third] (655) + בְּנָיָ֧הוּ [Benaiah] (73) + בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע [son·of·Jehoiada] (157) + הַכֹּהֵ֖ן [the·priest] (80) + רֹ֑אשׁ [chief] (501) + וְעַל֙ [and·in] (106) + מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [his·course] (584) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה [and·four] (284) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 4766.
Rashi
The leader of the third host Heb. שַׂר הַצָּבָא הַשְּׁלִישִי. Because of the honor of Benaiah, he calls him the leader of the host more than the others, with the exception of Jashabeam, who was of the sons of Perez, who is likewise called (verse 3): “the chief of all the leaders of the hosts,” because of David’s honor, who was, like him, [one] of the sons of Perez. the priest, the chief who was the chief, and some say that he was the high priest, but it is not so, because Zadok and Ebiathar were high priests.
Metzudat David
‘captain of the host’ — although all of them are called captains of the hosts, nevertheless in Benaiah's case Scripture specified this out of respect for him, and even called him ‘chief.’
Malbim
'Chief' — meaning that he was chief over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, as mentioned above (18:17). '[He was] mighty among the thirty' — as above (11:24).
This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty; and of his course was Ammizabad his son.
verse value 2553
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "he" (ה֧וּא, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·over·the·thirty" (וְעַל־הַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֑ים, 9 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "the·thirty" (הַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֖ים), "Ammizabad" (עַמִּיזָבָ֖ד). The root שלש appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "his·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "he" (root הוא, 50x in I Chronicles); "mighty·of" (root גבור, 31x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·over·the·thirty', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: ה֧וּא [he] (12) + בְנָיָ֛הוּ [Benaiah] (73) + גִּבּ֥וֹר [mighty·of] (211) + הַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֖ים [the·thirty] (685) + וְעַל־הַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֑ים [and·over·the·thirty] (791) + וּמַ֣חֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [and·his·course] (590) + עַמִּיזָבָ֖ד [Ammizabad] (133) + בְּנֽוֹ [his·son] (58) = 2553.
Rashi
the mightiest of the thirty as above (11:25): “Of the thirty, he was the most honored, etc.”
Ralbag
and of his course was Ammizabad his son — meaning that Ammizabad succeeded him over his division.
Metzudat David
‘the mighty man of the thirty’ — he was the mightiest of the officers, and was appointed over them. ‘and of his course’ — that is, the one who assisted him.
Metzudat Zion
Of the thirty (hashlishim) - [Meaning] officers and commanders, as in "and his chosen captains" (Exodus 15).
The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 3402
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 65 letters. Verse gematria: 3402 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "brother·of" (אֲחִ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·fourth" (הָרְבִיעִ֞י, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 297: the·fourth, the·fourth. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "after·him" (אַחֲרָ֑יו). The root רביעי appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "his·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "brother·of" (root אח, 95x in I Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'after·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 5 words. Full calculation: הָרְבִיעִ֞י [the·fourth] (297) + לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ [to·the·month] (342) + הָרְבִיעִ֗י [the·fourth] (297) + עֲשָׂהאֵל֙ [Asahel] (406) + אֲחִ֣י [brother·of] (19) + יוֹאָ֔ב [Joab] (19) + וּזְבַדְיָ֥ה [and·Zebadiah] (34) + בְנ֖וֹ [his·son] (58) + אַחֲרָ֑יו [after·him] (225) + וְעַל֙ [and·in] (106) + מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [his·course] (584) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה [and·four] (284) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 3402.
Rashi
The fourth, etc., was Asahel, the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him for Asahel was assassinated at the beginning of his reign, for Abner assassinated him, (II Sam. 2:23) and he [David] appointed Zebadiah his son in his stead over his division.
Metzudat David
‘after him’ — for Asahel was killed early on, at the beginning of David's reign, and his son was appointed after him.
Malbim
'After him' — after Asahel was slain (II Samuel 2).
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 4279
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 52 letters. The shortest word is "the·captain" (הַשַּׂ֖ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·fifth" (הַחֲמִישִׁי֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 373: the·fifth, the·fifth. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Shamhuth" (שַׁמְה֣וּת), "the·Izrahite" (הַיִּזְרָ֑ח). The root חמישי appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles); "and·in" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles); "the·captain" (root שר, 42x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Izrahite', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: הַחֲמִישִׁי֙ [the·fifth] (373) + לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ [to·the·month] (342) + הַחֲמִישִׁ֔י [the·fifth] (373) + הַשַּׂ֖ר [the·captain] (505) + שַׁמְה֣וּת [Shamhuth] (751) + הַיִּזְרָ֑ח [the·Izrahite] (230) + וְעַל֙ [and·in] (106) + מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [his·course] (584) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה [and·four] (284) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 4279.
Rashi
the leader was Shamhuth the Zerahite - Heb. הַיִּזְרָח
The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 5272
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 68 letters. The shortest word is "to·the·son·of" (לַבֵּ֣ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·Anathothite" (הָעַנְּתוֹתִ֖י, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 795: the·ninth, the·ninth. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Benjamites" (יְמִינִ֑י). The root תשיעי appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·son·of" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles); "and·in" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Benjamites', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words.
The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 6123
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 64 letters. Verse gematria: 6123 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "ten" (עָשָׂ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·Pirathonite" (הַפִּרְעָתוֹנִ֖י, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "to·eleven" (לְעַשְׁתֵּ֣י), "the·Pirathonite" (הַפִּרְעָתוֹנִ֖י). The root עשתי appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "from·sons·of" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles); "ten" (root עשר, 59x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Ephraim', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: עַשְׁתֵּֽי־עָשָׂר֙ [eleventh] (1350) + לְעַשְׁתֵּ֣י [to·eleven] (810) + עָשָׂ֣ר [ten] (570) + הַחֹ֔דֶשׁ [the·month] (317) + בְּנָיָ֥ה [Benaiah] (67) + הַפִּרְעָתוֹנִ֖י [the·Pirathonite] (821) + מִן־בְּנֵ֣י [from·sons·of] (152) + אֶפְרָ֑יִם [Ephraim] (331) + וְעַל֙ [and·in] (106) + מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [his·course] (584) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה [and·four] (284) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 6123.
The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
verse value 5200
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 61 letters. Verse gematria: 5200 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "ten" (עָשָׂר֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·Netophathite" (הַנְּטוֹפָתִ֖י, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 570: ten, ten. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Heldai" (חֶלְדַּ֥י), "to·Othniel" (לְעׇתְנִיאֵ֑ל). The root שנים appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles); "ten" (root עשר, 59x in I Chronicles); "and·in" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Othniel', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: הַשְּׁנֵ֤ים [the·two] (405) + עָשָׂר֙ [ten] (570) + לִשְׁנֵ֣ים [to·two] (430) + עָשָׂ֣ר [ten] (570) + הַחֹ֔דֶשׁ [the·month] (317) + חֶלְדַּ֥י [Heldai] (52) + הַנְּטוֹפָתִ֖י [the·Netophathite] (560) + לְעׇתְנִיאֵ֑ל [to·Othniel] (591) + וְעַל֙ [and·in] (106) + מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹ [his·course] (584) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה [and·four] (284) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 5200.
Metzudat David
‘of Othniel’ — from the descendants of Othniel the son of Kenaz, the first of the judges.
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;
verse value 3044
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "and·over" (וְעַל֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·the·Reubenites" (לָראוּבֵנִ֣י, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Eliezer" (אֱלִיעֶ֖זֶר), "for·the·Simeonites" (לַשִּׁ֨מְעוֹנִ֔י), "Shephatiah" (שְׁפַטְיָ֖הוּ). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Zichri" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "Israel" (root ישראל, 94x in I Chronicles); "and·over" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Zichri', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְעַל֙ [and·over] (106) + שִׁבְטֵ֣י [tribes·of] (321) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [Israel] (541) + לָראוּבֵנִ֣י [to·the·Reubenites] (299) + נָגִ֔יד [ruler] (67) + אֱלִיעֶ֖זֶר [Eliezer] (318) + בֶּן־זִכְרִ֑י [son·of·Zichri] (289) + לַשִּׁ֨מְעוֹנִ֔י [for·the·Simeonites] (506) + שְׁפַטְיָ֖הוּ [Shephatiah] (410) + בֶּֽן־מַעֲכָֽה [son·of·Maacah] (187) = 3044.
Rashi
And over the tribes of Israel We already stated the chiefs of David’s divisions, and now he tells who the leaders of the tribes of Israel were, the leader of each tribe.
Ralbag
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler — here [Scripture] lists the names of the princes of the tribes of Israel.
Metzudat David
‘Furthermore over the tribes of Israel’ — for each tribe he appointed a captain from among the members of that tribe.
of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;
verse value 1116
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 25 letters. Verse gematria: 1116 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "to·Levi" (לְלֵוִ֛י, 4 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Kemuel" (בֶן־קְמוּאֵ֖ל, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "to·Levi" (לְלֵוִ֛י), "Hashabiah" (חֲשַׁבְיָ֥ה), "son·of·Kemuel" (בֶן־קְמוּאֵ֖ל). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Kemuel" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "to·Levi" (root לוי, 46x in I Chronicles). Full calculation: לְלֵוִ֛י [to·Levi] (76) + חֲשַׁבְיָ֥ה [Hashabiah] (325) + בֶן־קְמוּאֵ֖ל [son·of·Kemuel] (229) + לְאַהֲרֹ֥ן [to·Aaron] (286) + צָדֽוֹק [Zadok] (200) = 1116.
of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
verse value 1528
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "from·brothers·of" (מֵאֲחֵ֣י, 4 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Michael" (בֶּן־מִיכָאֵֽל, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "to·Issachar" (לְיִ֨שָּׂשכָ֔ר), "Omri" (עׇמְרִ֖י). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Michael" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "from·brothers·of" (root אח, 95x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'David', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: לִיהוּדָ֕ה [to·Judah] (60) + אֱלִיה֖וּ [Elihu] (52) + מֵאֲחֵ֣י [from·brothers·of] (59) + דָוִ֑יד [David] (24) + לְיִ֨שָּׂשכָ֔ר [to·Issachar] (860) + עׇמְרִ֖י [Omri] (320) + בֶּן־מִיכָאֵֽל [son·of·Michael] (153) = 1528.
Ralbag
of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David — it seems that he was a son of David’s brother, or that he himself was David’s brother Eliab, and had two names.
Metzudat David
‘one of the brethren of David’ — he was the only one of his brothers who remained, for the king of Moab had killed all the rest.
of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel;
verse value 2351
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 41 letters. The shortest word is "to·Zebulun" (לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן, 6 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Obadiah" (בֶּן־עֹבַדְיָ֑הוּ, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "to·Zebulun" (לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן), "Ishmaiah" (יִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖הוּ), "son·of·Obadiah" (בֶּן־עֹבַדְיָ֑הוּ). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Obadiah" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Obadiah', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן [to·Zebulun] (125) + יִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖הוּ [Ishmaiah] (441) + בֶּן־עֹבַדְיָ֑הוּ [son·of·Obadiah] (149) + לְנַ֨פְתָּלִ֔י [for·Naphtali] (600) + יְרִימ֖וֹת [Jerimoth] (666) + בֶּן־עַזְרִיאֵֽל [son·of·Azriel] (370) = 2351.
of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
verse value 2009
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "tribe·of" (שֵׁ֣בֶט, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Azaziah" (בֶּן־עֲזַזְיָ֑הוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 157: son·of·Azaziah, son·of·Pedaiah. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Hoshea" (הוֹשֵׁ֖עַ), "son·of·Azaziah" (בֶּן־עֲזַזְיָ֑הוּ), "son·of·Pedaiah" (בֶּן־פְּדָיָֽהוּ). The root בן appears 3 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·sons·of" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Azaziah', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: לִבְנֵ֣י [to·sons·of] (92) + אֶפְרַ֔יִם [Ephraim] (331) + הוֹשֵׁ֖עַ [Hoshea] (381) + בֶּן־עֲזַזְיָ֑הוּ [son·of·Azaziah] (157) + לַֽחֲצִי֙ [half] (138) + שֵׁ֣בֶט [tribe·of] (311) + מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה [Manasseh] (395) + יוֹאֵ֖ל [Joel] (47) + בֶּן־פְּדָיָֽהוּ [son·of·Pedaiah] (157) = 2009.
of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
verse value 1878
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "Iddo" (יִדּ֖וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Zechariah" (בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֑הוּ, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Manasseh" (הַֽמְנַשֶּׁה֙), "Gilead" (גִּלְעָ֔דָה), "son·of·Zechariah" (בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֑הוּ). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Zechariah" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Zechariah', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: לַֽחֲצִ֤י [half] (138) + הַֽמְנַשֶּׁה֙ [Manasseh] (400) + גִּלְעָ֔דָה [Gilead] (112) + יִדּ֖וֹ [Iddo] (20) + בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֑הוּ [son·of·Zechariah] (300) + לְבִ֨נְיָמִ֔ן [for·Benjamin] (182) + יַעֲשִׂיאֵ֖ל [Jaasiel] (421) + בֶּן־אַבְנֵֽר [son·of·Abner] (305) = 1878.
Ralbag
of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead — this is the half-tribe whose inheritance lay across the Jordan, together with the children of Gad and the children of Reuben.
Metzudat David
‘in Gilead’ — that is, those who dwelt in the land of Gilead, across the Jordan.
of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.
verse value 2110
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 29 letters. Notable word values: "these" (אֵ֕לֶּה) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "Dan" (לְדָ֕ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Jeroham" (בֶּן־יְרֹחָ֑ם, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Dan" (לְדָ֕ן). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Israel" (root ישראל, 94x in I Chronicles); "these" (root אלה, 89x in I Chronicles); "captains·of" (root שר, 42x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Jeroham', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: לְדָ֕ן [Dan] (84) + עֲזַרְאֵ֖ל [Azarel] (308) + בֶּן־יְרֹחָ֑ם [son·of·Jeroham] (310) + אֵ֕לֶּה [these] (36) + שָׂרֵ֖י [captains·of] (510) + שִׁבְטֵ֥י [tribes·of] (321) + יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [Israel] (541) = 2110.
But David did not take the number of them from twenty years old and under; because Hashem had said He would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven.
verse value 4374
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 65 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 4374 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "because" (כִּ֚י, 2 letters) and the longest is "Israel" (אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·not·took" (וְלֹֽא־נָשָׂ֤א), "to·from·son·of" (לְמִבֶּ֛ן), "and·to·under" (וּלְמָ֑טָּה). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·from·son·of" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·to·under', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 7 words. Full calculation: וְלֹֽא־נָשָׂ֤א [and·not·took] (388) + דָוִיד֙ [David] (24) + מִסְפָּרָ֔ם [their·number] (420) + לְמִבֶּ֛ן [to·from·son·of] (122) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + שָׁנָ֖ה [year] (355) + וּלְמָ֑טָּה [and·to·under] (90) + כִּ֚י [because] (30) + אָמַ֣ר [he·said] (241) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + לְהַרְבּ֥וֹת [to·multiply] (643) + אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל [Israel] (942) + כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥י [like·stars·of] (78) + הַשָּׁמָֽיִם [the·heaven] (395) = 4374.
Rashi
Now David did not take their count from twenty years old and below The meaning is: We already stated that he counted Israel and divided them into divisions, and he also counted the Levites and appointed them upon their service; and all these that he counted he did not count any of them less than twenty years old. like the stars of the heavens Just as man cannot count the stars of the heavens, so he cannot count them.
Ralbag
But David did not take the number of them, etc. — meaning that although David intended to count them, he was unable to count those twenty years old and under, because Hashem, blessed be He, did not consent to it; for He had said He would increase Israel like the stars of the heavens, so that no one could count them in their entirety except with extraordinary difficulty — some of them the eye can barely make out even with the greatest exertion. So Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count them at David’s command but did not finish counting them, and the number he reached was incomplete. This is the number recorded here in the Book of Samuel, the same as the number recorded here in the Book of Chronicles concerning King David; for in the Book of Samuel the number given comes to one thousand thousand, five hundred and seventy thousand.
Metzudat David
‘did not take [the number of them],’ etc. — meaning, in all the countings he made, he did not include troops under twenty years of age. ‘because Hashem had said He would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven’ — which cannot be numbered, as it is written, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if you are able to count them... so shall your offspring be’ (Genesis 15). Therefore he did not count those under twenty years old, so that the full number of all the children of Israel would not be known.
Metzudat Zion
Take (nasa) - An expression of counting, as in "when you take [a census]" (Exodus 30).
Malbim
'But [David] did not take [the number]' — I have already explained, in [my commentary on] II Samuel (ch. 24), that David's intent in commanding that Israel be numbered was to count even those under twenty years of age and to record their names in the king's register, so as to know how many were being born and how many were coming of age, so that if war broke out they would all be obligated to go out to the army and be called up by name — and it was over this that the wrath came. Therefore the matter was cancelled, and David no longer took a count of those twenty years old and under, for it was through this that the plague occurred, since through it the full details of the count became known — unlike if he had counted only those from twenty years old and up, as is explained there at length. And so it says here that Joab began to count (including those under twenty) but did not finish, because this was the cause of the wrath and the plague; therefore the count [of those under twenty] did not reach the number in the king's register, as David had intended. It also alludes to what our Sages said — that from the count recorded in the Book of Samuel, [the tribes of] Levi and Benjamin are missing — because Joab did not give him the complete count, on account of the wrath that had come upon Israel over this matter.
Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but did not finish; and there came wrath for this upon Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
verse value 3769
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 76 letters. The shortest word is "he·began" (הֵחֵ֤ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "words·of·the·days" (דִּבְרֵֽי־הַיָּמִ֖ים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 37: and·not, and·not. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "he·finished" (כִלָּ֔ה), "in·this" (בָזֹ֛את), "wrath" (קֶ֖צֶף). The root לא appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Zeruiah" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "and·there·was" (root היה, 104x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'upon·Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 7 words.
Rashi
but did not finish The meaning is: And moreover, I say to you: Did not Joab commence on another occasion to count the people above twenty and not finish? and there was wrath upon Israel because of this Because of the small segment that he counted, there was wrath upon Israel, because it entered his mind to count all Israel and to transgress the verse (Gen. 13:16): “...so that if anyone can count the dust of the earth, etc.” and to transgress the verse (ibid. 15:5): “Look, please, toward heaven, etc.” and the number did not come up to The meaning is: Although I say, “commenced to count but did not finish,” he counted only a small segment, for the number of the counted ones in the Book of Samuel did not come up to the number in Chronicles, (21:5) for that number that he counted he did not write in Samuel, but a little of the number, and here, because of David’s honor, even if the number were more, he would have stated it, because it implies that not for nought was there wrath on Israel because he already counted many of Israel, and moreover, because of his honor, that they were all his servants, like one man.
Metzudat David
‘began to number’ — those twenty years old and up. ‘but did not finish’ — counting all of them, for he did not then count the tribe of Levi and Benjamin, as stated above; and even so, wrath came upon Israel over this, and the plague struck them, as stated above. ‘neither was the number put into the account’ — meaning, therefore he stopped counting those under twenty, and their number was not included in the count stated in the Chronicles [of King David], etc.; for the number stated there is only of those twenty years old and up.
Metzudat Zion
Began (hechel) - [Meaning] started. But did not finish (velo chilah) - [Meaning] did not complete [it].
And over the king’s treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah;
verse value 4549
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 70 letters. The shortest word is "and·over" (וְעַל֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·in·the·towers" (וּבַמִּגְדָּל֔וֹת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 106: and·over, and·over. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "treasuries·of" (אֹצְר֣וֹת), "in·the·cities" (בֶּֽעָרִ֤ים), "and·in·the·villages" (וּבַכְּפָרִים֙). The root על appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Adiel" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 91x in I Chronicles); "and·over" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Adiel', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 8 words. Full calculation: וְעַל֙ [and·over] (106) + אֹצְר֣וֹת [treasuries·of] (697) + הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + עַזְמָ֖וֶת [Azmaveth] (523) + בֶּן־עֲדִיאֵ֑ל [son·of·Adiel] (167) + וְעַ֣ל [and·over] (106) + הָאֹצָר֡וֹת [the·treasuries] (702) + בַּשָּׂדֶ֞ה [in·the·field] (311) + בֶּֽעָרִ֤ים [in·the·cities] (322) + וּבַכְּפָרִים֙ [and·in·the·villages] (358) + וּבַמִּגְדָּל֔וֹת [and·in·the·towers] (491) + יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן [Jonathan] (521) + בֶּן־עֻזִּיָּֽהוּ [son·of·Uzziah] (150) = 4549.
Rashi
And over the treasuries of the king the treasuries of silver and gold. All this he proceeds to relate for David’s greatness, and even the one who was appointed over his she-donkeys. and over the storehouses in the field and over what grew in the field: grains, wine, and oil, and all kinds of foods and drinks. in the cities to supply the cities and to supply the cities of the king and his towers.
Ralbag
And over the king’s treasuries — these are the treasuries he had in the palace. And over the treasuries in the fields — it seems there were towers in the field for storing the produce of the field there; and [Scripture] appointed a special official over each and every matter, so that proper guarding and management would be maintained in every particular.
Metzudat David
‘And over the king's treasuries’ — the one appointed over the king's treasuries was Azmaveth. ‘in the fields, in the cities,’ etc. — that is, storehouses of produce, weapons of war, and the like.
Malbim
'And over the treasuries' — [namely,] the silver and gold. 'And over the treasuries in the fields' — [namely,] the grain and produce.
and over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub;
verse value 2249
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 35 letters. Verse gematria: 2249 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "and·over" (וְעַ֗ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Chelub" (בֶּן־כְּלֽוּב, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "the·ground" (הָאֲדָמָ֑ה), "son·of·Chelub" (בֶּן־כְּלֽוּב). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·over" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles); "doers·of" (root עשה, 39x in I Chronicles); "to·tillage·of" (root עבדה, 28x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·ground', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 2 words. Full calculation: וְעַ֗ל [and·over] (106) + עֹשֵׂי֙ [doers·of] (380) + מְלֶ֣אכֶת [work·of] (491) + הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה [the·field] (314) + לַעֲבֹדַ֖ת [to·tillage·of] (506) + הָאֲדָמָ֑ה [the·ground] (55) + עֶזְרִ֖י [Ezri] (287) + בֶּן־כְּלֽוּב [son·of·Chelub] (110) = 2249.
Rashi
And over those who do the work of the field for the work of the soil to plow the soil. Ezri the son of Chelub was appointed to command to plow the soil, and he would give them the cattle and all the implements of the plow.
Metzudat David
‘for tillage of the ground’ — for plowing, sowing, and reaping.
and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite;
verse value 3474
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 47 letters. Verse gematria: 3474 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "and·over" (וְעַ֤ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·over·the·vineyards" (וְעַ֨ל־הַכְּרָמִ֔ים, 9 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·over·the·vineyards" (וְעַ֨ל־הַכְּרָמִ֔ים), "the·Ramathite" (הָרָמָתִ֑י), "that·in·the·vineyards" (שֶׁבַּכְּרָמִים֙). The root כרם appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·over" (root על, 59x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Ramathite', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְעַ֨ל־הַכְּרָמִ֔ים [and·over·the·vineyards] (421) + שִׁמְעִ֖י [Shimei] (420) + הָרָמָתִ֑י [the·Ramathite] (655) + וְעַ֤ל [and·over] (106) + שֶׁבַּכְּרָמִים֙ [that·in·the·vineyards] (612) + לְאֹצְר֣וֹת [to·treasuries·of] (727) + הַיַּ֔יִן [the·wine] (75) + זַבְדִּ֖י [Zabdi] (23) + הַשִּׁפְמִֽי [the·Shiphmite] (435) = 3474.
Rashi
And over the vineyards to hoe and prune the vineyards. and over what was in the vineyards i.e., the storehouses of the wine.
Metzudat David
‘and over the vineyards’ — over the work done in them up until after the grape harvest. ‘and over the increase of the vineyards’ — over the work done with the grapes until the wine was brought into the storehouses — that is, the treading of the grapes in the winepress, and the like.
Malbim
'And over the vineyards' — [namely,] the [cultivation] work of the vineyards. 'And over the increase of the vineyards' — [namely,] the gathering of the produce of the vineyard; and so too regarding the verse after this one.
and over the olive-trees and the sycamore-trees that were in the Lowland was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash;
verse value 4013
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 51 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·over·the·olive-trees" (וְעַל־הַזֵּיתִ֤ים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: and·the·sycamore-trees, that. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·over·the·olive-trees" (וְעַל־הַזֵּיתִ֤ים), "and·the·sycamore-trees" (וְהַשִּׁקְמִים֙), "in·the·Lowland" (בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֔ה). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 77x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Gederite', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְעַל־הַזֵּיתִ֤ים [and·over·the·olive-trees] (578) + וְהַשִּׁקְמִים֙ [and·the·sycamore-trees] (501) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֔ה [in·the·Lowland] (417) + בַּ֥עַל [Baal-] (102) + חָנָ֖ן [hanan] (108) + הַגְּדֵרִ֑י [the·Gederite] (222) + וְעַל־אֹצְר֥וֹת [and·over·the·cellars·of] (803) + הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן [the·oil] (395) + יוֹעָֽשׁ [Joash] (386) = 4013.
Rashi
And over the olive trees to plant them and gather the olives.
Ralbag
and the sycamore-trees — these are a kind of fig; and [Scripture] goes on to mention…
Metzudat David
‘and the sycamore-trees that were in the Lowland’ — a type of fig tree that grows in the valley; likewise, ‘like the sycamores that are in the Lowland, for abundance’ (II Chronicles 9).
and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shirtai the Sharonite; and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai;
verse value 4135
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 53 letters. The shortest word is "Shaphat" (שָׁפָ֖ט, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·over·the·herds" (וְעַל־הַבָּקָר֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 413: and·over·the·herds, and·over·the·herds. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "the·ones·feeding" (הָרֹעִ֣ים), "in·the·Sharon" (בַּשָּׁר֔וֹן), "Shirtai" (שִׁרְטַ֖י). The root בקר appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Adlai" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Sharonite', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words.
Rashi
And over the cattle that pasture in the Sharon was Shirtai the Sharonite who was knowledgeable in matters concerning them.
Metzudat David
‘in Sharon’ — in a flat, fertile region. ‘the Sharonite’ — that is, one accustomed to pasturing in Sharon; and likewise for all the other officials, he appointed over each matter a man experienced in it.
and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite;
verse value 2464
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 42 letters. The shortest word is "Obil" (אוֹבִ֖יל, 5 letters) and the longest is "and·over·the·camels" (וְעַ֨ל־הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·over·the·camels" (וְעַ֨ל־הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים), "Obil" (אוֹבִ֖יל), "the·Ishmaelite" (הַיִּשְׁמְעֵלִ֑י). 6 unique roots are used. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Ishmaelite', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְעַ֨ל־הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים [and·over·the·camels] (234) + אוֹבִ֖יל [Obil] (49) + הַיִּשְׁמְעֵלִ֑י [the·Ishmaelite] (465) + וְעַל־הָ֣אֲתֹנ֔וֹת [and·over·the·asses] (968) + יֶחְדְּיָ֖הוּ [Jehdeiah] (43) + הַמֵּרֹנֹתִֽי [the·Meronothite] (705) = 2464.
Rashi
the Ishmaelite who knew the character of the occupation of camels.
Malbim
'The Ishmaelite,' 'the Meronothite,' 'the Hagrite' — these were foreigners; along the lines of (Isaiah 61:5), 'and strangers shall stand and feed your flocks' — they were skilled in this kind of work.
and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.
verse value 2281
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 40 letters. Notable word values: "all·these" (כׇּל־אֵ֙לֶּה֙) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "rulers·of" (שָׂרֵ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·over·the·flocks" (וְעַל־הַצֹּ֖אן, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·over·the·flocks" (וְעַל־הַצֹּ֖אן), "Jaziz" (יָזִ֣יז), "the·Hagrite" (הַהַגְרִ֑י). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "to·the·king" (root מלך, 91x in I Chronicles); "all·these" (root אלה, 89x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Hagrite', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְעַל־הַצֹּ֖אן [and·over·the·flocks] (252) + יָזִ֣יז [Jaziz] (34) + הַהַגְרִ֑י [the·Hagrite] (223) + כׇּל־אֵ֙לֶּה֙ [all·these] (86) + שָׂרֵ֣י [rulers·of] (510) + הָרְכ֔וּשׁ [the·substance] (531) + אֲשֶׁ֖ר [that] (501) + לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ [to·the·king] (120) + דָּוִֽיד [David] (24) = 2281.
Rashi
And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagarite Since the Hagarites were tent dwellers in the field, he appointed him over his flocks.
Metzudat David
‘the rulers of the substance’ — the word ‘substance’ (rekhush) includes silver, gold, livestock, and all movable goods and fields. ‘which was king David's’ — that is, which had been entrusted to King David.
Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons;
verse value 2036
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "he" (ה֑וּא, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Hachmoni" (בֶּן־חַכְמוֹנִ֖י, 8 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·Jonathan" (וִיהוֹנָתָ֤ן), "uncle·of·David" (דּוֹד־דָּוִיד֙), "man·of·understanding" (אִישׁ־מֵבִ֥ין). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Hachmoni" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "uncle·of·David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 91x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'he', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words. Full calculation: וִיהוֹנָתָ֤ן [and·Jonathan] (527) + דּוֹד־דָּוִיד֙ [uncle·of·David] (38) + יוֹעֵ֔ץ [counselor] (176) + אִישׁ־מֵבִ֥ין [man·of·understanding] (413) + וְסוֹפֵ֖ר [and·scribe] (352) + ה֑וּא [he] (12) + וִיחִיאֵ֥ל [and·Jehiel] (65) + בֶּן־חַכְמוֹנִ֖י [son·of·Hachmoni] (186) + עִם־בְּנֵ֥י [with·sons·of] (172) + הַמֶּֽלֶךְ [the·king] (95) = 2036.
Rashi
And Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons He was their nurturer and their nurse, who taught them culture.
Metzudat David
‘a man of understanding’ — a person of discernment. ‘was with the king's sons’ — he was constantly with the king's sons, to teach them wisdom.
Metzudat Zion
And a scribe (vesofer) - [Meaning] a sage; and in the words of our sages, "a scribe recites the blessing, and an unlearned person fulfills his obligation [by listening]" (Chullin 108).
and Ahithophel was the king’s counselor; and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend;
verse value 1762
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 31 letters. The shortest word is "friend·of" (רֵ֥עַ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·Ahithophel" (וַאֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·Ahithophel" (וַאֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל), "and·Hushai" (וְחוּשַׁ֥י), "the·Archite" (הָאַרְכִּ֖י). The root מלך appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·king" (root מלך, 91x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·king', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַאֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל [and·Ahithophel] (535) + יוֹעֵ֣ץ [counselor] (176) + לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ [to·the·king] (120) + וְחוּשַׁ֥י [and·Hushai] (330) + הָאַרְכִּ֖י [the·Archite] (236) + רֵ֥עַ [friend·of] (270) + הַמֶּֽלֶךְ [the·king] (95) = 1762.
Rashi
And Hushai the Archite - Heb. קִרְיַת סֵפֶר (Jos. 15:15, Jud. 1:11) is translated by the Targum as קִרְיְתָא דְּאַרְכֵי. In Midrash Rabbah we find that when David sinned with Bathsheba, he asked Hushai the Archite whether, if he would repent, the Holy One, blessed be He, would accept his repentance to grant him an extension for his sin, and he said, “Yes.” the king’s companion His best man (Jud. 14: 20): “to his companion (לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ), who had accompanied (רֵעָה) him,” written regarding Samson; it is translated by the Targum: שׁוֹשְׁבִינֵיהּ his best man.
Ralbag
For Ahithophel was counselor to the king, while Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend, and he too served him somewhat like a counselor; this will become clear to you from the account of Hushai’s counsel to Absalom, and the order of the words here indicates this as well.
Metzudat David
‘was the king's counselor’ — he was the one specifically designated for the king's counsel, whereas Jonathan his uncle was not exclusively devoted to the king. ‘the king's friend’ — he would sit constantly with the king, to keep him company.
and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar; and the captain of the king’s host was Joab.
verse value 2341
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 44 letters. The shortest word is "to·the·king" (לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ, 4 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Benaiah" (בֶּן־בְּנָיָ֙הוּ֙, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "Ahithophel" (אֲחִיתֹ֗פֶל), "Jehoiada" (יְהוֹיָדָ֤ע), "son·of·Benaiah" (בֶּן־בְּנָיָ֙הוּ֙). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Benaiah" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "to·the·king" (root מלך, 91x in I Chronicles); "and·captain·of·host" (root צבא, 26x in I Chronicles). Full calculation: וְאַחֲרֵ֣י [and·after] (225) + אֲחִיתֹ֗פֶל [Ahithophel] (529) + יְהוֹיָדָ֤ע [Jehoiada] (105) + בֶּן־בְּנָיָ֙הוּ֙ [son·of·Benaiah] (125) + וְאֶבְיָתָ֔ר [and·Abiathar] (619) + וְשַׂר־צָבָ֥א [and·captain·of·host] (599) + לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [to·the·king] (120) + יוֹאָֽב [Joab] (19) = 2341.
Rashi
And after Ahithophel After he died, David took for himself Jehoiada and Ebiathar in his place.
Ralbag
and after Ahithophel, etc. — meaning that after [taking] the counsel of Ahithophel, [David] would take counsel with Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, who was the most distinguished member of the court and of the Sanhedrin, in charge of the Cherethites and the Pelethites, of whom he was the head. After that he would take counsel with Abiathar through the Urim and Thummim, and afterward the plan for battle would be finalized, with Joab as commander of the king’s army.
Metzudat David
‘and after Ahithophel’ — after his death, David took in his place Jehoiada and Abiathar. ‘and the captain,’ etc. — the one specifically in charge of the entire host belonging to the king was Joab.
Malbim
'And after Ahithophel' — after he died, Jehoiada and Abiathar took his place.
Rashi
Ralbag
Metzudat David
Metzudat Zion
Malbim