Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 26:7
Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers were Elihu and Semachiah, also capable men.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records David’s administrative arrangements for temple service, listing specific families responsible for guarding and managing the house of God. This genealogical entry follows a notice about Shemaiah’s capable sons and precedes a tally of Obed-edom’s descendants.
The words — אֶחָ֖י/ו ('e.Cha/v) = his relatives or brothers, distinguishing collateral kin from direct descendants in the service roster. בְּנֵ֣י (be.Nei) = sons of, establishing the hereditary line through which temple duties were passed.
The thread — This family roster pattern repeats in 1 Chronicles 9:22-24 and 2 Chronicles 23:19, where gatekeeper lineages are enumerated to verify authorized service. The designation of capable men for sacred duty also echoes the warrior and Levitical lists in 1 Chronicles 12:22 and 26:29.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that sacred service operates through documented lineage and verified capability rather than personal ambition. It requires the reader to treat institutional continuity and faithful execution as the standard for religious authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.