1 Chronicles 26:9

Study note

Setting — The Chronicler addresses the post-exilic community while cataloging David’s administrative divisions for the temple gatekeepers. This verse records the specific headcount of Meshelemiah’s capable descendants immediately after listing Obed-edom’s group.

The words — חָ֖יִל (Cha.yil) = ability or capability, describing the men’s fitness for duty, and שְׁמוֹנָ֥ה עָשָֽׂר (she.mo.Nah 'a.Sar) = eighteen, the exact numerical total provided.

The thread — The Chronicler identifies Meshelemiah as a Korahite gatekeeper in 1 Chronicles 26:1, and 1 Chronicles 26:14 notes the East Gate lot fell to Shelemiah, with lots cast for his son Zechariah.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that temple service was organized through counted, capable family lines rather than informal volunteerism. The explicit enumeration establishes that duty was assigned by documented lineage and measured readiness.

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.