Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 27:30
Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records David’s administrative appointments during the consolidation of his kingdom’s resources. The text lists royal officials designated to manage specific categories of livestock.
The words — `עַל־` ('al-) translates literally as "over" or "in charge of," denoting administrative authority. `גְּמַלִּים` (ge.ma.Lim) and `אֲתֹנ֑וֹת` ('a.to.Not) denote the camel and donkey herds under this oversight.
The thread — This administrative pattern echoes other biblical livestock inventories like Genesis 47:6 and Job 1:3. The immediate context (1 Chronicles 27:29, 31) continues this list with officials overseeing herds, flocks, and royal property.
Why it lands — The verse documents the systematic delegation of economic resources rather than offering theological commentary. It requires the reader to recognize the structural organization behind David’s royal estate.
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
Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
Cross-references
- Genesis 47:6 the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They may dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any talented men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.”
- Job 1:3 and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.