The Priestly Courses

1 Chronicles 24

The descendants of Aaron, through Eleazar and Ithamar, are divided by lot into twenty-four courses for their priestly service in the house of the Lord. The remaining families of the Levites are likewise listed and given their lots alongside the priests.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW with regard to the sons of Aaron in the line of Nadab and of Abiud, and of Eleazar and of Ithamar.—

BrentonAnd they number the sons of Aaron in their division, Nadab, and Abiud, and Eleazar, and Ithamar.

GreekΚαὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἀαρὼν διαιρέσει Ναδὰβ, καὶ Ἀβιοὺδ, καὶ Ἐλεάζαρ, καὶ Ἰθάμαρ.

KJVNow these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

JPSAnd the courses of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

ThomsonAs Nadab and Abiud died in the presence of their father and had no sons; and Eleazar and Ithamar had officiated as priests;

BrentonAnd Nadab and Abiud died before their father, and they had no sons: so Eleazar and Ithamar the sons of Aaron ministered as priests.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανε Ναδὰβ καὶ Ἀβιοὺδ ἐναντίον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν, καὶ υἱοὶ οὐκ ἦσαν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἱεράτευσεν Ἐλεάζαρ καὶ Ἰθάμαρ υἱοὶ Ἀαρών·

KJVBut Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office.

JPSBut Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office.

ThomsonDavid classed Sadok at the head of the sons of Eleazar, and Achimelech at the head of the sons of Ithamar, according to the review of them according to their service, according to the houses of their families.

BrentonAnd David distributed them, even Sadoc of the sons of Eleazar, and Achimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their numbering, according to their service, according to the houses of their fathers.

GreekΚαὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοὺς Δαυὶδ, καὶ Σαδὼκ ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Ἐλεάζαρ, καὶ Ἀχιμέλεχ ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰθάμαρ, κατὰ τὴν ἐπίσκεψιν αὐτῶν, κατὰ τὴν λειτουργείαν αὐτῶν, κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.

JPSAnd David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.

ThomsonAnd as the Eleazarites were found to be more numerous for chiefs of mighty men than the sons of Ithamar, therefore he distributed them—for the sons of Eleazar sixteen chiefs for houses of families, and for the sons of Ithamar chiefs for eight houses of families.

BrentonAnd there were found among the sons of Eleazar more chiefs of the mighty ones, than of the sons of Ithamar: and he divided them, sixteen heads of families to the sons of Eleazar, eight according to their families to the sons of Ithamar.

GreekΚαὶ εὑρέθησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἐλεάζαρ πλείους εἰς ἄρχοντας τῶν δυνατῶν παρὰ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰθάμαρ· καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοὺς, τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἐλεάζαρ ἄρχοντας εἰς οἴκους πατριῶν ἑκκαίδεκα, τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰθάμαρ κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν ὀκτώ.

KJVAnd there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.

JPSAnd there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’houses, eight.

ThomsonThese he distributed by lot, one with the other.

BrentonAnd he divided them according to their lots, one with the other; for there were those who had charge of the holy things, and those who had charge of the house of the Lord among the sons of Eleazar, and among the sons of Ithamar.

GreekΚαὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοὺς κατὰ κλήρους τούτους πρὸς τούτους, ὅτι ἦσαν ἄρχοντες τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ ἄρχοντες Κυρίου ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἐλεάζαρ καὶ ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰθάμαρ.

KJVThus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

JPSThus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for they were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

ThomsonBecause there were chiefs of the holies, and chiefs of the Lord, among the sons of Eleazar and among the sons of Ithamar, therefore in the presence of the king and the chiefs, Samaias son of Nathaniel, the muster master of the Levites, wrote down Sadok the priest and Achimelech son of Abiathar, and the chiefs of the families of the priests and the Levites, a chief of a house of families alternately, one for Eleazar and one for Ithamar,

BrentonAnd Samaias the son of Nathanael, the scribe, of the family of Levi, wrote them down before the king, and the princes, and Sadoc the priest, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar were present; and the heads of the families of the priests and the Levites, each of a household were assigned one to Eleazar, and one to Ithamar.

GreekΚαὶ ἔγραψεν αὐτοὺς Σαμαΐας υἱὸς Ναθαναὴλ ὁ γραμματεὺς ἐκ τοῦ Λευὶ κατέναντι τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων, καὶ Σαδὼκ ὁ ἱερεὺς, καὶ Ἀχιμέλεχ υἱὸς Ἀβιάθαρ, καὶ ἄρχοντες τῶν πατριῶν τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν οἴκου πατριᾶς, εἷς εἷς τῷ Ἐλεάζαρ, καὶ εἷς εἷς τῷ Ἰθάμαρ.

KJVAnd Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.

JPSAnd Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’houses of the priests and of the Levites: one father’s house being taken for Eleazar, and proportionately for Ithamar.

Thomsonand the first lot came out for Joarim; the second for Jedia;

BrentonAnd the first lot came out to Joarim, the second to Jedia,

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ κλῆρος ὁ πρῶτος τῷ Ἰωαρὶμ, τῷ Ἰεδίᾳ ὁ δεύτερος,

KJVNow the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

JPSNow the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah;

Thomsonthe third for Charib; the fourth for Seorim;

Brentonthe third to Charib, the fourth to Seorim,

Greekτῷ Χαρὶβ ὁ τρίτος, τῷ Σεωρὶμ ὁ τέταρτος,

KJVThe third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

JPSthe third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim;

Thomsonthe fifth for Melchias; the sixth for Meiamin;

Brentonthe fifth to Melchias, the sixth to Meiamin,

Greekτῷ Μελχίᾳ ὁ πέμπτος, τῷ Μεϊαμὶν ὁ ἕκτος,

KJVThe fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

JPSthe fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin;

Thomsonthe seventh for Kos; the eighth for Abia;

Brentonthe seventh to Cos, the eighth to Abia,

Greekτῷ Κὼς ὁ ἕβδομος, τῷ Ἀβίᾳ ὁ ὄγδοος,

KJVThe seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

JPSthe seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah;

Thomsonthe ninth for Jesus; the tenth for Sechenias;

Brentonthe ninth to Jesus, the tenth to Sechenias,

Greekτῷ Ἰησοῦ ὁ ἔννατος, τῷ Σεχενίᾳ ὁ δέκατος,

KJVThe ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,

JPSthe ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah;

Thomsonthe eleventh for Eliabi; the twelfth for Jakim;

Brentonthe eleventh to Eliabi, the twelfth to Jacim,

Greekτῷ Ἐλιαβὶ ὁ ἑνδέκατος, τῷ Ἰακὶμ ὁ δωδέκατος,

KJVThe eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

JPSthe eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim;

Thomsonthe thirteenth for Oppha; the fourteenth for Jesbaal;

Brentonthe thirteenth to Oppha, the fourteenth to Jesbaal,

Greekτῷ Ὀπφᾷ ὁ τρισκαιδέκατος, τῷ Ἰεσβαὰλ ὁ τεσσαρεσκαιδέκατος, τῷ Βελγὰ ὁ πεντεκαιδέκατος,

KJVThe thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

JPSthe thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab;

Thomsonthe fifteenth for Belga; the sixteenth for Emmer;

Brentonthe fifteenth to Belga, the sixteenth to Emmer,

Greekτῷ Ἐμμὴρ ὁ ἑκκαιδέκατος, τῷ Χηζὶν ὁ ἑπτακαιδέκατος,

KJVThe fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

JPSthe fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer;

Thomsonthe seventeenth for Chesin; the eighteenth for Aphese;

Brentonthe seventeenth to Chezin, the eighteenth to Aphese,

Greekτῷ Ἀφεσὴ ὁ ὀκτωκαιδέκατος, τῷ Φεταίᾳ ὁ ἐννεακαιδέκατος,

KJVThe seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,

JPSthe seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez;

Thomsonthe nineteenth for Phetaia; the twentieth for Ezekiel;

Brentonthe nineteenth to Phetæa, the twentieth to Ezekel,

Greekτῷ Ἐζεκὴλ ὁ εἰκοστὸς, τῷ Ἀχὶμ ὁ εἷς καὶ εἰκοστὸς,

KJVThe nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

JPSthe nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel;

Thomsonthe twenty-first for Achim; the twenty-second for Gamul;

Brentonthe twenty-first to Achim, the twenty-second to Gamul,

Greekτῷ Γαμοὺλ ὁ δεύτερος καὶ εἰκοστὸς, τῷ Ἀδαλλαὶ ὁ τρίτος καὶ εἰκοστὸς,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonthe twenty-third for Adallai; the twenty-fourth for Maasai.

Brentonthe twenty-third to Adallai, the twenty-fourth to Maasai.

Greekτῷ Μαασαὶ ὁ τέταρτος καὶ εἰκοστός.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThis was the review of them according to their service, to go into the house of the Lord according to the rule prescribed for them, under the inspection of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel commanded Moses.

BrentonThis is their numbering according to their service to go into the house of the Lord, according to their appointment by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel commanded.

GreekΑὕτη ἡ ἐπίσκεψις αὐτῶν κατὰ τὴν λειτουργίαν αὐτῶν τοῦ εἰσπορεύεσθαι εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου κατὰ τὴν κρίσιν αὐτῶν διὰ χειρὸς Ἀαρὼν πατρὸς αὐτῶν, ὡς ἐνετείλατο Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVThese were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

JPSThese were the orderings of them in their service, to come into the house of the LORD according to the ordinance given unto them by the hand of Aaron their father, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

ThomsonAnd for the rest of the Levites: for the Ambramites, Sobael; for the sons of Sobael, Jedia;

BrentonAnd for the sons of Levi that were left, even for the sons of Ambram, Sobael: for the sons of Sobael, Jedia.

GreekΚαὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς Λευὶ τοῖς καταλοίποις, τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἀμβρὰμ, Σωβαήλ· τοῖς υἱοῖς Σωβαὴλ Ἰεδία.

KJVAnd the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.

JPSAnd of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.

Thomsonfor the Rabiates, their chief;

BrentonFor Raabia, the chief was Isaari,

GreekΤῷ Ῥααβία ὁ ἄρχων.

KJV—

JPSOf Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief.

Thomsonfor the Isaarites Salomoth, for the sons of Salomoth, Jath;

Brentonand for Isaari, Salomoth: for the sons of Salomoth, Jath.

GreekΚαὶ τῷ Ἰσααρὶ, Σαλωμώθ· τοῖς υἱοῖς Σαλωμὼθ, Ἰάθ.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonfor the sons of Ekdiu, Amadia the second, Jaziel the third, Jekmoam the fourth.

BrentonThe sons of Ecdiu; Amadia the second, Jaziel the third, Jecmoam the fourth.

Greekυἱοὶ Ἐκδιοῦ, Ἀμαδία ὁ δεύτερος, Ἰαζιὴλ ὁ τρίτος, Ἰεκμοὰμ ὁ τέταρτος.

KJVAnd the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

JPSAnd Benai, Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

ThomsonFor the Ozielites, Micha; for the sons of Micha, Samer;

BrentonFor the sons of Oziel, Micha: the sons of Micha; Samer.

GreekΤοῖς υἱοῖς Ὀζιὴλ, Μιχά· υἱοὶ Μιχὰ, Σαμήρ·

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonthe brother of Micha, Isia; the sons of Isia, Sacharia;

BrentonThe brother of Micha; Isia, the son of Isia; Zacharia.

GreekἈδελφὸς Μιχὰ, Ἰσία· υἱὸς Ἰσία, Ζαχαρία.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonthe Merarites, Mooli and Mousi;

BrentonThe sons of Merari, Mooli, and Musi: the sons of Ozia,

GreekΥἱοὶ Μεραρὶ, Μοολὶ καὶ ὁ Μουσί·

KJVThe sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.

JPSThe sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah, his son,

Thomsonand the sons of Ozia, to whom belonged the title Merarite; his sons Isoam, and Sakchur, and Abai;

BrentonThat is, the sons of Merari by Ozia,—his sons were Isoam, and Sacchur, and Abai.

Greekυἱοὶ Ὀζία τοῦ Μεραρὶ τῷ Ὀζίᾳ· υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ Ἰσοὰμ, καὶ Σακχοὺρ, καὶ Ἀβαΐ.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonfor Mooli, Eleazar and Ithamar, now Eleazar died and had no sons,

BrentonTo Mooli were born Eleazar, and Ithamar; and Eleazar died, and had no sons.

GreekΤῷ Μοολὶ Ἐλεάζαρ, καὶ Ἰθάμαρ· καὶ ἀπέθανεν Ἐλεάζαρ καὶ οὐκ ἦσαν αὐτῷ υἱοί.

KJVOf Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.

JPSOf Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

Thomsonfor him Kis; the sons of Kis, Jerameel;

BrentonFor Kis; the sons of Kis; Jerameel.

GreekΤῷ Κὶς, υἱοὶ τοῦ Κὶς Ἱεραμεήλ.

KJV—

JPSOf Kish: the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel.

Thomsonthe sons of Mousi, Mooli and Eder and Jerimoth,—these sons of the Levites according to the house of their families.

BrentonAnd the sons of Musi; Mooli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to the houses of their families.

GreekΚαὶ υἱοὶ τοῦ Μουσὶ, Μοολὶ, καὶ Ἐδὲρ, καὶ Ἰεριμώθ· οὗτοι υἱοὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν.

KJVThe sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.

JPSAnd the sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’houses.

ThomsonThey also drew lots as their brethren the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of the king and of Sadok and Achimelech, the senior chiefs of the families both of the priests and the Levites submitting to the lot equally with their younger brethren.

BrentonAnd they also received lots as their brethren the sons of Aaron before the king; Sadoc also, and Achimelech, and the chiefs of the families of the priests and of the Levites, principal heads of families, even as their younger brethren.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβον καὶ αὐτοὶ κλήρους καθὼς οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτῶν υἱοὶ Ἀαρὼν ἐναντίον τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ Σαδὼκ, καὶ Ἀχιμέλεχ, καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν πατριῶν τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευειτῶν πατριάρχαι Ἀραὰβ, καθὼς οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ οἱ νεώτεροι.

KJVThese likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.

JPSThese likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’houses of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers’houses of the chief even as those of his younger brother.