1 Chronicles 12:26

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

مِنْ رِجَالِ لَاوِي، أرْبَعَةُ آلَافٍ وَسِتُّ مِئَةٍ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse in 1 Chronicles states that there were 4,600 people from the tribe of Levi. The writer is not speaking directly; instead, it's part of a census listing numbers of various tribes. The key message here is about the detailed record-keeping of different groups within Israel.

Explained for Children

Imagine a big family reunion where everyone is counted. In this case, the family is the Levites, and 4,600 of them came to the party. It’s like counting how many kids show up at a birthday party, but much bigger!

Historical Background

1 Chronicles was written by an unknown author, possibly after the Babylonian exile, around 400-250 BCE. The audience was likely the Jewish community returning to Jerusalem. The text provides a historical and genealogical record to reinforce the continuity of the Israelite people.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, this verse reminds us of the importance of keeping records and counting what matters, such as community involvement or volunteer hours. Just as the Levites were counted, every contribution in our community counts and matters.

Topics

• record keeping
• tribal identity
• Israelite history
• census
• community roles
• Levi

Related Verses

• Exodus 38:26
• 2 Chronicles 35:5
• Numbers 4:48
• 1 Samuel 6:15
• Hebrews 9:21

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the Levites counted separately?

The Levites were counted separately because they played a unique role in the religious life of Israel, serving as priests and assistants to the priests.

What was the significance of this number?

The number 4,600 suggests the Levites were a significant group, indicating their importance in the religious and social structure of Israel.

How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of 1 Chronicles?

This verse is part of a larger census that helps to establish the organization and numbers of people in different tribes under King David's reign.

Why is record-keeping important in this context?

Record-keeping was essential to maintain the social order and to ensure that the appropriate number of Levites were available for their roles in religious services.