1 Chronicles 25:8
New International Version
Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.

New Living Translation
The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student.

English Standard Version
And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

Berean Standard Bible
They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

King James Bible
And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

New King James Version
And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the student.

New American Standard Bible
They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil.

NASB 1995
They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil.

NASB 1977
And they cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil.

Legacy Standard Bible
They cast lots for their responsibilities, each alongside the other, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil.

Amplified Bible
The musicians cast lots for their duties, everyone alike, the small (younger) as well as the great (older), the teacher as well as the student.

Christian Standard Bible
They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

American Standard Version
And they cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

Contemporary English Version
David assigned them their duties by asking the LORD what he wanted. Everyone was responsible for something, whether young or old, teacher or student.

English Revised Version
And they cast lots for their charges, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They drew lots for their assignment of duties, the youngest as well as the oldest, the skilled [musicians] along with the students.

Good News Translation
To determine the assignment of duties they all drew lots, whether they were young or old, experts or beginners.

International Standard Version
Their duties, whether significant or insignificant, whether performed by teacher or pupil alike, were assigned by lottery.

Majority Standard Bible
They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

NET Bible
They cast lots to determine their responsibilities--oldest as well as youngest, teacher as well as student.

New Heart English Bible
And they cast lots, watch with watch, the small as the great, the teacher as the pupil.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

World English Bible
They cast lots for their offices, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the student.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they cause lots to fall, charge next to [charge], the small as well as the great, the intelligent with the learner.

Young's Literal Translation
And they cause to fall lots -- charge over-against charge, as well the small as the great, the intelligent with the learner.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will cast lots from the watches near, as the small so the great, he understanding with him taught.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they cast lots by their courses, the elder equally with the younger, the learned and the unlearned together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they cast lots in their turns, the elder equally with the younger, the learned together with the unlearned.

New American Bible
They cast lots for their functions equally, young and old, master and pupil alike.

New Revised Standard Version
And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they cast lots for their courses, as well the younger as the elder, the pupil as the teacher.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The younger like the elder was considered, the pupil like the Teacher.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they cast lots ward against [ward], as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they also cast lots for the daily courses, for the great and the small of them, of the perfect ones and the learners.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Twenty-Four Divisions of Musicians
7Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288. 8They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil. 9The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:18
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

2 Chronicles 29:25-30
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...

1 Chronicles 23:5
4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 6:31-32
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.

2 Chronicles 5:12-13
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

1 Chronicles 15:16-22
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. / So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; / and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. ...

2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Chronicles 9:33
Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night.

2 Chronicles 35:15
The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.

Ephesians 5:19
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Psalm 33:2-3
Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings. / Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Psalm 150:3-5
Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. / Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. / Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Psalm 92:1-3
A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, / to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning and Your faithfulness at night / with the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.


Treasury of Scripture

And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

1 Chronicles 23:5
Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.

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Alike Cast Cause Chances Charge Duties Equal Fall Great Intelligent Lots Offices Over-Against Pupil Scholar Selection Small Special Student Teacher Ward Work Young
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Alike Cast Cause Chances Charge Duties Equal Fall Great Intelligent Lots Offices Over-Against Pupil Scholar Selection Small Special Student Teacher Ward Work Young
1 Chronicles 25
1. The number and offices of the singers
8. Their division by lot into twenty-four orders














They cast lots
The practice of casting lots was a common method in ancient Israel for making decisions or determining God's will. The Hebrew word for "lots" is "goral," which implies a small stone or object used in decision-making. This method ensured impartiality and divine guidance, reflecting a deep trust in God's sovereignty over human affairs. Casting lots was used in various contexts, such as dividing the land among the tribes (Joshua 18:10) and selecting the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:8). It underscores the belief that God is actively involved in the details of life and that His will can be discerned through seemingly random events.

for their duties
The Hebrew word for "duties" is "mishmeret," which can also mean "guard" or "charge." This term indicates a sense of responsibility and stewardship. In the context of 1 Chronicles 25, it refers to the musical and prophetic roles assigned to the Levites in the temple service. Each duty was considered sacred, contributing to the worship and spiritual life of Israel. This highlights the importance of every role within the community of faith, emphasizing that all tasks, whether seen or unseen, are vital to the functioning of God's people.

young and old alike
This phrase emphasizes inclusivity and the value of every generation in the service of God. The Hebrew words "na'ar" (young) and "zaqen" (old) reflect a community where age does not determine one's ability to serve. This inclusivity is a testament to the belief that God equips and calls individuals regardless of their age, affirming the worth and potential of both the youthful and the elderly. It serves as a reminder that the body of Christ is diverse, and each member, regardless of age, has a unique contribution to make.

teacher as well as pupil
The Hebrew words "lamed" (teacher) and "talmid" (pupil) highlight the relationship between those who impart wisdom and those who receive it. This phrase underscores the importance of mentorship and discipleship within the community of faith. It reflects a model of learning and growth where knowledge and skills are passed down through generations. In the context of temple service, it suggests a dynamic environment where learning and teaching are ongoing, ensuring the continuity of worship practices and spiritual heritage.

(8) And they cast lots, ward against ward.--Rather, And they cast lots of charge, that is, for determining the order in which each of the twenty-four guilds, or classes, should take charge of the services. (Comp, the LXX., ??????? ?????????, "lots of courses;" and see Luke 1:6.) Some Hebrew MSS. and the Targum repeat the word "ward" (mishmereth, "charge"), whence the reading of the Authorised Version. The ancient versions omit the word altogether.

As well the small as the great.--Heb., exactly as the small (or, the younger), so the great (or, the elder). (Comp. the Vulg., "ex aequo tam major quam minor.") But perhaps leummath is here used absolutely: "They cast lots in like manner" (1Chronicles 24:31). The senior houses, or guilds, had no advantage over the juniors, the order of rotation being decided by lot. (Comp. 1Chronicles 24:31.)

The teacher as the scholar.--Literally, cunning (1Chronicles 25:7) with learner. According to 1Chronicles 23:5, the whole number of Levites appointed for the service of song was 4,000. These were all included in the twenty-four classes, 288 of them being "cunning" men, that is, masters in their art, and the remaining 3,712 forming the rank and file of the choirs under the training of the proficients. The Aramaic word talmid (scholar) occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament. It is the term used of the disciples of the Rabbis in the Talmud, and is the exact equivalent of the New Testament word, ???????. . . .

Verse 8. - This verse should be translated, And they cast lots of attendance, small and great equally, teacher with scholar. The Septuagint translates גורָלות מִשִׁמֶרֶת by the words κλήρους ἐφημεριῶν.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They cast
וַיַּפִּ֜ילוּ (way·yap·pî·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

lots
גּוֹרָל֣וֹת (gō·w·rā·lō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

for their duties,
מִשְׁמֶ֗רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

young
כַּקָּטֹ֣ן (kaq·qā·ṭōn)
Preposition-k, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant

and old alike,
כַּגָּד֔וֹל (kag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Preposition-k, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

teacher
מֵבִ֖ין (mê·ḇîn)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

as
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

well as pupil.
תַּלְמִֽיד׃ (tal·mîḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8527: A scholar


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 25:8 They cast lots for their offices all (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 25:7
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