For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above;
Parallel translations
- WEB For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were counted, from twenty years old and upward.
- KJV For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:
- BSB For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted,
- NASB For by the last words of David, the sons of Levi were counted from twenty years old and upward.
- NLT In accordance with David’s final instructions, all the Levites twenty years old or older were registered for service.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
By David's last instructions, the Levites were counted from twenty years old and upward. This confirms the updated age standard for service.
Overview
This verse reiterates that David's final directives set the age of Levitical service at twenty, adapting earlier wilderness regulations to the new temple era. The reference to David's last words highlights his enduring concern for ordered worship to the end of his life. Such careful provision ensured continuity and faithfulness in serving the LORD.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 1 Chr 23:24These were the sons of Levi after their fathers’ houses, even the heads of the fathers’ houses of those who were counted individually, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of Yahweh’s house, from twenty years old and upward.
- Ps 72:20This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.
- 2 Sam 23:1Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:
- 1 Chr 23:3The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 23:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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