And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
Parallel translations
- WEB They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for every gate.
- BSB They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
- NKJV And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.
- NASB They cast lots, the small and the great alike, according to their fathers’ households, for every gate.
- NLT They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots.
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
They cast lots, small and great alike, by their families, for every gate. The gatekeeping posts were assigned fairly and impartially by lot.
Overview
As with the priests and musicians, the gatekeepers' assignments were determined by lot, ensuring that no family could claim the more prestigious posts by status. The equal treatment of small and great reflects God's impartiality and removes occasion for pride. This fairness in distributing duty models the humility and trust in God's ordering that should mark all who serve Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- 1 Chr 24:31These 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.
- 1 Chr 25:8And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
- 1 Chr 24:5Thus 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.
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Original language
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