1 Chronicles 9:10-13 Meaning: Able for the Work of God's House
10Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin,
11and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house;
12and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13and their brothers, heads of their fathers’ houses, one thousand seven hundred sixty; they were very able men for the work of the service of God’s house.
10And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
11And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
12And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
10And of the priests: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, Jachin,
11and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
12and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
10And of the priests: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
11and Azariah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, leader in the house of God;
12and Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Maasai son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer.
13And their brethren, heads to the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and sixty, mighty in valour, are for the work of the service of the house of God.
10And of the priests: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
11and Azariah the son of Hilkijah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
12and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Masai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13and their brethren, heads of their fathers' houses, a thousand and seven hundred and sixty; able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
Meaning in one sentence
This list of post-exile priests highlights not just ancestry but being 'very able' for temple service. Discover what that means for you.
Context
The book of Chronicles was written for a community returning from exile, trying to piece together its identity. Chapter 9 lists the first residents of Jerusalem after the return. These verses focus on the priests: not just names on a page, but real people who served in the rebuilt temple. The chronicler traces some back through long genealogies, and he names others by the family courses originally set up under David (1 Chronicles 24). Azariah is called the ruler of God’s house, likely a deputy to the high priest. The passage ends with a quiet but striking detail: one thousand seven hundred sixty of these men were very able for the work of the service of God’s house. Lineage mattered, but so did capability.
Key Words
The Hebrew phrase behind “very able men” is gibbori chayil. Gibbor means strong, mighty, a warrior. Chayil speaks of ability, strength, even wealth. Together they describe someone who is both capable and ready, not just a name on a roster, but a person who can actually do the job. These priests had the physical and spiritual strength for the demanding work of the temple: lifting, guarding, sacrificing, teaching. The word for service, avodah, is the same word used for the work of the Levites in the wilderness tabernacle. It means labor, not just ceremony. And the word for work, melakhah, points to a task that requires skill. So when the chronicler says they were “very able men,” he is saying they were qualified, prepared, and ready to serve with energy.
How Christians Read This Verse
Many commentators note that the names Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin are not individuals but priestly families (courses), as described in 1 Chronicles 24. The parallel list in Nehemiah 11:10 reads, “Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,” confirming this understanding. Christians from various traditions see different emphases. Some, like Matthew Henry, focus on the phrase “very able men” as an excellent qualification for service, noting that priests faced opposition and needed courage. Others, like Adam Clarke, marvel at the large number of ministers serving one temple, seeing it as a sign of devotion. Catholic and Orthodox readers value the continuity of priestly service from the temple into the life of the Church, where clergy and laity alike are called to offer themselves for God’s work.
A common misunderstanding
It is easy to read lists like this and think they are just boring names with no meaning for today. In fact, the chronicler is making a crucial point: God restored the priesthood not just by bringing them back to Jerusalem, but by raising up people who were genuinely ready and capable for the work. The names anchor the post-exile community to God’s promises and to David’s priestly orders. The list is not irrelevant, it is a record of God’s faithfulness and an invitation to serve with all your strength.
Living This Out
This week, ask yourself: what work has God given me to do? It may be serving in your local church, helping a neighbor, using your professional skills for a ministry, or simply showing up and being reliable. The chronicler valued men who were “very able for the work.” That does not mean perfect or naturally gifted. It means willing to grow, willing to serve, and willing to give your best. You do not need a long genealogy. You need a heart that says, “I can help with that.” And then the strength to follow through.
Main takeaway: God’s service calls for not just a place in the family tree, but the strength and willingness to work.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God wanted helpers for His house, and He chose people who were strong and ready to work. You can be a helper too, at home or at church.
For ages 9, 12
These verses list a lot of names, but notice the last line: they were “very able men for the work of the service of God’s house.” God cares about your heart and your ability to help. You don’t have to be perfect, but He wants you to be ready to serve with the talents He gave you. Maybe that means helping with music, cleaning up after an event, or being kind to someone who needs a friend.
Questions People Ask
Are Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin individuals or families?
Most commentators, based on 1 Chronicles 24 and the parallel in Nehemiah 11, understand them as names of priestly families (courses), not single individuals. The families of the first, second, and twenty-first courses returned to live in Jerusalem.
What does “very able men for the work of the service of God’s house” mean?
The Hebrew phrase (gibbori chayil) indicates strength, competence, and readiness. These priests were not just qualified by birth; they had the physical and spiritual ability to carry out the demanding tasks of temple service, guarding, teaching, sacrificing, and maintaining the holy place.
Who was Azariah, the ruler of God’s house?
Azariah is probably the same person as Seraiah in Nehemiah 11:11. He was not the high priest (Jeshua was), but a high-ranking official, perhaps the second priest or the temple supervisor, with authority over the priests and Levites.
How does this list relate to the temple service?
The chronicler is showing that after the exile, God restored the priestly families according to the courses established by David (1 Chronicles 24). This continuity assured the people that legitimate worship was reestablished, and the priests were capable of performing it.
Why does God include long genealogies in the Bible?
Genealogies remind us that God keeps His promises across generations. They anchor the post-exile community to the past and show that God has not abandoned His people. They also honour faithful servants who may otherwise be forgotten.
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