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Selected Verse: 1 Chronicles 15:22 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Ch 15:22	Strong Concordance	And Chenaniah [03663], chief [08269] of the Levites [03881], was for song [04853]: he instructed [03256] about the song [04853], because he was skilful [0995].
	King James	And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Chenaniah, chief of the Levites--He was not of the six heads of the Levitical families, but a chief in consequence of his office, which required learning, without regard to birth or family. instructed about the song--He directed all these bands as to the proper time when each was to strike in or change their notes; or, as some render the passage, "He led the burdens, for he was skilled," that is, in the custom which it was necessary to observe in the carriage of the holy things [BERTHEAU].

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Chenaniah, chief of the Levites--He was not of the six heads of the Levitical families, but a chief in consequence of his office, which required learning, without regard to birth or family.

instructed about the song--He directed all these bands as to the proper time when each was to strike in or change their notes; or, as some render the passage, "He led the burdens, for he was skilled," that is, in the custom which it was necessary to observe in the carriage of the holy things [BERTHEAU].

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
For song - See the margin. Hebraists are still at variance as to the meaning of this passage, some supposing elevation or, delivery of the voice, others elevation of the ark, to be intended.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
"Chenaniah, the prince of the Levites, for the bearing, teacher in bearing; for he was instructed in it." Since Chenaniah does not occur among the six princes of the Levites in Ch1 15:5-10, and is called in Ch1 15:27 המּשּׂא השׂר, we must here also join בּמשּׂא (as most editions punctuate the first במשׂא, while according to Norzi בּמּשּׂא is the right reading even in the first case) closely with שׂר־הלויּם, with the meaning that Chenaniah was captain of the Levites who had charge of the bearing of the ark, a chief of the Levites who bore it. The word משּׂא is,however, very variously interpreted. The lxx have ἄρχων τῶν ᾠδῶν, and the Vulgate, prophetiae praeerat ad praecinendam melodiam; whence Luther translates: the master in song to teach them to sing. This translation cannot, however, be linguistically upheld; the word משּׂא means only the bearing of the burden (Num 4:19, Num 4:27, etc.; Ch2 35:3), and a prophetical utterance of an oppressive or threatening character (Isa 13:1, and Isa 15:1, etc.). But from this second signification neither the general meaning prophetia, nor, if we wish to go back upon the קול נשׂא, to raise the voice, the signification master of song, supremus musicus (Lavat.), or qui principatum tenebat in cantu illo sublimiore (Vatabl.), can be derived. The meaning prophetia, moreover, does not suit the context, and we must consequently, with Bertheau and others, hold fast the signification of bearing. We are determined in favour of this, (1) by the context, which here treats of the bearing of the ark, for which משּׂא is the usual word; and (2) by the circumstance that in Ch1 26:29 Chenaniah is mentioned as the chief of the Levites for the external business, which goes to show, if the persons are identical, that he here had the oversight of the external business of the transport. יסר is not the inf. absol., which cannot stand directly for the verb. finit.; nor is it the imperf. of סרר in the signification of שׂרר (Bertheau and others), but a nominal formation from יסר (cf. on this formation as the most proper designation of the actor, Ew. 152, b), in the signification teacher, which is shown by Isa 28:26 certainly to belong to יסר. The clause בּמּשּׂא יסר gives the explanation of the preceding בּמשּׂא, or it specifies what Chenaniah had to do in the procession. He had to take the lead in the bearing because he was מבין in it, i.e., was instructed in that which was to be observed in it. - In Ch1 15:23 two doorkeepers for the ark are named; and in Ch1 15:24, at the end of the enumeration of the Levites who were busied about the transport, two additional names are mentioned as those of men who had the same duty. The business of these doorkeepers was, as Seb. Schmidt has already remarked on 2 Sam 6, non tam introitum aperire arcae, quam custodire, ne ad eam irrumperetur. Between these two pairs of doorkeepers in Ch1 15:24, the priests, seven in number, who blew the trumpets, are named. The Kethibh מחצצרים is to be read מחצצרים, a denom. from חצצרה; the Keri מחצרים is Hiph. of חצר, as in Ch2 7:6; Ch2 13:14, and Ch2 29:28. In Ch2 5:12 and Ch2 5:13, on the contrary, מחצּרים is partic. Pi. The blowing of the silver trumpets by the priests in this solemn procession rests on the prescription in Num 10:1-10, which see. The place assigned to these trumpet-blowing priests was either immediately before the ark, like the priestly trumpeters in the march round Jericho (Jos 6:4, Jos 6:6), or immediately after it. For, that these priests entered in the immediate vicinity of the ark, may be inferred from the fact that before and behind them were doorkeepers of the ark. The procession, then, was probably arranged in this way: (1) the singers and players in front, in three division; (2) Chenaniah, the captain of the bearers; (3) two doorkeepers; (4) the priests with the trumpets immediately before or after the ark; (5) two doorkeepers; (6) the king with the elders and captains of thousands (Ch1 15:25). The two doorkeepers Obededom and Jehiah (יחיּה), Rashi, Berth.,and others consider to be the same persons as the singers Obededom and Jeiel (יעיאל), supposing that the latter name is wrongly written in one of the passages. This, however, is incorrect, for the identity of the name Obededom is no sufficient ground for supposing the persons to be the same, since in Ch1 16:38 the singer Obededom and the doorkeeper Obededom the son of Jeduthun seem to be distinguished. And besides that, Obededom and his colleagues could not possibly at the same time as porters precede, and as singers come after, the priests and the ark, and there is consequently no reason to doubt that the name יחיּה is correct.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

"Chenaniah, the prince of the Levites, for the bearing, teacher in bearing; for he was instructed in it." Since Chenaniah does not occur among the six princes of the Levites in Ch1 15:5-10, and is called in Ch1 15:27 המּשּׂא השׂר, we must here also join בּמשּׂא (as most editions punctuate the first במשׂא, while according to Norzi בּמּשּׂא is the right reading even in the first case) closely with שׂר־הלויּם, with the meaning that Chenaniah was captain of the Levites who had charge of the bearing of the ark, a chief of the Levites who bore it. The word משּׂא is,however, very variously interpreted. The lxx have ἄρχων τῶν ᾠδῶν, and the Vulgate, prophetiae praeerat ad praecinendam melodiam; whence Luther translates: the master in song to teach them to sing. This translation cannot, however, be linguistically upheld; the word משּׂא means only the bearing of the burden (Num 4:19, Num 4:27, etc.; Ch2 35:3), and a prophetical utterance of an oppressive or threatening character (Isa 13:1, and Isa 15:1, etc.). But from this second signification neither the general meaning prophetia, nor, if we wish to go back upon the קול נשׂא, to raise the voice, the signification master of song, supremus musicus (Lavat.), or qui principatum tenebat in cantu illo sublimiore (Vatabl.), can be derived. The meaning prophetia, moreover, does not suit the context, and we must consequently, with Bertheau and others, hold fast the signification of bearing. We are determined in favour of this, (1) by the context, which here treats of the bearing of the ark, for which משּׂא is the usual word; and (2) by the circumstance that in Ch1 26:29 Chenaniah is mentioned as the chief of the Levites for the external business, which goes to show, if the persons are identical, that he here had the oversight of the external business of the transport. יסר is not the inf. absol., which cannot stand directly for the verb. finit.; nor is it the imperf. of סרר in the signification of שׂרר (Bertheau and others), but a nominal formation from יסר (cf. on this formation as the most proper designation of the actor, Ew. 152, b), in the signification teacher, which is shown by Isa 28:26 certainly to belong to יסר. The clause בּמּשּׂא יסר gives the explanation of the preceding בּמשּׂא, or it specifies what Chenaniah had to do in the procession. He had to take the lead in the bearing because he was מבין in it, i.e., was instructed in that which was to be observed in it. - In Ch1 15:23 two doorkeepers for the ark are named; and in Ch1 15:24, at the end of the enumeration of the Levites who were busied about the transport, two additional names are mentioned as those of men who had the same duty. The business of these doorkeepers was, as Seb. Schmidt has already remarked on 2 Sam 6, non tam introitum aperire arcae, quam custodire, ne ad eam irrumperetur. Between these two pairs of doorkeepers in Ch1 15:24, the priests, seven in number, who blew the trumpets, are named. The Kethibh מחצצרים is to be read מחצצרים, a denom. from חצצרה; the Keri מחצרים is Hiph. of חצר, as in Ch2 7:6; Ch2 13:14, and Ch2 29:28. In Ch2 5:12 and Ch2 5:13, on the contrary, מחצּרים is partic. Pi. The blowing of the silver trumpets by the priests in this solemn procession rests on the prescription in Num 10:1-10, which see. The place assigned to these trumpet-blowing priests was either immediately before the ark, like the priestly trumpeters in the march round Jericho (Jos 6:4, Jos 6:6), or immediately after it. For, that these priests entered in the immediate vicinity of the ark, may be inferred from the fact that before and behind them were doorkeepers of the ark. The procession, then, was probably arranged in this way: (1) the singers and players in front, in three division; (2) Chenaniah, the captain of the bearers; (3) two doorkeepers; (4) the priests with the trumpets immediately before or after the ark; (5) two doorkeepers; (6) the king with the elders and captains of thousands (Ch1 15:25). The two doorkeepers Obededom and Jehiah (יחיּה), Rashi, Berth.,and others consider to be the same persons as the singers Obededom and Jeiel (יעיאל), supposing that the latter name is wrongly written in one of the passages. This, however, is incorrect, for the identity of the name Obededom is no sufficient ground for supposing the persons to be the same, since in Ch1 16:38 the singer Obededom and the doorkeeper Obededom the son of Jeduthun seem to be distinguished. And besides that, Obededom and his colleagues could not possibly at the same time as porters precede, and as singers come after, the priests and the ark, and there is consequently no reason to doubt that the name יחיּה is correct.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
For song - He was the moderator of the musick, instructing them when and how to lift up their voices, or change their notes, or make their stops.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Chenaniah - he instructed about the song - This appears to have been the master singer; he gave the key and the time, for he presided במשא bemassa, in the elevation, probably meaning what is called pitching the tune, for he was skillful in music, and powerful in his voice, and well qualified to lead the band: be might have been precentor.

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³⁸ And Obededom [05654] with their brethren [0251], threescore [08346] and eight [08083]; Obededom [05654] also the son [01121] of Jeduthun [03038] and Hosah [02621] to be porters [07778]:

²⁵ So David [01732], and the elders [02205] of Israel [03478], and the captains [08269] over thousands [0505], went [01980] to bring up [05927] the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285] of the LORD [03068] out of the house [01004] of Obededom [05654] with joy [08057].

⁶ And Joshua [03091] the son [01121] of Nun [05126] called [07121] the priests [03548], and said [0559] unto them, Take up [05375] the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285], and let seven [07651] priests [03548] bear [05375] seven [07651] trumpets [07782] of rams' horns [03104] before [06440] the ark [0727] of the LORD [03068].

⁴ And seven [07651] priests [03548] shall bear [05375] before [06440] the ark [0727] seven [07651] trumpets [07782] of rams' horns [03104]: and the seventh [07637] day [03117] ye shall compass [05437] the city [05892] seven [07651] times [06471], and the priests [03548] shall blow [08628] with the trumpets [07782].

¹ And the LORD [03068] spake [01696] unto Moses [04872], saying [0559],
² Make [06213] thee two [08147] trumpets [02689] of silver [03701]; of a whole piece [04749] shalt thou make [06213] them: that thou mayest use [01961] them for the calling [04744] of the assembly [05712], and for the journeying [04550] of the camps [04264].
³ And when they shall blow [08628] with them [02004], all the assembly [05712] shall assemble [03259] themselves to thee at the door [06607] of the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150].
⁴ And if they blow [08628] but with one [0259] trumpet, then the princes [05387], which are heads [07218] of the thousands [0505] of Israel [03478], shall gather [03259] themselves unto thee.
⁵ When ye blow [08628] an alarm [08643], then the camps [04264] that lie [02583] on the east parts [06924] shall go forward [05265].
⁶ When ye blow [08628] an alarm [08643] the second time [08145], then the camps [04264] that lie [02583] on the south side [08486] shall take their journey [05265]: they shall blow [08628] an alarm [08643] for their journeys [04550].
⁷ But when the congregation [06951] is to be gathered together [06950], ye shall blow [08628], but ye shall not sound an alarm [07321].
⁸ And the sons [01121] of Aaron [0175], the priests [03548], shall blow [08628] with the trumpets [02689]; and they shall be to you for an ordinance [02708] for ever [05769] throughout your generations [01755].
⁹ And if ye go [0935] to war [04421] in your land [0776] against [06862] the enemy that oppresseth [06887] you, then ye shall blow an alarm [07321] with the trumpets [02689]; and ye shall be remembered [02142] before [06440] the LORD [03068] your God [0430], and ye shall be saved [03467] from your enemies [0341].
¹⁰ Also in the day [03117] of your gladness [08057], and in your solemn days [04150], and in the beginnings [07218] of your months [02320], ye shall blow [08628] with the trumpets [02689] over your burnt offerings [05930], and over the sacrifices [02077] of your peace offerings [08002]; that they may be to you for a memorial [02146] before [06440] your God [0430]: I am the LORD [03068] your God [0430].

¹³ It came even to pass, as the trumpeters [02690] [02690] and singers [07891] were as one [0259], to make one [0259] sound [06963] to be heard [08085] in praising [01984] and thanking [03034] the LORD [03068]; and when they lifted up [07311] their voice [06963] with the trumpets [02689] and cymbals [04700] and instruments [03627] of musick [07892], and praised [01984] the LORD [03068], saying, For he is good [02896]; for his mercy [02617] endureth for ever [05769]: that then the house [01004] was filled [04390] with a cloud [06051], even the house [01004] of the LORD [03068];

¹² Also the Levites [03881] which were the singers [07891], all of them of Asaph [0623], of Heman [01968], of Jeduthun [03038], with their sons [01121] and their brethren [0251], being arrayed [03847] in white linen [0948], having cymbals [04700] and psalteries [05035] and harps [03658], stood [05975] at the east end [04217] of the altar [04196], and with them an hundred [03967] and twenty [06242] priests [03548] sounding [02690] with trumpets [02689]:)

²⁸ And all the congregation [06951] worshipped [07812], and the singers [07892] sang [07891], and the trumpeters [02689] sounded [02690] [02690]: and all this continued until the burnt offering [05930] was finished [03615].

¹⁴ And when Judah [03063] looked back [06437], behold, the battle [04421] was before [06440] and behind [0268]: and they cried [06817] unto the LORD [03068], and the priests [03548] sounded [02690] [02690] with the trumpets [02689].

⁶ And the priests [03548] waited [05975] on their offices [04931]: the Levites [03881] also with instruments [03627] of musick [07892] of the LORD [03068], which David [01732] the king [04428] had made [06213] to praise [03034] the LORD [03068], because his mercy [02617] endureth for ever [05769], when David [01732] praised [01984] by their ministry [03027]; and the priests [03548] sounded trumpets [02690] [02690] before them, and all Israel [03478] stood [05975].

²⁴ And Shebaniah [07645], and Jehoshaphat [03146], and Nethaneel [05417], and Amasai [06022], and Zechariah [02148], and Benaiah [01141], and Eliezer [0461], the priests [03548], did blow [02690] [02690] with the trumpets [02689] before [06440] the ark [0727] of God [0430]: and Obededom [05654] and Jehiah [03174] were doorkeepers [07778] for the ark [0727].

²³ And Berechiah [01296] and Elkanah [0511] were doorkeepers [07778] for the ark [0727].

²⁶ For his God [0430] doth instruct [03256] him to discretion [04941], and doth teach [03384] him.

²⁹ Of the Izharites [03325], Chenaniah [03663] and his sons [01121] were for the outward [02435] business [04399] over Israel [03478], for officers [07860] and judges [08199].

¹ The burden [04853] of Moab [04124]. Because in the night [03915] Ar [06144] of Moab [04124] is laid waste [07703], and brought to silence [01820]; because in the night [03915] Kir [07024] of Moab [04124] is laid waste [07703], and brought to silence [01820];

¹ The burden [04853] of Babylon [0894], which Isaiah [03470] the son [01121] of Amoz [0531] did see [02372].

³ And said [0559] unto the Levites [03881] that taught [0995] [04000] all Israel [03478], which were holy [06918] unto the LORD [03068], Put [05414] the holy [06944] ark [0727] in the house [01004] which Solomon [08010] the son [01121] of David [01732] king [04428] of Israel [03478] did build [01129]; it shall not be a burden [04853] upon your shoulders [03802]: serve [05647] now the LORD [03068] your God [0430], and his people [05971] Israel [03478],

²⁷ At the appointment [06310] of Aaron [0175] and his sons [01121] shall be all the service [05656] of the sons [01121] of the Gershonites [01649], in all their burdens [04853], and in all their service [05656]: and ye shall appoint [06485] unto them in charge [04931] all their burdens [04853].

¹⁹ But thus do [06213] unto them, that they may live [02421], and not die [04191], when they approach [05066] unto the most [06944] holy things [06944]: Aaron [0175] and his sons [01121] shall go in [0935], and appoint [07760] them every [0376] one [0376] to his service [05656] and to his burden [04853]:

²⁷ And David [01732] was clothed [03736] with a robe [04598] of fine linen [0948], and all the Levites [03881] that bare [05375] the ark [0727], and the singers [07891], and Chenaniah [03663] the master [08269] of the song [04853] with the singers [07891]: David [01732] also had upon him an ephod [0646] of linen [0906].

⁵ Of the sons [01121] of Kohath [06955]; Uriel [0222] the chief [08269], and his brethren [0251] an hundred [03967] and twenty [06242]:
⁶ Of the sons [01121] of Merari [04847]; Asaiah [06222] the chief [08269], and his brethren [0251] two hundred [03967] and twenty [06242]:
⁷ Of the sons [01121] of Gershom [01647]; Joel [03100] the chief [08269], and his brethren [0251] an hundred [03967] and thirty [07970]:
⁸ Of the sons [01121] of Elizaphan [0469]; Shemaiah [08098] the chief [08269], and his brethren [0251] two hundred [03967]:
⁹ Of the sons [01121] of Hebron [02275]; Eliel [0447] the chief [08269], and his brethren [0251] fourscore [08084]:
¹⁰ Of the sons [01121] of Uzziel [05816]; Amminadab [05992] the chief [08269], and his brethren [0251] an hundred [03967] and twelve [08147] [06240].