Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was [head] over both the Cherethites and Pelethites [the king's bodyguards]; and David's sons were chief [confidential] advisers (officials) [to the king]. [1 Chr 18:17] |
Bible Question:
"...David's son were chief ministers." The Hebrew also has the meaning of "priest(s)". According to Amplified 2015 Translator's Notes:Even though the Hebrew word for priests is used in this verse, David's sons would not serve as priests because they were from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. The ancient rabbis interpreted the statement to mean that the sons enjoyed some priestly privileges. I also think it unlikely that David would assign his sons to the office of priest for they are not of Levi tribe. Interestingly, my newest revised Chinese Union Version discarded the word "chief ministers"in their old version and use "priests" instead. I guess we might not get a definite answer as to whether they really took the priestly office or it is just an exaggerated expression by the author about their honorable status. Now my question: Taken the Amplified 2015 Translators' note into consideration, anywhere in the Bible mentions about any priestly privileges enjoyed by David's sons? Thank you and Shalom Azure |
Bible Answer: The Hebrew word Kohenim is talking of the function rather than title or authority and in this case it can mean priest, minister, advisor etc. See 1 Chronicles 18:17 (NASB) 17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and the sons of David were chiefs at the king's side. I like the explanation given in the Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible (POSB) (8:15-18) Government, Just and Righteous, Officials, Government of David; Officials of: David is said to have reigned over all Israel, establishing a just and righteous government. A picture of the organization of his government is given in this Scripture. 1. Joab was the military commander-in-chief of David's army (2 Samuel 8:16). He was David's nephew and obviously a brilliant military strategist. 2. Jehoshaphat was appointed the recorder or historian of David's court (2 Samuel 8:16). As the recorder, he kept records of David's administration and the official documents. Perhaps he also gave public notice of David's royal commands. 3. Zadok and Ahimelech were the two major priests during David's reign. They were in charge of the Tabernacle and of the nation's worship, no doubt supervising the other priests (1 Samuel 22:20-23; 2 Samuel 15:24-35; 1 Kings 1:7-8). 4. Seraiah was the court scribe or secretary of state who drafted official documents, handled correspondence, and maintained the court records. 5. Benaiah was a military hero who commanded the king's personal bodyguard, the Kerethites and Pelethites. David's personal bodyguard was an elite troop of soldiers who were given the specific duty of protecting the king and carrying out special, difficult missions for him. 6. David's sons were royal advisors, chief officials who served as confidential advisors to the king. |
Up | View Branch | ID# 243692 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for 2 Sam 8:18 | Author | ||
|
azurelaw | ||
|
Beja | ||
|
EdB |