Definition: The fourteenth to Mattithiah, [he], his sons, and his brethren, [were] twelve:
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 25:21. It’s a very important part of understanding how the Israelites were organized and managed during the time of King David. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “The fourteenth to Mattithiah, [he], his sons, and his brethren, [were] twelve:” "The fourteenth to Mattithiah..." : This refers to a specific man named Mattithiah. He was a prominent leader in the tribe of Israel. "[He]" : This means he – it’s referring back to Mattithiah. "...his sons, and his brethren..." : This tells us that Mattithiah had several sons. "Brothers" implies they were related. "[were] twelve:" : This is the key part! It means there were twelve of Mattithiah’s sons. So, essentially, this verse says: "The leader Mattithiah had twelve sons." What's the significance? This is a foundational detail about how the Israelites were structured and managed. It highlights: Leadership Succession: It demonstrates that leadership wasn't just passed down through one single person. There was a line of succession, with Mattithiah’s sons inheriting responsibilities. Family Connection: It shows that the family ties were important – Mattithiah had twelve sons, and those sons were connected to him as leaders. In short, it tells us a basic piece of information about the lineage and leadership structure within the tribe of Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant? Give you more context about the time period when this verse was written?