What Does 1 Chronicles 25:17 Mean in the King James?

The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1 Chronicles 25:17 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The name Shimei carries the Hebrew root ⁨שמע⁩, “to hear,” inside this roster of singers.

THE MEANING

Shimei’s place in the shared work includes his sons and brothers: twelve together. His name carries the root for hearing, so this roster holds an echo of listening as well as number.

THE ROOT

שִׁמְעִי

Shimʿi

GROWS FROM

שמע

To hear, listen, or heed.

English preserves Shimei as a name but hides its connection to ⁨שמע⁩, “to hear.” In a roster of singers, the name quietly carries an echo of listening within the ordered count.

ALSO GROWS

shama: Hear, listen.

שָׁמַע

This verb shares the name’s root and makes its connection to hearing clear.

shema: Hear and respond.

שְׁמַע

This imperative shows hearing as receptive response, adding depth to the root carried in Shimei’s name.

shemuʿah: A report, news; something heard.

שְׁמוּעָה

The root also names what is heard and received, extending the link from listening to a message.

THE PATTERN

Praise is carried by many voices whose distinct places form one shared offering.

And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

1 Chronicles 25:8 · KJVThe divisions have distinct places, yet all belong to the shared service of song.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150:6 · KJVPraise opens to every voice and living creature, widening the shared song beyond one group.

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:19 · KJVThe song is shared among people, with each voice joining the praise.

THE THREAD

And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Exodus 2:24 · KJV

Shimei’s name carries ⁨שמע⁩, the root of “hear”; this verse uses that same root for God hearing the groaning. The name opens the roster onto a wider scriptural pattern in which hearing receives another’s cry.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us