The Prophetic and End Time Meaning of the 24 Priestly Courses in 1^st Chronicles 24.1-19

Those who have their eyes opened to the Hebraic roots of the faith begin to understand many wonderful mysteries and truths which they never understood in the past. This short study is such a one.

The names in the 24 courses of priests in the Temple established by King David are not just a simple list but they contain prophetic information.

Hebrew names in the scriptures have deeper meaning than just the name of a person. When we begin to dig deep into the word and understand the entire word—both Old and New Testament—we find many treasures.

This inconspicuous register of names holds a powerful prophetic portrait of hope for all mankind to see the redemption the Father is working out in this world.

I believe this list corresponds to the 24 Elders in Revelation 4. Keep that in mind as you read the story of redemption in this list. These are my notes and thoughts from a much longer study by a believer who is unknown to me.

Jehoiarib – Yehoyareev – Yeho is an Adversary – Yah created the first man and nurtured him in a beautiful garden but soon Yah became the enemy when man placed their trust in the serpent. Because they were no longer in a harmonious relationship, restoration would be required. This could only occur through a mediator/priest.

Jediah – Yeda’Yah – Yah Knows – It is because “Yah Knows,” that we have hope for the final restoration to take place. Yah knows what is in the heart of man; the darkness and sin cultivated there. He knows we will fail. Instead of deciding to remain in the position of wrath towards mankind, the knowledge of the Father was instigated to restore us to Him.

Harim – Chareem – Condemned – Condemned accurately displays what our rebellious natures attain for us. We are in rebellion from birth. This state only can change if the Most High intervenes in our sinful lives. Only Yah can bring about the work of redemption that sets us free from Adam’s grand and terrible act of treason. The Torah will help us to assess how we are supposed to act and curb our sinful actions, but Torah would not correct the rebellion in our hearts.

Seorim – Se’oreem – Fearing Ones – The fourth name in the list starts to show that if we are in a right disposition towards the Creator then something positive will happen. Those who fear Him are beginning to come to their senses and seek His desire for their lives. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom--Proverbs 1.7

Melchijah – MalkeeYah – My King is Yah – When we truly fear Him we proclaim Him as KING! WE are beginning to become a people who place their trust in the Creator and not the sinful world. The people of Israel were to have no earthly king but only Yah Elohim. They faltered in their trust and asked for an earthly king.

Mijamin – Meeyameen – From the Right Hand – This shows how the Holy One is going to bring about the restoration of His creation. It would truly come from “The Right Hand.” The translators of the Septuagint rendered “from the right hand” as binyamin (Benjamin) the “Son of the Right Hand.” In other words our restoration would come from the Son of the Father’s right hand—the Messiah!

Hakkoz – Haqots – The Last One/The Thorny One – The Messiah, the One from the right hand of the Holy One, would also be called “The Last One.” The Apostle Paul calls Yeshua the “last Adam” in 1 Corinthians 15.45. The first Adam had a terrible failure—the last Adam will not fail. He will triumph over sin and buy us back!

Messiah was crowned with thorns by blasphemous mankind that didn’t want any divine rule over their lives. Thorns are a sign of the earth that was cursed. When the crown of thorns was placed upon Messiah’s head the burden of a cursed creation was thrust upon Him.

Abijah – AveeYah – My Father is Yah – This eighth name in the priestly course provides us with detail to the nature of the Messiah who would come to restore mankind to the Father. There is a Creator and He has a Son--Proverbs 30.2-4. This scripture proclaims loud and clear that the Father indeed has a Son. The Son of the Father is the One who will be our Champion and Redeemer and bring us out of rebellion and make us loyal subjects in His Kingdom.

Jeshua – Yeyshua – Rescue/Salvation – This is the Messiah’s name—Yeshua, Salvation. Listed right after the name preceding, Abijah—My Father is Yah. How mightily the Ruach/Spirit works in the written word—placed exactly where it should be! The Spirit worked in the minds and hearts of the writers of this list. The Messiah is our salvation and rescuer.

Shecaniah – SkekanYahu – Indwelling of Yahu/Habitation of Yahu – After the coming of Messiah and our rebirth the Spirit/Ruach comes to indwell those whom He has restored. Once we have a harmonious nature again, the Creator has nothing preventing Him from coming into an intimate relationship with those He has made in His own image—John 14.23.

Eliashib – Elyasheev – El Will Return/Restore – This name reveals the future fulfillment of the return of Messiah to this earth—the second coming. This will begin the work of reunification of Judah and Israel. The joining of the two sticks in Ezekiel 37.15-28 of which we all are a part of.

Jakim – Yaqeem – He Will Raise – When Messiah appears again the first action He will take will be to raise the dead who have believed in Him through the ages. This is the first resurrection (Rev 20). These will immediately receive incorruptible bodies to serve Him in the MK (Millennial Kingdom). This kingdom will be physically built on this earth. Read Ezekiel chapters 46-48.

Huppah – Chupah – Canopy/Wedding Chamber – When Messiah returns we will enter into a covenantal marriage ceremony with Him. The Chupah is the material covering that is held over the bride and groom in Hebrew wedding ceremonies. We will be entering His tent.

Jeshebeab – Yesheb’ab – Seat of His Father – The Son of the Right Hand, Messiah, will sit down on the throne of Israel, acting as King of the nation and the earth, in the seat that His Father has prepared for Him. Micah 4.1-2

Bilgah – Beelgah – Bursting Forth/Firstborn – Messiah is the first born of the Father. He has come as the Firstborn righteous King, but only after a time of trial and great trouble on this earth. Interestingly the name Bilgah/Beelgah has a numeric value in Hebrew of 40. This is the number used as testing and trial in the scriptures. The Messiah will restore and heal the world that man has almost destroyed. The Torah will be taught to the nations and will be the Royal Law of the Kingdom.

Immer – Eemeyr – Lamb – This name corresponds to the nature of the Messiah. He is the Lamb of Yah, slain to save the world. The nations will understand that he is the only provision for having the wrath of Elohim pass over them! They must look to the Lamb for salvation from the Father’s anger and judgment.

Hezir – Cheyzeer – To Be Strong – This name fits perfectly in line with the Lamb. The Lamb which was slain is now strong and powerful—strong as a lion (Rev 5.5-10). He is the Leader of the Flock, respected and feared.

Aphses – hapeetseyts – The Scattered – One of the Lamb’s many tasks is to bring the scattered remnants of the tribes of Israel home to the land. This includes those whom have been grafted into Israel (Romans 11). He will join the two sticks of Ezekiel 37 into one nation. We will receive inheritance in the land (Ezekiel 47.22-23) and forever rest in Messiah.

Pethahiah – PethachYah – Door of Yah – This has to do with the bringing back of the scattered tribes from all the lands we have been scattered to over many millennia (Isaiah 66.20-24). Among these some will become priests to serve in the Temple. The door is opened to all who have been scattered and forgot their identities.

Jehezekel – Yechazq’El – El Will Be Strong – This is basically the same as the name of Ezekiel- El will be Strong. It shows a firm grip or hold on the world to come. The nations will finally see the reality of the MK manifested on earth. They will know exactly what is required of them by the Creator. Messiah will rule with a rod of iron (Ps 2.9).

Jachin – Yakeen – He Will Establish/Prepare – This is about preparing the world to receive the ultimate kingship of the Holy One when Messiah Yeshua turns over all of creation into the hands of His sovereign Father to rule from everlasting to everlasting (1 Corinthians 15.25-28).

Gamul – Gamul – Reward – When all is said and done, when the MK reign of Messiah has come to an end, all that is left is for the inhabitants of the earth to receive their eternal reward, whether good or bad (Daniel 12.2). This is the Great White Throne judgment in Revelation 20.11-15. Court will be in session!

Delaiah – DelaYahu – Deliverance of Yahu – At the end of this great span of history, when all wrongs have been righted, that the salvation of Yah will be finally realized in all of creation. The creation will cease from groaning. The eternal plan of the Father and salvation, redemption, and deliverance is complete.

Maaziah – Ma’azYahu – Fortification of Yahu – This final event would be the celestial city of New Jerusalem. The Palace, the Fortress of Elohim will be with man in a way has not yet be experienced. This name literally means Ma’oz—“A Stronghold.” The eternal presence of the Holy One with His people in His Stronghold, the heavenly New Jerusalem.

We will be united as one in praise and adoration in harmony with the Creator.