Who was Jeiel in the Bible?

Jeiel, also called Jehiah, was a Levite who served as both a musician and a gatekeeper during King David's reign. He is specifically noted for his role in the procession bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21).

What did Jeiel do in the Bible?

Jeiel was appointed as a musician to play the harp during the joyous celebration of the Ark's return to Jerusalem. He also served as a gatekeeper, a vital role in guarding the sacred tent that housed the Ark before the temple was built (1 Chronicles 15:18, 23).

Why is Jeiel significant in the Bible?

Jeiel represents the dedicated service of the Levites in worship and temple duties. His participation in the Ark's procession highlights the importance of music and orderly worship in Israel's history under David's leadership (1 Chronicles 15:1-2, 16).

Jeiel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLevite

Jeiel (or Jehiah) was a Levite who served as a musician and gatekeeper during the time of David, particularly in the transportation of the ark to Jerusalem.

Jeiel

Biography

Jeiel (also identified with Jehiah in 1 Chronicles 15:24) was a Levite appointed by David to serve as both a musician and a gatekeeper during the solemn procession that brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. Mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15:18 and 15:21, he was among the second-order Levitical musicians assigned to play the lyre. The transportation of the ark, after the earlier fatal attempt that cost Uzzah his life, was conducted with meticulous attention to proper Levitical procedure, and Jeiel's appointment reflected David's renewed commitment to worshipping God according to the prescribed order. His dual role as musician and gatekeeper positioned him at the intersection of sacred music and the guardianship of holy space during this defining moment.

Significance

Jeiel's service during the ark's procession to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15) places him at one of the pivotal moments in Israel's worship history, the moment when the ark, symbol of God's presence, was permanently installed within David's city. His role underscores the theological importance of ordered, reverent worship: David's first attempt to move the ark ended in tragedy because proper protocol was ignored, but the second succeeded when Levites like Jeiel performed their appointed duties faithfully. His example affirms that genuine worship requires both heartfelt devotion and careful attention to the manner in which God has prescribed his people to approach him, a lesson with enduring liturgical and spiritual significance.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 35:9

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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