Who was Kemuel in the Bible?

Kemuel was the son of Hebron and a Levite leader during the reign of King David. He was appointed by David to oversee the service of the Levites in the worship of God (1 Chronicles 26:30).

What was Kemuel's role in King David's administration?

Kemuel served as a chief officer over the Levites, responsible for the work of the Lord and the service of the king west of the Jordan River. His role was crucial in organizing the religious and administrative duties of the Levitical tribe (1 Chronicles 26:30).

Why is Kemuel a significant biblical figure?

Kemuel's significance lies in his leadership role during a pivotal time in Israel's history, helping to establish orderly worship under King David. His appointment highlights the importance David placed on proper religious administration for the nation.

Kemuel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeaderLevite

Kemuel, the son of Hebron, was the leader of the Levites during the reign of King David.

Kemuel

Biography

Kemuel son of Hebron was a Levite leader appointed by King David during his comprehensive reorganization of the Levitical orders in preparation for the temple his son Solomon would build. His name appears in 1 Chronicles 27:17, where he is identified as the officer over the tribe of Levi in David's administrative roster of tribal leaders. As a son of Hebron, one of the Levitical clans descended from Kohath, Kemuel represented a family with ancient priestly heritage. David's administrative organization listed one leader per tribe, and Kemuel's appointment to oversee the Levites reflects both his personal stature within the clan and David's intent to ensure that the Levites were properly integrated into the national infrastructure he was building. His role was administrative as much as spiritual, coordinating the large community of Levites across Israel during a period of unprecedented national consolidation.

Significance

Kemuel son of Hebron illustrates how God's purposes advance through both charismatic leadership and careful institutional organization. David's appointment of tribal officers, including a Levitical overseer, was not mere bureaucracy but an act of covenant faithfulness, ensuring that the worship structures of Israel were properly administered as the kingdom expanded. Kemuel's position at the intersection of Levitical heritage and royal administration reflects the important truth that spiritual communities require wise governance. His role also foreshadows the elaborate Levitical organization described in 1 Chronicles 23-26, which provided the institutional scaffolding for the temple worship that would define Israel's identity for generations. Leaders like Kemuel, who served faithfully in administrative roles, made possible the flourishing of public worship.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 27:17

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources