1 Chronicles 23:14 kjv
Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
1 Chronicles 23:14 nkjv
Now the sons of Moses the man of God were reckoned to the tribe of Levi.
1 Chronicles 23:14 niv
The sons of Moses the man of God were counted as part of the tribe of Levi.
1 Chronicles 23:14 esv
But the sons of Moses the man of God were named among the tribe of Levi.
1 Chronicles 23:14 nlt
As for Moses, the man of God, his sons were included with the tribe of Levi.
1 Chronicles 23 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 28:1 | "Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons... to serve me as priests." | Aaron's initial priestly appointment. |
| Exo 29:9 | "You shall ordain Aaron and his sons, and you shall consecrate them to be priests..." | Consecration ritual for priesthood. |
| Lev 8:1-36 | Details the anointing and consecration of Aaron and his sons. | Ritual for priestly inauguration. |
| Num 3:10 | "You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood..." | Divine command for Aaronides' priestly guard. |
| Num 16:40 | "...a memorial to the people of Israel that no outsider... may come near to offer incense..." | Exclusion of unauthorized priesthood. |
| Exo 30:7-8 | "Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it... as a regular incense offering..." | Daily incense offering duty. |
| Lev 10:1-3 | Nadab and Abihu punished for offering "unauthorized fire." | Warning against unauthorized priestly actions. |
| Num 6:23-26 | "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people..." | Aaronic blessing, core priestly function. |
| Deu 10:8 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi... to bless in his name." | Levi's specific calling for service and blessing. |
| Deu 21:5 | "...the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the Lord your God has chosen them to minister..." | Priestly duty in legal and moral judgments. |
| Psa 135:19-20 | "O house of Aaron, bless the Lord! O house of Levi, bless the Lord!" | Priests called to bless the Lord. |
| 1 Chr 6:49 | "Aaron and his sons were priests, and they offered upon the altar of burnt offering..." | Recap of Aaronic duties on the altar. |
| Neh 13:29 | "Remember them, O my God, because they have polluted the priesthood..." | Concern for purity and proper priestly lineage. |
| Exo 27:21 | "...Aaron and his sons shall tend it... before the Lord..." | Ministering to the Lord. |
| Lev 6:14-23 | Instructions for the grain offering and priests' portion. | Handling holy offerings. |
| Num 4:5-15 | Directions for covering holy objects for transport. | Protecting and handling holy things. |
| Heb 5:1-5 | "For every high priest chosen from among men... no one takes this honor upon himself..." | Priestly appointment is divine, not self-appointed. |
| Heb 7:11-14 | The change from the Levitical priesthood to the priesthood of Christ. | Imperfection/transience of Aaronic priesthood. |
| Heb 7:23-28 | Christ's permanent, sinless priesthood, superior to many mortal priests. | Christ as the ultimate, eternal High Priest. |
| Heb 9:6-7 | High priest's access to the Most Holy Place yearly. | Aaronic High Priest's special access to God. |
| Exo 40:15 | "...their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations." | "Forever" or perpetual nature of priesthood. |
| Num 25:13 | "...he and his descendants after him, the covenant of a perpetual priesthood." | Phinehas's line, continuation of perpetual priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | Believers as a spiritual priesthood. |
| Rev 1:6 | "...and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father..." | Believers as priests serving God. |
1 Chronicles 23 verses
1 Chronicles 23 14 Meaning
This verse delineates the unique, consecrated role of Aaron and his descendants within the tribe of Levi, distinguishing them specifically for the perpetual duties of the priesthood. It highlights their divine appointment to handle sacred temple objects, offer incense, perform general priestly service before God, and pronounce divine blessings upon the people. This perpetual office was established by divine decree, enduring "forever" as a foundational element of Israelite worship and covenant relationship with God.
1 Chronicles 23 14 Context
First Chronicles 23 is situated within David's preparations for the construction and administration of the future temple by his son Solomon. As David approached the end of his reign, he systematically organized the Levites, who previously served in the Tabernacle, into distinct divisions for expanded temple duties. Chapter 23 outlines their new roles, age requirements, and genealogical divisions. Verses 13-19 specifically detail the division of Levi's descendants for the priesthood, which remained the exclusive domain of Aaron's lineage, a divine mandate since the Exodus. This verse emphasizes Aaron's unique, non-negotiable, and perpetual appointment amidst the broader Levitical organization, affirming the proper, God-ordained structure of worship in Israel, likely to prevent future deviation or unauthorized priestly service, a crucial point for the post-exilic community for whom Chronicles was compiled.
1 Chronicles 23 14 Word analysis
- The sons of Amram: Identifies the lineage immediately. Amram was a son of Kohath, who was a son of Levi. This establishes a specific genealogical branch within the Levites, vital for Israelite identity and divine roles.
- Aaron and Moses: Highlights both prominent figures but quickly shifts focus to Aaron. This subtly distinguishes Aaron's consecrated role for priestly duties from Moses' role as prophet and lawgiver, despite both being equally close to God and instrumental in the Exodus. Their shared ancestry emphasizes the divine election within one family but for different, specific purposes.
- Aaron was set apart (נִבְדַּל - nivdal): This signifies a distinct, divine separation and consecration for a holy purpose. It means "to be distinguished," "separated," or "divided." It's not a self-designation but a divine act, emphasizing divine initiation and authority.
- he and his sons forever (לְעוֹלָם - le'olam): The repetition of "forever" emphasizes the perpetual, hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood. It denotes an enduring covenant and succession through generations, signifying its non-negotiable status in Israel's religious life until the New Covenant.
- to sanctify the most holy things (לְקַדֵּשׁ קָדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים - l'qadesh qadshei haqqodashim): This refers to their exclusive authority and responsibility over the "Holy of Holies" (qadshei haqqodashim), indicating objects or parts of the Tabernacle/Temple that were supremely sacred and could only be handled by consecrated priests. It implies mediating between God's absolute holiness and human interaction with divine presence.
- to burn incense before the Lord (לְהַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - l'haqtir qetoret lifney YHWH): A specific, regular, and exclusive priestly duty. Incense symbolized the prayers of the saints ascending to God and served as an atoning function, making an important aromatic offering. "Before the Lord" highlights their direct access and representative role in divine presence.
- and to minister to Him (וּלְשָׁרֵת אֹתוֹ - ulesharêt oto): This encompasses the broad range of priestly duties in the Tabernacle/Temple, beyond specific rituals, including caring for the holy objects, overseeing rituals, and general service directly to God's presence.
- and to pronounce blessings in His name (וּלְבָרֵךְ בִּשְׁמוֹ - ulevarekh bishmo): Refers directly to the Aaronic Blessing (Num 6:24-26). This function solidified their role as God's representatives, channeling divine favor and protection to the people. To bless "in His name" signifies performing the act with divine authority and invoking the divine character.
Words-group analysis
- Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever: This phrase underlines the concept of an exclusive, divinely ordained, and enduring priestly dynasty, differentiating Aaron’s lineage from the broader Levitical service and any potential rival priestly claims. The divine act of "setting apart" confers a unique status and purpose, not based on merit but divine election, to serve in perpetual covenant.
- to sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the Lord, and to minister to Him and to pronounce blessings in His name forever: These clustered duties outline the essential and profound responsibilities of the Aaronic priesthood. They signify their role as mediators between a holy God and an imperfect people. From handling sacred objects to intercession (incense), direct service, and conveying God's grace (blessing), their functions touched every aspect of the covenant relationship, perpetually upholding the standard of holiness and God's presence.
1 Chronicles 23 14 Bonus section
The chronicler's emphasis on Aaron's "forever" priesthood within a text focused on future temple service foreshadows the necessity of an enduring mediatorial role. While the earthly Aaronic priesthood had its boundaries and limitations, necessitating Christ's ultimate priesthood (Hebrews), it nonetheless served as a divine pointer to the continuous need for atonement and blessing. The precision of duties described also implicitly warns against ritualistic impurity and unauthorized actions, stressing that access to God’s holiness comes with strict conditions and divine sanction. This focus on meticulous detail reflects the importance of spiritual order and reverence in approaching the divine.
1 Chronicles 23 14 Commentary
This verse serves as a crucial theological anchor, firmly establishing the divine and permanent nature of the Aaronic priesthood within the comprehensive organization of the Levites during David's preparations for the Temple. It clarifies that while all Levites had service roles in the Temple, only Aaron and his direct descendants were consecrated to perform the most sacred duties: handling holy objects, offering incense, attending to God, and pronouncing the divine blessing. This reiterates that the priestly office was not a human invention or convenience but a direct, perpetual mandate from the Lord. For the returning exiles whom Chronicles addressed, this highlighted the importance of proper lineage and faithful adherence to God's ordained system of worship, reminding them that true access to God and His blessings flowed through the channels He established, awaiting the ultimate Priesthood of Christ.