1 Chronicles 23:15 kjv
The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.
1 Chronicles 23:15 nkjv
The sons of Moses were Gershon and Eliezer.
1 Chronicles 23:15 niv
The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.
1 Chronicles 23:15 esv
The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.
1 Chronicles 23:15 nlt
The sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer.
1 Chronicles 23 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 2:22 | She bore a son, and he called his name Gershom... | Naming of Gershom, meaning "stranger there." |
| Exod 18:3-4 | his two sons... the name of the one was Gershom... the name of the other Eliezer... | Moses's sons mentioned by name, with Eliezer's meaning explained. |
| 1 Chr 23:14 | The sons of Moses, the man of God, were reckoned among the tribe of Levi. | Direct preceding verse emphasizing Moses's sons as Levites. |
| 1 Chr 26:24 | Shebuel the son of Gershom, son of Moses, was chief officer... | Further details on Gershom's descendant Shebuel's role as treasurer. |
| 1 Chr 26:25 | His brothers: from Eliezer were Rehabiah his son... | Further details on Eliezer's descendant Rehabiah. |
| Num 3:39 | All the numbered Levites... from Moses and Aaron's commandment... | Levites were under Moses's initial organization. |
| Num 4:46-47 | all who were numbered of the Levites... for service... | Enumeration of Levites for service. |
| 1 Chr 24:1 | The divisions of the sons of Aaron... | Contrasts with Aaron's sons, who were priests, unlike Moses's Levite sons. |
| Num 1:49 | "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number... for service." | Levi set apart, not numbered for war but for sanctuary service. |
| Psa 105:26 | He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. | Highlights Moses's unique role as God's chosen servant. |
| Heb 3:1-2 | consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest... faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was. | Moses's faithfulness is a standard, paralleling Christ's. |
| Ezra 8:15 | I reviewed the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi... | Emphasis on meticulous lineage for return from exile and temple service. |
| Neh 11:3-19 | Chiefs of the province... Of the priests... the Levites... | Further emphasis on the need for specific lineages for post-exilic temple roles. |
| Mal 3:3 | He will purify the sons of Levi... | Prophetic word about the future purification and consecration of the Levitical priesthood. |
| 1 Sam 2:35 | I will raise up for myself a faithful priest... | God's promise to establish a faithful priestly line. |
| Matt 3:9 | "do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'... " | Lineage alone does not guarantee favor, but spiritual commitment does. |
| John 1:17 | For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. | Distinguishes Moses's role as lawgiver from Christ's as giver of grace/truth. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | Spiritual "priesthood" in the New Testament is for all believers, not just a lineage. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | In Christ, natural lineage distinctions are superseded by spiritual unity. |
| Rev 1:6 | and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father... | Believers as a spiritual kingdom and priests. |
1 Chronicles 23 verses
1 Chronicles 23 15 Meaning
1 Chronicles 23:15 directly states that Moses had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. This verse is a concise part of a broader enumeration of the Levites' lineage, specifically those designated for service in the tabernacle, and later the temple, under King David's organizational structure. It identifies the immediate descendants of Moses within the Levitical tribe.
1 Chronicles 23 15 Context
1 Chronicles 23:15 is situated within King David's preparations for the construction and perpetual service of the temple. After ruling for 30 years and growing old, David meticulously organizes the Levitical tribe into divisions for their diverse duties (1 Chr 23:1-6). The Levites, initially set apart for the Tabernacle service, were now being organized for a more extensive and permanent role in the soon-to-be-built Temple. This chapter details their various roles, ages for service, and family groups.
Verse 14 introduces the "sons of Moses, the man of God," stating that they were "reckoned among the tribe of Levi," thereby making it explicit that Moses's descendants, like other Levites, were part of the general Levitical order and not granted any special, higher priestly status due to their direct ancestor being Moses himself. Verse 15 then specifies the two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, by name, ensuring the completeness and accuracy of the Levitical roster. The historical and cultural context underscores the supreme importance of genealogy in ancient Israel, which served to establish tribal identity, confirm land claims, and, most crucially for this book, validate eligibility for priestly and Levitical service. The Chronicler's intense focus on these lists emphasizes legitimate worship practices and the divine order established for the people of God.
1 Chronicles 23 15 Word analysis
- The sons of: The Hebrew term is וּבְנֵי (u'v'nei), a construct form of "sons" (בָּנִים - banim) with a prefixed waw-conjunction meaning "and." The conjunction links this statement to the preceding enumeration, signifying continuity within the list of Levite families. The phrase emphasizes lineal descent, which was fundamental in Israel for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, and eligibility for roles, especially religious service. It confirms these two individuals' direct parentage to Moses.
- Moses: מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh). This refers to the towering figure of Israelite history, the lawgiver, prophet, and mediator of the Old Covenant. Mentioning his sons directly highlights their notable lineage. However, unlike Aaron's sons, who were designated priests, Moses's sons are integrated simply within the wider Levitical order. This demonstrates that privilege or high office did not automatically pass by direct succession even from the greatest leader, but rather according to God's specific decree (like the Aaronite priesthood).
- were Gershom: גֵּרְשׁוֹם (Gershom). His name means "a stranger there" (Exod 2:22), reflecting Moses's condition as a sojourner in Midian after fleeing Egypt. This name is a perpetual reminder of Moses's past, his initial separation, and God's hand guiding him. While significant, the verse doesn't grant him special status beyond his Levitical role.
- and Eliezer: וֶאֱלִיעֶזֶר (ve'Eli'ezer). His name means "my God is help" (Exod 18:4), given by Moses because "the God of my father was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh." Like Gershom, his name speaks of God's direct intervention in Moses's life. The names carry theological weight, reflecting divine deliverance and faithfulness. The pairing of Gershom and Eliezer completes the roster of Moses's known biological male offspring.
- The sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer: This phrase serves to precisely identify the specific descendants of Moses within the Levitical listing. It reinforces that despite Moses's singular position as God's chosen servant and the law-giver, his own immediate family members were to serve as part of the general Levite group. This clarifies that priestly succession was limited exclusively to the lineage of Aaron, Moses's brother, according to God's specific command. It highlights the structured nature of roles within the tribe of Levi, preventing any claim to higher office simply based on a relationship with the nation's founder.
1 Chronicles 23 15 Bonus section
The descendants of Gershom and Eliezer are detailed in later verses (1 Chr 26:24-25), with specific individuals holding significant roles such as treasurers of the storehouses of the house of God and temple administration. This shows that while Moses's immediate sons did not become priests, their descendants were still involved in important Levitical service, illustrating God's faithfulness to continue to use those within the ordained Levitical line. The fact that their lineage is carefully tracked emphasizes the importance of accurate genealogies for all who served in the tabernacle/temple.
1 Chronicles 23 15 Commentary
1 Chronicles 23:15 provides a clear statement regarding the immediate family of Moses, the paramount figure in Israelite history. This verse is not about celebrating Moses's family, but rather meticulously detailing the Levitical families eligible for Temple service. It reinforces that while Moses was God's chosen deliverer and lawgiver, his sons, Gershom and Eliezer, were categorized squarely within the ordinary Levitical ranks. They did not inherit a special priestly or leadership status, in contrast to the exclusive priesthood granted to the lineage of Aaron, Moses's brother. This detail highlights God's specific and unalterable divine order regarding sacred service, emphasizing that privilege was by divine appointment, not hereditary right through just any prominent figure. The Chronicler's inclusion of this information serves to ensure the integrity and legitimacy of the Levitical system as established by David, under divine guidance.