1 Chronicles 23 16

1 Chronicles 23:16 kjv

Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.

1 Chronicles 23:16 nkjv

Of the sons of Gershon, Shebuel was the first.

1 Chronicles 23:16 niv

The descendants of Gershom: Shubael was the first.

1 Chronicles 23:16 esv

The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief.

1 Chronicles 23:16 nlt

The descendants of Gershom included Shebuel, the family leader.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

1 Chronicles 23 16 Meaning

1 Chronicles 23:16 specifically delineates the perpetual and divinely ordained role of Aaron and his descendants within the Levitical tribe. It establishes their exclusive priestly duties, which include handling the most sacred objects and aspects of worship, offering incense directly to the LORD, ministering continuously in God's service, and invoking divine blessings upon the people forever. This verse underscores the unique separation and consecrated purpose of the Aaronic priesthood.

1 Chronicles 23 16 Context

First Chronicles chapter 23 commences David's comprehensive reorganization and enumeration of the Levites and priests. This meticulous accounting was undertaken as preparation for the future Temple worship under Solomon, ensuring order, accountability, and the proper fulfillment of all sanctuary duties. David, though prevented from building the Temple himself, established the necessary framework for its perpetual service. Verse 16 appears within the larger genealogical listing of the Kohathite clan, highlighting the lineage of Amram, who fathered both Moses and Aaron. While Moses's importance is universally acknowledged, the verse shifts focus to Aaron, specifically detailing his and his sons' unique, hereditary, and permanent separation for the consecrated role of priesthood. This particular emphasis served to affirm the legitimacy and divine origin of the Aaronic priesthood for the post-exilic community, re-establishing confidence in the restored Temple's personnel and worship practices.

1 Chronicles 23 16 Word analysis

• Of the sons of Amram: (מִבְּנֵ֣י עַמְרָם֙ - mi-b'nei Amram). Amram, a prominent Kohathite Levite (Ex 6:18, Num 3:19), connects this verse directly to the lineage established from Levi, solidifying the hereditary claim of Aaron's line within the legitimate tribal structure.
• Aaron: (אַהֲרֹן - Aharon). Moses's older brother, divinely chosen by God as the first high priest (Ex 28:1), and progenitor of the priestly line responsible for mediating between God and Israel through sacrifices and rituals.
• and Moses: (וּמֹשֶׁ֑ה - u-Mosheh). Moses, the Lawgiver and covenant mediator, shared Amram as a father with Aaron. His inclusion acknowledges his familial connection but implicitly contrasts his prophetic and legislative role with Aaron's distinct priestly office.
• and Aaron was separated: (וַיִּבָּדֵ֞ל אַהֲרֹן - va-yi-ba-del Aharon). The verb badal (בדל) signifies a strong, decisive setting apart or demarcation for a specific, holy purpose. This emphasizes divine ordination and exclusive dedication, indicating that Aaron's role was unique and divinely differentiated from even his brother Moses, let alone the general Levites.
• that he should sanctify: (לְהַקְדִּ֛ישׁ - le-haqdish). From the root qadash (קדש), "to be holy" or "to make holy." Aaron's priestly function involved rendering things, places, or people holy or fit for God's presence, signifying his authority to mediate sacredness.
• the most holy things: (קֹ֣דֶשׁ קָדָשִׁ֗ים - qodesh qadashim). This superlative Hebrew construction, "holiness of holies," designates items of extreme sanctity within the tabernacle/temple. Examples include the Ark of the Covenant, the altar of incense, or specific parts of offerings, highlighting the priests' exclusive access and the utmost reverence required in handling them.
• he and his sons forever: (ה֤וּא וּבָנָיו֙ עַד־עוֹלָ֔ם - hu u-banav ad-olam). This crucial phrase underscores the hereditary and perpetual nature of the Aaronic priesthood. 'Olam (עולם) denotes a continuing, indefinite duration, as long as the covenant order it serves is in place. It implies God's unchanging intention for this specific priestly line.
• to burn incense before the LORD: (לְהַקְטִ֨יר לִפְנֵי יְהוָ֜ה - le-haqtir lifnei YHVH). A highly specific and intimate priestly ritual performed daily on the altar of incense in the Holy Place (Ex 30:7-8). Incense symbolized prayer and the ascent of devotion, demonstrating the priest's mediating role between God and Israel.
• to minister unto him: (לְשָׁרְתֽוֹ - le-shar'to). From sharath (שרת), meaning "to serve" or "attend." This term encompasses the broader array of priestly duties beyond specific rituals, including all forms of dedicated service within the sanctuary, upholding its sanctity and ensuring its operation.
• and to bless his name forever: (וּלְבָרֵ֥ךְ בִּשְׁמוֹ֙ עַד־עוֹלָֽם - u-le-varekh bish'mo ad-olam). This refers to the special priestly benediction (Num 6:23-27), pronouncing God's favor and grace upon the people. To "bless in His name" signifies performing this act by divine authority and as God's representatives. The repeated "forever" reinforces the enduring nature of this covenant privilege and responsibility.

Words-group analysis:

• "Of the sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses": This introduction firmly establishes the lineage, but simultaneously sets the stage for distinguishing between two figures of paramount importance from the same familial root, signaling that while both are from Amram, their divinely appointed paths diverge.
• "Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons forever": This segment encapsulates the essence of the Aaronic priesthood. The "separation" is the key act, highlighting divine appointment over human choice. The "sanctifying the most holy things" defines the unique, sacred nature of their office, implying extreme proximity to God and sacred responsibility. The hereditary and "forever" clauses emphasize the established, unbroken lineage of their sacred duty.
• "to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless his name forever": These three clauses comprehensively define the primary functions of the Aaronic priests: performing the highly symbolic act of offering incense (representing intercession and worship), encompassing all general service within the sanctuary, and serving as channels for God's blessings to His people. The perpetual nature ("forever") reiterates the enduring covenant of the priesthood.

1 Chronicles 23 16 Bonus section

The Chronicles account emphasizes David's diligent preparation for the Temple's spiritual functions, demonstrating divine order and legitimate succession as key to faithful worship. The careful enumeration of the Levitical divisions and their specific duties, culminating in this focused declaration about the Aaronic priesthood, counters any post-exilic tendencies towards disorder or illegitimate claims to sacred roles. The focus on the Aaronic duties as "forever" points to God's steadfastness and continuity of purpose, even through the turmoil of exile. It speaks to an unchangeable divine decree regarding His method of worship and dealing with sin until Christ's coming fulfilled it. This structure reinforces the idea that Israel's identity and communion with God were inextricably linked to these ordained practices and consecrated personnel.

1 Chronicles 23 16 Commentary

1 Chronicles 23:16 succinctly reiterates the distinct and everlasting divine commission for Aaron and his descendants within the framework of Levitical service. Written for a post-exilic audience, this detailed record was vital for legitimizing and organizing the priesthood for the restored temple. The "separation" of Aaron indicates a unique, holy, and divinely mandated demarcation, setting his line apart even from other Levites and from his brother Moses, who held a distinct leadership role. This sacred office specifically entailed stewardship of "the most holy things"—objects and aspects of the sanctuary profoundly imbued with God's holiness, necessitating extreme reverence and exclusive access. The verse outlines the core duties: burning incense, which symbolized intercessory prayer and worship; general ministering within the sacred precinct, encompassing all duties necessary for proper service; and pronouncing blessings in God's name, signifying their role as conduits of divine grace to the people. The repetition of "forever" emphasizes the perpetual nature of this covenantal appointment, a promise of God's enduring order. While the Old Covenant priesthood eventually found its perfect fulfillment and superseded by Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 7), this verse fundamentally explains the profound seriousness, sacredness, and divinely established structure of Old Testament worship. It underscores that access to God was strictly regulated and mediated by those divinely called and consecrated, ultimately foreshadowing the singular perfect access found through Christ's sacrifice and high priesthood.