1 Chronicles 23 21

1 Chronicles 23:21 kjv

The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

1 Chronicles 23:21 nkjv

The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

1 Chronicles 23:21 niv

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

1 Chronicles 23:21 esv

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

1 Chronicles 23:21 nlt

The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

1 Chronicles 23 21 Cross References

Verse Text Reference
Gen 46:11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Origin of the Levitical tribes.
Ex 6:19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. Specific ancestral lineage of Mahli.
Num 3:17, 33 These were the sons of Levi by their names, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari... Of Merari were the family of the Mahlites... Lists Merari's families and their divisions.
Num 4:29-30 Concerning the sons of Merari, you shall register them by their families... From thirty years old up to fifty years old... Specific duties and age for Merarite service (carrying Tabernacle items).
Num 26:57 These are those who were numbered of the Levites according to their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites. Census confirming distinct Levitical families.
1 Chr 6:19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar, and Kish. Directly corroborates the genealogy in parallel passage.
1 Chr 9:14 and of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari... Highlights Levites residing in Jerusalem after the exile, emphasizing ongoing lineage.
1 Chr 23:6 These were the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The immediate familial context for the overall Levitical organization.
1 Chr 24:26-29 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah... Kish... Of Mahli: Eleazar, and Kish. Further detailing the lineage and variations within Merari's descendants, confirming Eleazar and Kish.
1 Chr 23:27 For David said, "The Lord God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever." Therefore the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle and any of its articles for their service... Context for the redefinition of Levitical roles and age requirements due to a permanent Temple.
1 Chr 28:13, 21 ...also for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of the service... David's plans for specific roles in the temple.
Ezra 8:18 Then, by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; namely, Sherebiah... Importance of Mahli's line even in post-exilic times for temple leadership.
Neh 12:24-26 And the heads of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers beside them... Mentions leading Levites in various capacities, reflecting an organized structure.
Rom 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Analogy for diversity of spiritual gifts and roles in the Church.
1 Cor 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers... Divine appointment to roles in the New Covenant church.
1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Emphasis on divine order, applicable to sacred service.
Eph 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Christ-given offices and roles for building up the church.
1 Pet 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. New Covenant priesthood of all believers.
Heb 8:5 who serve the copy and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed... Earthly temple service as a shadow of heavenly realities, highlighting divine pattern.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

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1 Chronicles 23 21 Meaning

This verse states that the sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. It is a part of the comprehensive listing of the Levitical families and their lineages, which David meticulously organized for service in the future Temple that his son Solomon would build. It specifically traces a branch of the Merarite family, descendants of Levi, detailing who would inherit and carry forward the designated sacred responsibilities.

1 Chronicles 23 21 Context

First Chronicles chapter 23 begins David's organization of the Levites for the future Temple service in Jerusalem, a crucial preparatory step before Solomon constructs the temple. Recognizing that the period of the nomadic Tabernacle was ending, David reorganizes the Levites, who no longer needed to carry the tabernacle and its vessels (1 Chr 23:26). Their new primary roles would be to assist the Aaronite priests in various Temple functions: offering sacrifices, assisting with purification, guarding the temple, preparing showbread, and conducting worship (1 Chr 23:28-32). The chapter meticulously lists the lineages of Levi’s three sons—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—down to specific family heads. Verse 21 is embedded within the section detailing the descendants of Merari (1 Chr 23:21-23), establishing the direct line from Mahli through his sons Eleazar and Kish, thereby defining who would participate in the re-ordered service. Historically, genealogies were paramount in ancient Israel for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, inheritance, and qualifications for sacred service. David's meticulous record-keeping underscores the divine pattern of order and designated roles in Yahweh's worship, serving as an ordered counterpoint to chaotic pagan cults.

1 Chronicles 23 21 Word analysis

  • The sons of (בְּנֵי - bə·nê): This plural construct noun indicates direct progeny, establishing a clear lineal relationship. In the context of Levitical duties, this phrase is fundamental, as eligibility for specific service was determined by ancestry and family line, not by individual choice. This highlights God's established order and inheritance within the priesthood.
  • Mahli (מַחְלִ֖י - maḥ·lî): A specific individual name within the Merarite line (Ex 6:19, Num 3:33). As a grandson of Levi through Merari, Mahli's descendants belonged to one of the main Levitical branches responsible for specific aspects of Temple service. The precision of the name underscores the importance of an exact genealogical record for administrative and spiritual order.
  • were: Implied in the Hebrew construction, this simply declares the factual relationship of Eleazar and Kish as Mahli's offspring. It is a straightforward statement of lineage.
  • Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָ֥ר - ’el·‘ā·zār): A common Hebrew name meaning "God has helped." This specific Eleazar is not the more famous son of Aaron (who was a Kohathite priest), emphasizing the need for careful distinction within the various Levitical families, despite shared names. His inclusion validates his eligibility for service according to the divine decree and Davidic order.
  • and Kish (וָקִֽישׁ - wā·qîš): This name could mean "snare" or "bow." Like Eleazar, Kish is another specific son of Mahli, listed to further delineate the family line. The inclusion of two sons signifies the continuation and perhaps expansion of this particular branch's involvement in the Temple service.
  • "The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish": This entire phrase establishes the genealogical connection that determines the sacred duties assigned to this family line. It shows the meticulous effort to ensure that the temple service would be carried out by those divinely ordained through lineage. This reflects God's value of order, proper procedure, and specific appointment in sacred things, ensuring the continuity and purity of worship according to His design.

1 Chronicles 23 21 Bonus section

The Chronicler's intense focus on genealogies, especially for the Levites and priests, highlights their critical role in the restored community after the Babylonian exile. By meticulously recording these lineages, the Chronicler sought to confirm the identity and legitimacy of those called to serve in the Second Temple, linking them directly back to the original Mosaic and Davidic appointments. This precise recording provided spiritual assurance and underscored the divine continuity of Israel's worship, reminding them that God's covenant with Levi endured. It also implicitly distinguished true worshippers and authorized ministers from unauthorized individuals or foreign cultic practices that had permeated during periods of spiritual decline.

1 Chronicles 23 21 Commentary

First Chronicles 23:21, though seemingly a mere genealogical notation, serves as a testament to David's foresight and the meticulous divine ordering of Israel's worship. It emphasizes that service to God was not arbitrary but precisely delineated by lineage, particularly for the Levites. The enumeration of Mahli's sons, Eleazar and Kish, reinforces the continuity of the Merarite line and their role in the forthcoming Temple. This organizational structure underscored the sacredness and precision required for operating in God's presence, highlighting His nature as a God of order. It reveals David's wisdom in preparing not just the materials for the Temple but also the human infrastructure required for its ongoing ministry, laying a solid foundation for future generations to follow the Lord's pattern for worship.