1 Chronicles 23 22

1 Chronicles 23:22 kjv

And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.

1 Chronicles 23:22 nkjv

And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but only daughters; and their brethren, the sons of Kish, took them as wives.

1 Chronicles 23:22 niv

Eleazar died without having sons: he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.

1 Chronicles 23:22 esv

Eleazar died having no sons, but only daughters; their kinsmen, the sons of Kish, married them.

1 Chronicles 23:22 nlt

Eleazar died with no sons, only daughters. His daughters married their cousins, the sons of Kish.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

1 Chronicles 23 22 Meaning

First Chronicles 23:22 describes a specific situation concerning the lineage of Eleazar, a Levite from the Merari clan. It states that Eleazar died without male heirs, leaving only daughters. To maintain the family's lineage and ensure the inheritance remained within the clan as prescribed by Mosaic Law, his daughters were married by their close relatives, specifically the sons of Kish, who were also from the Merari lineage and thus kinsmen. This verse quietly but significantly demonstrates the careful adherence to tribal and familial integrity within ancient Israel, especially concerning the Levitical lines central to temple service.

1 Chronicles 23 22 Context

First Chronicles chapter 23 begins with David's preparations for the construction of the Temple and the organization of the Levites for their service. This chapter meticulously outlines the roles and divisions of the three main Levitical clans: Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites. Eleazar belonged to the Merarite clan, a prominent family among the Levites responsible for specific duties related to the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). The larger context of Chronicles emphasizes legitimate kingship, pure worship, and the importance of established order in divine service. Genealogies, like the one in verse 22, were not merely records but affirmed the purity and validity of the priestly and Levitical lines. This verse, though seemingly a domestic detail, demonstrates the practical application of Mosaic Law concerning inheritance within tribal boundaries, specifically the regulations set forth in Numbers chapters 27 and 36, which prevented tribal land from shifting ownership if daughters inherited.

1 Chronicles 23 22 Word analysis

• And Eleazar: Refers to Eleazar, the son of Mahli, and grandson of Merari (as established in 1 Chron 23:21). His identification places this account firmly within the Merarite branch of the Levites, who were distinct from Aaron's priestly descendants though both were Levites.
• died: A simple, definitive statement indicating the cessation of his life, which immediately raised the issue of inheritance and lineage continuity.
• and had no sons: Crucial detail for the narrative. In ancient Israelite society, the absence of male heirs was a significant challenge for maintaining a family line, its name, and its land inheritance, particularly within a patriarchal system.
• but daughters only: This provides the alternative to a male heir. While not ideal for preserving the direct family name in a patriarchal society, Mosaic Law had provisions for such cases, preventing destitution for the daughters and addressing the land inheritance.
• Their kinsmen: Hebrew: אֲחֵיהֶם ('aḥêhem), literally "their brothers," referring broadly to male relatives or kinsmen within the extended family or clan. This term emphasizes the close blood relation, ensuring that the inheritance would not pass out of the ancestral lineage.
• the sons of Kish: Specifically identifies the male relatives from the same lineage who were tasked with taking the daughters as wives. Kish was Eleazar's brother (1 Chron 23:21), meaning these marriages were between first cousins, which was permitted and often encouraged to keep inheritance and property within the immediate family line. This confirms the direct lineage adherence.
• took them as wives: Hebrew: וַיִּשְּׂאוּם לְנָשִׁים (wayyiśśə'ûm lᵉnāšîm), literally "and they lifted/carried them for wives," an idiomatic expression meaning they married them. This action directly fulfilled the legal requirements for inheriting daughters to marry within their clan to preserve the tribal inheritance.
• "And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only": This phrase establishes the predicament requiring a specific legal response. It highlights the familial void that needed to be addressed according to covenant laws.
• "Their kinsmen, the sons of Kish, took them as wives": This phrase details the divinely ordained solution. It underscores the importance of maintaining tribal land and familial lineage among the Levites, crucial for their ordered service in the Tabernacle/Temple as detailed elsewhere in Chronicles. The marriage ensures that Eleazar's inheritance (though Levites received no land inheritance in the same way other tribes did, they still had lineage rights and responsibilities tied to service and levitical cities) remains connected to the family of Merari.

1 Chronicles 23 22 Bonus section

• This verse subtly reinforces the patriarchal nature of ancient Israelite society while simultaneously showcasing God's gracious provision within that structure for women (daughters inheriting) who would otherwise be left vulnerable.
• The meticulous genealogies throughout Chronicles served to authenticate claims to various positions of authority and service (especially for priests and Levites) and to link the returning exiles to their heritage, emphasizing continuity of God's covenant plan through generations.
• The inclusion of this domestic detail in a larger narrative about temple organization highlights that proper worship and national order were intricately linked to healthy, lawful family structures, showcasing the holistic nature of God's law for Israel.
• This verse reflects divine foresight in addressing the challenge of property and lineage, ensuring that the "borders" of the tribes were not moved, echoing ancient concerns for family identity and stability rooted in divine commandment.

1 Chronicles 23 22 Commentary

First Chronicles 23:22, nestled within a detailed genealogy of the Levites, might seem like a mere factual notation. However, its inclusion is deliberate and significant. It illustrates the practical application of specific Mosaic laws concerning inheritance, particularly Numbers 27 and 36, which provided for daughters to inherit when there were no sons, on the condition that they marry within their tribe to prevent tribal boundaries and land allocation from being diluted. This verse, therefore, speaks to the rigorous adherence to God's ordained order within Israelite society.

For the Levites, maintaining their specific lineages was paramount, not primarily for land ownership (as they had none outside of scattered cities, Deut 18:1-2), but for their designated roles in Temple service and worship. Each Levitical family had specific duties, and purity of descent ensured the proper performance of these roles. Eleazar's daughters marrying the sons of Kish (Eleazar's brother's descendants) reinforced the intricate familial bonds and preserved the integrity of the Merarite line within the broader Levitical structure established by David. This was not a matter of convenience but obedience to covenant principles, demonstrating God's oversight even in seemingly mundane family affairs and highlighting the meticulous planning for divine service that characterized David's preparations for the Temple. It reveals a deep-seated value for order, inheritance, and fidelity to ancestral statutes within the people of God.