1 Chronicles 6 1

1 Chronicles 6:1 kjv

The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:1 nkjv

The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:1 niv

The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:1 esv

The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:1 nlt

The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 1 Meaning

This verse establishes the foundational lineage of the tribe of Levi by naming Levi's three direct sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These individuals became the patriarchs of the three main Levitical clans from whom all Levites descended. Their specific lines would later be entrusted with distinct responsibilities in the Tabernacle and Temple service, highlighting the divine order and organization within Israel's worship system. The mention of these names at the very beginning of the detailed Levitical genealogies in 1 Chronicles serves to immediately anchor the historical and functional significance of this priestly tribe.

1 Chronicles 6 1 Context

First Chronicles chapter 6 is unique for being an extended genealogy devoted almost entirely to the tribe of Levi. Unlike other genealogical lists in Chronicles, this chapter meticulously traces various lines of the Levites, especially those involved in the Aaronic priesthood and those appointed to music service in the Temple. Verse 1 serves as the direct introduction to this detailed account, laying the fundamental tripartite division of the Levite tribe before delving into the extensive records of their descendants. The historical context for the Book of 1 Chronicles is the post-exilic period, where the returning exiles faced the monumental task of rebuilding their nation, reinstating proper worship, and rediscovering their identity. In this environment, genealogies, particularly for the priestly class, were paramount for establishing legitimate claims to roles within the rebuilt Temple and for asserting continuity with the pre-exilic worship of God. By dedicating such a lengthy section to Levi, the Chronicler emphasizes the enduring importance of the priesthood, temple service, and ordered worship in the life of God's people, reassuring them that their spiritual heritage remained intact despite the exile.

1 Chronicles 6 1 Word analysis

• The sons: "Sons" (בְּנֵי, b'nei) refers to direct male descendants and functions here to initiate the primary patrilineal lines from Levi. In ancient Israelite society, tribal identity, inheritance, and functional roles (especially for Levites) were transmitted through male lineage, making this term crucial for establishing authority and continuity.
• of Levi: "Levi" (לֵוִי, Levi) means "joined" or "attached." He was the third son of Jacob and Leah (Gen 29:34). His descendants, the Levites, were chosen by God to serve in the Tabernacle and Temple, replacing the firstborn of Israel. This designation highlights their unique role as a tribe "attached" to the service of God and to the spiritual life of the nation, rather than inheriting land as the other tribes did (Num 3:12).
• were: The verb "were" (וַיִּהְיוּ, vayihyu) simply indicates their identity and existence as direct offspring, foundational to the subsequent genealogies and roles assigned to their descendants.
• Gershon: (גֵּרְשׁוֹן, Gershon) means "expulsion" or "exile." His descendants, the Gershonites, were given the responsibility for carrying the coverings, curtains, and hangings of the Tabernacle during Israel's journeys (Num 3:21-26). Their role involved the portable soft elements of God's dwelling place.
• Kohath: (קְהָת, Qehath) means "assembly" or "binding together." His descendants, the Kohathites, were assigned the most sacred and inner furnishings of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and the altars (Num 3:31; 4:4-15). Aaron and Moses were direct descendants of Kohath, signifying the profound importance and leadership that arose from this particular branch of Levi.
• and Merari: (מְרָרִי, Merari) means "bitter" or "affliction." His descendants, the Merarites, were responsible for transporting the heavier, structural components of the Tabernacle: its frames, bars, pillars, and bases (Num 3:36; 4:29-33). Their work was physically demanding and essential for the structure of the sanctuary.

• "The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari": This entire phrase functions as the opening declaration for the subsequent extensive Levitical genealogies. It immediately establishes the three core ancestral divisions through which the vast and complex system of Levitical service, the priesthood, and sacred music would be organized. This structural precision is typical of the Chronicler's emphasis on proper order in worship and divine institutions, providing a bedrock for understanding the legitimacy and function of all who served in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

1 Chronicles 6 1 Bonus section

The tripartite division of the Levites, introduced in 1 Chronicles 6:1, is foundational not only to the narrative here but also to understanding numerous census details and assignments of service in the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Joshua. The fact that the Kohathites (including the Aaronic priesthood) handled the Ark of the Covenant, Gershonites the coverings, and Merarites the heavy structural elements showcases a sophisticated and divinely ordered division of labor within Israel's mobile sanctuary, each role being indispensable to the functionality and holiness of the worship place. This chapter, focusing almost entirely on Levi, demonstrates the Chronicler's particular concern with temple matters and legitimate worship, perhaps serving as a catechism or instruction manual for the returning exiles on proper religious observance. The detailed genealogies acted as vital registers to confirm claims to the priesthood and other sacred duties after the disruption of the Babylonian exile, ensuring that only those truly called and descended could fulfill these significant roles.

1 Chronicles 6 1 Commentary

First Chronicles 6:1 lays the essential genealogical cornerstone for understanding the Levitical tribe's central role in ancient Israelite worship. By explicitly naming Gershon, Kohath, and Merari as Levi's direct sons, the verse initiates a comprehensive exposition of the legitimate lines of priests, temple servants, and musicians. This precise identification underscores the divine establishment of the priesthood and the structured nature of God's chosen system of worship. For the post-exilic community, such an ordered list provided reassurance of continuity with their ancestral heritage and the validity of their current religious institutions. It served as a reminder that proper worship hinged on authorized lineage, ensuring the sanctity and integrity of their communion with God. The detailed roles later assigned to each family further exemplify God's meticulous design, showing that every aspect of the Tabernacle and Temple, from the most sacred vessels to the structural components, was under the care of distinct, divinely appointed servants.