1 Chronicles 6 12

1 Chronicles 6:12 kjv

And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,

1 Chronicles 6:12 nkjv

Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Shallum;

1 Chronicles 6:12 niv

Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Shallum,

1 Chronicles 6:12 esv

Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Shallum,

1 Chronicles 6:12 nlt

Ahitub was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Shallum.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 12 Meaning

"And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub" – This verse continues the detailed genealogical record of the high priestly line, specifically tracing the lineage after an important high priest named Azariah. It precisely establishes the direct paternal links from Azariah to Amariah and then to Ahitub, underscoring the continuous and hereditary succession within the sacred office of the priesthood.

1 Chronicles 6 12 Context

Chapter 6 Context: 1 Chronicles chapter 6 is primarily dedicated to establishing the genealogies of the Levites, the tribe divinely appointed for temple service. It particularly emphasizes the priestly line descending from Aaron, specifically through Eleazar, detailing the succession of high priests. This extensive genealogical record served to validate the divine appointment and legitimacy of those serving in the restored temple after the Babylonian exile. It aimed to offer comfort and assurance to the post-exilic community that their worship was legitimate and conducted by the rightful lineage. This verse is part of a direct list of high priests, providing historical and theological continuity.

Historical Context: The chronicler writes for the Jewish community returned from exile (Persian period, 5th-4th century BC). For these returned exiles, who faced challenges to their identity, their connection to ancestral covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic, Mosaic), and the legitimacy of their religious institutions, genealogies were critical. They served as authoritative documents that confirmed their heritage, validated claims to land or roles, and established social and religious order. The genealogies in Chronicles aimed to demonstrate the unbroken continuity of God's covenant promises, assuring the post-exilic community that their current temple and priesthood were legitimate heirs to God's ancient institutions, even after generations of disruption and displacement. The Azariah mentioned earlier in the lineage (v. 10-11), potentially serving during Solomon's reign, emphasizes the ancient roots and unbroken nature of this crucial priestly line.

1 Chronicles 6 12 Word analysis

• and (וַ): This Hebrew conjunctive waw serves as a simple "and," seamlessly linking this generation to the preceding one (Azariah, son of Johanan, in verse 11) within the continuous genealogical sequence. It emphasizes continuous succession within the lineage.
• Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה - ‘Azaryah): Meaning "Yahweh has helped" or "my help is Yahweh." This name, which signifies divine assistance, is frequently found throughout the biblical text, particularly among prominent individuals, including high priests. In this specific high priestly genealogy, this Azariah (likely Azariah II, a significant high priest following the period of Solomon's temple establishment) continues a vital and divinely-supported line, connecting a foundational era to subsequent generations of priestly leadership.
• begat (הוֹלִיד - hōlīd): This verb is the Hiphil (causative) perfect form of the Hebrew root yalad (ילד), meaning "to give birth" or "to bear." As a Hiphil, it means "he caused to be born" or "he fathered." This is the standard term for establishing direct lineal descent, highlighting the biological and hereditary transmission of identity and, in this context, the divinely ordained right to the priesthood. It strongly conveys the idea of an unbroken, continuous, and legitimate lineage.
• Amariah (אֲמַרְיָה - ‘Amārîyāh): Meaning "Yahweh has said" or "spoken of Yahweh." This name, also found in priestly lineages, carries the nuance of divine pronouncement, affirmation, or promise. Its inclusion suggests that the continuation of this sacred lineage is divinely ordained and affirmed, underscoring the spiritual significance of the succession.
• Ahitub (אֲחִיטוּב - ‘Ăḥîṭûḇ): Meaning "my brother is goodness" or "brother of good." This name holds particular significance in Israel's history due to multiple prominent priestly figures named Ahitub (e.g., father of Ahimelech/Abiathar in Eli's line, or this Ahitub who is a predecessor to Zadok). In this specific lineage within 1 Chronicles 6, this Ahitub represents a critical link directly leading to Zadok, the high priest appointed by King David and confirmed by Solomon. This connection is fundamental to establishing the legitimacy of the Zadokite priesthood, which became the principal high priestly line from Solomon's era onwards, especially after the removal of Abiathar (1 Kings 2:26-27), and was paramount in the post-exilic period.
• "and Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub": This precise formulation of "begat" between each name underscores a direct, sequential, and thus unimpeachably legitimate line of succession within the high priesthood. The repetition emphasizes the unbroken chain of heredity, which was absolutely crucial for asserting the divinely ordained authority of the priests whom this genealogy represented. For the chronicler's audience, this direct progression validated the historical and spiritual continuity of their spiritual leadership, ensuring the stability and legitimacy of their worship.

1 Chronicles 6 12 Bonus section

• Genealogical Selectivity: Biblical genealogies, including the one in 1 Chronicles 6, are frequently selective. They are not always exhaustive and may omit generations to achieve a particular theological or historical purpose, focusing on establishing key figures or significant lines. Their aim is to demonstrate continuity of succession, not necessarily comprehensive descent.
• Validation of the Zadokite Priesthood: This specific lineage is instrumental in validating the Zadokite priesthood. This priestly line gained prominence after the fall of the house of Eli (cf. 1 Sam 2 and 1 Kings 2) and became the normative high priestly line under King David and King Solomon, continuing throughout the First Temple period and importantly, after the return from exile. The Chronicler emphasizes this line to underscore God's establishment of the proper order of service for the Tabernacle and Temple.
• Purpose for Post-Exilic Judah: For a community rebuilding after national disaster and cultural fragmentation, these genealogies were absolutely crucial. They played a vital role in identity formation, helping the people to restore a sense of continuity with their past. They also served to reaffirm God's unwavering covenantal promises despite national calamity, and to establish the necessary social and religious order, particularly validating the divine appointments for both civil and religious leadership in their restored nation.

1 Chronicles 6 12 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:12 serves as a vital segment within the extensive high priestly genealogy compiled by the Chronicler. Far from being a mere dry list of names, this verse functions as a profound theological assertion regarding continuity, legitimacy, and God's enduring faithfulness in maintaining His covenantal appointments. By tracing the precise patrilineal descent from Azariah through Amariah to Ahitub, the verse unequivocally authenticates the unbroken flow of priestly authority through established, divinely ordained channels. For the returned exiles, grappling with their identity and continuity, these names represented an unbroken chain stretching back to the earliest, most divinely instituted periods of Israel's organized worship. This record provided deep reassurance regarding the legitimacy and efficacy of their contemporary religious practices and the individuals leading them, confirming their spiritual identity and inheritance, and reconnecting them to God's enduring plan for His people.