1 Chronicles 6 14

1 Chronicles 6:14 kjv

And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,

1 Chronicles 6:14 nkjv

Azariah begot Seraiah, and Seraiah begot Jehozadak.

1 Chronicles 6:14 niv

Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jozadak.

1 Chronicles 6:14 esv

Azariah fathered Seraiah, Seraiah fathered Jehozadak;

1 Chronicles 6:14 nlt

Azariah was the father of Seraiah.
Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 14 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:14 continues the crucial genealogical record of the high priests of Israel, detailing the lineage of Azariah, who begot Seraiah, and Seraiah, who begot Jehozadak. This verse is vital for establishing the unbroken, legitimate succession of the Aaronic priesthood through a significant period in Israel's history, leading up to and into the Babylonian exile. It grounds the post-exilic community's claims to rightful spiritual leadership.

1 Chronicles 6 14 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 is a meticulous and extensive genealogy of the tribe of Levi, dedicating significant focus to the descendants of Aaron, specifically the line designated for the high priesthood. Verses 4-15 delineate this high priestly succession from Aaron down to Jehozadak, bridging the period from the wilderness tabernacle, through the First Temple era, up to the Babylonian exile.

Within this framework, 1 Chronicles 6:14 records the two generations that immediately preceded and were affected by the exile. Seraiah, mentioned here, was the high priest serving when Jerusalem fell to Babylon, and he was tragically executed by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 25:18-21; Jer 52:24-27). His son, Jehozadak, did not serve as high priest in the temple but was taken captive to Babylon. This genealogy thus maintains the link to the traditional priestly line even during a period of national disruption, preparing the reader for the return of Jehozadak's son, Jeshua (Joshua), as the first high priest in the Second Temple era. The Chronicler's emphasis on this unbroken lineage aimed to legitimate the post-exilic community's claim to be the true inheritors of Israel's spiritual and historical legacy, connected to the divine promises and the Temple service.

1 Chronicles 6 14 Word analysis

• and (וַ – wa): A simple conjunctive prefix, linking this statement to the preceding one in the genealogical chain. It continues the progression of "begot" statements, emphasizing continuity.
• Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה – ‘Azaryah): Meaning "Yah has helped" or "Yah has given help." This specific Azariah is identified in 1 Chron 6:13 as the son of Hilkiah. Hilkiah was a significant high priest who found the Book of the Law during Josiah's reign (2 Kgs 22:8). Thus, Azariah lived and served as high priest in the crucial final period leading up to Jerusalem's destruction. His name, "Yah has helped," offers an ironic resonance as the kingdom descended into judgment, yet the priestly line, and ultimately God's larger plan, continued through this very lineage.
• begot (יָלַד – yalad): This Hebrew verb literally means "to bear, to bring forth, to beget." In biblical genealogies, it primarily signifies a direct father-son relationship, affirming lineal descent. Its consistent use in this chapter reinforces the legitimate, biological succession necessary for priestly roles, which were strictly hereditary. It serves as a declarative affirmation of the passing of the divine mandate.
• Seraiah (שׂרָיָה – Serayah): Meaning "Yah has prevailed," or "Yah is a ruler." He was the high priest at the time of Jerusalem's destruction and was tragically executed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah (2 Kgs 25:18-21). His inclusion in this genealogy bridges the pre-exilic high priesthood with the challenging reality of the exile. His name might also subtly convey a theological message: even in the midst of national defeat and priestly demise, "Yah (God) still prevails."
• and Seraiah begot Jehozadak: This phrase reiterates the established pattern, signifying a direct father-son relationship. It underlines the continued legitimacy of the lineage despite Seraiah's death and the ensuing captivity.
• Jehozadak (יְהוֹצָדָק – Yehotsadaq): Meaning "Yah has made righteous." Jehozadak, the son of Seraiah, did not serve in the Temple at Jerusalem because he was taken captive to Babylon (1 Chron 6:15). His existence ensures the continuity of the high priestly line through the exile. His name, "Yah has made righteous," takes on particular significance as it is his son, Jeshua (Joshua), who would return from exile and become the first high priest of the Second Temple (Ezra 3:2; Hag 1:1), symbolizing God's faithfulness in restoring righteousness to His people.

1 Chronicles 6 14 Bonus section

• Abbreviated Genealogies: The genealogies in Chronicles are often selective, not always strictly father-to-son in every instance, sometimes skipping generations for the sake of focus and conciseness. This specific verse appears to be a direct father-son succession, confirmed by external sources like Ezra 7. However, the larger high priestly list in Chronicles omits some names found in other historical records (e.g., Josephus), suggesting a selective compilation by the Chronicler to emphasize the most important figures or maintain a consistent count for literary purposes.
• Significance of Names: The names in this verse (Azariah: "Yah has helped"; Seraiah: "Yah has prevailed"; Jehozadak: "Yah has made righteous") carry symbolic weight, hinting at God's character and interaction with His people despite the historical events unfolding around these individuals. They collectively suggest a theological narrative of God's continuing aid, sovereignty, and righteousness, even as His judgment was executed.
• Bridge to Post-Exilic Priesthood: Jehozadak serves as the crucial bridge for the high priestly line to cross the gap of the Babylonian exile. His son, Jeshua, returning with Zerubbabel, represents the renewal of the high priestly office, signaling hope for a restored relationship between God and His people in the land. This transition underscores the theme of divine faithfulness to covenant promises, despite the disciplinary period of exile.

1 Chronicles 6 14 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:14 provides two crucial links in the uninterrupted chain of the Aaronic high priesthood, a central theme for the Chronicler. It explicitly traces the line through Azariah, then to Seraiah, and finally to Jehozadak. This genealogy is more than a mere historical record; it serves a profound theological and pragmatic purpose for the post-exilic community in Judah. By precisely detailing the high priestly line leading to Jehozadak, the father of Joshua (Jeshua), the Chronicler authenticates Joshua's claims to the high priestly office in the rebuilt Temple, establishing continuity from the time before the exile, through the exile, and into the return. This legitimacy was vital for the returned exiles to restore proper worship and governance, rooting their present in their divine past. It implicitly teaches about God's steadfastness in preserving the lineage and His covenants, even amidst judgment and national collapse.