1 Chronicles 6 16

1 Chronicles 6:16 kjv

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

1 Chronicles 6:16 nkjv

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

1 Chronicles 6:16 niv

The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:16 esv

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

1 Chronicles 6:16 nlt

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

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 16 Meaning

The verse states the direct paternal lineage of Levi, identifying his three biological sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. This concise genealogical statement serves as a foundational link in the book of Chronicles, establishing the authoritative divisions from which all future Levites, responsible for specific roles in the Tabernacle and later Temple worship, would descend and be organized. It emphasizes the divinely ordained structure for sacred service within ancient Israel.

1 Chronicles 6 16 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 primarily focuses on the genealogies of the Levites and priests. After tracing the lineage of Levi from his birth in Chapter 2 to his three sons (the focus of this verse), the chapter then meticulously details the descendants of Kohath (from whom Aaron and the priestly line descended) and subsequent generations of Gershom and Merari. This extensive catalog of names, positions, and responsibilities serves the Chronicler's core purpose: to re-establish and validate the legitimacy of the priestly and Levitical families for the post-exilic community returning to Judah. It assures the reader of the continuous, divinely sanctioned authority for Temple worship and its various services, from temple musicians to gatekeepers, based on strict genealogical purity and adherence to God's order. This was crucial for rebuilding communal identity and the nation's spiritual life after the Babylonian exile.

1 Chronicles 6 16 Word analysis

• The sons:

  • Hebrew: בְּנֵי (bĕnê), "sons of," indicating direct patrilineal descent and family heads.
  • Significance: Emphasizes a clear, verifiable, and authoritative lineage, essential for claiming positions within Israel's spiritual administration. The familial structure formed the basis for tribal and occupational divisions in the worship of God.

• of Levi:

  • Hebrew: לֵוִי (Lēwî). Levi was one of Jacob's twelve sons, consecrated to the Lord for service in the Tabernacle/Temple. His name is associated with "joined" (Gen 29:34).
  • Significance: The entire tribe of Levi, distinguished from other tribes by their divine selection for sacred duties rather than a territorial inheritance, stemmed from this patriarch. Their identity as "those joined to the Lord" was central to their function.

• Gershom:

  • Hebrew: גֵּרְשׁוֹם (Gēršôm). Also spelled Gershon (as in Ex 6:16, Num 3:17), the eldest son of Levi.
  • Significance: He was the progenitor of one of the three main Levitical clans (Gershonites), responsible for specific duties like carrying the tabernacle curtains, coverings, and screens (Num 3:25-26). Their line contributes to the musicians (e.g., Asaph).

• Kohath:

  • Hebrew: קְהָת (Qĕhāṯ). Second son of Levi.
  • Significance: The most crucial of Levi's sons for Israel's worship, as his line directly includes Amram, Moses, and Aaron. The Aaronic priesthood, central to Israel's covenant relationship with God, descends exclusively from Kohath's lineage (Ex 6:18-20). The Kohathites had the sacred duty of carrying the holiest objects of the Tabernacle—the Ark, table, lampstand, altars, and other sanctuary vessels—upon their shoulders, not on carts, highlighting the utmost reverence required (Num 3:31, Num 7:9).

• and Merari:

  • Hebrew: מְרָרִי (Mĕrārî). Third son of Levi.
  • Significance: He founded the third major Levitical clan (Merarites), whose duties involved the heavier structural components of the Tabernacle: the frames, bars, pillars, and bases (Num 3:36). Their work involved supporting the physical structure of God's dwelling place.

• Words-group: "The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari."

  • This phrase clearly delineates the three foundational branches of the Levite tribe, each assigned specific, integral functions in Israel's worship. This organizational structure was crucial for the precise and orderly execution of tabernacle/temple service. It underscores the divine blueprint for ordered worship and ministry.

1 Chronicles 6 16 Bonus section

The tripartite division of the Levites (Gershon, Kohath, Merari) is a recurring motif, appearing prominently throughout the books of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Chronicles, highlighting its critical importance for Israel's administrative and religious organization. The emphasis on these three sons is not merely genealogical but functional: each branch had unique and non-overlapping duties concerning the Tabernacle and Temple. The Kohathites, holding the pre-eminent role of carrying the holiest vessels, illustrate the ultimate importance of proximity to God's presence through His covenant elements. This divine structure ensured that every aspect of the Tabernacle service was meticulously accounted for and performed by those specifically chosen and equipped.

1 Chronicles 6 16 Commentary

This verse, deceptively simple, lays a foundational cornerstone for the Chronicler's genealogical project. By immediately naming Levi's three sons, it establishes the three primary divisions from which all Levites would trace their descent and to which specific roles in the sacred cult would be assigned. It reflects God's meticulous plan for order and precision in worship, underscoring that service was not haphazard but tied to divine decree and specific lineage. This genealogical precision was vital for post-exilic Israel to reconstitute its spiritual identity and re-establish proper Temple worship according to the law, distinguishing legitimate priests and Levites from any who might usurp these roles without proper qualification. It reinforces the idea that ministry in God's presence is predicated on belonging to His chosen and consecrated order.