1 Chronicles 6:21 kjv
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
1 Chronicles 6:21 nkjv
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.
1 Chronicles 6:21 niv
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son and Jeatherai his son.
1 Chronicles 6:21 esv
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son.
1 Chronicles 6:21 nlt
Joah, Iddo, Zerah, and Jeatherai.
1 Chronicles 6 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
| Gen 5:1-3 | This is the book of the generations of Adam...Seth... | Highlights biblical genealogies from early times. |
| Exod 6:16-17 | And these are the names of the sons of Levi...Gershon, Kohath...Sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei... | Establishes the foundational line of Gershom, including Libni. |
| Num 3:17-18 | And these are the sons of Levi...Gershon...These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei. | Confirms Gershon's sons, including Libni, in the context of tabernacle service. |
| 1 Chr 6:16 | The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari. | Initial list of Levi's sons, setting context for the Gershonite line. |
| 1 Chr 6:20 | Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, Joah his son,... | Contains the exact sequence of names in 1 Chr 6:21 (as presented in query), showing repetition or continuity. |
| 1 Chr 23:7 | Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. | Lists Gershonite divisions, underscoring their importance. |
| Ezra 2:62 | These sought their registration among those enrolled in genealogies, but they were not found there... | Emphasizes the critical importance of verifiable lineage, especially for priests, after the exile. |
| Neh 7:64 | These sought their registration among those enrolled in genealogies, but they were not found there, and so were disqualified... | Further demonstrates the strict adherence to genealogical records for legitimacy. |
| Matt 1:1 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. | Illustrates the use of genealogies to establish Messianic credentials and continuity of promise. |
| Luke 3:23 | Jesus...being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli... | Another example of a detailed genealogy to establish lineage. |
| Num 4:22-26 | This is the service of the families of the Gershonites...carrying the curtains of the tabernacle... | Describes the specific duties of Gershon's descendants, like those listed in 1 Chr 6:21. |
| Deut 33:8-10 | To Levi he said, "Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one...They shall teach your rules to Jacob..." | Outlines the broader divine calling and teaching role of the Levites. |
| 1 Chr 9:14 | Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari. | Shows the ongoing record of Levites serving in Jerusalem post-exile. |
| 1 Chr 23:27-28 | For according to the last instructions of David...their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord... | Explains the Levites' support role in temple service, validating their specific lineage. |
| 2 Chr 29:12 | Then the Levites arose: Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah,... | Mentions a "Joah son of Zimmah" of the Gershonites in the time of Hezekiah, showing this specific ancestral connection had long-term significance. |
| Gen 15:5 | Then he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." | Underpins God's promise of abundant descendants, seen in meticulously recorded genealogies. |
| Ps 105:8-11 | He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,...to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant... | Reflects God's faithfulness to His covenant, manifested in preserving lineages. |
| Isa 40:8 | The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. | Highlights the enduring nature of God's plans and decrees, which genealogies implicitly uphold. |
| Rom 3:3-4 | What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every man were a liar... | God's faithfulness is constant, reflected in His preserving covenant lines. |
| Heb 7:1-3 | For this Melchizedek...Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, but resembling the Son of God... | Contrasts the earthly need for lineage with the eternal nature of Melchizedek's priesthood. |
1 Chronicles 6 verses
1 Chronicles 6 21 Meaning
1 Chronicles 6:21, as presented, enumerates a segment of the lineage within the tribe of Levi, specifically tracing descendants of Gershom, one of Levi's sons. It lists a direct patrilineal sequence: Libni, Jahath, Zimmah, and Joah. This verse serves to affirm the continuous line of those designated for Levitical service, establishing the rightful inheritance and function within the sacred offices of ancient Israel. It reinforces the meticulously maintained records of family trees that were crucial for identity, property, and, critically, for fulfilling roles within the worship structure of God's chosen people.
1 Chronicles 6 21 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 6 focuses heavily on the genealogies and dwelling places of the Levites. This meticulous detailing is crucial in the book of Chronicles, which, written largely for the post-exilic community, aimed to provide assurance of continuity and legitimacy. After returning from Babylon, establishing the proper lineage for priests and Levites was paramount for restoring temple worship and maintaining national identity. Genealogies defined who could serve, who inherited what, and affirmed God’s faithfulness in preserving His people and their appointed ministries through the centuries. The Levites were uniquely designated by God for service to the Tabernacle, and later the Temple (Num 3:5-10). They were distinct from the priesthood (sons of Aaron) but integral to the functioning of Israel's worship system.Verses 1-81 of 1 Chronicles 6 specifically list the descendants of Levi through his three sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. Verse 21, by detailing the sequence "Libni, his son Jahath, his son Zimmah, his son Joah," is part of tracing the Gershonite line (descendants of Gershom). While 1 Chronicles 6:20 presents the identical sequence, this emphasis on repetition underscores the accuracy and continuity of this particular ancestral chain. These names represent generations of Levites entrusted with specific duties, such as carrying the Tabernacle's coverings and tents, highlighting their vital, though not always public, roles in the divine economy. The detailed records counter any notion of a lost or broken lineage, providing confidence in the restoration of authentic worship practices.
1 Chronicles 6 21 Word analysis
- (
ul)- His son was: Hebrew בְּנוֹ (beno), meaning "his son." This phrase consistently highlights a direct patrilineal succession within the genealogy, tracing descent. In genealogical lists, "son" does not always imply immediate biological progeny but can refer to a descendant separated by several generations; however, in a direct list like this, it generally implies a direct father-to-son relationship. Its repetition emphasizes the linear succession.
- Libni: Hebrew לִבְנִי (Libni), meaning "whiteness" or "white." He is a son of Gershom (Exod 6:17; Num 3:18). This name marks the beginning of the specific line being enumerated in this particular part of the Gershonite genealogy, connecting back to the very foundation of the Levitical structure.
- Jahath: Hebrew יַחַת (Yachath), likely meaning "union" or "he will snatch." In this specific list, he is the son of Libni. Another "Jahath" is mentioned elsewhere as a Levitical overseer in Hezekiah's time (2 Chr 34:12), showing that names, and thus lineages, often continued through different periods of Israelite history.
- Zimmah: Hebrew זִמָּה (Zimmah), meaning "counsel" or "plan." He is listed as the son of Jahath. His inclusion continues the unbroken chain of descent crucial for affirming Levitical status. This name also appears in Ezra's list of those with foreign wives (Ezra 10:23), though not referring to this specific individual but demonstrating common Hebrew names.
- Joah: Hebrew יוֹאָח (Yo'ach), meaning "Yahweh is brother" or "Yahweh is a brother." He is the son of Zimmah in this lineage. The element "Yah" at the beginning signifies a connection to Yahweh (God). Another "Joah son of Zimmah" is identified as a Gershonite in King Hezekiah's purification of the Temple (2 Chr 29:12), possibly indicating that this genealogical line extended for many generations and maintained prominence in temple service, reaffirming the enduring nature of their role.
- (
ul)- His son was Libni, his son Jahath, his son Zimmah, his son Joah,: This string of repeated "his son" establishes a clear chain of generations. It functions as a declarative statement of succession, serving as an immutable record that legitimizes the future generations claiming descent from these Levites. The structure, moving from one "son" to the next, highlights the systematic preservation of the lineage over time. For the post-exilic community, such lists were not merely historical but vital, acting as official registries that confirmed their identity and the validity of their ancestral claims for roles in sacred service. This sequence within the broader Gershonite line emphasizes its particular branch. The repetition found in 1 Chr 6:20 underscores its importance to the chronicler's narrative of continuity and faithful preservation.
1 Chronicles 6 21 Bonus section
(p) The Chronicler, in writing 1 Chronicles, frequently consolidates, summarizes, or expands upon genealogies found elsewhere in the Pentateuch or Joshua, with an intentional theological purpose. In this case, the apparent repetition of the exact sequence from 1 Chronicles 6:20 within 1 Chronicles 6:21 (as per the provided verse string) might serve as an intentional emphatic device or a variation in an older manuscript tradition emphasizing the critical nature of these particular names in the Gershonite line. It underpins the Chronicler's primary concern: affirming the post-exilic community's identity, especially its priesthood and Levitical support structure, as direct, legitimate descendants who could carry on sacred duties. The meaning of individual names like "Libni" (whiteness) or "Joah" (Yahweh is brother) subtly reminds us of the divine relationship and potential for purity associated with the Levitical calling. These genealogies were effectively a validation against the loss of identity or purity after generations of displacement and foreign influence, serving as a pillar of the renewed covenant community.
1 Chronicles 6 21 Commentary
1 Chronicles 6:21, though seemingly a mere list of names, holds profound theological and practical significance within the biblical narrative. It is part of the extensive genealogical record of the Levites, vital for re-establishing proper worship and social order after the Babylonian exile. The meticulous preservation of these names—Libni, Jahath, Zimmah, and Joah—shows God's faithfulness in upholding His covenant promises, particularly concerning the perpetuation of the Levitical ministry. Each "his son" declaration acts as an assurance of continuity, a chain unbreakable through generations, affirming that those currently serving were legitimate successors to the original divine appointments. This was a direct counter to any confusion or challenge regarding authentic authority. The names themselves, while concise here, imply individuals who played a role, however minor or unrecorded otherwise, in maintaining the sacred lineage. The Chronicler's emphasis on such lists highlights the divine importance of order, heritage, and the unbroken line of service essential for the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem.