1 Chronicles 6 3

1 Chronicles 6:3 kjv

And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 6:3 nkjv

The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 6:3 niv

The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 6:3 esv

The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 6:3 nlt

The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 3 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:3 meticulously lists the immediate progeny of Amram, who are Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. It then specifically details the four sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. This verse establishes the direct patriarchal line through which the legitimate priesthood of Israel would descend, anchoring the priestly office firmly within the tribe of Levi, specifically the Kohathite clan and Aaron's family.

1 Chronicles 6 3 Context

First Chronicles 6:3 is situated within the lengthy genealogies that commence the book of Chronicles, a common literary feature for establishing lineage and legitimacy in ancient Near Eastern texts. This chapter, specifically, is dedicated to detailing the lineage of Levi, the priestly tribe. The chronicler emphasizes the Levites because of their critical role in worship, temple service, and maintaining the covenant between God and Israel. By meticulously tracing the line of Amram and then Aaron's sons, the text provides a foundational legal and historical basis for the priesthood, asserting its divine appointment and legitimate descent. This focus was especially crucial for the post-exilic community in Judah, aiming to re-establish proper temple worship and a sense of identity rooted in their historical and covenantal heritage. The mention of Nadab and Abihu's subsequent exclusion implicitly highlights the importance of ritual purity and obedience for those in the sacred office.

1 Chronicles 6 3 Word analysis

• The children of Amram: (Hebrew: B'nei Amram - בְּנֵי עַמְרָם) This phrase directly indicates direct progeny, emphasizing the familial and hereditary connection. Amram, as a key descendant of Levi (1 Chr 6:1), is presented as the progenitor of pivotal figures in Israel's history and religious structure, underscoring the foundation of their identity in covenant with God.
• Aaron: (Hebrew: Aharon - אַהֲרֹן) Signifies the patriarch of the legitimate priesthood. His inclusion immediately after Amram highlights his singular importance as God's chosen High Priest (Exod 28:1), establishing the direct line for temple service and mediation between God and man. His name implies 'mountaineer' or 'high mountain,' fitting his exalted spiritual position.
• Moses: (Hebrew: Mosheh - מֹשֶׁה) A colossal figure, the lawgiver and prophet who led Israel out of Egypt. While central to Israel's history, his listing here within the genealogical line of Amram emphasizes his Levitical tribal identity, although his primary role was prophetic and political, not priestly, distinguishing him from Aaron. His name is derived from "to draw out," reflecting his rescue from the Nile.
• Miriam: (Hebrew: Miryam - מִרְיָם) Moses and Aaron's sister, a prophetess and leader in her own right (Exod 15:20). Her inclusion acknowledges the significant role of women in the foundational narratives of Israel and underscores the familial completeness of this foundational generation.
• And the children of Aaron: (Hebrew: Uvenei Aharon - וּבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן) This transition explicitly shifts focus to the direct line through which the Aaronic priesthood continues. This clear distinction highlights the unique function of Aaron’s offspring for sacerdotal duties, separating them from the broader Levites or even Aaron's siblings like Moses and Miriam regarding the priestly office.
• Nadab: (Hebrew: Nadhav - נָדָב) Aaron's firstborn son. His mention signifies his birthright, though this status was tragically forfeited due to disobedience. His name means 'generous' or 'noble.'
• Abihu: (Hebrew: Avihu - אֲבִיהוּא) Aaron's second son, sharing Nadab's fate of premature death for offering "strange fire" before the Lord (Lev 10:1-2). His name means 'He (God) is my father,' a stark contrast to his act of defiling the worship of God.
• Eleazar: (Hebrew: El'azar - אֶלְעָזָר) Aaron's third son, who succeeded his father as High Priest (Num 20:28). He faithfully served God throughout his life, ensuring the continuation of the legitimate priestly line. His name means 'God has helped.'
• Ithamar: (Hebrew: Itamar - אִיתָמָר) Aaron's youngest son. He, along with Eleazar, remained in service after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu. He supervised the Gershonites and Merarites in their tabernacle duties (Num 4:28, 33). His name possibly means 'island of palm-tree.'

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam.": This group establishes the foundational trio from whom much of Israel's covenant life sprang. It defines the immediate familial unit that served as pillars of leadership – religious (Aaron), national/prophetic (Moses), and spiritual guidance (Miriam). Their common Amramite lineage emphasizes God's choosing from within a specific family and tribe, legitimizing their respective divine callings within Israel's early history.
• "And the children of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.": This grouping specifies the lineage consecrated for priestly service, highlighting the hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood. It is not just about individuals but about an entire divinely appointed family line responsible for sacred duties. The four names are crucial: the first two representing the initial divine judgment against ritual impurity, and the latter two representing the continuation and faithfulness of the priestly line.

1 Chronicles 6 3 Bonus section

The chronicler’s intense focus on genealogies, particularly the Levites and the Aaronic line, was not just a historical exercise but a theological assertion. In the post-exilic period when the book was likely compiled, Judah needed to re-establish its identity, worship, and social order after generations in Babylon. Validating the legitimate priesthood through precise lineages, tracing back to God's initial appointments through Moses and Aaron, was paramount. This ensured the proper functioning of the temple and the maintenance of the covenant with God. The omission of Nadab and Abihu’s fate within this verse but their presence in other Old Testament narratives speaks to an assumed prior knowledge by the audience, underscoring a key biblical principle: God's holiness demands obedience, especially from those closest to Him in sacred service. This geneaology establishes not only biological descent but also spiritual inheritance and responsibilities.

1 Chronicles 6 3 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:3 serves as a genealogical lynchpin within the broader Chronicler's narrative, specifically validating the historical and divine legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood. By listing Aaron as a son of Amram, it affirms his proper Levitical ancestry, essential for his unique role as Israel's first High Priest. The immediate naming of Moses beside him signifies their unparalleled brotherhood and joint leadership, even as their divine roles diverged—Moses as the prophet and lawgiver, Aaron as the high priest. Miriam's inclusion highlights her distinct, though secondary, leadership role alongside her brothers.

The critical segment enumerates Aaron’s four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. This precision is not merely for record-keeping but has profound implications. It establishes the direct successors to the high priestly office and the divisions of the priestly service. The very mention of Nadab and Abihu, though not stating their tragic end, would have instantly recalled to the original audience the severity of God's holiness and the necessity of absolute obedience in priestly service, lessons heavily documented in the Pentateuch (e.g., Lev 10). Their omission from subsequent lists of active high priests or priestly divisions subtly underscores this divine judgment, while Eleazar and Ithamar represent the unbroken and legitimate continuation of the Aaronic lineage for sacred service. The Chronicler's focus on these specific names would reassure the post-exilic community that their re-established priestly structure had valid historical roots and divine authorization.