1 Chronicles 6 34

1 Chronicles 6:34 kjv

The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

1 Chronicles 6:34 nkjv

the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

1 Chronicles 6:34 niv

the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

1 Chronicles 6:34 esv

son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah,

1 Chronicles 6:34 nlt

Elkanah, Jeroham, Eliel, Toah,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 34 Meaning

This verse continues the detailed genealogy of Heman, a prominent Levitical musician appointed by King David for temple worship. It meticulously traces his ancestral line, specifically identifying Elkanah, Jeroham, Eliel, and Toah as his forebears. This specific lineage established Heman's credentials and rightful place within the Kohathite branch of the Levites, vital for the divinely appointed roles in Israel's worship system.

1 Chronicles 6 34 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 is a meticulous record of the genealogies of the Levites, who were chosen by God for temple service, priests, gatekeepers, and especially musicians. This verse (6:34) is embedded within the lengthy listing of the Kohathite Levites (1 Chron 6:1-38, or 6:16-23 in some numbering schemes), specifically focusing on the lineage of Heman. Heman, along with Asaph and Ethan/Jeduthun, was one of the three principal Levitical musicians appointed by David to lead the music in the tabernacle, and later, the temple. The inclusion of such detailed genealogies served to affirm the legitimate claims to these offices for the post-exilic community. This precise documentation underscored God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people and His order for worship. Historically, after the exile, there was a great need to re-establish the proper roles and order of worship based on pre-exilic, divinely mandated patterns, making these genealogies crucially important for community identity and religious continuity.

1 Chronicles 6 34 Word analysis

• the son of: (Hebrew: בֶּן, ben). This ubiquitous Hebrew term literally means "son of." In genealogies, "son of" indicates direct paternal descent. While genealogies can sometimes skip generations (meaning "descendant of"), in lists like this within a series of immediate parent-child links, it signifies a direct father-to-son relationship. Its repetition emphasizes the chain of inheritance and the accuracy of the lineage being recorded. It underscores the precise generational transfer of identity and position within the Levites.
• Elkanah: (Hebrew: אֶלְקָנָה, 'Elqanah). The name means "God has acquired" or "God has created." This name appears multiple times in Scripture, most notably as the father of the prophet Samuel (1 Sam 1:1). The mention here connects Heman's lineage, through a shared ancestor like Zuph (mentioned just prior to Elkanah in 1 Chron 6:35, and 1 Sam 1:1, "a Zuphite"), to the revered family line of Samuel, who was also a Levite from the Kohathite clan.
• Jeroham: (Hebrew: יְרֹחָם, Yeroham). Meaning "he will be shown compassion" or "may he find compassion." This name, like Elkanah, is found in several other biblical genealogies (e.g., Benjaminite chief, father of a priest). Its presence here, without additional unique details, primarily serves to fill out the sequential steps in Heman's lineage, highlighting the completeness and verifiable nature of the record.
• Eliel: (Hebrew: אֱלִיאֵל, 'Eli'el). Meaning "My God is God" or "God of God." This theophoric name, containing 'El' (God), like Elkanah, reflects a theological declaration common in Israelite naming. Its presence in the lineage subtly reminds the reader of God's involvement in and sovereignty over the very formation and perpetuation of these families, who were set apart for His service.
• Toah: (Hebrew: תּוֹחַ, Toakh). This name also appears in 1 Samuel 1:1 as "Tohu," an ancestor of Elkanah (Samuel's father). The variant spelling (Toakh vs. Tohu) is minor and not uncommon across biblical texts or scribal traditions. Its inclusion here specifically links Heman's ancestral line to the known lineage that included Elkanah and Zuph, affirming the authenticity and intertwining connections within the Kohathite clan.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,": This repetitive "the son of X" structure is characteristic of biblical genealogies. It serves several critical purposes. First, it signifies a continuous, unbroken chain of paternal descent, establishing legitimacy and heritage within Israel. For the Levites, this validated their right to serve in the sanctuary, an office tied directly to specific familial lines. Second, this structured listing provides a precise record, indicating the order and generation for each individual, demonstrating the rigorous maintenance of tribal and family records. It highlights God's orderly nature in choosing and setting apart His people and their functions, emphasizing continuity across generations and divine faithfulness in preserving the lineage appointed for sacred service.

1 Chronicles 6 34 Bonus section

The chronicler's intense focus on these genealogies, particularly for the Levites and their musical divisions (like Heman's line), reflects the importance placed on restoring proper worship and order in the post-exilic community. For a community rebuilding its identity, knowing one's ancestral line meant knowing one's place within God's covenant plan and communal structure. This contrasts with societies that might disregard or forget ancestry. The inclusion of Toah (Tohu) connecting Heman's lineage to Samuel's father Elkanah highlights a close kinship between leading figures, emphasizing the interconnectedness of key individuals and families dedicated to God's service within the Kohathite clan.

1 Chronicles 6 34 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:34 is more than a mere listing of names; it serves as a crucial link in the chain establishing Heman's rightful authority and inherited privilege as a leading Levitical musician. In a society where identity, inheritance, and religious office were tied to precise lineage, this verse underscored the divinely sanctioned order for temple worship. It validated Heman's appointment not merely by human decree, but by a documented ancestry reaching back through generations, rooted in the chosen line of Kohathite Levites. This meticulous detail demonstrates God's purposeful design for His house of worship, emphasizing that every role, down to the generations of singers, was part of a divine blueprint for orderly and authorized service. This meticulous record keeping also served to distinguish the true Levites from others in the post-exilic period, ensuring the purity and integrity of restored worship.