1 Chronicles 6 38

1 Chronicles 6:38 kjv

The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.

1 Chronicles 6:38 nkjv

the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.

1 Chronicles 6:38 niv

the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel;

1 Chronicles 6:38 esv

son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel;

1 Chronicles 6:38 nlt

Izhar, Kohath, Levi, and Israel.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 38 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:38 details a segment of Heman the Levite's ancestral line, tracing his lineage backward through Izhar, Kohath, and Levi, directly to Israel (Jacob). This verse asserts Heman's authentic heritage as an Israelite, a descendant of Levi, and specifically a member of the Kohathite clan. This genealogical validation was crucial for Heman's legitimate participation and leadership role in the musical service of the tabernacle and, subsequently, the temple, which required proper Levitical descent.

1 Chronicles 6 38 Context

1 Chronicles 6:38 is a critical part of a longer genealogical list within the Book of Chronicles. Specifically, it belongs to the genealogy of the Levitical families, presented most prominently in 1 Chronicles 6:1-81. This particular verse focuses on tracing the lineage of Heman, a chief temple musician appointed by King David, back to the patriarch Israel (Jacob). The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, emphasizes genealogies to establish legitimacy, identity, and continuity for the returning exiles. For those rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple, confirming the authentic descent of priests and Levites (like Heman's family, crucial for temple worship) was paramount. There are no direct polemics in this verse itself; rather, its very presence and precision indirectly counter any challenge to the legitimate heritage and divine appointment of those serving in the restored cult. It undergirds the order and validity of the post-exilic community's claim to God's covenant promises and institutions.

1 Chronicles 6 38 Word analysis

• the son of (בֶּן־ ben-): This Hebrew term means "son" or "descendant." Its repeated usage, "the son of..., the son of...," is characteristic of genealogical records. It highlights a direct, unbroken paternal line, signifying legitimate descent. This repetitive structure serves to reinforce the exact sequence of generations and validate the familial claims.
• Izhar (יִצְהָר Yits'har): This individual is the second son of Kohath and grandson of Levi (Ex 6:18; 1 Chr 6:2). He is particularly notable as the father of Korah, who led a significant rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Num 16). The fact that this genealogical line, leading to the faithful Heman, descends from Izhar indicates that not all descendants of a figure involved in apostasy necessarily stray; God's election and faithfulness extend through specific lines regardless of historical rebellion within broader families.
• Kohath (קְהָת Qehath): One of the three main sons of Levi, along with Gershon and Merari (Gen 46:11). The Kohathites were a crucial Levitical clan, distinct for their sacred duty of transporting the most holy objects of the Tabernacle—the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, the lampstand, and other sanctuary furniture (Num 3:31; 4:4). Heman's descent from Kohath confirms his eligibility for specialized temple service, especially as a musician who led sacred worship.
• Levi (לֵוִי Lewî): One of the twelve sons of Jacob, through whom the entire tribe of Levi originated. This tribe was divinely set apart for the exclusive service of God's sanctuary, including priesthood, temple attendance, and the carrying of sacred objects (Num 1:49-53; Deut 10:8). Heman's ultimate descent from Levi establishes his intrinsic connection to the divine arrangement for worship in Israel.
• Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra'el): This name, meaning "God contends" or "he struggles with God," was given to Jacob after he wrestled with an angel at Peniel (Gen 32:28). It became the new covenant name for Jacob and, by extension, for the entire nation descended from him. Concluding the genealogy with "the son of Israel" firmly grounds Heman's identity within the entire covenant community, connecting his sacred musical service directly to the nation's divinely appointed heritage and identity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel": This repetitive structure is a literary device to create a strong emphasis on direct, continuous descent. It serves to underscore the precise and verifiable nature of the lineage. In the context of the Chronicler, it authenticates Heman's claim to a hereditary position of importance in temple worship. This continuous chain links the living descendant (Heman) not just to his immediate ancestors but back to the very foundation of the Israelite nation and the specific divine call given to Levi for sanctuary service, thereby legitimizing his role and validating the spiritual order David established for temple worship. It acts as a divine validation for the post-exilic community's proper order of worship.

1 Chronicles 6 38 Bonus section

The genealogies in Chronicles, of which this verse is a small but essential part, served as a foundational document for the post-exilic community returning to Judah. Beyond confirming the lineage of key figures like Heman, they provided assurance regarding tribal identity, land ownership rights (though Levites had no territorial inheritance), and, crucially, the validity of priestly and Levitical claims. The meticulous record-keeping underscores the belief that divine promises and appointments flowed through specific, verifiable lines. The emphasis on Levi's line specifically highlights God's particular election of this tribe for spiritual service, indicating that worship leadership was not self-appointed but divinely ordained and hereditary. Even though Korah, an ancestor within the Kohathite line (son of Izhar), rebelled against God's chosen leadership, God's promise to maintain a faithful line of service through other branches of Izhar, like Heman, prevailed. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His ability to preserve His purposes despite human failings.

1 Chronicles 6 38 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:38, though a brief genealogical snippet, serves a significant theological and historical purpose. It forms a link in the lengthy genealogy of Heman, the chief musician in David's tabernacle and later temple. By tracing Heman's lineage back through Izhar, Kohath, and ultimately Levi, to Israel (Jacob), the verse validates his authenticity not just as a member of the Israelite nation but specifically as a Levitical descendant. For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, this precision in genealogies was not merely for record-keeping; it was fundamental to establishing identity, demonstrating legitimacy for holding priestly or Levitical offices, and affirming the continuity of God's covenant plan and temple worship. Heman's authorized service, enabled by his proven descent, reinforces the Chronicler's broader theme of God's faithful ordering of the temple and its worship through the Davidic monarchy and the Levites, a model for the returned exiles to emulate.