1 Chronicles 6:4 kjv
Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
1 Chronicles 6:4 nkjv
Eleazar begot Phinehas, and Phinehas begot Abishua;
1 Chronicles 6:4 niv
Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas the father of Abishua,
1 Chronicles 6:4 esv
Eleazar fathered Phinehas, Phinehas fathered Abishua,
1 Chronicles 6:4 nlt
Eleazar was the father of Phinehas.
Phinehas was the father of Abishua.
1 Chronicles 6 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 6:23 | Aaron took Elizab..., and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. | Identifies Eleazar as Aaron's son. |
| Num 3:2-3 | These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar; these are the names of the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office. | Lists Aaron's sons, including Eleazar, as anointed priests. |
| Num 20:25-28 | "Take Aaron and Eleazar his son..., and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron shall be gathered to his people..." | Eleazar's succession of Aaron as High Priest. |
| Deut 10:6 | ...and Eleazar his son ministered as priest in his place. | Confirms Eleazar's priestly succession. |
| Num 25:7-13 | ...Phinehas...took a spear..., then the plague on the people of Israel was stopped... "Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace... it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood." | Phinehas' zeal and God's covenant of a perpetual priesthood to him. |
| Josh 22:13 | ...they sent to them Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and with him ten chiefs... | Phinehas' role as a leader and priest. |
| Jdg 20:28 | Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, stood before it in those days... | Phinehas served as priest during the Judges era. |
| 1 Chron 5:29-30 | ...Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son... | Parallel genealogical record of this line. |
| Ezra 7:5 | The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron... | Ezra's priestly lineage traces through this line. |
| Mal 2:4-7 | "My covenant was with him [Levi], a covenant of life and peace... " | God's covenant with the Levites/priests regarding instruction and righteousness. |
| Jer 33:17-18 | "...David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings..." | Emphasizes the permanence of both Davidic and priestly lines. |
| Heb 4:14 | Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God... | Introduces Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, fulfilling and superseding earthly priesthood. |
| Heb 5:5-6 | So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." | Points to Christ's divine appointment as High Priest, not of Aaronic lineage but of Melchizedek's order. |
| Heb 7:11-14 | If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood... what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek... | Explains the temporary nature of the Aaronic priesthood and the necessity of Christ's perfect priesthood. |
| Heb 7:23-24 | The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. | Contrasts the temporary Aaronic priests with Christ's eternal priesthood. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come... he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood... | Christ's High Priesthood in providing a once-for-all atonement. |
| Gen 5:3 | When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. | Example of typical "begot" in genealogical lists. |
| Matt 1:1 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. | Gospels also use detailed genealogies to establish legitimacy and fulfillment. |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession... | Applies priestly concept to all believers in Christ. |
| Rev 1:6 | and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father... | Believers designated as priests in Christ's kingdom. |
1 Chronicles 6 verses
1 Chronicles 6 4 Meaning
1 Chronicles 6:4 states a specific lineage within the priestly family: Eleazar begot Phinehas, and Phinehas begot Abishua. This verse precisely tracks the High Priestly succession from Eleazar, Aaron's son, establishing a clear and legitimate chain of descent crucial for the Aaronic priesthood. It is not merely a record of birth but signifies the divinely appointed continuity of a sacred office.
1 Chronicles 6 4 Context
First Chronicles chapter 6 focuses heavily on the lineage of Levi, particularly the priests and Levites, and their respective duties concerning the sanctuary. Verses 1-15 meticulously trace the descendants of Levi, emphasizing the direct line of Aaron's sons who were appointed to the priesthood. This specific section (verses 4-15) concentrates on the High Priestly succession. The meticulous genealogical listing serves several crucial purposes for the post-exilic community for whom Chronicles was written. It provides clear historical authentication of the legitimate priesthood, confirming who held the rightful claim to serve in the Temple. This ensured proper worship and order were re-established after the return from exile, distinguishing true priestly families from potential impostors and grounding their authority in divine appointment stretching back to Aaron himself.
1 Chronicles 6 4 Word analysis
Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר - Elʻazar): This name means "God has helped." He was the third son of Aaron (Exo 6:23) and, crucially, succeeded his father as High Priest (Num 20:25-28). His placement here immediately after Aaron’s mention in 1 Chron 6:3 highlights his foundational role as the first successor in the high priestly lineage established by God through Moses and Aaron.
begot (וַיּוֹלֶד - vayyoled): This is a standard Hebrew verb for "fathered" or "begat." In genealogies, it signifies direct biological parentage and succession. More profoundly in the context of the High Priesthood, it implies the transfer of authority, responsibility, and covenantal blessing from one generation to the next, emphasizing continuity and legitimacy.
Phinehas (פִּֽינְחָס - Pīnəḥās): Son of Eleazar. His name possibly means "mouth of bronze" or refers to a dark complexion. Phinehas is highly significant due to his zealous act against immorality at Peor (Num 25:7-13), for which God granted him and his descendants "a covenant of a perpetual priesthood" (Num 25:13). His inclusion in this chain is not just a biological fact but a validation of God's covenant faithfulness and the enduring nature of the Aaronic priesthood. He also appears as a prominent leader during the conquest and judges period (Josh 22:13, Jdg 20:28).
Abishua (אֲבִישׁוּעַ - ʻAvīšûaʻ): This name means "my father is salvation" or "father of salvation." Abishua is the son of Phinehas. Unlike his father and grandfather, no specific actions or narratives are attributed to him in the biblical account, other than his appearance in genealogies (also in 1 Chron 5:30 and Ezra 7:5). His primary significance in this verse is to continue the unbroken lineage. Even if not renowned for a particular deed, his existence confirms the continuation of the legitimate high priestly line, bridging the gap between generations.
"Eleazar begot Phinehas; Phinehas begot Abishua": This phrase meticulously traces the transfer of the priestly mantle. It shows that the High Priesthood passed directly and legitimately through the established line. The Chronicler’s careful recording of these links affirms divine order and consistency, reassuring the post-exilic community that their priesthood was directly descended from those appointed by God, providing a foundation for their re-established religious practices. This precise naming of father and son succession ensures there are no missing links or unvalidated claimants to the high office, strengthening the claims of the priesthood in the rebuilt temple.
1 Chronicles 6 4 Bonus section
- The Chronicler's intense focus on these genealogies underscores the deep theological truth that God's covenant promises are sustained through generations. Even when specific individuals within the line may not have famous narratives, their very existence within the "begat" chain demonstrates God's faithful preservation of His appointed order.
- The meticulous detailing of the high priestly line from Aaron through Eleazar and Phinehas up to the time of the Exile, and beyond, acted as an anchoring point for Israel’s identity and faith during periods of national restoration. It ensured that, despite political upheaval and foreign domination, the divinely ordained channels for relating to God—the Temple and its Priesthood—remained legitimate and traceable back to the source of divine appointment.
- The earthly, time-bound succession of High Priests ultimately foreshadowed the singular, eternal High Priesthood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7). Unlike the priests mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6, whose office ended with death, Christ's priesthood is permanent and superior, fulfilling and perfecting what the Aaronic line could only temporarily typify.
1 Chronicles 6 4 Commentary
1 Chronicles 6:4 is a concise but foundational verse within the High Priestly genealogy. It continues the meticulous cataloging of the descendants of Levi, specifically pinpointing the unbroken line of Aaron’s High Priestly succession. By stating that Eleazar begot Phinehas, and Phinehas begot Abishua, the verse serves as an indispensable link, affirming the legitimate lineage crucial for priestly authority in Israel. This precise record was particularly vital for the post-exilic community, for whom the Book of Chronicles was compiled, providing solid evidence for the rightful continuity of the priesthood and thus the proper continuation of temple worship. The inclusion of Phinehas is noteworthy, echoing the covenant of perpetual priesthood God made with him in Numbers 25, underscoring the divine decree behind this enduring office.