1 Chronicles 6 45

1 Chronicles 6:45 kjv

The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

1 Chronicles 6:45 nkjv

the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

1 Chronicles 6:45 niv

the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

1 Chronicles 6:45 esv

son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah,

1 Chronicles 6:45 nlt

Hashabiah, Amaziah, Hilkiah,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 45 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:45 (KJV) provides a segment of the patriarchal lineage, stating three generations: "the son of Amasai, the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel." This verse specifically contributes to the extensive genealogy of Heman, one of the three principal Levitical musicians appointed by King David for temple worship. It serves to meticulously trace the sacred ancestry of those authorized by divine decree to lead and participate in Israel's elaborate worship practices, emphasizing the God-ordained continuity of spiritual service.

1 Chronicles 6 45 Context

1 Chronicles 6:45 appears within a chapter meticulously detailing the lineages of the Levites, who were set apart for sacred service to the LORD. This particular verse forms part of the lengthy genealogy of Heman the Kohathite (1 Chr 6:33-47 KJV), who, along with Asaph and Ethan/Jeduthun, was appointed by King David as a chief director of temple music and worship (1 Chr 15:16-17; 1 Chr 25:1). The immediate context shows the chronicler tracing Heman’s specific ancestral line back through many generations.

The broader historical context for the book of Chronicles is post-exilic Judah, where the returning exiles sought to re-establish their identity and legitimate authority within their reconstituted community. Genealogies served as crucial records for identifying true Israelites, ensuring tribal distinctions, especially for priestly and Levitical roles, and demonstrating continuity with the pre-exilic Davidic and Mosaic covenants. By listing the lineage of temple musicians, the chronicler emphasized the God-ordained structure of worship and the legitimacy of those holding positions of spiritual responsibility, reassuring the returning community of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

1 Chronicles 6 45 Word analysis

• The son of: This common biblical genealogical phrase explicitly indicates direct paternal descent, signifying a link in an unbroken chain. Its repetitive use throughout genealogies emphasizes continuity, authenticity, and legal legitimacy, especially critical for inherited priestly or Levitical roles.

• Amasai (עֲמָשַׂי, `Amashay): This Hebrew name means "my burden" or "my people have lifted (up)." While a few individuals in the Bible bear this name, here Amasai functions as an ancestral link in the direct lineage of Heman, a chief musician of the temple. His inclusion validates the heritage of Heman's service, rooting it in established Levitical lines.

• Elkanah (אֶלְקָנָה, `Elqanah): Meaning "God has possessed" or "God has created," Elkanah is a relatively common Hebrew name. The most well-known Elkanah is the father of the prophet Samuel (1 Sam 1), who was also a Levite. In this context, this Elkanah is a distinct individual, yet his name, meaning "God has possessed," subtly echoes the broader theme of the Levites being "possessed" by God for His service (Num 3:12).

• Joel (יוֹאֵל, Yo'el): This name means "YHWH is God." It is borne by several significant figures in the Bible, including one of the twelve minor prophets. In this verse, Joel marks a specific ancestral point further back in Heman's lineage, providing another link in the divine chain. The name's theological meaning, affirming God's sovereignty, resonates with the chronicler's overall purpose of highlighting God's faithfulness to His people and His ordained worship.

• Words-group: "The son of Amasai, the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel," This phrase exemplifies the characteristic style of biblical genealogies. The repeated "the son of" creates a rhythmic and unambiguous sequence, serving as a mnemonic device while establishing an irrefutable line of descent. For the post-exilic audience, this detailed ancestral record was not a mere historical curiosity but a vital legal and spiritual document, solidifying the claim to roles and inheritance within God's covenant people. It underscores that Heman's ability to serve as a principal worship leader was rooted in an inherited, God-established authority rather than personal choice.

1 Chronicles 6 45 Bonus section

The careful preservation and recording of such seemingly dry lists in 1 Chronicles serve multiple functions beyond mere historical record. For the post-exilic community, these genealogies offered comfort and reassurance of God's enduring covenant, despite national judgments and dislocations. They established a foundation for re-building national life around the temple and its legitimate functions. Furthermore, these lists were also aspirational, providing a standard for purity of descent, implying that one's lineage defined one's role and identity within the covenant community, a concept particularly vital in the context of ensuring undefiled service within the sanctuary.

1 Chronicles 6 45 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:45, a brief yet potent genealogical fragment, functions as a vital stitch in the tapestry of Israel's spiritual heritage. It does not provide historical narratives about Amasai, Elkanah, or Joel but establishes their existence as essential links in the unbroken chain leading to Heman, one of King David’s divinely appointed chief musicians. For the chronicler, these genealogies were paramount for verifying legitimate claims to tribal identity, land ownership, and, most crucially, sacred office—especially for priests and Levites entrusted with maintaining God's worship system. This specific verse, therefore, affirms the proper, authorized lineage of those designated for significant roles in temple music, signifying divine order and historical continuity in God’s redemptive plan for His people. It highlights that true service in God's house springs from an ordained and established calling.