1 Chronicles 6 50

1 Chronicles 6:50 kjv

And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

1 Chronicles 6:50 nkjv

Now these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

1 Chronicles 6:50 niv

These were the descendants of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

1 Chronicles 6:50 esv

These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

1 Chronicles 6:50 nlt

The descendants of Aaron were Eleazar, Phinehas, Abishua,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 50 Meaning

This verse continues the crucial lineage of Aaron, specifying the direct male descendants who constituted the high-priestly line from the time of Aaron's immediate successor, Eleazar, through Abishua. Its primary purpose within the extensive genealogies of Chronicles is to establish the legitimate and continuous succession of the Aaronic priesthood, emphasizing the foundational figures through whom the sacred office was perpetuated according to divine appointment. It highlights the divine order and historical continuity essential for Israel's worship and identity, especially relevant for the post-exilic community the Chronicler addressed.

1 Chronicles 6 50 Context

1 Chronicles 6 is largely dedicated to tracing the genealogies of the tribe of Levi, emphasizing the vital role of this tribe in Israel's worship and service to God. The chapter systematically outlines the families of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, ultimately converging on the lineage of Aaron, a Kohathite, from whom the high priesthood originated. Verses 49-53 specifically list the descendants of Aaron who served as high priests, beginning with Aaron himself and continuing the unbroken line. This specific verse, 1 Chronicles 6:50, lists Eleazar, Phinehas, and Abishua. The Chronicler's primary historical and theological agenda was to underscore the legitimacy and divine appointment of the priesthood for the post-exilic community. This served to ground their renewed worship and identity firmly in God's past covenant promises and instructions, particularly concerning the Jerusalem Temple and its services. By providing detailed genealogies of priests and Levites, the Chronicler offered assurance of continuity, order, and divine approval to those rebuilding their lives and religious structures after the Babylonian exile.

1 Chronicles 6 50 Word Analysis

• And (וְוַּֽאֲלֶּ֖ה - ve'a-leh): This conjunction introduces the continuation of the priestly line, linking it directly to the previous verses' general description of priestly duties (v. 49). It signifies continuity and adds another segment to the genealogical record.
• these (אֵ֣לֶּה - e-leh): Refers directly to the specific individuals who follow, highlighting their particular identity as members of this designated lineage.
• are (implied in Hebrew): The Hebrew construction naturally implies the verb "are" or "were," making it a direct statement of identity or relationship.
• the sons (בְּנֵ֣י - benei): Emphasizes direct paternal descent, which was paramount for legitimate inheritance and particularly for priestly office. In ancient Israel, male lineage determined social standing, tribal affiliation, and religious roles.
• of Aaron (אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן - aharon): Identifies the foundational figure of the Israelite priesthood. Aaron, Moses' brother, was chosen by God as the first high priest (Ex 28:1), establishing the exclusive line for this sacred office. His name signifies the divine appointment of the entire priestly system that would follow.
• Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָ֥ר - El'azar): Meaning "God has helped" or "God is helper." Eleazar was Aaron's third son, who succeeded his father as high priest upon Aaron's death on Mount Hor (Num 20:25-28). He was a key figure in the wilderness generation, overseeing sacred duties alongside Moses and Joshua, including the distribution of the land. His succession solidified the divine order.
• his son (בְּנ֖וֹ - beno): Explicitly states Eleazar's direct filial relationship to Aaron, reaffirming the generational transmission of the priestly office.
• Phinehas (פִּינְחָ֥ס - Pinchas): Meaning "mouth of bronze" or "serpent's mouth," potentially referencing zeal. Phinehas was Eleazar's son and the grandson of Aaron. He is most notable for his zealous act in killing Zimri and Cozbi, stopping a plague among the Israelites (Num 25:6-15). This act earned him and his descendants "a covenant of a perpetual priesthood" from God, affirming divine favor on his specific lineage (Num 25:13).
• his son (בְּנ֖וֹ - beno): Again, emphasizes the direct lineal succession crucial for the priestly claim.
• Abishua (אֲבִישׁ֥וּעַ - Avishua): Meaning "my father is salvation" or "father of welfare." Abishua was the son of Phinehas. He is less prominent in the narrative parts of the Old Testament but his inclusion here underscores the uninterrupted genealogical flow of the high priestly line. His name appears in later extra-biblical sources related to priestly genealogies.
• his son (בְּנ֖וֹ - beno): Reinforces the precise and unbroken lineage that the Chronicler is meticulously recording, foundational for legitimizing the post-exilic priesthood.

• The sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son: This sequence highlights the strict adherence to patrilineal succession for the Aaronic priesthood. The repetition of "his son" emphatically establishes direct and exclusive descent from Aaron. This continuity was paramount as it linked the present-day (for the Chronicler's audience) high priests directly back to the original divinely appointed line. It serves as a strong validation for the re-established Temple worship and priestly authority in post-exilic Judah, ensuring it aligns with ancient divine mandates rather than new innovations or usurped power.

1 Chronicles 6 50 Bonus Section

The meticulous recording of genealogies, particularly the priestly line, by the Chronicler stands in contrast to the historical books of Samuel and Kings, which often focus more on political events and kingship. The Chronicler, writing for a community that had returned from exile and was centered around the rebuilt Temple rather than a king, deliberately highlights the priesthood and the Levitical service as central to Israel's identity and future hope. This particular verse (1 Chr 6:50) is part of a longer list of high priests (1 Chr 6:50-53) which parallels, though with some differences in omissions/inclusions, similar lists in Ezra 7:1-5 and some rabbinic traditions. These differences are often attributed to varying purposes for the lists or selective inclusion for specific theological points. Here, the focus is unequivocally on the Aaronic legitimacy for the cultic service. The precise naming validates the spiritual leadership of their day.

1 Chronicles 6 50 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:50 meticulously details a critical segment of the Aaronic high-priestly lineage: Eleazar, Phinehas, and Abishua. This verse, embedded within extensive Levitical genealogies, serves a profound theological and historical purpose for the Chronicler's audience. It emphasizes the continuity, legitimacy, and divine sanction of the high priesthood through direct, unblemished descent from Aaron. The names listed are not merely a record; they represent the unbroken thread of divine service from the wilderness period into later Israelite history. Eleazar, as Aaron's immediate successor, solidifies the transfer of the high priestly office. Phinehas, renowned for his zeal and subsequent covenant of perpetual priesthood, underscores divine approval and promise specifically to his line. Abishua's inclusion confirms the ongoing flow, even if he is less detailed in other historical narratives, demonstrating that the line from Aaron through Eleazar and Phinehas was unbroken and divinely ordained. This served as reassurance for the post-exilic community that their priesthood and worship system were in line with God's original design, offering stability and authority for the rebuilding of their spiritual identity.