1 Chronicles 6 52

1 Chronicles 6:52 kjv

Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

1 Chronicles 6:52 nkjv

Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

1 Chronicles 6:52 niv

Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

1 Chronicles 6:52 esv

Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

1 Chronicles 6:52 nlt

Meraioth, Amariah, Ahitub,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 52 Meaning

This verse continues the direct, patrilineal genealogy of the high priests, tracing the lineage from Hilkiah to Amariah and then to Ahitub. It specifically names three consecutive generations within the divinely appointed sacerdotal line of Aaron through Zadok. These individuals played roles in the sacred office responsible for mediating between God and Israel, ensuring the continuity of proper worship and the covenant relationship. The verse's brevity underlines the sheer flow of generations.

1 Chronicles 6 52 Context

First Chronicles chapter 6 is a detailed genealogical record focusing specifically on the tribe of Levi, from whom the priests and temple musicians were drawn. Verses 50-53 (Hebrew verses 34-37) delineate the high priestly line from Aaron through Eleazar and Phinehas, leading up to the figures mentioned in verse 52. These extensive lists were profoundly significant for the Chronicler's original audience, the post-exilic community of Judah. In an era where much had been lost, these genealogies provided a critical sense of identity, continuity, and legitimacy. They affirmed that the current priesthood serving at the rebuilt Temple descended directly from Aaron and Zadok, as divinely ordained, countering any challenges to their authority and ensuring proper worship according to the Law of Moses. The historical context emphasizes the meticulous preservation of records to validate tribal and priestly claims after the return from Babylonian exile.

1 Chronicles 6 52 Word analysis

• Hilkiah (חִלְקִיָּהוּ, Ḥilqiyyāhû): "My portion is Yahweh" or "The Lord is my inheritance." This name designates a historically significant high priest who served during the reign of King Josiah. He is renowned for rediscovering the Book of the Law in the Temple during its renovation, a pivotal event that spurred Josiah's widespread religious reforms (2 Ki 22; 2 Chr 34). His mention here links this segment of the genealogy to a major turning point of spiritual renewal and faithfulness in Judah's history, highlighting a period where God's commands were rediscovered and embraced.
• his son (בְּנוֹ, b'no): This phrase, repeated sequentially, clearly indicates direct patrilineal descent. In biblical genealogies, "his son" establishes a clear line of succession, affirming the legitimacy and continuity of a family, particularly crucial for offices like the high priesthood that were hereditary. It denotes the precise flow of lineage from one generation to the next, crucial for documenting divine appointments and validating claims to priestly service.
• Amariah (אֲמַרְיָהוּ, ʼĂmaryāhû): "Yahweh has spoken" or "Yahweh is exalted." A common biblical name, it is used here to identify the direct descendant of Hilkiah in the high priestly succession. While specific historical details about this particular Amariah are not provided beyond his place in the lineage, his inclusion confirms the unbroken chain of legitimate high priests leading from and to other prominent figures, underscoring the ongoing divine preservation of the priestly office.
• Ahitub (אֲחִיטוּב, ʼAḥîṭûḇ): "My brother is good" or "Goodness is my brother." This name appears multiple times in different priestly lineages (e.g., as Zadok's father). In this context, Ahitub is the son of Amariah, further extending the high priestly line. His inclusion maintains the chronological flow and confirms the meticulous detailing of the continuous sacerdotal descent from Aaron through the Zadokite branch, crucial for the post-exilic community's identity and worship practices.

• "Hilkiah his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son": This recurring syntactic structure is characteristic of biblical genealogies. It serves to emphasize a direct and unambiguous sequence of generations, crucial for validating legitimacy, particularly for inherited offices such as the high priesthood. For the Chronicler's audience, it underscored the unwavering divine covenant in maintaining a distinct and rightful line of priests, ensuring continuity of service, land rights, and national identity connected to God's promises. It functions as a declarative affirmation of the unbroken and pure lineage.

1 Chronicles 6 52 Bonus section

• The Zadokite Priesthood: The high priestly line presented in 1 Chronicles 6, including the figures in verse 52, primarily focuses on the descendants of Zadok. Zadok, a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar, became the sole high priest under King Solomon, displacing the line of Eli/Abiathar (1 Ki 2:35). The Chronicler emphasizes this Zadokite lineage as the divinely appointed and legitimate branch of the high priesthood, a point of crucial theological and historical importance for the returned exiles.
• Divine Faithfulness and Continuity: These detailed genealogies, while seemingly mundane lists of names, profoundly speak to God's unwavering faithfulness. Despite national sin, exile, and upheaval, God preserved a remnant and maintained the priestly lineage, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant promises and His plan for redemption. The continuity of the priesthood provided a constant point of reference and means of access to God for the Israelites throughout their history.
• Prophetic Foreshadowing: The perpetual and divinely ordained nature of the Aaronic priesthood, underscored by these genealogies, serves as a backdrop for understanding the greater priesthood of Jesus Christ. While Christ's priesthood is not through human descent (Heb 7:14), the very concept of an appointed, legitimate, and mediatorial high priest points to Him. Jesus is the ultimate and eternal High Priest, fulfilling and surpassing the Aaronic order, establishing a new covenant access to God that requires no ongoing genealogical succession.

1 Chronicles 6 52 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:52 offers a glimpse into the meticulously preserved high priestly lineage, listing Hilkiah, Amariah, and Ahitub as direct successors. This brief verse, though a mere snippet of names, is packed with significance for the Chronicler's original audience. It forms a crucial link in the comprehensive genealogy presented in Chapter 6, primarily designed to validate the authenticity and legitimacy of the priesthood during the post-exilic period. The inclusion of Hilkiah notably grounds this lineage in a time of spiritual revival under King Josiah, lending historical weight and credibility. This commitment to precise genealogical records highlights the profound importance of established order and divine appointment in Israelite worship. The verse contributes to the Chronicler's overarching theological purpose: to assure the returning exiles of God's covenant faithfulness through the continued existence of a pure Aaronic priesthood, essential for national identity, reconciliation with God, and adherence to the Law, laying the groundwork for a hopeful future.