Exodus 6 14

Exodus 6:14 kjv

These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.

Exodus 6:14 nkjv

These are the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben.

Exodus 6:14 niv

These were the heads of their families: The sons of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel were Hanok and Pallu, Hezron and Karmi. These were the clans of Reuben.

Exodus 6:14 esv

These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben.

Exodus 6:14 nlt

These are the ancestors of some of the clans of Israel: The sons of Reuben, Israel's oldest son, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. Their descendants became the clans of Reuben.

Exodus 6 verses

Exodus 6 14 Meaning

This verse initiates a crucial genealogical record within Exodus, establishing the patriarchal structure of the Israelite tribes. It specifically names the principal family lines descending from Reuben, Jacob's (Israel's) firstborn son, serving to authenticate the national identity of Israel and the foundational basis of its tribal organization. The listing of specific individuals underscores the literal fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Abraham's descendants into a vast nation.

Exodus 6 14 Context

This verse initiates a significant genealogical section (Exod 6:14-27) that immediately follows God's powerful re-declaration of His covenant promises to Moses (Exod 6:2-13), a declaration given in response to Israel's despair and Moses's discouragement. The Israelites, burdened by harsh Egyptian bondage, had not heeded Moses. In this setting, the genealogies serve several vital functions: they bridge the narrative between the divine promise and its unfolding; they legitimize Moses and Aaron by demonstrating their established Israelite lineage as members of God's chosen people; and they subtly underscore God's faithfulness to His covenant promises by showing the multiplication and structured growth of the Israelite families, despite their current oppression. Culturally, lineage and tribal identity were foundational in ancient Near Eastern societies, providing legal, social, and religious recognition, which is precisely what this detailed record accomplishes for the burgeoning nation of Israel.

Exodus 6 14 Word analysis

• These: (Heb. elleh) — A demonstrative pronoun, serving to introduce and point forward to the specific individuals and families about to be listed. It directly connects the lineage to the Israelite people previously mentioned.

• are the heads (רָאשֵׁי - rashei): Literally "heads" or "chiefs." This term denotes the leading figures, patriarchs, or founders of significant family divisions within a larger group. It signifies leadership and origin within the clan structure.

• of their fathers’ houses (בֵּית־אֲבֹתָם - beit-avotam): The fundamental unit of ancient Israelite society, representing the extended patriarchal family including the father, his sons, their wives, children, and dependent kin. It signifies the primary residential and economic units.

• the sons of Reuben: (Heb. Bnei Re'uven) — Reuben (רְאוּבֵן - Re'uven), meaning "behold, a son," was the firstborn of Jacob (Israel) by Leah. His mention first maintains the traditional order of birth among Jacob's sons, though his privileged status as firstborn had been compromised (Gen 49:3-4).

• the firstborn of Israel: Reiteration of Reuben's birth order relative to Jacob (Israel). This formal title emphasizes his senior position in the initial tribal hierarchy.

• Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi: (Heb. Ḥanokh, Pallu', Ḥetzron, Karmi) — These are the direct sons of Reuben, who consistently appear in other biblical genealogies (e.g., Num 26:5-6). They are the progenitors of the four main clans within the tribe of Reuben.

• these are the clans (מִשְׁפְּחֹת - mishpachot): Larger social groupings, typically several "fathers' houses" sharing a common, more distant ancestor. These represented subdivisions within a tribe, significant for social organization, census, and later for land distribution.

• of Reuben: Specifies the tribal affiliation of the clans just listed.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "These are the heads of their fathers’ houses": This phrase signals the initiation of a foundational list detailing the principal ancestral branches from which the entire Israelite nation sprung. It underscores the patriarchal and hierarchical structure integral to early Israel.
  • "the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel": This highlights the beginning of the tribal listing with the senior-most son by birth. While Reuben's future role might be limited due to his actions, his status as the "firstborn" is always noted genealogically, marking a specific ordering in God's nation.
  • "Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben": This clearly identifies the immediate progeny of Reuben who went on to found the major sub-groups, or "clans," within his tribal division, demonstrating the concrete expansion of the promised descendants into distinct, identifiable family units.

Exodus 6 14 Bonus section

• The meticulous genealogies in the Pentateuch, including this one, are not merely historical records but also theological statements. They demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promise to Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation, providing tangible proof of Israel's multiplication and specific identity.
• While Exodus 6:14-27 lists the sons of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, the focus subtly builds towards the Levi's lineage, specifically Moses and Aaron, demonstrating God's sovereign choice of leaders from within the covenant community.
• The specific names (Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi) for Reuben's sons and the corresponding "clans" appear consistently across multiple biblical books (e.g., Genesis 46, Numbers 26), attesting to the historicity and consistent recording of Israelite tribal structure and family lines.
• The concept of "fathers' houses" (beit-av) forming "clans" (mishpachot) which in turn make up "tribes" (shevatim) illustrates the divine order God established for Israel. This structure would be essential for military organization, land allocation, judicial administration, and overall national identity as they moved toward the Promised Land.

Exodus 6 14 Commentary

Exodus 6:14 commences a critical genealogical section, embedding the narrative of deliverance firmly within the historical and familial lines of Israel. Its immediate purpose is to provide context and legitimacy for the upcoming leadership roles of Moses and Aaron by tracing their specific lineage within the tribe of Levi (Exod 6:16-20), presenting them not as outsiders but as deeply rooted members of the covenant nation God is saving. By meticulously listing Reuben's sons and their associated clans first, the text establishes a foundational order reflecting primogeniture, while simultaneously affirming the practical fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham of multiplying descendants into numerous "clans" and "tribes," even under duress in Egypt. This careful record underscores God's sovereignty over history and His detailed plan for His people, laying the groundwork for Israel's future tribal organization and identity as a distinct nation.