Exodus 6 19

Exodus 6:19 kjv

And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.

Exodus 6:19 nkjv

The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Levi according to their generations.

Exodus 6:19 niv

The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of Levi according to their records.

Exodus 6:19 esv

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations.

Exodus 6:19 nlt

The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi.
These are the clans of the Levites, as listed in their family records.

Exodus 6 verses

Exodus 6 19 Meaning

Exodus 6:19 identifies the specific descendants of Merari, the third son of Levi, as Mahli and Mushi. This verse, embedded within a genealogical account, specifies the family lines within the tribe of Levi, specifically those who would form the Merarite clan. It clarifies the precise lineage that would serve in roles designated by God for the Tabernacle and its services, reinforcing the divine ordering of the Levitical priesthood and service.

Exodus 6 19 Context

Exodus 6:19 is part of a detailed genealogy found in Exodus 6:14-27. This genealogical segment is strategically inserted into the narrative just after God has powerfully reaffirmed His covenant with Moses (Exo 6:2-8) and Moses has again expressed his unworthiness and the Israelites' lack of receptiveness (Exo 6:10-12).

The purpose of this genealogy is critical: it validates the authority and divine appointment of Moses and Aaron for the formidable task of confronting Pharaoh and leading Israel out of bondage. By tracing their lineage directly back to Levi, it establishes their legitimate right to speak on God's behalf and to lead the people as chosen instruments. Specifically for the tribe of Levi, it prefigures their future divine calling and separation for Tabernacle service, emphasizing the order and meticulousness of God's plans. The listing of Merari's sons, Mahli and Mushi, directly lays the groundwork for understanding the structure and function of the Levites later in the wilderness wanderings, where the Merarites had specific duties in transporting the heavier components of the Tabernacle.

Exodus 6 19 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A conjunction that smoothly connects this specific lineage to the broader genealogical list of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi that began in verse 14. It indicates continuation and the progressive unveiling of key lineages.
• the sons (בְּנֵי - b'ney): A common Hebrew plural construct form for "sons of," indicating descendants or direct offspring. Here it refers to the two main lines of Merari's immediate family that would form distinct family groups within the larger Merarite clan.
• of Merari (מְרָרִי - M'rari): The third son of Levi (Exo 6:16; Num 3:17). His name likely relates to "bitter" or "grieved," though its etymological connection to his later role is not explicit in the text. He is a patriarchal head from whom one of the three major Levite clans—the Merarites—would descend.
• Mahli (מַחְלִי - Makhli): A grandson of Levi through Merari, one of the two heads of the Merarite clan families. His name means "sickly" or "infirm," but again, its relevance to his role or character is not highlighted in Scripture.
• and Mushi (וּמוּשִׁי - uMuschi): The second grandson of Levi through Merari and co-head of a distinct Merarite family line. His name's meaning is less clear, possibly related to "to feel" or "to withdraw." Together, Mahli and Mushi are foundational ancestors for their respective divisions of the Merarite Levites.
• These (אֵלֶה - 'eleh): A demonstrative pronoun, referring collectively to Mahli and Mushi, as well as by extension to the families stemming from them. It serves as an identifying and summarizing term for the genealogical unit.
• are the families (מִשְׁפְּחֹת - mishp'ḥōt): Plural of mishpachah, meaning "family," "clan," "kindred," or "sub-tribe." This term signifies a subdivision within a larger tribe or lineage, representing distinct ancestral groups. It highlights the structured organization within the Levites, crucial for assigning specific duties in the tabernacle service.
• of the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם - haLevi'im): The specific designation of their tribal affiliation. "Levites" refers to the descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob, who were uniquely set apart for religious service in Israel. This clarifies the precise identity of the families just named.
• according to their generations (לְתֹלְדֹתָם - l'toledōtām): The word toledot (תּוֹלְדֹת) literally means "generations" or "account of offspring/begettings." It's a common literary marker in the Pentateuch, especially in Genesis, signifying a genealogical register or a chronological unfolding of events related to a particular lineage. Here, it underscores the comprehensive and systematic nature of the record, affirming the direct, unbroken lineage and the authenticity of the familial lines, which was essential for priestly and Levitical duties.

Exodus 6 19 Bonus section

The detailed listing of Levitical genealogies, including the specific naming of Merari's sons, underscores the crucial role of the Levites in Israel's religious life, a role not yet explicitly commanded but already divinely planned. Their later duties, particularly for the Merarites (Num 3:36-37, Num 4:29-33), involved carrying the heavier parts of the Tabernacle and its framework, in contrast to the Gershonites who carried the coverings, and the Kohathites who carried the holy articles. This careful demarcation of roles emphasizes divine order and the principle of stewardship—every family unit, though seemingly minor in a long list, had a preordained place and purpose within God's larger plan for His people. The consistent biblical emphasis on these "generations" (toledot) serves to demonstrate the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenant promises through specific bloodlines, pointing ultimately to the lineage of Christ.

Exodus 6 19 Commentary

Exodus 6:19, while seemingly a simple genealogical entry, serves a significant theological and narrative purpose within the book of Exodus. It precisely defines the lineage of the Merarite Levites, a family clan destined for critical service in the Tabernacle. In the broader context of Exodus 6, where Moses expresses doubt and God reaffirms His covenant, this genealogical detour provides a foundational assurance. It underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign plan by establishing the chosen lines for leadership (Moses and Aaron) and for future spiritual service (the Levites). This specificity validates the divine appointment and demonstrates that the individuals whom God selects are not random, but chosen within a defined, ordered, and divinely ordained framework. It foreshadows the highly organized structure of the Israelite camp and Tabernacle service, where each family of Levi, including the Merarites (who were responsible for the heavy loads of the Tabernacle's framework), had a distinct and vital role.