CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
1 Chronicles 6
Chapter 6 of 29
Chapter Overview
What happens in 1 Chronicles 6
This is the longest chapter in the genealogy section, covering the tribe of Levi in great detail. The Levites were set apart to serve God in worship. This chapter lists the priestly line from Aaron, the temple musicians David appointed, and the cities given to the Levites throughout Israel.
Scripture
1 Chronicles 6
The High Priestly Line
Study note
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. From Kohath came Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Aaron's family became the priests of Israel. This section traces the high priestly line from Aaron's son Eleazar all the way to Jehozadak, who was taken into exile when Babylon conquered Jerusalem. This unbroken line of priests spans the entire history of Israel's worship.
1 Levi's sons were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2 Kohath's sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
3 Amram's children were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Aaron's sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4 Eleazar had a son named Phinehas, and Phinehas had a son named Abishua. Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
5 Abishua had a son named Bukki, and Bukki had a son named Uzzi. And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
6 Uzzi had a son named Zerahiah, and Zerahiah had a son named Meraioth. And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
7 Meraioth had a son named Amariah, and Amariah had a son named Ahitub. Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
8 Ahitub had a son named Zadok, and Zadok had a son named Ahimaaz. And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
9 Ahimaaz had a son named Azariah, and Azariah had a son named Johanan. And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
10 Johanan had a son named Azariah. This Azariah served as a priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem. And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
11 Azariah had a son named Amariah, and Amariah had a son named Ahitub. And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
12 Ahitub had a son named Zadok, and Zadok had a son named Shallum. And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
13 Shallum had a son named Hilkiah, and Hilkiah had a son named Azariah. And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
14 Azariah had a son named Seraiah, and Seraiah had a son named Jehozadak. And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
15 Jehozadak was taken away as a captive. The Lord let Babylon's king carry off Judah and Jerusalem. And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
The Levite Family Branches
Study note
This section lists the three main branches of the Levites through Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. Each branch had specific duties in the worship of God. The descendants of Samuel the prophet also appear in the Kohathite line. These family records were important for ensuring that only qualified Levites served in the temple.
16 To summarize, Levi's sons were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
17 Gershom's sons were Libni and Shimei. And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
18 Kohath's sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
19 Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. These are the main family groups within the tribe of Levi, listed by their ancestors. The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
20 Gershom's family line went like this: Libni, then Jahath, then Zimmah. Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
21 Then Joah, then Iddo, then Zerah, then Jeatherai. Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
22 Kohath's family line went like this: Amminadab, then Korah, then Assir. The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
23 Then Elkanah, then Ebiasaph, then Assir. Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
24 Then Tahath, then Uriel, then Uzziah, then Shaul. Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
25 Elkanah's sons were Amasai and Ahimoth. And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
26 Elkanah's family line continued with Zophai, then Nahath. As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
27 Then Eliab, then Jeroham, then Elkanah. Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
28 Samuel's sons were Joel (the firstborn) and Abijah (the second). And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.
29 Merari's family line went like this: Mahli, then Libni, then Shimei, then Uzzah. The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
30 Then Shimea, then Haggiah, then Asaiah. Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
David's Temple Musicians
Study note
David appointed three chief musicians to lead worship after the Ark of the Covenant found a permanent home. Heman (from Kohath), Asaph (from Gershom), and Ethan (from Merari) each led worship teams. Their family lines are traced back to Levi to prove they were qualified for this sacred service. The remaining Levites handled other duties at the tabernacle.
31 These are the men David chose to lead the music and worship in the Lord's house after the ark of the covenant was placed there. And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.
32 They led the worship with singing and music in front of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. They did this until Solomon built the Lord's temple in Jerusalem. They followed set rules for doing their work. And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.
33 Here are the worship leaders and their family lines. From Kohath's family: Heman the singer, who descended from Joel, who descended from Samuel. And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
34 Samuel came from Elkanah, who came from Jeroham, who came from Eliel, who came from Toah. The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,
35 Toah came from Zuph, who came from Elkanah, who came from Mahath, who came from Amasai. The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
36 Amasai came from Elkanah. Elkanah came from Joel. Joel came from Azariah. Azariah came from Zephaniah. The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
37 Zephaniah came from Tahath. Tahath came from Assir. Assir came from Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph came from Korah. The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
38 Korah came from Izhar. Izhar came from Kohath. Kohath came from Levi. Levi came from Israel. The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
39 Heman's partner Asaph stood to his right and led music alongside him. Asaph descended from Berechiah, who descended from Shimea. And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,
40 Shimea came from Michael, who came from Baaseiah, who came from Malchijah. The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
41 Malchijah came from Ethni, who came from Zerah, who came from Adaiah. The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42 Adaiah descended from Ethan, who descended from Zimmah, who descended from Shimei. The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43 Shimei came from Jahath, who came from Gershom, who came from Levi. The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
44 On the left side stood Ethan, from the family of Merari. He descended from Kishi, who descended from Abdi, who descended from Malluch. And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
45 Malluch came from Hashabiah, who came from Amaziah, who came from Hilkiah. The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
46 Hilkiah descended from Amzi, who descended from Bani, who descended from Shemer. The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,
47 Shemer came from Mahli, who came from Mushi, who came from Merari, who came from Levi. The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48 The other Levites were given all the remaining jobs at the tabernacle, God's dwelling place. Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
The Duties of Aaron's Descendants
Study note
Aaron's descendants had the unique job of offering sacrifices on the altar and burning incense. They were also responsible for making atonement for Israel's sins, exactly as Moses had commanded. Only Aaron's family could serve as priests at the altar.
49 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50 Here are Aaron's descendants: his son Eleazar, then Phinehas, then Abishua. And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
51 Then Bukki, then Uzzi, then Zerahiah. Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
52 Then Meraioth, then Amariah, then Ahitub. Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
53 Then Zadok, then Ahimaaz. Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Cities Given to the Levites
Study note
Because the Levites did not receive a large territory like the other tribes, they were given specific cities and pasturelands scattered throughout Israel. Aaron's descendants received cities in Judah and Benjamin, including Hebron as a city of refuge. Other Levite families received cities in the territories of the various tribes. This arrangement ensured that Levites lived among all the people and could serve God throughout the land.
54 Here is where Aaron's descendants were given land to live in. The Kohathite families were the first to receive their share, chosen by drawing lots. Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
55 They received the city of Hebron in the land of Judah, along with the pastures around it. And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56 But the fields and towns around Hebron went to Caleb son of Jephunneh. But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57 Aaron's family got Hebron. It was a safe city for people to flee to. They also got Libnah, Jattir, and Eshtemoa. All had pastures. And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
58 They also got Hilen and Debir with their pastureland. And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59 They got Ashan and Beth-Shemesh with their pastureland too. And Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs:
60 From the tribe of Benjamin, they received Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth with their pastureland. Altogether, the family groups of Aaron received thirteen cities. And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
61 The rest of Kohath's families were given ten cities by drawing lots. These came from the land of the western half-tribe of Manasseh. And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
62 Gershom's clans got thirteen cities. These came from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan. And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
63 The families of Merari received twelve cities by drawing lots. These came from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64 In this way, the people of Israel gave these cities and their surrounding pastureland to the Levites. And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65 From the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, they assigned the cities that were listed by name. And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
66 Some Kohathite families received cities from the tribe of Ephraim. And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67 They got Shechem (a city of safety) in the hill country of Ephraim, along with Gezer and their pastureland. And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68 They also got Jokmeam and Beth-Horon with their pastureland. And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs,
69 They got Aijalon and Gath-Rimmon with their pastureland as well. And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs:
70 From the western half-tribe of Manasseh, they received Aner and Bileam with their pastureland. These went to the rest of the Kohathite families. And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
71 The Gershom families received Golan in Bashan and Ashtaroth with their pasturelands. These came from the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh. Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
72 From the tribe of Issachar, they got Kedesh and Daberath with their pastureland. And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73 They also got Ramoth and Anem with their pastureland. And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74 From the tribe of Asher, they got Mashal and Abdon with their pastureland. And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75 They also got Hukok and Rehob with their pastureland. And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76 From the tribe of Naphtali, they got Kedesh in the region of Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim with their pastureland. And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77 The rest of the Merari families got Rimmon and Tabor with their pasture land from the tribe of Zebulun. Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78 East of the Jordan near Jericho, the tribe of Reuben gave them Bezer and Jahzah. Both had pastures. Bezer was in the desert. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,
79 They also got Kedemoth and Mephaath with their pastureland. Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80 From the tribe of Gad, they received Ramoth in Gilead and Mahanaim with their pastureland. And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81 They also got Heshbon and Jazer with their pastureland. And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.
Key Themes
Themes in 1 Chronicles 6
The sacredness of worship leadershipGod sets apart people for His serviceMusic and worship as central to spiritual lifeGod provides a place for those who serve Him
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
1 Chronicles 6:49 Hebrews 7:23-27
Aaron's descendants served as high priests making atonement through animal sacrifices — a role that foreshadowed Jesus, the eternal High Priest who offered Himself as the final, perfect sacrifice.
Apply This Today
Living 1 Chronicles 6
God values worship and appoints specific people to lead His community in praise. Whether you are a worship leader or simply sing in the congregation, your participation in worship matters deeply to God. He has a place and a purpose for you in His community.
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