1 Chronicles 6

Chapters 1–9 of 1 Chronicles consist of genealogies of the tribes of Israel, and chapter 6 belongs to this section. After the previous chapter's treatment of the tribes east of the Jordan, this chapter records the lineage and settlements of the tribe of Levi.

Outline

• Verses 1–15 list the three sons of Levi and the priestly line of Aaron's descendants. The line runs from Eleazar to Jehozadak, who was carried into exile under Nebuchadnezzar.
• Verses 16–30 give the genealogies of the three clans of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Samuel's sons Joel and Abiah appear in the Kohathite line.
• Verses 31–48 introduce the men whom David appointed to lead the singing before the tabernacle: Heman of the Kohathites, Asaph of the Gershonites at his right hand, and Ethan of the Merarites at his left. The genealogy of each is traced back to Levi.
• Verses 49–53 describe the duties of Aaron's descendants: serving at the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, performing the work of the most holy place, and making atonement. The line from Eleazar to Ahimaaz is then given again.
• Verses 54–81 list the cities and pasturelands that the descendants of Levi received from the various tribes. Aaron's descendants received thirteen cities, the rest of the Kohathites ten, the Gershonites thirteen, and the Merarites twelve. The fields and villages of Hebron were given to Caleb.

Key Verses

• 1 Chronicles 6:31 "And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD." This verse attributes the origin of the temple's ministry of praise to David and reflects the Chronicler's interest in worship.
• 1 Chronicles 6:49 "…to make an atonement for Israel." This verse summarizes the duties of the Aaronic priests.

People and Places

• Gershon, Kohath, and Merari: The sons of Levi and ancestors of the three clans of the tribe of Levi.
• Aaron, Moses, and Miriam: The children of Amram, son of Kohath.
• Eleazar and Phinehas: Figures at the head of the Aaronic priestly line.
• Zadok: A priest in the time of David and Solomon, included in this line.
• Samuel: Recorded in this chapter as a descendant of Kohath.
• Korah: Appears as one of the ancestors in the Kohathite line.
• Heman, Asaph, and Ethan: Representatives of the Levitical families appointed to lead the singing in David's time.
• Nebuchadnezzar: The king of Babylon who carried the people of Judah into exile.
• Hebron: A city of refuge given to Aaron's descendants; the surrounding fields went to Caleb.
• Cities of refuge: This chapter names Hebron, Shechem, and Golan in Bashan, among others, as cities of refuge.

Points to Consider

• Chapter and verse divisions: The Hebrew Masoretic Text numbers verses 1–15 of this chapter as 5:27–41 and verses 16–81 as 6:1–66. Korean translations follow the same division as English Bibles.
• Samuel's tribe: 1 Samuel 1 introduces Samuel's father Elkanah as an "Ephrathite" (an Ephraimite). Some interpret this term as referring to the region where he lived, while a critical interpretation holds that the Chronicler placed Samuel within the Levitical line.
• The singers and the Psalms: Among the Psalms, Psalm 50 and Psalms 73–83 bear the name of Asaph, Psalm 88 that of Heman the Ezrahite, and Psalm 89 that of Ethan the Ezrahite. Opinions differ on whether these are the same individuals as the Levites in this chapter.
• Parallel passage: The list of Levitical cities parallels Joshua 21.
• Connection to the New Testament: Hebrews 7 contrasts the Aaronic Levitical priesthood with the priesthood of Jesus after the order of Melchizedek.