FocusGenealogy and restored community
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
interpretation 1 Chronicles 6:3
KJVAnd the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Read it in context
The Descendants of Levi
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 6:1 (1 Chronicles 6:1 to 1 Chronicles 6:30).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
- 6:1 The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- 6:2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
- 6:3 And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
- 6:4 Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
- 6:5 And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
- 6:6 And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
- 6:7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
- 6:8 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
- 6:9 And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
- 6:10 And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
- 6:11 And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
- 6:12 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
- 6:13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
- 6:14 And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
- 6:15 And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
- 6:16 The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
- 6:17 And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
- 6:18 And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
- 6:19 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
- 6:20 Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
- 6:21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
- 6:22 The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
- 6:23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
- 6:24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
- 6:25 And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
- 6:26 As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
- 6:27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
- 6:28 And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.
- 6:29 The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
- 6:30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution. The historical writer or compiler is commonly called the Chronicler; an exact personal identification is not certain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Chronicles 1:1–9:44): These genealogies and settlement lists identify ancestral families, tribes, priests, Levites, and returned inhabitants for the community's record. The people listed are not all participants in one contemporary gathering. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after the Babylonian exile, reconnecting its families, worship, and identity with Israel's earlier history. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 9:1; 1 Chronicles 9:2. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Descendants of Levi. Read 1 Chronicles 6:1 through 1 Chronicles 6:30 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The genealogies range widely through generations; the narrative then concentrates on David and preparations for the temple. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The tribal lines and settlements range through Israel. David's reign and temple preparations concentrate on Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Descendants of Levi (1 Chronicles 6:1 to 1 Chronicles 6:30). Start reading at 1 Chronicles 6:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? David's house and promised successor belong to the royal line later connected to Jesus. Preserve the immediate reference to Solomon where temple-building responsibilities are stated. See 1 Chronicles 17:11, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Luke 1:32. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Consider faithful preparation, ordered service, and the contribution of many people to worship. Genealogies describe particular family relationships and should not be turned into a universal ranking of personal worth. interpretation
Cited: 1 Chronicles 6:1, 1 Chronicles 6:30, 1 Chronicles 17:11, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Luke 1:32
Who wrote it, and how we know
Ezra (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Ezra.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The genealogies extend past the exile.
Related passages
- Aaron 1 Chr 23:13 Exod 6:20
- Miriam Exod 2:4,7 Exod 15:20 Mic 6:4
- Nadab 1 Chr 24:1-2 Exod 6:23 Exod 24:1 Exod 28:1 Lev 10:1,12,16
- Eleazar 1 Chr 24:3-6
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles 6
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
1 Chronicles 1:1 1 Chronicles 9:1 1 Chronicles 22:5
The Temple Musicians
1 Chronicles 6:31–47FocusGenealogy and restored community
Connection to the wholeThe genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
interpretation The Descendants of Aaron
1 Chronicles 6:48–53FocusGenealogy and restored community
Connection to the wholeThe genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
interpretation Territories for the Levites
1 Chronicles 6:54–81FocusGenealogy and restored community
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography.
1 Chronicles 1:1 1 Chronicles 9:1 1 Chronicles 22:5
FocusGenealogy and restored community
Connection to the wholeThe genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
interpretation David's kingship established
1 Chronicles 10:1–12:40FocusSaul's end and support for David
Connection to the wholeThe account moves from Saul's death to David's accession and the gathering of supporters.
interpretation David's reign and the ark
1 Chronicles 13:1–20:8FocusWorship, promise, and victories
Connection to the wholeThe ark's arrival, the promise to David, and accounts of victories establish the setting for the temple preparations.
interpretation Preparing for the temple
1 Chronicles 21:1–29:30FocusResources, service, and succession
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.