1 Chronicles 6:53 — Word Study
WLCצָד֥וֹק בְּנ֖וֹ אֲחִימַ֥עַץ בְּנֽוֹ׃ ס
BSAObj.ʼêth JokmeamYoqmᵉʻâm Obj.ʼêth pasturemigrâsh Obj.ʼêth Beth-horonBêyth Chôwrôwn Beth-horonBêyth Chôwrôwn Obj.ʼêth pasturemigrâsh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| צָד֥וֹק | Zadok | Noun proper masculine |
| בְּנ֖וֹ | son his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| אֲחִימַ֥עַץ | Ahimaaz | Noun proper masculine |
| בְּנֽוֹ׃ ס | son his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son. |
| KJV | Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. |
| ASV | Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. |
| YLT | Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. |
| WEB | Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son. |
| BBE | Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. |
The translations agree in naming both Zadok and Ahimaaz without variation.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction, clearly listing the names of Zadok and Ahimaaz.


3 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 6:53
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Priestly Lineagegenerated
1 Chronicles 6:53 lists Zadok and his son Ahimaaz as part of the priestly lineage descending from Aaron. This verse emphasizes the continuity of priestly service in Israel, highlighting the importance of these figures during the reign of David and Solomon. Zadok's role as a high priest is crucial in anointing Solomon, establishing a legacy that is referenced in various historical accounts within the Old Testament.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 6:8 | Ahitub was the father of Zadok, Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz, |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 12:28 | and Zadok, a mighty young man of valor, with 22 commanders from his own family. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 23:16 | The descendants of Gershom: Shebuel was the first. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 24:3–31 | With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 2:35 | Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צָד֥וֹק, tza.Dokgenerated
The name צָד֥וֹק (tza.Dok) means 'righteous' and refers to a significant high priest in Israel's history. Zadok supported King David and played a key role in the anointing of Solomon, marking him as a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Davidic line.
Zadok's legacy is further emphasized in various biblical accounts, where he is mentioned alongside his descendants, indicating the importance of his family in the priestly service. His name is associated with righteousness, which reflects his character and role in the religious life of Israel.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause of the verse is governed by the finite verb 'is,' which is implied in the structure. The phrase lists two subjects: צָד֥וֹק and אֲחִימַ֥עַץ, each followed by the possessive structure indicating their relationship as father and son.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the names mentioned, highlighting their significance in the genealogical record.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צָד֥וֹק as καὶ, indicating a straightforward correspondence with the Hebrew. This choice retains the identity of the figures without additional interpretation.
The simplicity of the translation reflects the direct lineage being presented, without further elaboration on their roles.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 6:53 mentions Zadok and his son Ahimaaz as part of the priestly lineage. Zadok was a high priest who supported King David and played a significant role in the anointing of Solomon. This verse highlights their importance in Israel's history.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Zadok was a high priest during King David's reign, known for his support of David and for anointing Solomon as king.
Ahimaaz means 'my brother is anger' and refers to Zadok's son, who also served in a significant role during the reigns of David and Solomon.
The priestly lineage is crucial for understanding the religious leadership in Israel, especially during the monarchy, as it establishes the continuity of priestly service.
This verse is part of a genealogical record that highlights the importance of the priestly line in Israel's history, connecting past leaders to the ongoing religious life of the nation.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from Zadok's faithfulness to King David?
- How does understanding the priestly lineage help us appreciate the history of Israel?
- In what ways can we honor the legacy of those who served faithfully in our communities?
- How does the role of Zadok as a high priest inform our understanding of leadership in faith?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 6:53 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 6 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(50-53) If the chronicler, and not his source, be held responsible for this repetition of the Aaronite line, we may regard it as an instance of his inartificial method of making a new start. He is about to pass from the Levitical genealogies to their cities and domains, and he first partially recapitulates the line of Aaron’s sons, because their seats are to be described first. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 6:1-2 with 16, 18.) He stops at Ahimaaz, who lived in the age of David and Solomon, because, apparently, the preceding section was mainly concerned with the Levites of that epoch.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 6 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges50–53 (= 35–38 according to the Heb. division). The Line of Aaron to Ahimaaz This is a fragment, slightly changed in wording, of the genealogy given in 1 Chronicles 6:4-14. It goes as far as the reign of David, or perhaps that of Solomon.
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 6 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.
his son Zadok, and his son Ahimaaz.
Tyndale line
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his sonne, and Ahimaaz his sonne.
Strictly literal
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
(6:38) Zadok his son, Achima'az his son.
Ahitub's son was Zadok. Zadok's son was Ahimaaz.
From the Latin
Sadoc his son, Achimaas his son.
Simplified
Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the names mentioned in this verse, with three of the four words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but it maintains the same essential content.
צָד֥וֹק בְּנ֖וֹ אֲחִימַ֥עַץ בְּנֽוֹ׃ ס
3 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 6:53
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word צָדוֹק (Tsadowq) means 'righteous' and refers primarily to the name Zadok, associated with several notable figures in the Old Testament. This includes a high priest during King David's reign, who supported him and anointed Solomon. The entries detail various individuals named Zadok, including priests and wall-builders during the time of Nehemiah.
צָדוֹק, and צָדֹק 54 n.pr.m. (just, righteous)
48 priests
father-in-law of Uzziah
two wall-builders
base
H6659 צָדוֹק, צָדֹק
6659 Tsadowq tsaw-doke'
from 6663; just; Tsadok, the name of eight or nine
Israelites:--Zadok.
see HEBREW for 06663
צָדוֹק (tsa.doq) — Zadok.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17;
son of: Ahitub (H0285H);
father of: Ahimaaz (H0290H)
§ Zadok = "righteous"
1) the high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul's death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king
2) a priest, son of Meraioth, father of Meshullam of the house of Ahitub; apparently a nephew of 1
3) father of Jerusha, the wife of king Uzziah and mother of king Jotham of Judah
4) son of Baana and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
5) son of Immer and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
6) a leader of the people in the time of Nehemiah
7) a scribe appointed by Nehemiah as one of the treasurers over the storehouse
HNpm — Noun proper masculineHNpm
za'-dok (tsadowq, once tsadhoq (1Ki 1:26), similar to tsaddiq, and tsadduq, post-Biblical, meaning justus, "righteous"; Septuagint Sadok): Cheyne in Encyclopedia Biblica suggests that Zadok was a modification of a Gentilic name, that of the Zidkites the Negeb, who probably derived their appellation from the root ts-d-q, a secondary title of the god they worshipped. At the same time Cheyne admits that cultivated Israelites may have interpreted Zadok as meaning "just," "righteous"--a much more credible supposition.
(1) Zadok the son of Ahitub (2Sa 8:17)--not of Ahitub the ancestor of Ahimelech (1Sa 14:3) and of Abiathar, his son (1Sa 22:20).
Zadok
Righteous. (1.) A son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazer (2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Chr. 24:3), high priest in the time of David (2 Sam. 20:25) and Solomon (1 Kings 4:4). He is first mentioned as coming to take part with David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:27, 28). He was probably on this account made ruler over the Aaronites (27:17). Zadok and Abiathar acted as high priests on several important occasions (1 Chr. 15:11; 2 Sam. 15:24-29, 35, 36); but when Adonijah endeavoured to secure the throne, Abiathar went with him, and…
(just). Son of Ahitub and one of the two chief priests in the time of David, Abiathar being the other. Zadok was of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, (1 Chronicles 24:3) and eleventh in descent from Aaron. (1 Chronicles 12:28) He joined David at Hebron after Saul’s death, (1 Chronicles 12:28) and thenceforth his fidelity to David was inviolable. When Absalom revolted and David fled from Jerusalem, Zadok and all the Levites bearing the ark accompanied him. When Absalom was dead, Zadok and Abiathar were the persons who persuaded the elders of Judah to invite David to return. (2 Samuel 19:11) When Adonijah, in David’s old age, set up for king, and had persuaded Joab…
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
HNcmsc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
אֲחִימַ֫עַץ (Achiyma`ats) means "my brother is anger (wrath)" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament. Notably, he is the son of Zadok, a priest, and served during the United Monarchy, aiding David in Absalom's rebellion. He is also mentioned as a father-in-law of Saul and a supply officer for Solomon.
אֲחִימַ֫עַץ n.pr.m. (my brother is wrath)
son of Zadok
father-in-law of Saul
base
H290 אֲחִימַ֫עַץ
290 'Achiyma`ats akh-ee-mah'-ats
from 251 and the equivalent of 4619; brother of anger;
Achimaats, the name of three Israelites:--Ahimaaz.
see HEBREW for 0251
see HEBREW for 04619
אֲחִימַ֫עַץ (a.chi.ma.ats) — Ahimaaz.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Sa.14.50;
father of: Ahinoam (H0293)
§ Ahimaaz = "my brother is anger (wrath)"
1) father-in-law of Saul
2) Zadok's son who aided David during Absalom's rebellion
3) a supply officer of Solomon
אֲחִימַ֫עַץ (a.chi.ma.ats) — Ahimaaz.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.15.27;
son of: Zadok (H6659);
father of: Azariah (H5838)
§ Ahimaaz = "my brother is anger (wrath)"
1) father-in-law of Saul
2) Zadok's son who aided David during Absalom's rebellion
3) a supply officer of Solomon
אֲחִימַ֫עַץ (a.chi.ma.ats) — Ahimaaz.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ki.4.15; married to Basemath (H1315)
§ Ahimaaz = "my brother is anger (wrath)"
1) father-in-law of Saul
HNpm — Noun proper masculineHNpm
a-hi-ma'-az, a-him'-a-az ('achima`ats, perhaps "my brother is rage," or "brother of rage"):
(1) Father of Ahinoam the wife of King Saul (1Sa 14:50).
(2) The son of Zadok the high priest (1Ch 6:8,9,53). With his father he remained loyal to David in the rebellions both of Absalom and of Adonijah. With Jonathan the son of Abiathar he carried information to Dared when he fled from Absalom (2Sa 15:27,36; 17:17,20). At his own urgent request he carried tidings to David after the death of Absalom (2Sa 18:19 ff). He told the king of the victory, and also, through his reluctance to speak, informed him of Absalom's death. By his reluctance and his sympathy he softened a little the…
Ahimaaz
Brother of anger = irascible. (1.) The father Ahinoam, the wife of Saul (1 Sam. 14:50).
(2.) The son and successor of Zadok in the office of high priest (1 Chr. 6:8, 53). On the occasion of the revolt of Absalom he remained faithful to David, and was of service to him in conveying to him tidings of the proceedings of Absalom in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 15:24-37; 17:15-21). He was swift of foot, and was the first to carry to David tidings of the defeat of Absalom, although he refrained, from delicacy of feeling, from telling him of his death (2 Sam. 18:19-33).
(brother of anger). Son of Zadok the high priest in David’s reign, and celebrated for his swiftness of foot. During Absalom’s rebellion he carried to David the important intelligence that Ahithophel had counselled an immediate attack upon David and his followers. (2 Samuel 15:24-37; 17:15-22) Shortly afterwards he was the first to bring to the king the good news of Absalom’s defeat. (2 Samuel 18:19-33) (B.C. 972-956.) Saul’s wife’s father. (1 Samuel 14:50) (B.C. before 1093.) Solomon’s son-in-law. (1 Kings 4:15) (B.C. after 1014.)
The son and successor of Zadok became high priest in the reign of Solomon. During the reign of David, he revealed to him the counsels of Absalom and his advisers in rebellion, 2Sa 17:15-21; and conveyed to him also the tidings of Absalom’s defeat and death, 2Sa 18:1-33.
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
HNcmsc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
