1 Chronicles 6

Chapters 2–8. The Genealogies of the Tribes of Israel The Chronicler deals very unequally with the tribes in their genealogies; as the following table shews: 1 Chronicles 2:1 to 1 Chronicles 4:23. Judah (102 verses). 1 Chronicles 4:24-43. Simeon (20 verses). 1 Chronicles 5:1-26. Reuben, Gad, and Eastern Manasseh (26 verses). 1 Chronicles 6:1-81. Levi (81 verses). 1 Chronicles 7:1-40. Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Eastern Manasseh (again), Ephraim, and Asher (40 verses). 1 Chronicles 8:1-40. Benjamin, though already noticed in 1 Chronicles 7:6-11 (40 verses). Zebulun and (perhaps) Dan (cp. 1 Chronicles 7:12, note) are omitted. It may easily be seen that the tribes in which the Chronicler is really interested are the three southern tribes, Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, together with the priestly tribe, Levi. The order in which the tribes are mentioned is at first geographical, Judah and Simeon the southern tribes first, then the eastern tribes Reuben, Gad, Manasseh; the rest follow in no fixed order.

1 Chronicles 6:1

Ch. 1 Chronicles 6:1-15 (= 5:27–41 according to the Heb. division). The Descent of the High-priests from Levi. Their Line to the Captivity Clearly the list of highpriests given in 1 Chronicles 6:4-14 is not exhaustive. (1) In the first place allowing 20 years for each generation mentioned we get a space of 440 years only from the Mosaic age to the Captivity. The real interval must have been not less (and was probably much more) than 700 years. (2) In the second place some priests (doubtless highpriests) mentioned in the course of history find no place here, e.g. Eli, Ahimelech (son of Ahitub), Abiathar (David’s fellow-exile), Azariah (the contemporary of the leper-king Uzziah), Urijah (the contemporary of king Ahaz), and Azariah (2 Chronicles 31:10). The object of the list seems to be simply to shew the legitimacy of the position of Jehozadak whose son Jeshua continued the succession after the Return.

1. The sons of Levi] So Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16.

1 Chronicles 6:2

2. the sons of Kohath] So Exodus 6:18.

1 Chronicles 6:3

3. Aaron and Moses] The same order in Exodus 6:20. Aaron was the elder (Exodus 7:7). The sons also of Aaron] So Exodus 6:23. Nadab and Abihu] These two elder sons perished childless; Leviticus 10:1-5.

1 Chronicles 6:4

4. Phinehas] Numbers 25:7 ff; Numbers 31:6; Joshua 22:13 ff.

1 Chronicles 6:8

8. Ahitub begat Zadok] From 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 15:29; 2 Samuel 20:25 it appears that there were two highpriests in David’s day; Zadok however is always mentioned before his colleague. Ahimaaz] 2 Samuel 15:27; 2 Samuel 17:17-21; 2 Samuel 18:19 ff.

1 Chronicles 6:9

9. Azariah] This Azariah rather than the Azariah of 1 Chronicles 6:10 would have been contemporary with Solomon, and therefore the notice attached to the name Azariah in 1 Chronicles 6:10 (he it is that executed the priest’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem) may really belong to 1 Chronicles 6:9. Cp. 1 Kings 4:2.

1 Chronicles 6:11

11. Amariah] apparently the contemporary of Jehoshaphat mentioned in a Chr. 1 Chronicles 19:11.

1 Chronicles 6:13

13. Hilkiah] The highpriest who discovered the book of the Law in Josiah’s reign; 2 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14.

1 Chronicles 6:14

14. Seraiah] slain soon after the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; 2 Kings 25:18-21; Jeremiah 52:24-27. Jehozadak] Jozadak in Ezra 3:2; Ezra 5:2. His son Jeshua was the first highpriest after the exile.

1 Chronicles 6:16

16–30 (= 1 Chronicles 6:1-15 according to the Heb. division). The three clans of the Levites. The Levitic Descent of Samuel the Prophet 16. Gershom] elsewhere Gershon. Gershom was the name of Moses’ son; Exodus 2:22.

1 Chronicles 6:17

17. Libni and Shimei] Exodus 6:17; Libni is called Laadan (R.V. “Ladan”) in 1 Chronicles 23:7; 1 Chronicles 26:21.

1 Chronicles 6:18

18. And the sons, etc.] This verse is a repetition of 1 Chronicles 6:2.

1 Chronicles 6:19

19. Mahli, and Mushi] 1 Chronicles 23:21; 1 Chronicles 24:26; Exodus 6:19.

1 Chronicles 6:22

22. Kohath; Amminadab … Korah] In 1 Chronicles 6:37-38 the descent is traced as in Numbers 16:1, Kohath, Izhar, Korah. Korah was the leader of the Levitic uprising against Moses.

1 Chronicles 6:26

26. Zophai his son, etc.] We have here one of the three genealogies of Samuel the prophet. Each list seems to have suffered in transcription; the three are given here for comparison. Ch 6:26-281 Ch 6:33-351 Sa 1:1; 1 Samuel 8:2. Zophai Zuph Zuph Nahath Toah Tohu Eliab Eliel Elihu Jeroham Jeroham Jeroham Elkanah Elkanah Elkanah Samuel Samuel Samuel — — — [ ] and Abiah Joel Joel and Abijah . The firstborn Vashni, and Abiah] Render (from an emendation of the Heb. text) the firstborn Joel and the second Abijah (as 1 Samuel 8:2).

1 Chronicles 6:31

31, 32 (= 16, 17 according to the Heb. division). David’s Singers 31. the ark had rest] i.e. was brought into the city of David for a permanent resting-place.

1 Chronicles 6:32

32. the dwelling-place of the tabernacle of the congregation] R.V. the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. Cp. R.V. Preface, p. vi.

1 Chronicles 6:33

33–38 (= 18–23 according to the Heb. division). The descent of Heman, David’s singer, through Kohath from Levi 33. a singer] R.V. the singer. Shemuel] R.V. Samuel, the well-known prophet being the person meant. Samuel is a form derived from the LXX. through the Latin Vulgate; but Shemuel is a more correct transliteration of the Hebrew name. Cp. 1 Chronicles 6:26-28, notes.

1 Chronicles 6:37-38

37, 38. the son of Korah, the son of Izhar] Cp. 1 Chronicles 6:22, note.

1 Chronicles 6:39

39–43 (= 24–28 according to the Heb. division). The descent of Asaph, David’s singer, through Gershom from Levi 39. his brother] i.e. his kinsman.

1 Chronicles 6:43

43. Gershom] Cp. 1 Chronicles 6:16, note.

1 Chronicles 6:47

44–47 (= 29–32 according to the Heb. division). The Descent of Ethan, David’s singer, through Merari from Levi 47. Mahli, the son of Mushi] Cp. 1 Chronicles 23:23; 1 Chronicles 24:30. Mushi had a son Mahli, named after his brother; 1 Chronicles 6:19.

1 Chronicles 6:48

48, 49 (= 33, 34 according to the Heb. division). The distinction between Levites and Aaronites 48. Their brethren also the Levites] R.V. And their brethren the Levites, i.e. and the other Levites. appointed] Heb. given, in allusion to Numbers 3:9; Numbers 18:6. unto all manner of service] R.V. for all the service.

1 Chronicles 6:49

49. the altar of the burnt offering] Exodus 27:1-8. the altar of incense] Exodus 30:1-10. to make an atonement] R.V. to make atonement; Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16.

1 Chronicles 6:50-53

50–53 (= 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.

1 Chronicles 6:54-81

54–81 (= 39–66 according to the Heb. division). The forty-eight Levitic cities This section has been adopted with some rearrangement from the parallel passage in Joshua. In Joshua the number of cities taken from each group of tribes and given to its respective division of the Levites is first stated, no city being named; and next the names of the cities are given under each division of the Levites and under the name of the tribe from which the cities were taken. In Chron. the cities given to the Aaronites are first mentioned by name and reckoned to be thirteen In number (1 Chronicles 6:55-60); next the cities given to each remaining division of the Levites are reckoned shortly by number only (1 Chronicles 6:61-63); lastly, these cities are separately reckoned at length by name only (1 Chronicles 6:66-81). This rearrangement is not happy; perhaps the Chronicler originally intended to give the Aaronite cities only by name as well as number, and so 1 Chronicles 6:66-81 (containing the names of the non-Aaronite cities) may be a supplement to the original text. Notice that no names of cities taken from Simeon are given; cp. 1 Chronicles 6:65; Joshua 21:9. (Critical Note on 54–81.) The text of the passage has suffered in transcription. In 1 Chronicles 6:55-60 eleven names are given, but thirteen are reckoned (1 Chronicles 6:60), the explanation being that the names Juttah and Gibeon (Joshua 21:16-17) have fallen out. In 1 Chronicles 6:61, after or before Manasseh the names of Ephraim and Dan have fallen out (cp. 1 Chronicles 6:66 and Joshua 21:5); Manasseh contributed only two out of the ten cities. Before 1 Chronicles 6:69 we must restore from Joshua 21:23 the words, And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs. In 1 Chronicles 6:77 or immediately before 1 Chronicles 6:78 two names of cities of Zebulun have fallen out; cp. 1 Chronicles 6:63 (“twelve cities”) with 1 Chronicles 6:77-81 (ten cities only are named).

1 Chronicles 6:55

55. suburbs] cp. 1 Chronicles 13:2, note.

1 Chronicles 6:56

56. to Caleb] Joshua 21:12; Judges 1:20.

1 Chronicles 6:57

57. the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge] Render (with a slight correction of the Hebrew) the city of refuge, Hebron (cp. Joshua 21:13), Hebron being the only city of refuge here mentioned (Joshua 20:7). Libnah] Joshua 10:29; 2 Kings 8:22; 2 Kings 19:8. It was in the S.W. of Judah. Eshtemoa] the modern es-Semu‘a, three and a half hours S. of Hebron.

1 Chronicles 6:58

58. Hilen] In Joshua 21:15 Holon. Debir] called Kiriath-sepher (Judges 1:11) and Kiriath-sannah (Joshua 15:49). It was in the hill-country of Judah.

1 Chronicles 6:59

59. Ashan] Joshua 21:16, Ain. with her suburbs] Joshua 21:16 adds, And Juttah with her suburbs. Cp. the Critical Note at the head of this section. Beth-shemesh] Joshua 15:10; 1 Samuel 6:9; 2 Kings 14:11; 2 Kings 14:13 (= 2 Chronicles 25:21; 2 Chronicles 25:23). A town in the S.W. of Judah, now ‘Ain Shems, situated at the point at which the hill-country of Judah begins, as one goes by the railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem (Bädeker, p. 13).

1 Chronicles 6:60

60. of Benjamin, Geba] In Joshua 21:17 Gibeon and her suburbs is inserted before Geba. Cp. the Critical Note at the head of this section. Alemeth] In Joshua 21:18, Almon. thirteen cities] Cp. the Critical Note at the head of this section.

1 Chronicles 6:61

61–65 (cp. Joshua 21:26; Joshua 21:33; Joshua 21:40). Distribution of thirty-five other cities to the rest of the Levites 61. the sons of Kohath which were left] R.V. the rest of the sons of Kohath, i.e. the Kohathites who were not sons of Aaron (1 Chronicles 6:54). of the family, etc.] R.V. were given by lot, out of the family of the tribe, out of the half tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities. The text is faulty; cp. the Critical Note on 1 Chronicles 6:54-81.

1 Chronicles 6:62

62. the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan] i.e. the half tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan.

1 Chronicles 6:63

63. twelve cities] The total number of Levitic cities (1 Chronicles 6:60 thirteen, 1 Chronicles 6:61 ten, 1 Chronicles 6:62 thirteen, 1 Chronicles 6:63 twelve) was forty-eight (so Joshua 21:41), of which the Kohathites, as the largest division (cp. 1 Chronicles 15:5, note), received twenty-three or nearly half.

1 Chronicles 6:65

65. by lot] as a means of gaining Divine sanction for the assignment of cities. which are coiled by their names] R.V. which are mentioned by name, i.e. above and below.

1 Chronicles 6:66

66–70 (= Joshua 21:20-25). The [ten] cities of the non-Aaronite Kohathites 66. the residue of the families] R.V. some of the families. of their coasts] R.V. of their borders.

1 Chronicles 6:67

67. gave … of the cities of refuge, Shechem] Render (with a slight correction of the Hebrew) gave … the city of refuge, Shechem. Cp. 1 Chronicles 6:57, note. Shechem] Genesis 12:6; Genesis 33:18; Joshua 24:1; Judges 9:1; 1 Kings 12:1. Shechem is the modern Nabulus, situated almost in the middle of Palestine. Gezer] Joshua 16:3; Judges 1:29; 1 Kings 9:16. It is the modern Tell-Jezer about 18 miles N.W. of Jerusalem. Cp. Bädeker, p. 13.

1 Chronicles 6:68

68. Jokmeam] In Joshua 21:22 Kibzaim. The two words resemble one another more closely in Hebrew, and are to be taken as various readings of the same name. Nothing is known of a Kibzaim in Ephraim. A Jokmeam is mentioned 1 Kings 4:12. Beth-horon] Joshua 10:10-11; Joshua 16:3; Joshua 16:5; 1Ma 3:24. There were two cities, a lower and an upper Beth-horon, to which at the present day a lower and an upper Beitur, an hour’s journey apart, correspond. Bädeker, p. 18.

1 Chronicles 6:69

69. And Aijalon] Aijalon and Gath-rimmon were in Dan; cp. Joshua 21:23-24, and see the Critical Note on 1 Chronicles 6:54-81.

1 Chronicles 6:70

70. the half tribe of Manasseh] the western half tribe; the eastern is mentioned 1 Chronicles 6:71. Aner] Read Taanach, as in 1 Chronicles 7:29; Joshua 21:25, R.V.); Judges 5:19. Bileam] called Ibleam, Judges 1:27; 2 Kings 9:27. In Joshua 21:25, Gath-rimmon.

1 Chronicles 6:71

71–76 (= Joshua 21:27-32). The thirteen cities of the sons of Gershom 71. Golan] a city of refuge, Joshua 21:27. The name of this city is still preserved in Jolan (Jaulan), the name of a district E. of Jordan extending from Hermon to the Jarmuk. Ashtaroth] mentioned in Joshua 9:10 as the capital of Og, king of Bashan.

1 Chronicles 6:72

72. Kedesh] Read Kishion with Joshua 21:28 (so ibid. Joshua 19:20). Daberath] the modern Dabûriyeh at the foot of Mount Tabor. Cp. Bädeker, p. 248.

1 Chronicles 6:73

73. Ramoth] Jarmuth in Joshua 21:29. Anem] Read En-gannim with Joshua 21:29. Probably the modern large village of Jenîn on the edge of the plain of Esdrelon. Cp. Bädeker, p. 227.

1 Chronicles 6:74

74. Mashal] Mishal, Joshua 21:30 (cp. Joshua 19:26, R.V.).

1 Chronicles 6:75

75. Hukok] Read Helkath with Joshua 21:31 (cp. Joshua 19:25).

1 Chronicles 6:76

76. Kedesh in Galilee] called Kedesh-naphtali in Judges 4:6; it is the modern Kedes, situated on a lofty plateau overlooking the waters of Ḥ ?ûleh (Merom). It was a city of refuge, Joshua 21:32. Hammon … Kirjathaim] In Joshua 21:32, Hammoth-dor … Kartan.

1 Chronicles 6:77

77–81 (= Joshua 21:34-39). The [twelve] cities of the sons of Merari 77. Rimmon … Tabor] Against these two names there are four in Joshua 21:34-35; Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah and Nahalal. As regards the number of the cities the text of Joshua is certainly right. See Critical Note on 1 Chronicles 6:54-81. Tabor] No city, but only a mountain named Tabor is known to us, as having certainly existed in Old Testament times. A city however named Tabor existed on the Mountain as early as 218 b.c., and it may have been as old as the times of the Chronicler. Mount Tabor was in Zebulun. Cp. Bädeker, p. 248.

1 Chronicles 6:78

78. by Jericho] The crossing-place of the Jordan nearest to Reuben was at Jericho. For the phrase Jordan by Jericho cp. Joshua 16:1. in the wilderness] further defined by the addition in the table-land (Deuteronomy 4:43, R.V. mg.). Bezer was among the high pasture lands of Reuben. It was a city of refuge. Jahzah] also called Jahaz. Cp. Judges 11:20; Isaiah 15:4.

1 Chronicles 6:80

80. Ramoth in Gilead] a city of refuge, Joshua 21:38. See 1 Kings 22:3; 2 Kings 9:1. Mahanaim] Genesis 32:2.

1 Chronicles 6:81

81. Heshbon] Numbers 21:25-26; Isaiah 15:4. Jazer] Numbers 21:32 (R.V.); Isaiah 16:8.