1 Chronicles Chapter 6 — The Lineage and Cities of the Levites
This chapter details the descendants of Levi, the high priestly line of Aaron, the temple singers appointed by David, and the specific cities given to the Levites.
1The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
3The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, Phinehas became the father of Abishua,
5Abishua became the father of Bukki. Bukki became the father of Uzzi.
6Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth.
7Meraioth became the father of Amariah. Amariah became the father of Ahitub.
8Ahitub became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz.
9Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah. Azariah became the father of Johanan.
10Johanan became the father of Azariah, who executed the priest’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem.
11Azariah became the father of Amariah. Amariah became the father of Ahitub.
12Ahitub became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Shallum.
13Shallum became the father of Hilkiah. Hilkiah became the father of Azariah.
14Azariah became the father of Seraiah. Seraiah became the father of Jehozadak.
15Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem away by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
16The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
17These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.
18The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ households.
20Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.
22The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
23Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son,
24Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
25The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth.
26As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah: Zophai his son, Nahath his son,
27Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son.
28The sons of Samuel: the firstborn, Joel, and the second, Abijah.
29The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,
30Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
31These are they whom David set over the service of song in the LORD’s house after the ark came to rest there.
32They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting until Solomon had built the LORD’s house in Jerusalem. They performed the duties of their office according to their order.
33These are those who served, and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,
34the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,
35the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
36the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
37the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
38the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
39His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
40the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,
41the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
44On the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
45the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
46the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer,
47the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48Their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of God’s house.
49But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Chronicles 6:31
“These are they whom David set over the service of song in the LORD’s house after the ark came to rest there.”
This verse marks the formal organization of musical ministry in the history of Israel's worship.
1 Chronicles 6:49
“But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.”
It defines the unique and exclusive role of the priests within the larger tribe of Levi.
Chapter Summary
1 Chronicles 6 provides a comprehensive record of the tribe of Levi, highlighting their central role in the spiritual life of Israel. The chapter begins with the high priestly genealogy, tracing the line from Aaron through Eleazar to Jehozadak, who went into the Babylonian captivity. It then identifies the three main branches of the Levites—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—and their descendants. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to those David appointed to lead musical worship, including Heman, Asaph, and Ethan. The chapter distinguishes the duties of Aaron’s descendants, who served as priests performing sacrifices, from the general Levites who maintained the tabernacle. Finally, the chapter lists the specific cities and pasture lands allocated to the Levite families across the territories of the other tribes, including the designated cities of refuge.
Frequently Asked Questions
The three main branches were the descendants of Levi's sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Each group was assigned specific duties and different cities throughout the land of Israel.
David appointed Heman, Asaph, and Ethan to lead the service of song. They and their families were responsible for ministering with music before the tabernacle and eventually in Solomon's temple.
The Levites did not receive a single large territory like other tribes; instead, they were given 48 cities spread across Israel. This allowed them to live among all the people to provide spiritual guidance and serve in their designated roles.
Study Note
The high priestly genealogy in this chapter is specifically designed to show continuity from the time of Aaron through the traumatic event of the Babylonian exile.
Related Chapters
Numbers 35
Numbers 35 describes the original command for the Levites to receive specific cities and pasture lands.
Joshua 21
Joshua 21 details the actual distribution of these cities after the conquest of Canaan.
2 Samuel 6
This chapter records David bringing the ark to Jerusalem, which led to the appointment of the singers mentioned here.
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