Bible Commentaries

Levi. This care to give these genealogies after the captivities was to show that God's promises to preserve the nation would be faithfully kept. Compare Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6.

Gershon. Compare Exodus 6:16. The Western Massorite spelling; the eastern spelling being "Gershom".

Kohath. The second son placed first because Aaron descended from him.

children = sons.

Aaron, and Moses. One of the six passages where Aaron precedes Moses (1 Chronicles 23:13. Exodus 6:20, Exodus 6:26. Numbers 3:1; Numbers 26:59).

Nadab, and Abihu. Perished at Sinai for offering "strange fire". See note on Leviticus 10:1. Compare Numbers 3:4. Numbers 24:2.

Eleazar. His line given without a break up to the Captivity. Compare 1 Chronicles 6:15. In Ezra 7:1-5 an abbreviated genealogy is given. Moses not enumerated here, though a priest (Psalms 99:6), because separated for civil government before the appointment of the Levitic priesthood.

Phinehas. Compare Exodus 6:25. Psalms 106:30. Numbers 25:11.

Zadok. Compare 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 15:27. 2 Samuel 24:3, 2 Samuel 24:6, 2 Samuel 24:31.

Ahimaaz. Compare 1 Chronicles 6:53. 2 Samuel 15:27, 2 Samuel 15:36; 2 Samuel 18:19, 2 Samuel 18:22, 2 Samuel 18:27.

temple = house.

Shallum. In Nehemiah 11:11 called Meshullam.

Hilkiah. The high priest in reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:4. 2 Chronicles 34:9).

Seraiah. Carried away by Nebuchadnezzar, and put to death at Riblah (2 Kings 25:18, 2 Kings 25:21).

Jehozadak. The Jozadak was the father of Joshua the high priest, who returned from the Captivity (Ezra 3:2; Ezra 5:2. Nehemiah 12:26. Haggai 1:1, Haggai 1:12. Zechariah 6:11).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

sons of Levi. These were not high priests.

Amminadab. His other name was Izhar, verses: 1 Chronicles 6:2 and 1 Chronicles 6:38.

Elkanah. A common Levitical name. Compare verses: 1 Chronicles 6:25, 1 Chronicles 6:27.

Assir. Compare Exodus 6:24.

the sons of Elkanah. Some codices, with Septuagint and one early printed edition, omit this second "Elkanah"; the Hebrew reads "his son".

the firstborn Vashni. Compare 1 Samuel 8:2, where the firstborn's name "came to be" Joel. From 1 Chronicles 6:28 it seems to have been originally Vashni. From 1 Chronicles 6:33 he seems to have had two names.

service = the hands: hands being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the work done by them.

ark had rest. See 1 Chronicles 16:1, notes on 1 Chronicles 13:3, and Exodus 25:22.

dwelling place = tabernacle. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40.

tabernacle = tent of meeting. Hebrew. "ohel-moed. App-40.

waited-stood. children = sons.

Heman, &c. = Heman the singer, Samuel's grandson. See 1 Chronicles 15:17-19; 1 Chronicles 25:1-6. Compare 1 Kings 4:31, and see his name in the Psalm titles (App-63.)

Joel. See note on 1 Chronicles 6:28.

Shemuel = Samuel. Twenty-one generations given.

Israel. Traced back to fountain head.

his brother Asaph: i.e. his brother in service. Fifteen generations.

Baaseiah. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Maaseiah".

Ethan. The same as Jeduthun (1 Chronicles 9:16; 1 Chronicles 16:41; 1 Chronicles 25:1. 2 Chronicles 35:15). Fourteen generations.

their brethren. Heman, from Kohath (Levi's second son); Asaph, from Gershom (Levi's eldest son); Ethan, from Merari (Levi's youngest son).

Merari. The youngest son of Levi (Exodus 6:16).

all manner of service. Compare 1Ch 23.

God. Hebrew. ha-"Elohim (App-4), the [Triune] God

Aaron and his sons. Compare Numbers 18:1-7. Leviticus 8:2. This refutes the assertions of some that the kings of Judah were allowed to offer sacrifices or burn incense. Compare 1 Kings 8:64.

offered = burnt incense. Hebrew. katar. App-43. Compare Leviticus 1:9.

altar of incense. Compare Exodus 30:7.

most holy = holy of holies. See note on Exodus 3:5.

Moses the servant of God. This expression occurs only four times: here, 2 Chronicles 24:9. Nehemiah 10:29, and Daniel 9:11. For other titles descriptive of Moses, as a servant, see notes on Exodus 14:31. Numbers 12:7. Deuteronomy 34:5. Deu 34:1 Kings 1 Chronicles 8:63.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

these. Restating by way of summary.

their dwelling places. Compare Joshua 21:4-42. This was the basis of their claim for reinstatement after their return from Babylon. Probably many of these places had changed their names in spelling or otherwise since those days. This accounts for all the variations.

castles = districts.

coasts = borders.

was the lot. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6): "was the [first] lot".

suburbs = pasture land (as distinguished from "field" or arable land). So throughout the rest of this chapter. See 1 Chronicles 6:56.

Hilen = Holon of Joshua 21:15. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "Helez".

And the residue. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6) thus: "[as for some] of the families", &c.

cities of their coasts = the cities of their lot. Compare Joshua 21:20.

mount = hill country of.

Qezer. See note on 1 Kings 9:15-17.

the rest of = those remaining from.