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1 Chronicles 6

81 verses

TL;DR

1 Chronicles 6 records the genealogy of Levi and the priestly line of Aaron, the distribution of Levitical cities, and the duties of the Levites in worship.

Summary

The chapter opens with a detailed genealogy of the tribe of Levi, tracing from Levi through his sons Gershon, Kohath, and Merari and further to the line of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. It then lists the descendants of Aaron, including Eleazar, Phinehas, and the successive generations leading to the priests serving at the temple in Jerusalem. The text records the allocation of cities and suburbs to the Levites by tribal lot, describing their residential districts and the cities of refuge. It also outlines the various offices of the Levites, including singers, priests, and attendants, and emphasizes the role of Aaron’s sons in the sacrificial and atonement rites. The chapter underscores the covenantal duty of the Levites to maintain worship and the organization of Israel’s religious life through genealogical continuity and territorial allotments.

Outline
  1. Genealogy of Levi and Aaron’s priestly line
  2. Allocation of Levitical cities by tribal lot
  3. Roles and offices of Levites in temple worship
Themes
Priesthood and worshipGenealogical continuityTerritorial allotment and tribal identity
Keywords
LeviAaronpriestcity of refugetribetabernaclearklevitesacrifice
People
LeviGershonKohathMerariAmramIzharHebronUzzielMosesAaronMiriamNadabAbihuEleazarIthamarPhinehasAbishuaBukkiUzziZerahiahMeraiothAmariahAhitubZadokAhimaazAzariahJohananSeraiahJehozadakLibniShimeiJahathIthamarSamuelGadHilkiahHemanAsaphEthanAbdiHashabiahAmaziahKishiZachariahMichaelBaaseiahMalchiahEthniAdaiahJahathGershomLeviKohath
Places
HebronJerusalemJerichoGolanAshtarothKedeshRamothAnemMashalAbdonHukokRehobTaborBezerJahzahMephaathRimmonAnerBileamJether
Things
tabernaclearkaltarpriestly garmentscity of refugeLevite singingsacrificeAtonementcovenant
Key Verses
  • 1 Chronicles 6:3: Shows the core family of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam, central to Israelite identity.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:10: Highlights Johanan, a key priest in the temple during Solomon’s reign.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:15: Marks the exile of Jehozadak, symbolizing the loss of the priestly line during captivity.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:31: Describes David’s arrangement of the Levites for worship, showing the continuity of service.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:49: Reasserts Aaron’s priestly authority over the altar and atonement rituals.
Questions
  • What does the detailed genealogy in this chapter reveal about the importance of lineage in Israelite religion?
  • How do the city allotments reflect the social and religious organization of Israel?
  • Why is the priestly line emphasized, especially during times of exile?
  • In what ways does the text link the roles of Levites to the covenantal relationship with God?
  • How might the distribution of cities serve both practical and symbolic purposes for the Levites?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter is primarily administrative and genealogical, with no overt emotional content.