Levi 1 CHRONICLES 6:1-81

Transcription

1 1 Levi 1 CHRONICLES 6:1-81

2 2 Levi Commentary and Questions Text: 1 Chronicles 6:1-81, The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas the father of Abishua, Abishua the father of Bukki, Bukki the father of Uzzi, Uzzi the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah the father of Meraioth, Meraioth the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Johanan, Johanan the father of Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem), Azariah the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Shallum, Shallum the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak was deported when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers: Of Gershon: Libni his son, Jehath his son, Zimmah his son, Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son and Jeatherai his son.

3 3 The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son. 25 The descendants of Elkanah: Amasai, Ahimoth, Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son and Samuel his son. The sons of Samuel: Joel the firstborn and Abijah the second son. The descendants of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, Shimea his son, Haggiah his son and Asaiah his son. These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them. Here are the men who served, together with their sons: From the Kohathites: Heman, the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Heman s associate Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph son of Berekiah, the son of Shimea, the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malkijah, the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, the son of Jahath, the son of Gershon, the son of Levi; and from their associates, the Merarites, at his left hand: Ethan son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. Their fellow Levites were assigned to all the other duties of the tabernacle, the house of God. But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of

4 4 burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. These were the descendants of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, Zadok his son and Ahimaaz his son. These were the locations of their settlements allotted as their territory (they were assigned to the descendants of Aaron who were from the Kohathite clan, because the first lot was for them): They were given Hebron in Judah with its surrounding pasturelands. But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), and Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Hilen, Debir, Ashan, Juttah and Beth Shemesh, together with their pasturelands. And from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth and Anathoth, together with their pasturelands. These towns, which were distributed among the Kohathite clans, were thirteen in all. The rest of Kohath s descendants were allotted ten towns from the clans of half the tribe of Manasseh. The descendants of Gershon, clan by clan, were allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher and Naphtali, and from the part of the tribe of Manasseh that is in Bashan. The descendants of Merari, clan by clan, were allotted twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun. So the Israelites gave the Levites these towns and their pasturelands. From the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin they allotted the previously named towns. Some of the Kohathite clans were given as their territory towns from the tribe of Ephraim. In the hill country of Ephraim they were given Shechem (a city of refuge), and Gezer, Jokmeam, Beth Horon, Aijalon and Gath Rimmon, together with their pasturelands. And from half the tribe of Manasseh the Israelites gave Aner and Bileam, together with their pasturelands, to the rest of the Kohathite clans. The Gershonites received the

5 5 following: From the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh they received Golan in Bashan and also Ashtaroth, together with their pasturelands; from the tribe of Issachar they received Kedesh, Daberath, Ramoth and Anem, together with their pasturelands; from the tribe of Asher they received Mashal, Abdon, Hukok and Rehob, together with their pasturelands; and from the tribe of Naphtali they received Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon and Kiriathaim, together with their pasturelands. The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they received Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands; from the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan east of Jericho they received Bezer in the desert, Jahzah, Kedemoth and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands; and from the tribe of Gad they received Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon and Jazer, together with their pasturelands. (NIV1984) Introduction: I. This chapter addresses the descendants of Levi. A. Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah. (Youngblood) 1. Genesis 29:34, Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons. So he was named Levi. (NIV1984) B. Levi s three sons were ancestors of the three main divisions of the Levitica priesthood: (Youngblood) 1. Genesis 46:11, The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. (NIV1984)

6 6 2. Exodus 6:16, These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. (NIV1984) a. Gershonites b. Kohathites c. Merarites II. John Mark Hicks in the College Press NIV Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles provides a superb view of this chapter. What follows in this Introduction is taken from Hicks remarkable work. A. The Levites are the centerpiece of Chronicles genealogical structure. (Hicks) 1. God is the center of all things and the Levites minister to him. (Hicks) 2. In the wilderness wanderings the tabernacle was at the center of Israel s encampments and the Levites pitched their tents around it. A. Numbers 1:1-54, The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army. One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to

7 7 help you. These are the names of the men who are to assist you: from Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon; from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur; from Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; from Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran; from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan. These were the men appointed from the community, the leaders of their ancestral tribes. They were the heads of the clans of Israel. Moses and Aaron took these men whose names had been given, and they called the whole community together on the first day of the second month. The people indicated their ancestry by their clans and families, and the men twenty years old or more were listed by name, one by one, as the LORD commanded Moses. And so he counted them in the Desert of Sinai: From the descendants of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Reuben was 46,500. From the descendants of Simeon: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were counted and listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300. From the descendants of Gad: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name,

8 8 according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Gad was 45,650. From the descendants of Judah: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Judah was 74,600. From the descendants of Issachar: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Issachar was 54,400. From the descendants of Zebulun: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400. From the sons of Joseph: From the descendants of Ephraim: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500. From the descendants of Manasseh: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Manasseh was 32,200. From the descendants of Benjamin: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Benjamin was 35,400. From the descendants of Dan: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number

9 9 from the tribe of Dan was 62,700. From the descendants of Asher: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Asher was 41,500. From the descendants of Naphtali: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. The number from the tribe of Naphtali was 53,400. These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family. All the Israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in Israel s army were counted according to their families. The total number was 603,550. The families of the tribe of Levi, however, were not counted along with the others. The LORD had said to Moses: You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it. Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who goes near it shall be put to death. The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the Testimony so that wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the

10 10 tabernacle of the Testimony. The Israelites did all this just as the LORD commanded Moses. (NIV1984) B. Numbers 2:1-34, The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family. On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab. His division numbers 74,600. The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. His division numbers 54,400. The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. His division numbers 57,400. All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first. On the south will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur. His division numbers 46,500. The tribe of Simeon will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. His division numbers 59,300. The tribe of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel. His division numbers 45,650. All the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, number 151,450. They will set out second. Then the Tent of Meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in his own place under his standard. On the west will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is

11 11 Elishama son of Ammihud. His division numbers 40,500. The tribe of Manasseh will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. His division numbers 32,200. The tribe of Benjamin will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni. His division numbers 35,400. All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim, according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third. On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan, under their standard. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. His division numbers 62,700. The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Ocran. His division numbers 41,500. The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan. His division numbers 53,400. All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last, under their standards. These are the Israelites, counted according to their families. All those in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550. The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses. So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each with his clan and family. (NIV1984) 3. In Canaan the Levites were settled in cities from North to South from East to West and were constant reminder of Israel s religious heritage. (Hicks)

12 12 B. Hicks wrote, First Chronicles 6:1 and 6:16 have the same beginning line. Consequently, this section falls into two natural divisions. Chronicles first provides the High Priestly line through Levi s son Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:1-15) and then provides a fuller Levitical line through Levi s other sons (Gershon [MT reads Gershom] and Merari) as well as the nonpriestly line from Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:16-30). C. Hicks further wrote, the High Priestly line is the religious link between pre-exile and post-exile Israel. (Hicks) 1. Both linear and segmented approaches are observed in 1 Chronicles 6, the linear for the High Priestly line and a segmental for the rest of the Levites. (Hicks) D. Hicks provides this Genealogical Diagram. Levi Gershom Kohath Merari Libni Shimei Amminadab Amram Izhar Mahli Mushi Levites Singers Levites Priests Singers Levites Singers A. Hicks stated, First the priestly class descended from Aaron (1 Chronicles 6:49), performed the expiatory ritual. They served the alter and the Holy Place Second, these are singers and Musicians (1 Chronicles 6:31, 32). Third, the rest of the Levites performed

13 13 other duties. The first and third were instituted by Moses, but the second by David. Commentary: 1. 1 Chronicles 6:49, But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. (NIV1984) 2. 1 Chronicles 6:31, 32, These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. 32 They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them. (NIV1984) 1 Chronicles 6:1-15, The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas the father of Abishua, Abishua the father of Bukki, Bukki the father of Uzzi, Uzzi the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah the father of Meraioth, Meraioth the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Johanan, Johanan the father of Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem), Azariah the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Shallum, Shallum the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak was

14 14 deported when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. (NIV1984) 1 Chronicles 6:1, The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. (NIV1984) I. The Sons of Levi: A. Gershon (Gershom) 1. Gershon was the oldest of the three sons of Levi and founder of the Gershonites, one of the three main devisions of the Levitical priesthood. (Youngblood) a. Genesis 46:11, The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. (NIV1984) b. Numbers 3:17, These were the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. (NIV1984) c. 1 Chronicles 15:7, from the descendants of Gershon, Joel the leader and 130 relatives; (NIV1984) B. Kohath d. Numbers 26:57, These were the Levites who were counted by their clans: through Gershon, the Gershonite clan; through Kohath, the Kohathite clan; through Merari, the Merarite clan. (NIV1984) 1. Kohath was the second son of Levi, founder of the Kohathites from which the priestly line of Aaron sprang. (Youngblood) 2. Moses, Aaron and Miriam were Kohathites.

15 15 C. Merari The sons of Kohath 1. Merari was the third and youngest son of Levi and founder of the Merarites, one of the three Levitical families. 1 Chronicles 6:2, The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. (NIV1984) I. The Sons of Kohath: A. Amram 1. Amram married his father s (Kohath s) sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. B. Izhar (Izehar) a. Exodus 6:20, Amram married his father s sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years. (NIV1984) 1. Izhar was a son of Kohath and the father of Korah. a. Exodus 6:18, 21, The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg and Zicri. (NIV1984) b. Numbers 3:19, 27, The Kohathite clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites; these were the Kohathite clans. (NIV1984)

16 16 C. Hebron D. Uzziel 1. The third son of Kohath and a grandson of Levi, uncle of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. a. Exodus 6:18, The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. (NIV1984) b. Numbers 3:27, To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites; these were the Kohathite clans. (NIV1984) 1. Uzziel was a Levite, son of Kohath, and founder of a tribal family, the Uzzielites. a. Exodus 6:18, The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. (NIV1984) b. Leviticus 10:4, Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary. (NIV1984) c. Numbers 3:27, To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites; these were the Kohathite clans. (NIV1984)

17 17 The Children of Amran d. 1 Chronicles 26:23, From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites: (NIV1984) 1 Chronicles 6:3a, The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. (NIV1984) I. The children of Amram: A. Aaron B. Moses C. Miriam The Sons of Aaron 1. Aaron was brother of Moses and first high priest of the Hebrew nation. The priesthood was set within the tribe of Levi. (Youngblood) 1. Moses, one of the best known persons in the bible and great law giver of Israel, led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. 2. Moses was brother of Aaron and Miriam. 1. Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron. 2. Miriam was designated a prophetess and was variably prominent during the wilderness wandering.

18 18 1 Chronicles 6:3b 15, The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas the father of Abishua, Abishua the father of Bukki, Bukki the father of Uzzi, Uzzi the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah the father of Meraioth, Meraioth the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Johanan, Johanan the father of Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem), Azariah the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Shallum, Shallum the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak was deported when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. (NIV1984) I. The sons of Aaron: A. Nadab 1. Nadab and his brother Abihu were guilty of offering profound fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai; and both died when fire went out from the Lord and devourced them. (Youngblood) a. Leviticus 10:1,2, Aaron s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. (NIV1984) 2. Nadab was Aaron s firstborn son.

19 19 B. Abihu C. Eleazar 1. See the notes above under Nadab 2. Abihu was Aaron s second son. 3. Numbers 3:4, 32, Nadab and Abihu, however, fell dead before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons; so only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron. The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. (NIV1984) 4. Numbers 24:1-3, Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as at other times, but turned his face toward the desert. When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him and he uttered his oracle: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, (NIV1984) 5. Numbers 20:28, Moses removed Aaron s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, (NIV1984) 1. Eleazar was the third son of Aaron who became High Priest following Aaron s tenure.

20 20 2. The Pulpit Commentary suggests that the office of the High Priest remained in the family of Eleazar until, in the person of Eli, it passed a while into that of Ithamar, his brother, to be recovered again in Zadok of verse 9. D. Ithamar a. 1 Kings 2:26, 27, To Abiathar the priest the king said, Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark of the Sovereign LORD before my father David and shared all my father s hardships. 27 So Solomon removed Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD, fulfilling the word the LORD had spoken at Shiloh about the house of Eli. (NIV1984) b. 1 Chronicles 24:3,4, With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelech a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering. A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar s descendants than among Ithamar s, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar s descendants. (NIV1984) a. Ithamar was Aaron s fourth son. II. Eleazar was the father of: A. Phinehas who begat

21 21 1. Phineahas became the third high priest of Israel. (Youngblood) a. Numbers 25:7-13, When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them through the Israelite and into the woman s body. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000. The LORD said to Moses, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites; for he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them, so that in my zeal I did not put an end to them. Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites. (NIV1984) b. His descendants held the high priesthood until the Romans destroyed the temple in A.D. 70, except for a short period when the house of Eli served as high priests. (Youngblood) B. Abishua who begat 1. Abishua was the fourth high priest of Israel and son of Phinehas. 2. Abishua is mentioned only twice in Scripture, here and in

22 22 a. Ezra 7:1-5, After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest (NIV1984) C. Bukki who begat 1. Bukki was a son of Abishua. D. Uzzi who begat a. 1 Chronicles 6:5,51, Abishua the father of Bukki, Bukki the father of Uzzi, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, (NIV1984) 1. Uzzi was a high priest and an ancestor of Ezra. a. 1 Chronicles 6:5,6,51, Abishua the father of Bukki, Bukki the father of Uzzi, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, (NIV1984) b. Ezra 7:4, the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, (NIV1984) E. Zerahiah who begat 1. Zerahiah was a son of Uzzi and father of Meraioth.

23 23 2. Zerahiah was a priest, a descendant of Phinehas and an ancestor at Ezra. (Youngblood) a. 1 Chronicles 6:6, 51, 52, Uzzi the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah the father of Meraioth, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, (NIV1984) b. Ezra 7:3, 4, the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, (NIV1984) F. Meraioth who begat 1. Meraioth was a priest and a son of Zerahiah and father of Amariah. (Youngblood) G. Amariah who begat 1. Amariah was a son of Meraooth, who was descended from Phinehas, a grandson of Aaron. (Youngblood) a. 1 Chronicles 6:7, 52, Meraioth the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, (NIV1984) b. Ezra 7:3, the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, (NIV1984) Note: Bukki, Uzzi, Zerahiah, Meraioth and Amariah are mentioned in Ezra 7, but little is known of them. H. Ahitub who begat

24 24 1. Ahitub was a son of Amariah and father of Zadok, who later was made high priest by King Saul after Ahimelech s death. (Youngblood) a. 2 Samuel 8:17, Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; (NIV1984) b. 1 Chronicles 6:7,8, Meraioth the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, (NIV1984) c. 1 Chronicles 18:16, Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary; (NIV1984) d. Ezra 7:2, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, (NIV1984) I. Zadok who begat 1. A high priest in the time of David who remained loyal to David. 2. Zadok and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon as David s successor upon David s orders. (Youngblood) J. Ahimaaz who begat 1. Ahimaaz informed David of Absalom s revolt after David was forced to flee Jerusalem. (Youngblood) K. Azariah who begat 1. This Azariah was the son of Ahimaaz and grandson of Zadok.

25 25 Note: Ahitub, Zadok, Ahimaaz and Azariah are frequently mentioned in the books of Samuel and Kings. (The Pulpit Commentary) L. Johanan who begat 1. Johanan was a grandson of Ahimaaz and father of Azariah. M. Azariah who begat 1. This Azariah served in the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem. (Youngblood) Note: Johanan and Azariah are presumed to have been priests in the reigns of Kings Abijah and Asa. N. Amariah who begat 1. Amariah was a son of Azariah, who was a high priest during Solomon s reign. 2. Amariah was High Priest in the reign of King Jehoshaphat. a. 2 Chronicles 19:11, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well. (NIV1984) O. Ahitub who begat

26 26 1. A son of Amariah and father of Zadok, who later was made high priest by King Saul after Ahimelech s death. The Ahitub of 1 Chronicles 6:8, is probably the Azariah of 2 Chronicles 31:10. (Youngblood) a. 1 Chronicles 6:8, 11-12, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Ahimaaz, Azariah the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Shallum, (NIV1984) b. 2 Chronicles 31:10, and Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered, Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the LORD has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over. (NIV1984) P. Zadok who begat 1. Zadok was a high priest in Solomon s temple. (Youngblood) 2. The Pulpit Commentary questions this statement. a. 1 Chronicles 6:12, Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Shallum, (NIV1984) b. 1 Chronicles 9:11, Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God; (NIV1984) Note: The Pulpit Commentary states that the repetition of Ahitub and Zadok here may be the result of some clerical error.

27 27 Q. Shallum (Meshullam) who begat 1. Shallum was a son of Zadok, the father of Hilkiah and an ancestor of Ezra. a. Ezra 7:2, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, (NIV1984) R. Hilkiah who begat 1. Hilkiah was a high priest during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. Hilkiah assisted Josiah in reforming Judah s backslidden people. (Youngblood) a. 2 Kings 22:14-20, Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophetess Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District. She said to them, This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched. Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they

28 28 would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place. So they took her answer back to the king. (NIV1984) b. 2 Kings 22:8, Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD. He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. (NIV1984) c. 2 Kings 23:4-27, The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel. He did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts. He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people. He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah. Josiah brought all the priests from the towns of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned

29 29 incense. He broke down the shrines at the gates at the entrance to the Gate of Joshua, the city governor, which is on the left of the city gate. Although the priests of the high places did not serve at the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests. He desecrated Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so no one could use it to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech. He removed from the entrance to the temple of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the room of an official named Nathan-Melech. Josiah then burned the chariots dedicated to the sun. He pulled down the altars the kings of Judah had erected on the roof near the upper room of Ahaz, and the altars Manasseh had built in the two courts of the temple of the LORD. He removed them from there, smashed them to pieces and threw the rubble into the Kidron Valley. The king also desecrated the high places that were east of Jerusalem on the south of the Hill of Corruption the ones Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the vile goddess of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the vile god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the people of Ammon. Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles and covered the sites with human bones. Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin even that altar and high place he demolished. He burned the high place and ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole also. Then Josiah looked around, and when he saw the tombs that were there on the hillside, he had the bones removed

30 30 from them and burned on the altar to defile it, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who foretold these things. The king asked, What is that tombstone I see? The men of the city said, It marks the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and pronounced against the altar of Bethel the very things you have done to it. Leave it alone, he said. Don t let anyone disturb his bones. So they spared his bones and those of the prophet who had come from Samaria. Just as he had done at Bethel, Josiah removed and defiled all the shrines at the high places that the kings of Israel had built in the towns of Samaria that had provoked the LORD to anger. Josiah slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem. The king gave this order to all the people: Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant. Not since the days of the judges who led Israel, nor throughout the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah, had any such Passover been observed. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was celebrated to the LORD in Jerusalem. Furthermore, Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem. This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the LORD. Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of

31 31 Moses. Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger. So the LORD said, I will remove Judah also from my presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple, about which I said, There shall my Name be. (NIV1984) d. 2 Chronicles 35:1-19, Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the LORD s temple. He said to the Levites, who instructed all Israel and who had been consecrated to the LORD: Put the sacred ark in the temple that Solomon son of David king of Israel built. It is not to be carried about on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel. Prepare yourselves by families in your divisions, according to the directions written by David king of Israel and by his son Solomon. Stand in the holy place with a group of Levites for each subdivision of the families of your fellow countrymen, the lay people. Slaughter the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves and prepare the lambs for your fellow countrymen, doing what the LORD commanded through Moses. Josiah provided for all the lay people who were there a total of thirty thousand sheep and goats for the Passover offerings, and also three thousand cattle all from the king s own possessions. His officials also contributed voluntarily to the people and the priests and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah and Jehiel, the administrators of God s temple, gave the

32 32 priests twenty-six hundred Passover offerings and three hundred cattle. Also Conaniah along with Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, provided five thousand Passover offerings and five hundred head of cattle for the Levites. The service was arranged and the priests stood in their places with the Levites in their divisions as the king had ordered. The Passover lambs were slaughtered, and the priests sprinkled the blood handed to them, while the Levites skinned the animals. They set aside the burnt offerings to give them to the subdivisions of the families of the people to offer to the LORD, as is written in the Book of Moses. They did the same with the cattle. They roasted the Passover animals over the fire as prescribed, and boiled the holy offerings in pots, caldrons and pans and served them quickly to all the people. After this, they made preparations for themselves and for the priests, because the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were sacrificing the burnt offerings and the fat portions until nightfall. So the Levites made preparations for themselves and for the Aaronic priests. The musicians, the descendants of Asaph, were in the places prescribed by David, Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun the king s seer. The gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made the preparations for them. So at that time the entire service of the LORD was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and the offering of burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD, as King Josiah had ordered. The Israelites who were present celebrated the Passover at that time and observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven

33 33 days. The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem. This Passover was celebrated in the eighteenth year of Josiah s reign. (NIV1984) S. Azariah who begat 1. This Azariah was a son of Hilkiah and served as high priest during King Josiah s reign. (Youngblood) a. 1 Chronicles 6:13, 14, Shallum the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jehozadak. (NIV1984) b. 1 Chronicles 9:11, Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God; (NIV1984) c. Ezra 2:1, Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, (NIV1984)T. T. Seraiah who begat 1. Seraiah was a son of Azariah and chief priest at Jerusalem when this city was captured by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar executed Seraiah at Riblab. Seraiah was the

34 34 father of Jehozadak, the grandfather of the high priest Jeshua; he was an ancestor of Ezra. (Youngblood) a. 2 Kings 25:18, The commander of the guard took as prisoners Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank and the three doorkeepers. (NIV1984) b. Ezra 7:1, After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, (NIV1984) c. 2 Kings 25:21, There at Riblah, in the land of Hamath, the king had them executed. So Judah went into captivity, away from her land. (NIV1984) U. Jehozadak (Josedek) The Sons of Levi 1. Jehozadak was deported when the Lord sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. 1 Chronicles 6:16-30, The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers: Of Gershon: Libni his son, Jehath his son, Zimmah his son, Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son and Jeatherai his son. The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son. The descendants of Elkanah: Amasai, Ahimoth, Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, Eliab his

35 35 son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son and Samuel his son. The sons of Samuel: Joel the firstborn and Abijah the second son. The descendants of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, Shimea his son, Haggiah his son and Asaiah his son. (NIV1984) 1 Chronicles 6:16-19a, The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. (NIV1984) I. The sons of Levi: A. Gershon (Gershom) B. Kohath C. Merari. 1. Gershon was Levi s firstborn son, 2. See comments under verse 1 above. 1. Levi s second son. 2. See comments under verse 1 above. 1. Levi s third son. 2. See comments under verse 1 above. II. The sons of Gershon: A. Libni

36 36 1. Libni was a son of Gerhson and a grandon of Levi, also called Laadan. (Youngblood) a. Exodus 6:17, The sons of Gershon, by clans, were Libni and Shimei. (NIV1984) b. 1 Chronicles 23:7-9, Belonging to the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the first, Zetham and Joel three in all. The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran three in all. These were the heads of the families of Ladan. (NIV1984) B. Shimei (Shimi) 1. Shimei was a son of Gershon and a grandson of Levi. (Youngblood) a. Numbers 3:18, These were the names of the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei. NIV1984) b. Zechariah 12:13, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, (NIV1984) c. Exodus 6:17, The sons of Gershon, by clans, were Libni and Shimei. (NIV1984) III. The sons of Kohath: A. Amram B. Izhar C. Hebron 1. See comments under verse 2 above. 1. See comments under verse 2 above.

37 37 D. Uzziel 1. See comments under verse 2 above. 1. See comments under verse 2 above. IV. The sons of Merari: A. Mahli 1. Mahli was the oldest son of Merari and founder of the Mahlites, also called Mahali. (Youngblood) B. Mushi a. Numbers 3:33, To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. (NIV1984) b. Exodus 6:19, The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of Levi according to their records. (NIV1984) Levitical Clans 1. Mushi was a son of Merari and founder of the Mushites. a. Numbers 3:20, 33, The Merarite clans: Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans, according to their families. To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. (NIV1984) 1 Chronicles 6:19b 30, These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers: Of Gershon: Libni his son, Jehath his son, Zimmah his son, Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son and

38 38 Jeatherai his son. The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son. The descendants of Elkanah: Amasai, Ahimoth, Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son and Samuel his son. The sons of Samuel: Joel the firstborn and Abijah the second son. The descendants of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, Shimea his son, Haggiah his son and Asaiah his son. (NIV1984) I. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers: (NIV) A. Of Gershon: 1. Gershon (Gershom) begat a. Gershon was the oldest of the three sons of Levi and founder of one of three main divisions of the Levitical priesthood. (Youngblood) 2. Libni (Laadan) who begat a. Libni was son of Gershon and grandon of Levi. 3. Jehath (Jahath) who begat a. Jehath was a Levite, son of Libni and father of Zimmah. (Youngblood) 4. Zimmah who begat a. Zimmah was a Gershonite Levite, son of Jehath and father of Joah. (Youngblood)

39 39 5. Joah who begat a. Joah was a descendant of Gershon, of the tribe Levi. (Youngblood) 6. Iddo (Adaiah) who begat a. Iddo was a Levite of the family of Gershon, son of Joah and father of Zerah. (Youngblood) 7. Zerah who begat a. Zerah was a Gershonite Levite, son of Iddo and father of Jeatherai. (Youngblood) 8. Jeatherai (Jeaterai) B. of Kohath: a. Jeatherai was a Levite of the family of Gershon. (Youngblood) 1. Kohath begat a. Kohath was the second son of Levi and founder of the Kohathites. (Youngblood) 2. Amminadab who begat a. Amminadab was a chief of a Levitical group, one of the sons of Kohath. (Youngblood) 3. Korah who begat