The big picture
Levi, one of Israel’s sons, heads the tribe assigned to sacred service. The chapter follows his family through Aaron, the ancestor of the priests. Other branches supply singers and workers for God’s house. Their family lines connect those tasks with earlier generations. The record also names the towns where these families live among the other tribes. Worship needs both assigned work and places where the workers and their households can make their homes.
In this chapter
- Aaron’s Line Reaches the Exile 1 Chronicles 6:1-15
Levi’s three sons lead into the family of Amram.
- Levi’s Three Branches Are Traced 1 Chronicles 6:16-30
The account returns to Levi’s three sons and traces their families more widely.
- Singers Take Their Assigned Places 1 Chronicles 6:31-48
David appoints men to lead songs in God’s house after the sacred chest has rest.
- Aaron’s Sons Serve at the Altars 1 Chronicles 6:49-53
Aaron and his sons have duties distinct from the other Levites.
- The Tribes Provide Homes 1 Chronicles 6:54-65
From duties, the list turns to homes for the Levites.
- More Towns Across the Land 1 Chronicles 6:66-81
The remaining Kohath families receive towns from Ephraim and part of Manasseh.
Central truth
Levi’s descendants receive distinct tasks in worship and towns among the tribes, joining family identity with daily service.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Chronicles · King James Version · 811 Chronicles 6:1-15
Aaron’s Line Reaches the Exile
Levi’s three sons lead into the family of Amram. His children are Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Aaron’s sons then begin the priestly line traced through Eleazar. The list passes through many generations and pauses at a priest serving in Solomon’s temple. It continues down to Jehozadak, who goes into captivity when God allows Babylon’s king to take Judah away. The line joins early family roots to the loss of the land. Even this family, set apart for worship, shares the people’s exile.
In everyday life
A cathedral archivist opens a register of staff families beside a packed crate. The names run from the building’s first years to the staff forced to leave after war. She adds the last entry before the records travel to temporary storage. A long record of service does not prevent displacement. This register cannot explain exile as God’s act.
Notice
1 Chronicles 6:15 Jehozadak’s captivity closes the first priestly line. The sacred role of his family does not keep it outside the disaster that reaches Judah and Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 6:1-15
King James Version1The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
3And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
5And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
6And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
7Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
8And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
9And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
10And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest’s office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
11And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
12And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
13And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
14And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
15And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
1 Chronicles 6:16-30
Levi’s Three Branches Are Traced
The account returns to Levi’s three sons and traces their families more widely. Gershom’s line comes first, followed by Kohath’s and then Merari’s. Fathers and sons give each group a place within the tribe. Samuel’s sons also appear within these linked names. The list is not limited to the priests descended from Aaron. It keeps the wider body of Levites in view before describing their tasks. Several branches belong to one tribe, but their shared ancestry does not mean that every family has the same work.
In everyday life
A choir librarian sorts three bundles of old membership cards beside a basement music archive shelf. Each bundle follows a different family that has served for years. Some cards name singers, others helpers behind the scenes. She keeps the branches apart while showing their link to one group. Levi’s family ties carry assigned sacred duties rather than club membership.
Notice
1 Chronicles 6:19 The families are grouped according to their fathers. That repeated structure keeps the three main branches clear before the chapter turns to their service.
1 Chronicles 6:16-30
King James Version16The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
17And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
18And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
19The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
20Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
22The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
23Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
24Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
25And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
26As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
27Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
28And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.
29The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
30Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
1 Chronicles 6:31-48
Singers Take Their Assigned Places
David appoints men to lead songs in God’s house after the sacred chest has rest. They serve at the worship tent until Solomon builds the temple. Heman’s line is traced back through Kohath to Levi. Asaph, from Gershom’s branch, stands on his right. Ethan, from Merari’s branch, stands on the left. Their children serve with them, and the singers follow their appointed order. Other Levites handle the wider work of the worship tent. Music therefore has named leaders and places within the ordered service of God’s house.
In everyday life
A concert conductor places three section leaders on marked chairs in a rehearsal hall. Their younger relatives join the rows behind them, each with a score. Stage helpers arrange stands while the singers begin together. The music depends on people knowing where they belong and what to do. These singers serve God’s house, not a public concert programme.
Notice
1 Chronicles 6:32 The singing continues from the tent to the temple. A change in the building does not end the assigned work or its ordered pattern.
1 Chronicles 6:31-48
King James Version31And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.
32And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.
33And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
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.
39And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,
40The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
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.
44And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: 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 Shamer,
47The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
1 Chronicles 6:49-53
Aaron’s Sons Serve at the Altars
Aaron and his sons have duties distinct from the other Levites. They offer burnt sacrifices and incense, the fragrant smoke used in worship. They also serve in the most holy place and make atonement for the people. That means dealing with guilt so the people can be right with God. They act according to the commands given through Moses. The account then repeats Aaron’s line down to Zadok and Ahimaaz. The family record explains who holds these tasks while the commands explain how they are to serve.
In everyday life
A surgical charge nurse checks the names on a theatre duty board. Cleaners, porters, and nurses all support the operation, but only the assigned surgeon makes the incision. She confirms each role before the patient arrives. Shared service does not make every task open to everyone. Priestly atonement concerns guilt before God, not a medical procedure.
Notice
1 Chronicles 6:49 The priests’ work follows commands given through Moses. Their family place does not give them freedom to invent the way they approach God.
1 Chronicles 6:49-53
King James Version49But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
51Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
52Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
53Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
1 Chronicles 6:54-65
The Tribes Provide Homes
From duties, the list turns to homes for the Levites. Aaron’s descendants receive towns and surrounding land, beginning with Hebron. Its fields and nearby villages, however, belong to Caleb. Other family groups receive towns from several tribes by lot, a method of assigning shares. The account gives totals for the main groups and names the tribes providing them. These homes lie within the wider land held by Israel’s people. Sacred work does not remove the need for households, grazing land, and a settled place to live.
In everyday life
The accommodation officer hands a caretaker keys to a flat beside a public garden. The plan marks his living space and shared access, while the planted beds remain under another lease. She walks him along the boundary so the two grants stay clear. A home and nearby land need not have the same holder. The Levites’ towns support an entire tribe’s sacred service.
Notice
1 Chronicles 6:56 Hebron’s fields and villages belong to Caleb despite the grant to the priests. The account distinguishes parts of the land instead of treating the whole area alike.
1 Chronicles 6:54-65
King James Version54Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
55And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
58And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59And Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs:
60And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
61And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
62And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
63Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
1 Chronicles 6:66-81
More Towns Across the Land
The remaining Kohath families receive towns from Ephraim and part of Manasseh. Gershom’s families receive places in several northern tribal lands. Merari’s families have towns from Zebulun and from tribes east of the Jordan. Each place comes with surrounding land for use by the households. The long list spreads the Levites through many parts of Israel’s territory. Their service is shared, but they do not all live beside one building. Named towns and nearby ground give the families practical homes among the people they serve.
In everyday life
A utility planner pins staff housing sites onto a district map in a depot. Some homes lie near the hills, others across the river. Each includes access needed for daily life, rather than a dot alone. One service depends on households spread through many communities. The Levites’ scattered homes belong to sacred service, not a utility network.
Notice
1 Chronicles 6:78 The list crosses to the east side of the Jordan. The river does not keep those tribal lands outside the shared provision for Levite families.
1 Chronicles 6:66-81
King James Version66And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs,
69And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs:
70And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
71Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
72And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,
79Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Chronicles 6:1 begins with “The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Chronicles 6:49 forms a natural hinge: “But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most…”
The final note
1 Chronicles 6:81 leaves the reader with “And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words suburbs, sons, tribe, begat, cities, Kohath help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- begat
- became the father of
- unto
- to
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
