ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Chronicles 6

6:1–81 The Tribe of Levi. Levi is placed at the center of the Chronicler’s ideal conception of Israel (see diagram in note on 1:1–9:44). The Davidic monarchy and the Jerusalem temple together form the institutional foundation of Israel’s existence.

1 Chron 6:1–15 Drawing from Ex. 6:16–25 for 1 Chron. 6:1–4a, this genealogy focuses on the line of Eleazar descended through Kohath from Levi. This traces the origin of the high-priestly line down to the exiled Jehozadak. The list of high priests is incomplete, omitting several mentioned in this book (Jehoiada, 2 Chron. 22:11; two other Azariahs, 2 Chron. 26:20; 31:10) and elsewhere in the OT (Eli and his descendants, 1 Sam. 14:3; Uriah, 2 Kings 16:10). Jehozadak’s line was preserved into the postexilic period (see Ezra 5:2, where he is called Jozadak), just as David’s line was (1 Chron. 3:17–24).

1 Chron 6:10 Azariah. See note on 1 Kings 4:2.

1 Chron 6:16–30 This section details the three main Levite clans. Seven generations are given for descendants of Gershom and Merari. This probably takes them to the time of David, who reorganized the Levites’ duties.

1 Chron 6:22–27 The Kohathite line is a little more difficult to follow. Amminadab may be an alternative name for Izhar (see v. 38) or Amram (v. 18). These verses present the descent from Kohath through Assir to Shaul. Elkanah and Ebiasaph, v. 23, are Assir’s brothers.

1 Chron 6:28 The prophet Samuel is a Kohathite. First Samuel 1:1 states that his father Elkanah was from an “Ephraimite” family, but this may indicate the locality in which they lived (see Josh. 21:20–21) rather than their tribal identity. A clear genealogical link with the Kohathite singer Heman is established in 1 Chron. 6:33–38.

1 Chron 6:31–48 For the Levites whom David put in charge of the service of song (v. 31), their leaders were appointed from each clan: Heman, from the Kohathites (vv. 33–38); Asaph, from the Gershomites (vv. 39–43); and Ethan, from the Merarites (vv. 44–47). Each line is traced back to Levi.

1 Chron 6:49–53 It is a recurring theme that the Aaronic priests make atonement for Israel in order to maintain a relationship with God (see 2 Chron. 13:10–11; 29:21). Verses 50–53 of 1 Chronicles 6 repeat vv. 4–8. The effect is to tie all the Aaronic priests to Zadok and Ahimaaz, who lived in Solomon’s time. Aaron’s first two sons, Nadab and Abihu, who died for their disobedience, are not mentioned here (see v. 3; 24:1–2; also Ex. 6:23; Lev. 10:1–7).

1 Chron 6:54–81 Summarized from Joshua 21 with some small omissions and variations of order. The Levites possessed no tribal territory, so they are distributed throughout the cities of Israel.