1The sons of Levi. 4The line of Eleazar down to the captivity. 16The families of the Levites. 20The sons of Gershom; 22of Kohath; 29and of Merari. 31The singers appointed by David. 49The office of Aaron and his sons; Aaron's line to Ahimaaz. 54The cities of the priests and Levites.
1THE sonsa of Levi; 1Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
a Gen. 46:11; Exod. 6:15; Num. 26:57; 1 Chron. 23:6.
1 In verse 16 and elsewhere he is called Gershom.
2And the sons of Kohath; Amram, 2Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
2 In verse 22 he is called Amminadab.
3And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; 3Nadab, and 4Abihu, 5Eleazar, and Ithamar.
3 This one was slain of the Lord because he used strange fire in his censer, Lev. 10:1.
4 This one was slain of the Lord because he used strange fire in his censer, Lev. 10:1.
5 Eleazar succeeded his father Aaron in the office of high priest.
4¶Eleazar 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,b and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
b 2 Sam. 8:17; 15:27.
9And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
10And 6Johanan begat 7Azariah, (8he it is that executed the priest’s office 9in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
6 Some perceive that he was the same man who in 2 Kings 11:4 is called Jehoiada the high priest. Of this man’s great zeal see 2 Kings 11:17.
7 Some hold this man to have been the same that resisted king Uzziah, 2 Chron. 26:17.
8 Some understand this of Johanan, others of Azariah, to his honor and praise, because he opposed King Uzziah.
9 Namely, in the house of the Lord; that is, in the temple.
11And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
12And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat 10Shallum,
10 Otherwise called: Meshullam, 1 Chron. 9:11.
13And Shallum begat 11Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
11 See 2 Kings 22:4.
14And Azariah begat 12Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
12 Seraiah was high priest when Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem, from where he was carried away captive to Riblah, where Nebuchadnezzar caused him to be put to death, 2 Kings 25:18, 21; Jer. 52:24, 27. Ezra, the scribe (who is perceived to have written these books) was his son. See Ezra 7:1.
15And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away 13Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
13 That is, the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
16¶The sons of Levi; Gershom,c Kohath, and Merari.
c Exod. 6:16, 17.
17And these 14be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
14 See Exod. 6:16.
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.
2015Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, 16Zimmah his son,
15 Other, concerning Gershom.
16 He has been the son’s son of Jahath, for Shimei was the father of Zimmah, verse 42.
2117Joah his son, 18Iddo his son, Zerah his son, 19Jeaterai his 20son.
17 He is called in verse 42 Ethan.
18 In verse 41 he is called Adaiah.
19 He is called in verse 41 Ethni.
20 That is, grandson; he was, to speak properly, the son of Shimei, verse 42.
22The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, 21Korah his son, Assir hisd son,
21 This was that Korah, who with Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses.
d Exod. 6:23.
23Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
24Tahath his son, 22Uriel his son, 23Uzziah his son, and 24Shaul his son.
22 In verse 36 he is called Zephaniah or Zohponiah.
23 Otherwise called: Azariah, verse 36.
24 Otherwise called: Joel, verse 36.
25And the sons of 25Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
25 Namely, the son of Shaul.
26As for 26Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; 27Zophai his son, and 28Nahath his son,
26 Understand herewith: who was the son of Amasai.
27 Otherwise called: Zuph, verse 35; 1 Sam. 1:1.
28 Called Toah, verse 34, and Tohu, 1 Sam. 1:1.
2729Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.30
29 Verse 34 Eliel.
30 Understand herewith: his son was Samuel, of whom in the following verse.
28And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn 31Vashni, and Abiah.
31 Called Joel in verse 33; 1 Sam. 8:2.
29The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
30Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
31And these are they whom David set over the 32service of song in the house of the LORD, 33after that the ark had rest.
32 Hebr. to the hand of song of the house of the LORD.
33 Hebr. after the rest of the ark; that is, after that the ark was brought into the house of David, 2 Sam. 6:17, for, before that time it was carried from one place to another.
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 34according to their order.
34 That is, according to the order that was appointed them.
33And 35these are they that waited with their children. 36Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman 37a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
35 Namely, Heman, Asaph and Jeduthun, who as chief musicians were set over the rest of the singers, who were divided by David into four and twenty orders or courses, 1 Chron. 25:9, etc.
36 That is, of the posterity.
37 That is, chief musician.
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 38Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
38 He is called in Exod. 6:24 Abiasaph.
38The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
39And his brother 39Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of 40Berachiah, the son of Shimea,
39 Understand this as such: that this Asaph was the brother, that is, the kinsman of Heman, of whom was spoken in verse 33, and whose ancestors were hitherto related. Now this Heman stood with those who pertained to him, when he executed his office, standing in the middle; Asaph stood at Heman’s right hand in the execution of his office, and the posterity of Merari stood at his left hand, verse 44.
40 Hebr. Berechijahu.
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 41brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: 42Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
41 That is, cousins.
42 He is called Jeduthun 1 Chron. 9:16; 25:6; 2 Chron. 35:15; Psalm 62 title; Psalm 77 title.
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 43brethren also the 44Levites were 45appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
43 That is, cousins, kinsmen, as verse 44, etc.
44 Namely, the rest of the Levites who were no singers.
45 That is, given, or ordained.
49¶But Aarone and 46his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all 47the work of the place most holy, and to make 48an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
e Exod. 30:7, 8, 10; Num. 4:16; 7:10; 18:1.
46 As also those who of Aaron’s house succeeded them in the priestly office. And therefore in the following verses are recorded the high priests from Aaron unto Zadok, who became high priest in David’s and Solomon’s time, 1 Chron. 29:22.
47 That is, that was to be done in the Holy of Holies, which was the inner part of the tabernacle, into which no man might enter, save only the high priest. Here stood the ark of the covenant.
48 That is, the people of Israel. See Leviticus 16.
50And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas 49his son, Abishua his son,
49 Namely, the son of Eleazar, who precedes him; and understand this likewise of those who follow, until David’s time.
51Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
52Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
53Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
54¶Now these are 50their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: 51for theirs was the 52lot.
50 See Joshua 21:13, where the cities are named which were given them for dwelling places, although the names be somewhat changed, as often happened through the long duration of time.
51 Hebr. was to them.
52 That is, the dwelling place, fallen to them by lot, was there. Other, those lots, namely, which are described in the following verses.
55And 53they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the 54suburbs thereof round about it.
53 Namely, the children of Israelites. Other, Hebron was given them.
54 Understand with this: with the fields and pastures situated close round about to accommodate them and their animals; and so in the sequel.
56But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gavef to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
f Joshua 21:12.
57And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, 55Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and 56Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
55 Otherwise called Kirjath-arba, or, the city of Arba, Joshua 21:11.
56 Other, Esthemoh, Joshua 15:50.
58And 57Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
57 Other, Holon, Joshua 21:15.
59And 58Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs:
58 Other, Ain, Joshua 21:16.
60And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and 59Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were 60thirteen cities.
59 Other, Almon, Joshua 21:18.
60 Here are but eleven mentioned; there are two wanting, namely, Juttah and Gibeon, which are named in Joshua 21:16, 17.
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.
66And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of 61their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
61 Which belonged to their border.
67And 62they gave unto 63them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
62 Namely, the Ephraimites.
63 Namely, the rest of the families of the children of Kohath.
68And 64Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs,
64 Some perceive that she is called Kibzaim, Joshua 21:22.
69And 65Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs:
65 Aijalon belonged to the tribe of Dan. Besides the two cities named in this verse, there were yet two cities more given them of the tribe of Dan, namely, Eltekeh and Gibbethon, Joshua 21:23.
70And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; 66Aner with her suburbs, and 67Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
66 Some are of the opinion that this was the same city which in Joshua 21:25 is called Tanach.
67 Other, Gath-rimmon, Joshua 21:25, and Ibleam in Joshua 17:11.
71Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and 68Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
68 Other, Beeshterah, Joshua 21:27.
72And out of the tribe of Issachar; 69Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
69 Other, Kishon, Joshua 21:28.
73And 70Ramoth with her suburbs, and 71Anem with her suburbs:
70 Other, Remeth, Joshua 19:21, and Jarmuth, Joshua 21:29.
71 Some suppose that this is the same city which is called En-gannim in Joshua 21:29.
74And out of the tribe of Asher; 72Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
72 Other, Mishal, Joshua 21:30.
75And 73Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
73 Other, Helkath, Joshua 21:31.
76And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and 74Hammon with her suburbs, and 75Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
74 Other, Hammoth-dor, Joshua 21:32.
75 Other, Kartan, Joshua 21:32, as some suppose.
77Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, 76Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
76 And still two other cities were of the tribe of Zebulon, as appears in Joshua 21:34, 35.
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.