1 Chronicles 6:4

The Descendants of Levi · 1 Chronicles 6:1–30
Read 1 Chronicles 6

Translations

Modern
Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas was the father of Abishua,
Traditional
Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
Literal
Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
Latin
Eleazar genuit Phinees, et Phinees genuit Abisue.

Original

Hebrew
English
Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas was the father of Abishua,

Notes

After the exile in Babylon, the Judean community needed to confirm the legitimate ancestry of the priests. This genealogy of Kohath linked the ancestors from the Pentateuch to the high priests up to Judah's exile in 586 BC. Other records connected the priests after the exile to this lineage (see Ezra 3:2; 7:1–6; Haggai 1:1). Not all high priests were included in this list.

This section gives the family histories of the three main groups of the tribe of Levi:

  1. The high priests (1 Chronicles 6:1–15)

  2. The three clans of Levites (1 Chronicles 6:16–30)

  3. The singers (1 Chronicles 6:31–47)

Each family history starts with an introduction and then lists the names.

This section highlights the importance of the priestly tribe of Levi due to its central position in the genealogical lists.

Theme notes and profiles

Eleazar Zadok Ancestors of Jesus

People

Abishua: Son of Phinehas, grandson of Eleazar the high priest Eleazar: Son of Aaron, high priest after his father Phinehas: Aaron's grandson; zealous priest who opposed idolatry

Glossary

Abishua Ahitub Chronicles, Books of First and Second Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Eleazar Ezra (Person) Genealogy Gershom Gershon, Gershonites Hebron (Person) Izhar Kohath, Kohathites Merari, Merarite Numbers and Numerology Phinehas Sadducees Zadok

Topics

Aaron: Descendants of Abishua: A High Priest Phinehas: High Priest