Exodus 6:19

Genealogies of Moses and Aaron · Exodus 6:14–30
Read Exodus 6

Translations

Modern
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites according to their records.
Traditional
And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.
Literal
And the sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of Levi according to their generations.
Latin
Filii Merari: Moholi et Musi: hæ cognationes Levi per familias suas.

Original

Hebrew
English
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites according to their records.

Notes

This list of Levi's descendants focuses on Aaron and Moses. It shows four generations from Levi to Aaron and Moses (compare Genesis 15:16). The Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years (see Exodus 12:40–41; Genesis 15:13). So, this list of ancestors does not include many generations.

Genesis 46:11 lists Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. They are Levi's sons who moved to Egypt with their father and Jacob's family. Amram's wife, Jochebed, gave birth to his sons (Exodus 6:20).

The language is clear, so it is likely there are generations not listed between Amram and Aaron and Moses. This suggests the missing generations were between Kohath (Levi's son) and Amram (father of Aaron and Moses).

This section referring to family lineage places Moses and Aaron within the families of Israel. It is obviously background information because 6:30 repeats 6:12. Exodus often emphasizes the Lord as the God of the ancestors, both directly (from 3:6 onward) and indirectly (from 1:1 onward). The upcoming events were not actions by a new god dismissing older gods (a common theme in ancient pagan stories).

Unlike pagan gods, who only want personal power and often fight among themselves, the true God has one main goal. God wants his creation to find fulfillment in a proper relationship with him. Although God shows this purpose through creative acts, these actions always align with what he has already revealed about himself.

Moses and Aaron did not suddenly appear out of the unknown, but were an essential part of that same people to whom God first revealed himself and through whom he was about to give an even grander revelation. The family lineage of Jesus has a similar purpose (Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh God’s Instructions

Events

People

Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Mahli: Son of Merari, grandson of Levi Merari: The third son of Levi and founder of the Merarites Mushi: A Levite, son of Merari, and head of a clan

Glossary

Aaron Amram Baptism of Jesus Book of Exodus Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Izhar Kohath, Kohathites Korahite, Korathite Mahali Mahli Merari, Merarite Mushi, Mushite Numbers, Book of

Topics

Aaron: Lineage of Genealogy of Jacob Mahli: Son of Merari Mushi of the Sons of Merari