ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Chronicles 6
“These are they whom David set over the service of song in Yahweh’s house, after the ark came to rest there.”
1 Chronicles 6:31
David organizes the Levites for worship service in Yahweh’s house, marking the establishment of formal musical roles after the ark's resting in Jerusalem.
What 1 Chronicles 6 is about
The sons of Levi are Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (vv. 1-2). Kohath’s children include Amram, whose descendants are Aaron, Moses, and Miriam (vv. 3-4). The lineage of Aaron is traced to Phinehas, Abishua, and then to Bukki and Uzzi (vv. 5-6). This lineage continues down to Jehozadak, who went into captivity when Judah fell (vv. 15). Gershom's sons are Libni and Shimei, while the sons of Kohath and Merari are listed (vv. 16-29). David established roles for the Levites in worship, assigning them to serve in song at the tabernacle (vv. 31-32). Aaron and his sons were given specific responsibilities for offerings and sacrifices (vv. 49). Cities were allocated to the Levites, including Hebron, Libnah, and others, totaling thirteen cities for the sons of Aaron (vv. 50-60). The Levites received further cities by lot from other tribes, totaling many locations (vv. 61-81).
The chapter leaves the reader with the structure of the Levitical priesthood and their assigned cities.
1 Chronicles 6 at a glance
- 1 Chronicles 6:1–15Introduction to Levi's Lineage
- 1 Chronicles 6:16–30Details of the Levite Families
- 1 Chronicles 6:31–43Roles in Worship and Music
- 1 Chronicles 6:44–49Priestly Responsibilities
- 1 Chronicles 6:50–60Cities for the Levitical Priests
- 1 Chronicles 6:61–81Distribution of Cities Among Levites
Key verse: 1 Chronicles 6:31
One thing to notice
Verses 1-15 list the descendants of Levi, including Gershon and Kohath in verse 1 and verse 16. The genealogy includes the descendants of Aaron, with verse 3 stating, 'the children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam', followed by their descendants in subsequent verses.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
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Introduction to Levi's Lineage 1 Chronicles 6:1–15
1Verse 1. The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2Verse 2. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. 3Verse 3. The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 4Verse 4. Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, Phinehas became the father of Abishua, 5Verse 5. Abishua became the father of Bukki. Bukki became the father of Uzzi. 6Verse 6. Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth.
7Verse 7. Meraioth became the father of Amariah. Amariah became the father of Ahitub. 8Verse 8. Ahitub became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz. 9Verse 9. Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah. Azariah became the father of Johanan. 10Verse 10. Johanan became the father of Azariah, who executed the priest’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem. 11Verse 11. Azariah became the father of Amariah. Amariah became the father of Ahitub. 12Verse 12. Ahitub became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Shallum.
13Verse 13. Shallum became the father of Hilkiah. Hilkiah became the father of Azariah. 14Verse 14. Azariah became the father of Seraiah. Seraiah became the father of Jehozadak. 15Verse 15. Jehozadak went into captivity, when Yahweh carried Judah and Jerusalem away by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
Details of the Levite Families 1 Chronicles 6:16–30
16Verse 16. The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. 17Verse 17. These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. 18Verse 18. The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 19Verse 19. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ households. 20Verse 20. Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21Verse 21. Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.
22Verse 22. The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23Verse 23. Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24Verse 24. Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25Verse 25. The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth. 26Verse 26. As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah: Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27Verse 27. Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son.
28Verse 28. The sons of Samuel: the firstborn, Joel, and the second, Abijah. 29Verse 29. The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30Verse 30. Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
Roles in Worship and Music 1 Chronicles 6:31–43
31Verse 31. These are they whom David set over the service of song in Yahweh’s house, after the ark came to rest there. 32Verse 32. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon had built Yahweh’s house in Jerusalem. They performed the duties of their office according to their order. 33Verse 33. These are those who served, and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, 34Verse 34. the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, 35Verse 35. the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
36Verse 36. the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37Verse 37. the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, 38Verse 38. the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel. 39Verse 39. His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea, 40Verse 40. the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah, 41Verse 41. the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42Verse 42. the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, 43Verse 43. the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
Priestly Responsibilities 1 Chronicles 6:44–49
44Verse 44. On the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, 45Verse 45. the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, 46Verse 46. the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, 47Verse 47. the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. 48Verse 48. Their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of God’s house. 49Verse 49. But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
Cities for the Levitical Priests 1 Chronicles 6:50–60
50Verse 50. These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51Verse 51. Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52Verse 52. Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53Verse 53. Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son. 54Verse 54. Now these are their dwelling places according to their encampments in their borders: to the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites (for theirs was the first lot), 55Verse 55. to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah, and its suburbs around it;
56Verse 56. but the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57Verse 57. To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge, Hebron; Libnah also with its suburbs, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its suburbs, 58Verse 58. Hilen with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs, 59Verse 59. Ashan with its suburbs, and Beth Shemesh with its suburbs; 60Verse 60. and out of the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its suburbs, Allemeth with its suburbs, and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
Distribution of Cities Among Levites 1 Chronicles 6:61–81
61Verse 61. To the rest of the sons of Kohath were given by lot, out of the family of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities. 62Verse 62. To the sons of Gershom, according to 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. 63Verse 63. To the sons of Merari were given by lot, according to their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64Verse 64. The children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their suburbs. 65Verse 65. 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 mentioned by name. 66Verse 66. Some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim. 67Verse 67. They gave to them the cities of refuge, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim with its suburbs; Gezer also with its suburbs, 68Verse 68. Jokmeam with its suburbs, Beth Horon with its suburbs,
69Verse 69. Aijalon with its suburbs, Gath Rimmon with its suburbs; 70Verse 70. and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs, and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath. 71Verse 71. To the sons of Gershom were given, out of the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its suburbs, and Ashtaroth with its suburbs; 72Verse 72. and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs, 73Verse 73. Ramoth with its suburbs, and Anem with its suburbs; 74Verse 74. and out of the tribe of Asher, Mashal with its suburbs, Abdon with its suburbs,
75Verse 75. Hukok with its suburbs, and Rehob with its suburbs; 76Verse 76. and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, Hammon with its suburbs, and Kiriathaim with its suburbs. 77Verse 77. To the rest of the Levites, the sons of Merari, were given, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmono with its suburbs, Tabor with its suburbs; 78Verse 78. and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, were given them, out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with its suburbs, and Jahzah with its suburbs, 79Verse 79. Kedemoth with its suburbs, and Mephaath with its suburbs;
80Verse 80. and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, Mahanaim with its suburbs, 81Verse 81. Heshbon with its suburbs, and Jazer with its suburbs.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in 1 Chronicles 6
Levitical priesthood
This chapter provides a genealogical account of the Levitical priesthood, listing significant figures such as Aaron and his sons in vv. 3-5. It details the line from Aaron to Azariah, who executed the priest’s office in the house built by Solomon in v. 10. The text connects the priestly line to specific responsibilities in worship and the sacred service.
Importance of lineage
Lineage is central throughout this chapter, particularly in the genealogies presented, like the descendants of Levi in verses 1-2. The detailed records trace the lineage from Levi down to the various families and cities allotted to them. This structure establishes a historical framework that is crucial for understanding the roles and responsibilities assigned to the Levites within Israel's religious community.
Worship and music in Israel
The text details the role of the Levites in worship, particularly in music, as seen in verses 31-32 where David set them ‘over the service of song in Yahweh’s house’. The mention of Heman and Asaph in verse 33 describes their specific contributions to music leadership. This passage outlines the significance of music in the worship practices established in Israel.
God's covenant faithfulness
The chapter details the distribution of cities and responsibilities given to the Levites in vv. 61-81, which affirms the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Levi. By specifying cities of refuge and places to dwell, the text illustrates God's provision for the Levites as part of His covenant with Israel. The account ultimately points to a sustained relationship between God and His people through their designated roles.
Chapter outline
How 1 Chronicles 6 unfolds
1 Chronicles 6:1–15 Introduction to Levi's Lineage
The genealogy begins with Levi’s sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (v. 1). It continues through Kohath’s lineage, highlighting key figures, including Aaron, Moses, and Miriam (v. 3).
1 Chronicles 6:16–30 Details of the Levite Families
The verses list the Levite families, naming Gershom's sons as 'Libni and Shimei,' Kohath's sons as 'Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel,' and Merari's sons as 'Mahli and Mushi' (vv. 17-30). The lineage reveals the structure of the Levite clans.
1 Chronicles 6:31–43 Roles in Worship and Music
David assigns the Levites roles in worship, stating they 'ministered with song before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting' (vv. 31-32). Key figures include 'Heman the singer' and 'Asaph' who served in music (vv. 33-43).
1 Chronicles 6:44–49 Priestly Responsibilities
The verses detail the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons in offering sacrifices and performing rituals in the most holy place (v. 49). They are charged with duties specified by Moses.
1 Chronicles 6:50–60 Cities for the Levitical Priests
The families of Levi receive various cities, starting with the sons of Aaron, who are given Hebron and other cities of refuge (vv. 55-58). The text specifies the allocation of these cities alongside their suburbs.
1 Chronicles 6:61–81 Distribution of Cities Among Levites
The distribution of cities continues, describing allocations for the remaining Levite families, detailing thirteen cities for Gershom and twelve for Merari, and specifying their locations (vv. 61-81).
Key verses
1 Chronicles 6:31David organizes the Levites for worship service in Yahweh’s house, marking the establishment of formal musical roles after the ark's resting in Jerusalem.
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Study questions
Questions for studying 1 Chronicles 6
- observeIn v3, who are the children of Amram listed in the genealogy?
- observeWhat is the role of Azariah described in v10?
- interpretThe mention of 'cities of refuge' in vv. 57-60: what purpose do they serve for the Levites?
- interpretIn v49, why is it significant that Aaron and his sons offered on the altar?
- applyWhen have you felt a responsibility that came with a spiritual legacy, as seen in the Levites' roles?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo 1 Chronicles 6
- Joshua 211 Chronicles 6:55 and Joshua 21:11Both give a city: 1 Chronicles 6:55 says they gave Hebron, while Joshua 21:11 says they gave Kiriath Arba, also named Hebron.
- Exodus 61 Chronicles 6:1 and Exodus 6:16Both name Levi's sons: 1 Chronicles 6:1 states Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, while Exodus 6:16 repeats these names for emphasis.
- Numbers 31 Chronicles 6:17 and Numbers 3:18Both list Gershom's sons: 1 Chronicles 6:17 names Libni and Shimei, while Numbers 3:18 also includes the same names.
- 1 Chronicles 231 Chronicles 6:19 and 1 Chronicles 23:21Both mention Merari's sons: 1 Chronicles 6:19 states Mahli and Mushi, while 1 Chronicles 23:21 confirms these names.
- 1 Chronicles 151 Chronicles 6:33 and 1 Chronicles 15:17Both identify Heman: 1 Chronicles 6:33 says he is the son of Joel, while 1 Chronicles 15:17 also confirms his lineage.
- 1 Chronicles 251 Chronicles 6:33 and 1 Chronicles 25:1Both reference Heman’s service: 1 Chronicles 6:33 describes him as a singer, while 1 Chronicles 25:1 mentions his role in prophesying.
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