The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Chronicles 6:16
What does 1 Chronicles 6:16 mean?
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1 Chronicles 6:16
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Even in this simple genealogical listing, the order of Levi's sons is significant: Gershom, Kohath, then Merari. This sequence highlights Gershom, the eldest, whose lineage would eventually bear a crucial responsibility—the care of the sacred sanctuary itself, pointing to a deeper purpose embedded in every family line. It’s a quiet reminder that God’s plan often begins with the firstborn, setting the stage for what’s to come.
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Chronicler is meticulously tracing the lineage of the Levites, the priestly tribe responsible for the Tabernacle's service. This verse, in the midst of a lengthy genealogy, identifies the three main ancestral lines from which all Levites descended, setting the stage for the later organization and responsibilities assigned to each branch. The following verses will then detail the descendants of Kohath, particularly the line of Moses and Aaron, who would become central figures in the priesthood.
Ever wondered where the priests and Levites came from? It all starts with Levi's family line. This verse names the three key branches.
The Three Pillars
This verse is a foundational statement, naming the three sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
These three names are not just a family tree; they represent the organized structure of service to God that would carry through Israel's history.
Understand the original words
Levi · Hebrew Proper Noun
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The son of Jacob, through whom the priestly tribe of Israel descended, set apart by God for temple service and the care of the tabernacle.
This is essentially the same genealogical record, showing consistency in the lineage of Levi and his sons as the foundation for the priestly and Levitical roles.
Numbers 3:17This passage directly lists the same three sons of Levi (Gershom, Kohath, and Merari) when counting the Levitical families, underscoring their primary divisions.
This verse further elaborates on the descendants of Kohath, one of the three sons mentioned, showing the expansion and specific roles within his lineage.
This earlier mention places the sons of Levi (Gershom, Kohath, and Merari) within Jacob's family as they went down to Egypt, providing the very beginning of their recorded presence as a distinct family line.
Even in this simple genealogical listing, the order of Levi's sons is significant: Gershom, Kohath, then Merari. This sequence highlights Gershom, the eldest, whose lineage would eventually bear a crucial responsibility—the care of the sacred sanctuary itself, pointing to a deeper purpose embedded in every family line. It’s a quiet reminder that God’s plan often begins with the firstborn, setting the stage for what’s to come.
The Chronicler is meticulously tracing the lineage of the Levites, the priestly tribe responsible for the Tabernacle's service. This verse, in the midst of a lengthy genealogy, identifies the three main ancestral lines from which all Levites descended, setting the stage for the later organization and responsibilities assigned to each branch. The following verses will then detail the descendants of Kohath, particularly the line of Moses and Aaron, who would become central figures in the priesthood.
The Chronicler is meticulously tracing the lineage of the Levites, the priestly tribe responsible for the Tabernacle's service. This verse, in the midst of a lengthy genealogy, identifies the three main ancestral lines from which all Levites descended, setting the stage for the later organization and responsibilities assigned to each branch. The following verses will then detail the descendants of Kohath, particularly the line of Moses and Aaron, who would become central figures in the priesthood.
"The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari." — Even in this simple genealogical listing, the order of Levi's sons is significant: Gershom, Kohath, then Merari. This sequence highlights Gershom, the eldest, whose lineage would eventually bear a cr…
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Last reviewed October 2026