1 Chronicles 6

The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1Levi had three sons. They were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

2And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

2Kohath had four sons. They were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

3And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3Amram's children were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Aaron's sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

4Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,

4Eleazar was the father of Phinehas. Phinehas was the father of Abishua.

5And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,

5Abishua was the father of Bukki. Bukki was the father of Uzzi.

6And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,

6Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth.

7Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,

7Meraioth was the father of Amariah. Amariah was the father of Ahitub.

8And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,

8Ahitub was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz.

9And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,

9Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah. Azariah was the father of Johanan.

10And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest’s office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)

10Johanan was the father of Azariah. This Azariah was a priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem. A priest is a man who serves God at God's house.

11And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,

11Azariah was the father of Amariah. Amariah was the father of Ahitub.

12And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,

12Ahitub was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Shallum.

13And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,

13Shallum was the father of Hilkiah. Hilkiah was the father of Azariah.

14And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,

14Azariah was the father of Seraiah. Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak.

15And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

15Jehozadak was taken away from his home as a prisoner. That happened when the LORD sent the people of Judah and Jerusalem far away. King Nebuchadnezzar and his army carried them off.

16The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

16Again, Levi's sons were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

17And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.

17These are the names of Gershom's sons. They were Libni and Shimei.

18And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

18Kohath's sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

19The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.

19Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. These are the Levite families, listed by their fathers.

20Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

20This is Gershom's line. His son was Libni. Libni's son was Jahath. Jahath's son was Zimmah.

21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.

21Zimmah's son was Joah. Joah's son was Iddo. Iddo's son was Zerah. Zerah's son was Jeaterai.

22The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

22This is Kohath's line. His son was Amminadab. Amminadab's son was Korah. Korah's son was Assir.

23Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,

23Assir's son was Elkanah. Elkanah's son was Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph's son was Assir.

24Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.

24Assir's son was Tahath. Tahath's son was Uriel. Uriel's son was Uzziah. Uzziah's son was Shaul.

25And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.

25Elkanah's sons were Amasai and Ahimoth.

26As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,

26The line of Elkanah went on like this. His son was Zophai. Zophai's son was Nahath.

27Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.

27Nahath's son was Eliab. Eliab's son was Jeroham. Jeroham's son was Elkanah.

28And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.

28Samuel had two sons. The older one was Vashni, and the other was Abiah.

NoteThe King James Bible reads Samuel's older son as "Vashni." Other Bibles read the same Hebrew word as "and the second," and name the older son Joel, as verse 33 does.

29The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,

29This is Merari's line. It began with Mahli. Mahli's son was Libni. Libni's son was Shimei. Shimei's son was Uzza.

30Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

30Uzza's son was Shimea. Shimea's son was Haggiah. Haggiah's son was Asaiah.

31And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.

31King David picked these men to lead the singing at the LORD's house. He did this after the ark was set in its resting place. The ark was the holy chest that belonged to God.

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 according to their order.

32They sang in front of the tabernacle, the special tent where people met with God. They kept doing this until Solomon built the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Then they did their jobs in the order they were given.

33And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,

33Here are the men who served, along with their sons. From Kohath's family came Heman the singer. Heman was the son of Joel, who was the son of Shemuel.

34The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

34Shemuel was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Jeroham. Jeroham was the son of Eliel. Eliel was the son of Toah.

35The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,

35Toah was the son of Zuph. Zuph was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Mahath. Mahath was the son of Amasai.

36The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,

36Amasai was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Azariah. Azariah was the son of Zephaniah.

37The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,

37Zephaniah was the son of Tahath. Tahath was the son of Assir. Assir was the son of Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph was the son of Korah.

38The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.

38Korah was the son of Izhar. Izhar was the son of Kohath. Kohath was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Israel.

39And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,

39Heman's relative Asaph stood at his right side. Asaph was the son of Berachiah, who was the son of Shimea.

40The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,

40Shimea was the son of Michael. Michael was the son of Baaseiah. Baaseiah was the son of Malchiah.

41The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,

41Malchiah was the son of Ethni. Ethni was the son of Zerah. Zerah was the son of Adaiah.

42The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,

42Adaiah was the son of Ethan. Ethan was the son of Zimmah. Zimmah was the son of Shimei.

43The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.

43Shimei was the son of Jahath. Jahath was the son of Gershom. Gershom was the son of Levi.

44And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

44Their relatives from Merari's family stood at the left side. Ethan was one of them. He was the son of Kishi, who was the son of Abdi, who was the son of Malluch.

45The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

45Malluch was the son of Hashabiah. Hashabiah was the son of Amaziah. Amaziah was the son of Hilkiah.

46The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,

46Hilkiah was the son of Amzi. Amzi was the son of Bani. Bani was the son of Shamer.

47The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.

47Shamer was the son of Mahli. Mahli was the son of Mushi. Mushi was the son of Merari. Merari was the son of Levi.

48Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

48The rest of their Levite relatives were given every other kind of job. They worked at the tabernacle, which was God's house.

49But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

49But only Aaron and his sons brought gifts to God on the altar where offerings were burned. They also burned sweet-smelling incense on its own altar. They did all the work of the most holy room. They made things right between Israel and God, just as Moses, God's servant, had commanded.

50And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

50Here is the family line of Aaron. His son was Eleazar. Eleazar's son was Phinehas. Phinehas's son was Abishua.

51Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,

51Abishua's son was Bukki. Bukki's son was Uzzi. Uzzi's son was Zerahiah.

52Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

52Zerahiah's son was Meraioth. Meraioth's son was Amariah. Amariah's son was Ahitub.

53Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.

53Ahitub's son was Zadok. Zadok's son was Ahimaaz.

54Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.

54Here are the places where Aaron's family lived. They were part of Kohath's family. Their land was chosen for them by lot.

NoteCasting lots was a way of choosing, a bit like drawing straws. People believed God guided the answer.

55And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.

55They were given the town of Hebron in the land of Judah. They also got the grassy fields all around it.

Note"Suburbs" in the old English does not mean neighborhoods. It means open grassy land around a town, where animals could eat.

56But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

56But the farm fields and the small villages near the town went to Caleb. Caleb was the son of Jephunneh.

57And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,

57Aaron's family was given these towns in Judah: Hebron, which was a safe town, plus Libnah, Jattir, and Eshtemoa. Each town came with the grassy fields around it.

NoteA "city of refuge" was a safe town. A person who killed someone by accident could run there and not be harmed.

58And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,

58They also got Hilen and Debir, with the grassy fields around them.

59And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:

59They got Ashan and Bethshemesh too, with the grassy fields around them.

60And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.

60From the tribe of Benjamin they got Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth. Each came with its grassy fields. In all, their families had thirteen towns.

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.

61The rest of Kohath's family got ten towns. These came from the half tribe of Manasseh, chosen by lot.

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.

62Gershom's families got thirteen towns. These came from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali, and from Manasseh in Bashan.

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.

63Merari's families got twelve towns, chosen by lot. These came from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.

64And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.

64So the people of Israel gave the Levites these towns and their grassy fields.

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.

65They chose by lot the towns named above. The towns came from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.

66And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.

66Some of Kohath's families got towns from the tribe of Ephraim.

67And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,

67They were given Shechem in the hills of Ephraim, which was a safe town. They also got Gezer. Each came with its grassy fields.

68And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,

68They got Jokmeam and Bethhoron, with the grassy fields around them.

69And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:

69They got Aijalon and Gathrimmon, with the grassy fields around them.

70And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.

70From the half tribe of Manasseh they got Aner and Bileam, with their grassy fields. These went to the rest of Kohath's family.

71Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:

71Gershom's family got Golan in Bashan and Ashtaroth. These came from the half tribe of Manasseh, with their grassy fields.

72And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,

72From the tribe of Issachar they got Kedesh and Daberath, with their grassy fields.

73And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:

73They also got Ramoth and Anem, with their grassy fields.

74And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,

74From the tribe of Asher they got Mashal and Abdon, with their grassy fields.

75And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:

75They also got Hukok and Rehob, with their grassy fields.

76And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.

76From the tribe of Naphtali they got Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kirjathaim. Each came with its grassy fields.

77Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:

77The rest of Merari's family got Rimmon and Tabor. These came from the tribe of Zebulun, with their grassy fields.

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,

78They also got land across the Jordan River, near Jericho, on the east side. From the tribe of Reuben they got Bezer in the desert and Jahzah, with their grassy fields.

79Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:

79They got Kedemoth and Mephaath too, with their grassy fields.

80And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

80From the tribe of Gad they got Ramoth in Gilead and Mahanaim, with their grassy fields.

81And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.

81They also got Heshbon and Jazer, with their grassy fields.