1 Chronicles 23:6
1 Chronicles 23:6 in Multiple Translations
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
And David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
And David put them into divisions under the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
David divided them into sections corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
So Dauid deuided offices vnto them, to wit, to the sonnes of Leui, to Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
And David distributeth them into courses: Of the sons of Levi: of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely , Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
And David distributed them into courses by the families of the sons of Levi, to wit, of Gerson, and of Caath, and of Merari.
David divided the descendants of Levi into three family groups; each group consisted of men who were descendants of one of the three sons of Levi—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 23:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Chronicles 23:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֶּֽחָלְקֵ֥/ם
דָּוִ֖יד
מַחְלְק֑וֹת
לִ/בְנֵ֣י
לֵוִ֔י
לְ/גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן
קְהָ֥ת
וּ/מְרָרִֽי
וַ/יֶּֽחָלְקֵ֥/ם
châlaq
H2505
to divide
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
דָּוִ֖יד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
מַחְלְק֑וֹת
machălôqeth
H4256
division
N-fp
לִ/בְנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp
לֵוִ֔י
Lêvîy
H3878
Levi
N-proper
לְ/גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן
Gêrᵉshôm
H1647
Gershom
Prep | N-proper
קְהָ֥ת
Qᵉhâth
H6955
Kohath
N-proper
וּ/מְרָרִֽי
Mᵉrârîy
H4847
Merari
Conj | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 23:6
וַ/יֶּֽחָלְקֵ֥/ם
châlaq
H2505
"to divide"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
To smooth means to make something slippery or deceitful, like in Proverbs where it warns against flattery. It can also mean to divide or separate something, like an inheritance.
Definition: 1) to divide, share, plunder, allot, apportion, assign 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to divide, apportion 1a2) to assign, distribute 1a3) to assign, impart 1a4) to share 1a5) to divide up, plunder 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to divide oneself 1b2) to be divided 1b3) to assign, distribute 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to divide, apportion 1c2) to assign, distribute 1c3) to scatter 1d) (Pual) to be divided 1e) (Hiphil) to receive a portion or part 1f) (Hithpael) to divide among themselves
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er). See also: Genesis 14:15; Job 27:17; Psalms 5:10.
דָּוִ֖יד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
מַחְלְק֑וֹת
machălôqeth
H4256
"division"
N-fp
A division or section of people, including soldiers, priests, and Levites, as described in the Bible's accounts of the Israelites' military and priestly organizations.
Definition: 1) division, course, class, share, allotment 1a) division, part 1b) division, class, course 1b1) of priests, Levites (technical term of organisation) Aramaic equivalent: mach.le.qah (מַחְלְקָה "class" H4255)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: company, course, division, portion. See also H5555 (סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת). See also: Joshua 11:23; 1 Chronicles 27:12; Ezekiel 48:29.
לִ/בְנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
לֵוִ֔י
Lêvîy
H3878
"Levi"
N-proper
Levi was a son of Jacob and Leah, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. He was a brother of Reuben, Simeon, and Judah, and the father of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi's name is significant in the tribe of Levi.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) § Levi = "joined to" the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah and progenitor of tribe of Levites
Usage: Occurs in 61 OT verses. KJV: Levi. See also H3879 (לֵוִי), H3881 (לֵוִיִּי). See also: Genesis 29:34; Deuteronomy 27:12; Psalms 135:20.
לְ/גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן
Gêrᵉshôm
H1647
"Gershom"
Prep | N-proper
Gershom was the name of several Israelites, including the son of Moses and Zipporah, who played important roles in the Bible. The name means 'foreigner' and is mentioned in books like Exodus and Ezra.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.8.2 § Gershom = "foreigner" 1) firstborn son of Moses and Zipporah 2) firstborn son of Levi 3) a son of the priestly family of Phinehas who returned from exile with Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Gershom. See also: Exodus 2:22; 1 Chronicles 6:47; Ezra 8:2.
קְהָ֥ת
Qᵉhâth
H6955
"Kohath"
N-proper
Kohath was a man from the tribe of Levi, son of Levi and brother of Gershon and Merari, first mentioned in Genesis 46:11. He was the father of Amram and others. His name means assembly.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Amram (H6019), Izhar (H3324), Hebron (H2275B) and Uzziel (H5816) Also named: qo.ha.ti (קְהָתִי "Kohathite" H6956) § Kohath = "assembly" the 2nd of the 3 sons of Levi and progenitor of a family in the tribe of Levi
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: Kohath. See also: Genesis 46:11; Joshua 21:5; 1 Chronicles 23:12.
וּ/מְרָרִֽי
Mᵉrârîy
H4847
"Merari"
Conj | N-proper
Merari was a man in the Bible, the third son of Levi and head of a family of Levites. His name means 'bitter' and he's mentioned in Genesis as an ancestor of the tribe of Levi.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Mahli (H4249), Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269) Also named: me.ra.ri (מְרָרִי "Merari" H4848) § Merari = "bitter" the 3rd son of Levi and head of a Levitical family
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Merari. See also H4848 (מְרָרִי). See also: Genesis 46:11; 1 Chronicles 6:1; Ezra 8:19.
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 23:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Chronicles 23:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 23:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 23:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:6
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:6
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 23:6
- Sermons on 1 Chronicles 23:6
Context — The Divisions of the Levites
4“Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,
54,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”
6Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7The Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. 8The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the first, Zetham, and Joel—three in all.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 8:14 | In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 6:1 | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 6:16 | The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. |
| 4 | Ezra 6:18 | They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses. |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 29:25 | Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 26:1 | These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 35:10 | So the service was prepared; the priests stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions according to the king’s command. |
| 8 | 2 Chronicles 31:2 | Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling. |
| 9 | Numbers 26:57–58 | Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari. These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram, |
| 10 | Exodus 6:16–24 | These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans. The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites according to their records. And Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years. The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. And Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clans of the Korahites. |
1 Chronicles 23:6 Summary
[This verse tells us that David divided the Levites, who were the priests and helpers in the temple, into three groups based on the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. This was an important step in getting everything ready for the temple and making sure that the right people were in the right roles, as seen in 1 Chronicles 22:2-5, where David prepares the materials for the temple. By doing this, David was following God's instructions and making sure that the temple would be a place of worship and service to the Lord, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 22:19. This reminds us that God is a God of order and organization, and that He wants us to use our gifts and talents to serve Him and others, as seen in Romans 12:4-8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David divide the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi?
David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi to maintain order and organization within the Levitical priesthood, as instructed in the book of Numbers, specifically Numbers 3:6, where Moses also divided the Levites into their respective clans.
What were the names of the sons of Levi that the divisions were based on?
The divisions of the Levites were based on the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 23:6 and also in Genesis 46:11, where the sons of Levi are first listed.
How does this division relate to the broader organization of the Israelites?
The division of the Levites into their respective clans reflects the larger organization of the Israelites into their twelve tribes, each with their own unique roles and responsibilities, as seen in Exodus 28:1 and Numbers 1:1-54.
What can we learn from David's example of organizing the Levites?
David's example teaches us the importance of organization and delegation in ministry, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:28, where the apostle Paul discusses the various roles within the church, and in Acts 6:1-7, where the apostles appoint deacons to serve the community.
Reflection Questions
- What role do I play in the larger body of Christ, and how can I use my gifts and talents to serve others?
- In what ways can I, like David, bring order and organization to my own life and ministry, and what biblical principles can guide me in this process?
- How can I learn from the example of the Levites, who were set apart to serve the Lord, and apply this to my own life and worship?
- What are some ways that I can, like the Levites, use my skills and abilities to praise and worship God, and what does this look like in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 23:6
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi,.... Into three classes, according to the number of them, which follow: namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; see Exodus 6:16.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 23:6
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:6
David divided them into courses; which he did not by his own invention, but as a man of God, and by the command of God, and with the advice and concurrence of Gad and Nathan the prophets, as is manifest from 29:25.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:6
1 Chronicles 23:6 And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, [namely], Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.Ver. 6. And David divided them into courses.] Into certain ranks and distinct functions, according to the commandment of God by Gad and Nathan. David, at the beginning of his reign, had distinguished the priests and Levites into certain ranks and orders, but now that their number was greatly increased, and they were to serve in the temple that was shortly after to be erected, he ordered all things better, and with greater diligence.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:6
(6-23) The twenty-four houses of the Levites.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 23:6
6. the sons of Levi] Cp. 1 Chronicles 6:1; 1 Chronicles 6:16.
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 23:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
For the Courses of the Doorkeepers. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the vital role of doorkeepers in both the physical and spiritual realms, highlighting their responsibility to maintain the sanctity of the House of God and th |
|
(Men God Made) Moses by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the life of Moses and his journey with God. He highlights how Moses initially felt inadequate and unsure of his ability to lead God's people |