I Chronicles 23:21-23 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 23:21-23 Commentary: Merarite Genealogy & Temple Service
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the significance of the Merarite genealogy in I Chronicles 23:21-23 within David's Levitical organization for temple service, including inheritance laws and
Research Summary
- Meaning: This genealogy records the Merarite line for David's temple organization, noting the marriage of Eleazar's daughters to their cousins to preserve the family.
- Key words: 'relatives' (H0251 'ach) indicates broader kinship than just brothers; 'took them' (H5375 nasa) means took as wives.
- Main debate: The two ages for Levitical service (30 vs 20) are not directly in these verses but contextual; reconciling them is a scholarly question.
- Theological theme: God's faithfulness to preserve priestly lines and provide for women through the law of inheritance.
- Best use: As part of a series on God's order in worship, or as an example of the importance of genealogies in biblical narrative.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi.
22The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died without having any sons; he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.
23The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—three in all.
WEB World English Bible 2000
21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
22Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only; and their relatives, the sons of Kish, took them as wives.
23The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
KJV King James Version 1769
21The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.
22And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.
23The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
22And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brethren the sons of Kish took themto wife.
23The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
21Sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
22And Eleazar dieth, and he had no sons, but daughters, and sons of Kish their brethren take them.
23Sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth, three.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
22And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters; and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.
23The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
21The sons of Merari: Moholi, and Musi. The sons of Moholi: Eleazar and Cis.
22And Eleazar died, and had no sons but daughters: and the sons of Cis their brethren took them.
23The sons of Musi: Moholi, and Eder, and Jerimoth, three.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 23:21
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree these verses serve as an administrative record within David's restructuring of the Levites for temple service (1 Chr 23:6-24). Gill notes that Eleazar died without sons, so none succeeded in his office, but the sons of Kish, his relatives, married his daughters. Adam Clarke connects this marriage to the law in Numbers 27 and 36, where heiresses married within their tribe to preserve land inheritance. The listing of Mushi's three sons completes the Merarite family roll. This detailed record ensured every Levitical household was accounted for the work of the house of the Lord.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The passage records the Merarite genealogy within David's organization of the Levites for temple service, showing the continuation of the family line through marriage according to Numbers 36.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of genealogies in Chronicles | Traditions agree that genealogies establish the legitimate lines for worship and service in the temple. | Some see them as purely historical records; others see them as theological narratives shaping Israel's identity. |
| Application of Numbers 36 | Commentators agree that the marriage of Eleazar's daughters to their cousins follows the law for heiresses marrying within their tribe. | Whether this was a common practice or a specific application unique to this case remains open to interpretation. |
| Age of Levitical service | 1 Chronicles 23 mentions both age 30 and age 20 for service (vv.3,24), indicating a change in practice. | Some argue the later age (30) was the original requirement, later lowered to 20 due to a shortage of Levites; others see both as operative in different contexts. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This genealogy appears at a pivotal moment: David, old and near death, organizes the Levites for the future temple (1 Chr 23:1-5). The Levites were numbered from thirty years old upward (v.3) and assigned new duties because the Ark would have a permanent house (vv.25-26). No longer would they carry the tabernacle through the wilderness. Instead, they served as officials, judges, gatekeepers, and musicians (vv.4-5). Chapter 23 provides the first account of this organization, with genealogical lists establishing who belonged to which service.
The specific listing for Merari's descendants (vv.21-23) follows the same pattern used for Gershon and Kohath earlier. Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi (Ex 6:19). Mahli's sons, Eleazar and Kish, are named, but Eleazar died childless except for daughters. The solution, Kish's sons marrying those daughters, reflects the law in Numbers 36:6,8, which required daughters inheriting land to marry within their father's tribe. Although Levites did not receive territorial inheritance (Num 18:20), the principle of keeping property and family continuity within the clan applied. By marrying their cousins, Eleazar's daughters kept the family line intact and eligible for service.
The mention of Mushi's three sons, Mahli (named after his uncle), Eder, and Jeremoth, adds to the roll. These genealogies were not merely archival; they determined eligibility for temple duty. The Chronicler's emphasis on precise records shows the importance of order and faithfulness in worship. The eventual structure allowed the Levites to serve in twenty-four courses (1 Chr 24), a system that continued for generations.
Thus, this brief genealogy grounds the temple service in real families, historical continuity, and obedience to God's commands about inheritance and marriage.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentary sources note no significant textual variants for these verses. The genealogical names are consistent across Hebrew manuscripts and early translations.
Reception History
This passage has been read primarily as an administrative record within the larger narrative of David's temple preparations. Early Jewish interpreters used such genealogies to establish priestly lines. Christian commentators like Matthew Henry and Adam Clarke saw in it God's providence in preserving the Levitical order. The marriage of Eleazar's daughters to their cousins has been cited as an example of obedience to divine law regarding inheritance. In the history of interpretation, the detailed genealogies have sometimes been overlooked as tedious, but the Chronicler's careful record reminds readers that God values every family in His service.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God's order in genealogical records, Every name and relationship matters for holy service.
- The preservation of family lines through faithful marriages, God provides for continuity even when a man dies without sons.
- The transition from tabernacle to temple, The Levites' new roles reflect God's unfolding plan for worship.
Five-point outline
- David's organization of the Levites marks a shift from wilderness wandering to settled worship.
- The genealogy of Merari shows how specific families were included in temple service.
- Eleazar's daughters are provided for through marriage to their cousins, following Numbers 36.
- This marriage preserves the inheritance and service within the tribe.
- The complete listing of Mushi's three sons shows that no branch is forgotten.
Illustration hooks
- A family business that passes down through generations, requiring careful record-keeping to know who is eligible to take part.
- Legal measures to care for dependents (like trusts or wills), God's law already provided for daughters without brothers.
- When an organization restructures, every role and person must be re-evaluated; the Chronicler shows that the temple reorganization was thorough.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible keep such detailed lists of names? Do they matter for us today?
- How were women treated in ancient Israel? Does this passage show concern for daughters who had no brothers?
- What does this genealogy tell us about God's character and His plans for His people?
Leading a Discussion
This passage may seem like a dry list, but it reveals God's care for order, family continuity, and provision for the vulnerable. As you discuss, consider how these ancient records speak to God's faithfulness in details.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Chronicles 23:21-23 together. What strikes you about this genealogy? Why do you think it is included?
- How does the context of David's organization of the Levites (vv.1-5) change how you read this list?
- What problem does Eleazar's death without sons create? How is it resolved according to Numbers 36:6-8?
- Why was it important for Eleazar's daughters to marry within the tribe of Levi? What does this show about God's provision?
- How do detailed records like this help us understand God's nature? Does God care about organization and family lines?
- In what ways does the transition from tabernacle to temple reflect God's ongoing guidance of His people?
- How can this passage encourage you about God's attention to the details of your own life and family?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 6:19 | The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations. |
| I Chronicles 6:20 | Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, |
| I Chronicles 6:30 | Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son. |
| I Chronicles 23:6 | David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| I Chronicles 24:26 | The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno. |
| I Chronicles 24:30 | The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses. |
| Numbers 36:6 | This is the thing which Yahweh commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them be married to whom they think best, only they shall marry into the family of the tribe of their father. |
| Numbers 36:8 | Every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may each possess the inheritance of his fathers. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the sons of Kish marrying their female relatives followed the law regarding heiresses. This law required women who inherited property to marry within their father's tribe so the family estate would not be transferred to another tribe.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator notes that the two different ages given for Levite service—thirty in one account and twenty in another—likely reflect an actual change in practice over time. The original minimum was probably thirty, but a shortage of Levites forced the limit down to twenty.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes observes that Eleazar's daughters were taken as wives by their cousins, the sons of Kish, preserving the family line within the tribe. This arrangement follows the precedent set for heiresses in Israel, ensuring inheritance remained within the clan.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Eleazar had only daughters, so his cousins, the sons of Kish, married them to continue the family line. He also observes that one of Mushi's sons, Mahli, was named after his father's brother.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the Levites were organized into exactly twenty-four fathers houses: nine from Gershon and nine from Kohath, with six from Merari making up the total. This precise count of families then leads into their assigned duties.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange treats the mention of Solomon's kingship as
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the careful, orderly distribution of the Levites into specific duties—work, governance, guarding, and music—as a model of how God’s house should be served. Every tribe and family had its appointed place, showing that even the smallest roles in worship matter to God.