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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Chronicles 6:16 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/6-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/13_1Ch_06_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Chronicles 6:16 - The Descendants of Levi" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_chronicles/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The sons of Levi <i>were</i> Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi <i>were</i> Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The sons of Levi <i>were</i> Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The sons of Levi <i>were</i> Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_chronicles/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_chronicles/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Levi’s sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Levi&#8217s sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_chronicles/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_chronicles/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Levi's three sons had sons of their own. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_chronicles/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Levi's sons were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_chronicles/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br /> Levi's descendants included Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_chronicles/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_chronicles/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_chronicles/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_chronicles/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, hath and Merari.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So the sons of Levi were Gerson, Caath, and Merari. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So the sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershun and Qahath and Merari.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_chronicles/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The sons of Levi: Gedson, Caath, and Merari.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=1696" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/6.htm">The Descendants of Levi</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">The sons of</a> <a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob.">Levi:</a> <a href="/hebrew/1647.htm" title="1647: gê·rə·šōm (N-proper-ms) -- Three Isr. For Gershown; Gereshom, the name of four Israelites.">Gershom,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6955.htm" title="6955: qə·hāṯ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Levi. From an unused root meaning to ally oneself; allied; Kehath, an Israelite.">Kohath,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4847.htm" title="4847: ū·mə·rā·rî (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Levi. From marar; bitter; Merari, an Israelite.">and Merari.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/6-16.htm">Exodus 6:16-20</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/3-17.htm">Numbers 3:17-20</a></span><br />These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. / These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei. / The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-57.htm">Numbers 26:57-59</a></span><br />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, / and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-1.htm">Exodus 2:1-2</a></span><br />Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Numbers 18:1-7</a></span><br />So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. / But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11-14</a></span><br />Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/28-1.htm">Exodus 28:1</a></span><br />“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/8-1.htm">Leviticus 8:1-13</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Take Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread, / and assemble the whole congregation at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">Numbers 1:47-54</a></span><br />The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers. / For the LORD had said to Moses: / “Do not number the tribe of Levi in the census with the other Israelites. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/4-1.htm">Numbers 4:1-3</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, / “Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families, / men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/8-5.htm">Numbers 8:5-26</a></span><br />Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, / “Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. / This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8-9</a></span><br />At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. / That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-27.htm">1 Samuel 2:27-28</a></span><br />Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? / And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm">1 Kings 8:4</a></span><br />and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-5.htm">2 Chronicles 5:5</a></span><br />and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm">1 Chronicles 6:1</a></b></br> The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/6-16.htm">Exodus 6:16</a></b></br> And these <i>are</i> the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi <i>were</i> an hundred thirty and seven years.</p><p class="hdg">Gershon.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm">Gershom</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm">Gershon</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-2.htm">Kohath</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm">Merari</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm">Merar'i</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/6-17.htm">Gershom</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-17.htm">Gershon</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-18.htm">Kohath</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-38.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-19.htm">Merari</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-19.htm">Merar'i</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm">The sons of Levi.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-4.htm">The line of Eleazar unto the captivity.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">The families of Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">49. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-49.htm">The office of Aaron, and his line unto Ahimaaz.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">54. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-54.htm">The cities of the priests and Levites.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_chronicles/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The sons of Levi:</b><br>Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah, and his descendants were set apart for religious duties in Israel. The tribe of Levi did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but was given cities throughout Israel (Joshua 21). This reflects their unique role in serving the tabernacle and later the temple. The Levites were responsible for the spiritual leadership and instruction of the people, emphasizing the importance of worship and adherence to God's laws.<p><b>Gershom:</b><br>Gershom was the firstborn son of Levi. His descendants, the Gershonites, were responsible for the care of the tabernacle's fabrics, including the curtains and coverings (<a href="/numbers/3-25.htm">Numbers 3:25-26</a>). This role highlights the importance of maintaining the sacred space where God dwelled among His people. The name Gershom means "a stranger there," which may reflect the transient nature of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.<p><b>Kohath:</b><br>Kohath was the second son of Levi. The Kohathites had the significant duty of caring for the most sacred objects of the tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, and the lampstand (<a href="/numbers/3-31.htm">Numbers 3:31</a>). This responsibility underscores the holiness and reverence required in handling items directly associated with God's presence. The Kohathites' role points to the need for purity and dedication in worship, foreshadowing the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly mediates between God and humanity.<p><b>Merari:</b><br>Merari was the third son of Levi. His descendants, the Merarites, were tasked with the maintenance and transportation of the tabernacle's structural components, including the frames, bars, pillars, and bases (<a href="/numbers/3-36.htm">Numbers 3:36-37</a>). This practical service was essential for the stability and mobility of the tabernacle, symbolizing the support and foundation of the community's worship life. The Merarites' work reflects the importance of every role in the body of believers, as each contributes to the overall function and health of the spiritual community.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/levi.htm">Levi</a></b><br>Levi is the third son of Jacob and Leah. He is the patriarch of the tribe of Levi, which was set apart for religious duties and service in the tabernacle and later the temple.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/gershom.htm">Gershom</a></b><br>Gershom is the first son of Levi. His descendants were responsible for certain duties in the tabernacle, particularly related to the care of the tabernacle's fabrics and coverings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/kohath.htm">Kohath</a></b><br>Kohath is the second son of Levi. His descendants, the Kohathites, had the significant responsibility of caring for the most sacred objects of the tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/merari.htm">Merari</a></b><br>Merari is the third son of Levi. His descendants were tasked with the maintenance and transportation of the tabernacle's structural components, such as the frames and pillars.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_heritage_and_calling.htm">The Importance of Heritage and Calling</a></b><br>The lineage of Levi underscores the importance of heritage and calling in God's plan. Each family within the tribe had specific roles, reminding us that God has a unique purpose for each of us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/diversity_of_roles_in_service.htm">Diversity of Roles in Service</a></b><br>The distinct responsibilities of Gershom, Kohath, and Merari's descendants illustrate the diversity of roles within the body of Christ. Every role, whether seen or unseen, is vital to the functioning of God's kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_assigned_duties.htm">Faithfulness in Assigned Duties</a></b><br>The Levites' dedication to their duties serves as a model for faithfulness in whatever tasks God assigns us. Our commitment to our roles, however small they may seem, contributes to the greater work of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_faithfulness.htm">Generational Faithfulness</a></b><br>The passage encourages us to consider the impact of our faithfulness on future generations. Just as the Levites' roles were passed down, our spiritual legacy can influence those who come after us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_1_chr_16_and_2_sam_6_differ.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 16 differ from 2 Samuel 6 in describing the Ark's journey and the people's offerings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_1_chr_6_16-30_and_ex_6_16-19_differ.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 6:16-30 list names that differ from other biblical genealogies (compare Exodus 6:16-19), and how can these discrepancies be reconciled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1_chronicles_6_1-15_historically_reliable.htm">How can the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6:1-15 be historically reliable if external archaeological sources do not confirm these priestly generations?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_the_kohathites,_gershonites,_merarites.htm">Who were the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16-19) The three branches of Levi with their main subdivisions. Parallel passages, <a href="/context/exodus/6-16.htm" title="And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.">Exodus 6:16-19</a>; <a href="/context/numbers/3-17.htm" title="And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.">Numbers 3:17-20</a>.<p>(16) <span class= "bld">Gershom.</span>--See Note on <a href="/1_chronicles/6-1.htm" title="The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.">1Chronicles 6:1</a>. In the Pentateuch, Gershom is son of Moses; Gershon, son of Levi.<p>(19) <span class= "bld">And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.</span>--The word'families" (Heb., <span class= "ital">mishpehuth</span>) does not mean single households, but groups of households, or clans. The sentence concludes the short list of the great Levitical houses, just as at <a href="/exodus/6-19.htm" title="And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.">Exodus 6:19</a>. (See also <a href="/numbers/3-20.htm" title="And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.">Numbers 3:20</a>, where a like formula appears to introduce what follows.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16-19.</span> - These verses have a re-enumeration of the three sons of Levi, and differ from the enumeration of ver. 1, in being followed by the sons of <span class="accented">each</span> of these three, and afterwards by the line of descendants from each, instead of by the sons of only one, Kohath, and his descendant in only one stem, the high priest stem, and with only one object. All these names agree with <a href="/exodus/6-17.htm">Exodus 6:17-19</a> and <a href="/numbers/3-17.htm">Numbers 3:17-20</a> (comp. also <a href="/numbers/3-21.htm">Numbers 3:21-36</a> with Numbers 26:57-60), with the trifling exceptions already alluded to, in the Hebrew spelling of Gershom and the Authorized Version spelling of Shimei and the Authorized Version Mahali of <a href="/exodus/6-19.htm">Exodus 6:19</a>. The latter half of ver. 19, according to the Hebrew, should rather refer to what has preceded, and be a "subscription," though it might best suit the connection to regard it as introducing what was to follow, and as being a "superscription." Bertheau holds with the former of these views, Keil with the latter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The sons of</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Levi:</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵוִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3878.htm">Strong's 3878: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gershom,</span><br /><span class="heb">גֵּרְשֹׁ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(gê·rə·šōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1647.htm">Strong's 1647: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gershom -- three Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Kohath,</span><br /><span class="heb">קְהָ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(qə·hāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6955.htm">Strong's 6955: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kohath -- a son of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Merari.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמְרָרִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·rā·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4847.htm">Strong's 4847: </a> </span><span class="str2">Merari -- a son of Levi</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">1 Chronicles 6:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_chronicles/6-16.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 6:16 The sons of Levi: Gershom Kohath (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 6:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 6:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 6:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 6:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>