The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

1 CHRONICLES 23:21KJV
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1 Chronicles 23:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 23:21 mean?

1 Chronicles 23:21 lists the descendants of Merari, one of the sons of Levi, naming his sons Mahli and Mushi, and then naming Mahli’s sons as Eleazar and Kish. This verse is part of a genealogical record that traces the family lines of the Levites, who had special duties in Israel’s worship and temple service.

In this section of 1 Chronicles, the writer is recording the organization of the Levites during King David’s reign. The verse helps establish the family structure within the tribe of Levi, specifically the branch of Merari, which is important for understanding how temple responsibilities were assigned. These names would have been significant for the people of Israel, as they determined roles and inheritance among the Levites.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 23:21

  • בְּנֵי (bənē, “sons”): This word appears twice in the verse and is used to indicate direct male descendants. Its repetition emphasizes the family structure and lineage being traced.
  • מְרָרִי (Mərārî, “Merari”): Merari is the ancestor whose line is being detailed here. His name identifies which branch of the Levites is under discussion.
  • מַחְלִי (Maḥlî, “Mahli”) and מוּשִׁי (Mûshî, “Mushi”): These are the two sons of Merari, marking the two main sub-families within this Levitical clan.
  • אֶלְעָזָר (El‘āzār, “Eleazar”) and קִישׁ (Qîsh, “Kish”): These are the sons of Mahli, showing the next generation and further dividing the responsibilities among the Levites.

Why 1 Chronicles 23:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies the specific family lines within the Levites, which was crucial for assigning temple duties and maintaining order in worship practices.
  • By naming these descendants, the verse connects later generations to their ancestral roles, helping the Israelites preserve their traditions and responsibilities.
  • The listing of names in this genealogical style highlights the importance of heritage and continuity in Israel’s religious life, showing how each family played a part in the nation’s spiritual service.

Where else these words appear

“Mushi” Hebrew H4187 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 6:19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:19 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:23 The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

“Mahli” Hebrew H4249 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 6:19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:29 The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
  • 1 Chronicles 24:26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.

“Kish” Hebrew H7027 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
  • 2 Samuel 21:14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

“Merari” Hebrew H4847 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 46:11 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
  • Numbers 7:8 And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:63 Unto 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.