And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.

1 CHRONICLES 23:22KJV
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1 Chronicles 23:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 23:22 mean?

1 Chronicles 23:22 reports that Eleazar died without having any sons, only daughters, and that their relatives, the sons of Kish, married them. This verse records a family detail about inheritance and marriage arrangements within the tribe of Levi.

The verse is part of a larger section listing the descendants of Levi as David organizes the Levites for temple service. The detail about Eleazar’s daughters marrying their cousins (the sons of Kish) shows how family lines and responsibilities were maintained, especially when a man had no sons to carry on his name or inheritance.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 23:22

  • "Took" (נָשָׂא, nāśā’): This word is often used for "taking" in marriage, not just physically taking something. Here, it clarifies that the sons of Kish married Eleazar’s daughters, following the custom of keeping inheritance within the family.
  • "Brethren" (אַח, ’āḥ): In this context, "brethren" refers to close relatives, not just literal brothers. It highlights the family connection between Eleazar’s daughters and the sons of Kish, making the marriage arrangement appropriate within their clan.

Why 1 Chronicles 23:22 matters

  • This verse helps clarify how Israelite families handled inheritance and marriage when a man had only daughters, showing the importance of keeping property and responsibilities within the extended family.
  • The detail about the sons of Kish marrying Eleazar’s daughters connects to broader biblical laws about inheritance, such as those found in Numbers 27 and 36, where daughters could inherit if there were no sons, but were encouraged to marry within their tribe.
  • By recording this family arrangement, the verse emphasizes the careful organization and continuity of the Levite families, which was important for their roles in temple service.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“Eleazar” Hebrew H499 · used in 70 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
  • Joshua 22:31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.