And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

1 CHRONICLES 6:44KJV
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1 Chronicles 6:44 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:44 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:44 identifies Ethan as a member of the Merari family who stood on the left among the Levites appointed for music. The verse also begins tracing his family line, placing him within the group that served alongside the other singers.

“Their brethren” describes the Merari group’s kinship with the other Levites in the passage. “On the left hand” pictures their position in relation to the other singers, not a separate place of service.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:44 matters

  • Ethan’s family line matters to the account of the singers. “The son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch” starts a line of ancestors that continues through the following verses.
  • The singers came from distinct Levite family groups. Ethan’s group, “the sons of Merari,” is named alongside Heman’s and Asaph’s groups in the surrounding passage.

Where else these words appear

“Abdi” Hebrew H5660 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 29:12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
  • Ezra 10:26 And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.

“Malluch” Hebrew H4409 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 10:29 And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
  • Nehemiah 10:4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
  • Nehemiah 12:2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

“Ethan” Hebrew H387 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Kings 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:8 And the sons of Ethan; Azariah.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

“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 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: