The genealogy of the high priestly stem to the captivity.

The sons of Levi - It has been well remarked that the genealogy of Levi is given here more ample and correct than that of any of the others.

And this is perhaps an additional proof that the author was a priest, felt much for the priesthood, and took care to give the genealogy of the Levitical and sacerdotal families, from the most correct tables; for with such tables we may presume he was intimately acquainted.

The sons of Levi,.... After an account of the chief of the tribes of Judah and Simeon, of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, follows that of Levi, and his posterity; the kingdom being given to Judah, the birthright to Joseph, and the priesthood to Levi: the immediate sons of Levi were

Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; as in Genesis 46:11, from these sprung the three families of the Levites.

(1 Chronicles 5:27-41). The family of Aaron, or the high-priestly line of Aaron, to the time of the Babylonian exile. - 1 Chronicles 6:1-3. In order to exhibit the connection of Aharon (or Aaron) with the patriarch Levi, the enumeration begins with the three sons of Levi, who are given in 1 Chronicles 6:1 as in Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16, and in other passages. Of Levi's grandchildren, only the four sons of Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:2) are noticed; and of these, again, Amram is the only one whose descendants - Aaron, Moses, and Miriam - are named (1 Chronicles 6:3); and thereafter only Aaron's sons are introduced, in order that the enumeration of his family in the high-priestly line of Eleazar might follow. With 1 Chronicles 6:2 cf. Exodus 1:18, and on 1 Chronicles 6:34 see the commentary on Exodus 6:20. With the sons of Aaron (1 Chronicles 6:44) compare besides Exodus 6:23, also Numbers 3:2-4, and 1 Chronicles 24:1-2. As Nadab and Abihu were slain when they offered strange fire before Jahve (Leviticus 10:1.), Aaron's race was continued only by his sons Eleazar and Ithamar. After Aaron's death, his eldest son Eleazar was chosen by God to be his successor in the high priest's office, and thus the line of Eleazar came into possession of the high-priestly dignity.

The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Gershon: or, Gershom

CHAPTER 6

1Ch 6:1-48. Line of the Priests.

6:1-81 Genealogies. - We have an account of Levi in this chapter. The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites, to preserve their descent clear, and to be able to prove it; because all the honours and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. Now, the Spirit of God calls ministers to their work, without any limit as to the families they came from; and then, as now, though believers and ministers may be very useful to the church, none but our great High Priest can make atonement for sin, nor can any be accepted but through his atonement.