1 Chronicles 23:6
New International Version
David separated the Levites into divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

New Living Translation
Then David divided the Levites into divisions named after the clans descended from the three sons of Levi—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

English Standard Version
And David organized them in divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Berean Standard Bible
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

King James Bible
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

New King James Version
Also David separated them into divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

New American Standard Bible
David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

NASB 1995
David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

NASB 1977
And David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Legacy Standard Bible
And David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Amplified Bible
And David organized them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Christian Standard Bible
Then David divided them into divisions according to Levi’s sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then David divided them into divisions according to Levi’s sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

American Standard Version
And David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Contemporary English Version
David then divided the Levites into three groups according to the clans of Levi's sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

English Revised Version
And David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David organized the Levites into divisions based on which of Levi's sons (Gershon, Kohath, or Merari) they were descended from.

Good News Translation
David divided the Levites into three groups, according to their clans: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

International Standard Version
David divided them into divisions based on Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, Levi's sons.

Majority Standard Bible
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

NET Bible
David divided them into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

New Heart English Bible
David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

World English Bible
David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David distributes them into divisions of the sons of Levi—of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Young's Literal Translation
And David distributeth them into courses: Of the sons of Levi: of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will divide them into divisions to the sons of Levi, to Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David distributed them into courses by the families of the sons of Levi, to wit, of Gerson, and of Caath, and of Merari.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David distributed them into courses according to the sons of Levi, specifically, Gershom, and Kohath, and Merari.

New American Bible
David apportioned them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

New Revised Standard Version
And David organized them in divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David appointed administrators and managers over the poor and needy, to provide and distribute to the poor; one person over each ten, and they lacked nothing. And David appointed them all in their courses according to the sons of Levi; namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David appointed all of them in their offices of the children of Levi: Gershun and Qahath and Merari.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David divided them into daily courses, for the sons of Levi, for Gedson, Caath, and Merari.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Divisions of the Levites
54,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.” 6Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

Cross References
Numbers 3:6-9
“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. / They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. / They shall take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and fulfill obligations for the Israelites by attending to the service of the tabernacle. ...

1 Chronicles 6:16-30
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. / These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ...

1 Chronicles 24:1-19
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. / With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. ...

1 Chronicles 15:4-12
Then he gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites: / From the Kohathites, Uriel the chief and 120 of his relatives; / from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives; ...

1 Chronicles 6:31-48
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them. / These are the men who served, together with their sons. From the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, ...

1 Chronicles 25:1-31
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

1 Chronicles 9:10-13
From the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin; / Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of God’s temple; / Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; ...

2 Chronicles 8:14
In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.

2 Chronicles 29:25-26
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

Nehemiah 12:24-26
The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God. / Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. / They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.

Exodus 6:16-25
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. ...

1 Kings 8:4
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.

2 Chronicles 5:5
and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 9:6
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.


Treasury of Scripture

And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

divided

2 Chronicles 8:14
And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.

2 Chronicles 29:25
And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

2 Chronicles 31:2
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

courses [heb] divisions

1 Chronicles 24:1
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 26:1
Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

1 Chronicles 6:1,16
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari…

Exodus 6:16-24
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…

Numbers 26:57,58
And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites…

Jump to Previous
Corresponding Courses David Distributeth Divided Divisions Gershom Gershon Groups Kohath Levi Merari Merar'i Namely Names Organized
Jump to Next
Corresponding Courses David Distributeth Divided Divisions Gershom Gershon Groups Kohath Levi Merari Merar'i Namely Names Organized
1 Chronicles 23
1. David in his old age makes Solomon king
2. The number and distribution of the Levites
7. The families of the Gershonites
12. The sons of Kohath
21. The sons of Merari
24. The office of the Levites














Then David divided them into divisions
This phrase marks a significant organizational moment in the history of Israel's worship practices. The Hebrew root for "divided" is "חָלַק" (chalak), which implies a deliberate and thoughtful distribution. David, as a king after God's own heart, was not only a political leader but also a spiritual one. His actions here reflect a deep understanding of the need for order and structure in worship. This division into "divisions" or "courses" was a practical solution to manage the large number of Levites, ensuring that the service of the temple was carried out efficiently and with reverence. It highlights the importance of stewardship and the wise administration of God's resources.

according to the sons of Levi
The Levites were set apart for the service of the tabernacle and later the temple. The phrase "sons of Levi" refers to the descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Levi's lineage was chosen by God for a special purpose, to serve as priests and caretakers of the holy things. This designation underscores the concept of divine election and purpose. The Levites' role was not just a matter of heritage but of divine calling, reminding us that God equips and calls individuals and groups for specific roles in His kingdom.

Gershom, Kohath, and Merari
These names represent the three main family lines within the tribe of Levi. Each had distinct roles and responsibilities in the service of the tabernacle. Gershom's descendants were responsible for the care of the tabernacle's fabrics and coverings. Kohath's line, which included Aaron and Moses, was tasked with the most sacred duties, including the care of the ark and other holy furnishings. Merari's descendants handled the structural elements of the tabernacle, such as the frames and pillars. This division of labor among the Levites illustrates the principle of diversity within unity. Each family had a unique contribution, yet all worked together for the common purpose of worshiping and serving God. It serves as a reminder that in the body of Christ, each member has a unique role, and all are essential for the functioning of the whole.

(6-23) The twenty-four houses of the Levites.

(6) And David divided them into courses.--Heb., he divided him them (reflexive form of verb, with suffix) into divisions. (Comp. 1Chronicles 24:3, and Genesis 14:15.) Others read the simple voice of the verb here, as at 1Chronicles 24:4-5, 2Chronicles 23:18, Nehemiah 9:22; others, again, the intensive voice, as at 1Chronicles 16:3 (only). It is a question of pointing, the consonants remaining the same in each form. "David divided them," i.e., the 2,400 superintendents (1Chronicles 23:4; comp. 1Chronicles 23:24). Many of the names here enumerated recur in 1Chronicles 24:20-31; 1Chronicles 26:20-28; whereas the names of the courses of musicians (1Chronicles 25:1-31), warders (1Chronicles 26:1-19), and scribes and judges (1Chronicles 26:29-32), are totally different. . . .

Verse 6. - Here begin the families of the Levites, as arranged in courses by David. These arrangements were scrupulously observed by Solomon (2 Chronicles 8:14; 2 Chronicles 29:25).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then David
דָּוִ֖יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

divided [the Levites]
וַיֶּֽחָלְקֵ֥ם (way·ye·ḥā·lə·qêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate

into divisions
מַחְלְק֑וֹת (maḥ·lə·qō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4256: Division, course

according to the sons
לִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Levi:
לֵוִ֔י (lê·wî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3878: Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him

Gershom,
לְגֵרְשׁ֖וֹן (lə·ḡê·rə·šō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1647: Gershom -- three Israelites

Kohath,
קְהָ֥ת (qə·hāṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6955: Kohath -- a son of Levi

and Merari.
וּמְרָרִֽי׃ (ū·mə·rā·rî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 23:6 David divided them into divisions according (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 23:5
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