1 Chronicles 6:20
New International Version
Of Gershon: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

New Living Translation
The descendants of Gershon included Libni, Jahath, Zimmah,

English Standard Version
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Berean Standard Bible
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

King James Bible
Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

New King James Version
Of Gershon were Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

New American Standard Bible
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

NASB 1995
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

NASB 1977
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Legacy Standard Bible
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Amplified Bible
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Christian Standard Bible
Of Gershom: his son Libni, his son Jahath, his son Zimmah,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Of Gershom: his son Libni, his son Jahath, his son Zimmah,

American Standard Version
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

English Revised Version
Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Gershom's son was Libni. Libni's son was Jahath. Jahath's son was Zimmah.

Good News Translation
These are the descendants of Gershon from generation to generation: Libni, Jahath, Zimmah,

International Standard Version
Gershom's clan included his son Libni, his son Jahath, his son Zimmah,

Majority Standard Bible
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

NET Bible
To Gershom: His son Libni, his son Jahath, his son Zimmah,

New Heart English Bible
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Webster's Bible Translation
Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

World English Bible
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Young's Literal Translation
of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Smith's Literal Translation
To Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Of Gerson: Lobni his son, Jahath his son, Zamma his son,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

New American Bible
Of Gershon: his son Libni, whose son was Jahath, whose son was Zimmah,

New Revised Standard Version
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Of Gershon: Libni his son, Nahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Gershun, his son Nakhath, his son Zema his son
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
To Gedson - to Lobeni his son - were born Jeth his son, Zammath his son,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Descendants of Levi
19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers: 20Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.…

Cross References
Exodus 6:16-20
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. ...

Numbers 3:17-20
These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. / These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei. / The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ...

Numbers 26:57-59
Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari. / These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram, / and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.

1 Chronicles 23:12-13
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all. / The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

1 Chronicles 24:1-3
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 6:1-3
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. / The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 6:31-32
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.

1 Chronicles 6:48-49
Their fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God. / But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

1 Chronicles 9:14-16
From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a descendant of Merari; / Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; / Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 Chronicles 15:4-5
Then he gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites: / From the Kohathites, Uriel the chief and 120 of his relatives;

1 Chronicles 15:11
David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

2 Chronicles 29:12
Then the Levites set to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;

Ezra 7:1-5
Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, / the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, / the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, ...

Nehemiah 12:22-26
In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, during the reign of Darius the Persian, the heads of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded. / As for the descendants of Levi, the family heads up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the Book of the Chronicles. / 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. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

Libni.

1 Chronicles 6:17
And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.

Zimmah.

1 Chronicles 6:42
The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,

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Gershom Gershon Jahath Libni Zimmah
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Gershom Gershon Jahath Libni Zimmah
1 Chronicles 6
1. The sons of Levi.
4. The line of Eleazar unto the captivity.
16. The families of Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
49. The office of Aaron, and his line unto Ahimaaz.
54. The cities of the priests and Levites.














Merari his son
The name "Merari" is derived from the Hebrew root "marar," meaning "bitter" or "to be bitter." This name may reflect the hardships and struggles faced by the Levites, who were set apart for the service of the tabernacle and later the temple. Merari was one of the three sons of Levi, and his descendants were responsible for the care of the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars, bases, and all its equipment. This highlights the importance of each family within the tribe of Levi, emphasizing the theme of service and dedication to God’s dwelling place. The mention of "his son" underscores the generational continuity and faithfulness in fulfilling God’s commands, a reminder of the legacy of faith and service passed down through families.

Mahli his son
"Mahli" is a name that may be related to the Hebrew word "machal," meaning "sick" or "weak." Despite the possible connotation of weakness, Mahli's inclusion in this genealogy signifies the strength found in fulfilling God’s purposes. The descendants of Mahli were part of the Levitical order, serving in various capacities within the temple. This reflects the biblical principle that God often uses those who may seem weak or insignificant by worldly standards to accomplish His divine purposes, showcasing His power and sovereignty.

Libni his son
The name "Libni" is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word "lavan," meaning "white." This could symbolize purity or holiness, qualities that were essential for those serving in the temple. The Levites, including the descendants of Libni, were set apart for sacred duties, and their lives were to reflect the holiness of God. This serves as a reminder of the call to holiness for all believers, as they are set apart for God’s service in the world. The generational mention of "his son" continues to emphasize the importance of lineage and the transmission of faith and duty from one generation to the next.

Shimei his son
"Shimei" is a name that comes from the Hebrew root "shama," meaning "to hear" or "to listen." This name is significant in the context of the Levitical duties, as listening to and obeying God’s commands was central to their role. The Levites were tasked with teaching the law and leading the people in worship, requiring a deep attentiveness to God’s word. The mention of Shimei in this genealogy highlights the importance of spiritual attentiveness and obedience, qualities that are essential for all who seek to serve God faithfully. The phrase "his son" once again underscores the continuity of faith and service, encouraging believers to pass on their spiritual heritage to future generations.

(20, 21) The genealogy of the Gershonites in seven successive generations. It does not occur in the Pentateuch. This and the two following lists of Kohathites and Merarites are symmetrical in plan, but not in the number of names included.

(20) Of Gershom.--Literally, to--i.e., belonging to Gershom.

Libni his son.--See Numbers 3:21, "To Gershon, the clan of the Libnite, and the clan of the Shimeite; these are the clans of the Gershonite."

The names Jahath, Zimmah, and Zerah recur in the line of Asaph, 1Chronicles 6:41-43 below (see the Note there). Jeaterai, in whom the present series culminates, is wholly unknown. At the time when the list was first drawn up, the name may have represented a famous chieftain or family. It has the ending of a patronymic or gentilic term, and perhaps should be read with different vowels, we 'Ithrai, or 'Ithri, "and the Ithrite" (comp. 'Ishai for Yishai), a clan of which came two of David's heroes (1Chronicles 11:40).

Verses 20, 21. - (A) These verses apparently give seven lineal descendants of Gershom, through his eldest son Libni. The question is whether this list of seven is part of the longer list of thirteen from Gershom (vers. 39-43). terminating with Asaph; and it seems impossible to decide the question satisfactorily. From the occurrence of the name Shimei in this latter, though in the wrong place, viz. after Jahath in the descending order, instead of before him, some think, Keil and Zockler among them, that it is a line from Shimei, the brother of Libni, and second son of Gershom. If this be so, the occurrence of three names, the same and in the same order, is a thing to be remarked, though possible enough in itself. But if not, then either the names Joah, Iddo, Jeaterai, in the former list, must be interchangeable with Ethan, Adaiah, Ethni, respectively in the latter (a thing which the similarity of the Hebrew letters might render credible), while the Shimei of ver. 42 is omitted from ver. 20, and the Libni of ver. 20 from ver. 43; or the one list must pick up some links and leave others, and the other do likewise, whilst those taken the same by both are in the minority. This last supposition may be the more probable, though not free from difficulty. Zimmah. Beside the uncertainty of the identity of this Zimmah with the same name in ver. 42, it is very remarkable that we find a Zimmah, also father of a Joah, in 2 Chronicles 29:12; also in this same passage we find three other reproductions of a similar kind - father and son-of what have first been found in this sixth chapter, viz. "Mahath, son of Amasai" (ver. 35); "Joel, son of Azariah" (ver. 36); "Kish, son of Abdi" (ver. 44). It seems as though the individual descendant was quoted in these instances by the name of the ancestor at a certain point.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Of Gershom:
לְֽגֵרְשׁ֑וֹם (lə·ḡê·rə·šō·wm)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1647: Gershom -- three Israelites

Libni
לִבְנִ֥י (liḇ·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3845: Libni -- two Levites

his son,
בְנ֛וֹ (ḇə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Jahath
יַ֥חַת (ya·ḥaṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3189: Jahath -- 'He will snatch up', the name of several Israelites

his son,
בְּנ֖וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Zimmah
זִמָּ֥ה (zim·māh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2155: Zimmah -- an Israelite name

his son,
בְנֽוֹ׃ (ḇə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 6:20 Of Gershom: Libni his son Jahath his (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 6:19
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