1 Chronicles 6:44
New International Version
and from their associates, the Merarites, at his left hand: Ethan son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluk,

New Living Translation
Heman’s second assistant was Ethan from the clan of Merari. Ethan’s genealogy was traced back through Kishi, Abdi, Malluch,

English Standard Version
On the left hand were their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

Berean Standard Bible
On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

Berean Literal Bible
The sons of Merari and their brothers on the left hand: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

King James Bible
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,

New King James Version
Their brethren, the sons of Merari, on the left hand, were Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

New American Standard Bible
On the left hand were their kinsmen the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

NASB 1995
On the left hand were their kinsmen the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

NASB 1977
And on the left hand were their kinsmen the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

Legacy Standard Bible
On the left hand were their relatives the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

Amplified Bible
Their relatives the sons of Merari stood at the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

Berean Annotated Bible
On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari (bitter): Ethan (enduring) the son of Kishi (bow of YHWH), the son of Abdi (servant of YHWH), the son of Malluch (counselor),

Christian Standard Bible
On the left, their relatives were Merari’s sons: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On the left, their relatives were Merari’s sons: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

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

English Revised Version
And on the left hand their brethren the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On the left was Ethan, one of Heman's relatives descended from Merari. Ethan was the son of Kishi, who was the son of Abdi, who was the son of Malluch,

Good News Translation
Ethan of the clan of Merari was the leader of the third choir. His family line went back to Levi as follows: Ethan, Kishi, Abdi, Malluch,

International Standard Version
To Heman's left were their relatives who were Merari's sons: Ethan, who had been fathered by Kishi, who had been fathered by Abdi, who had been fathered by Malluch,

NET Bible
Serving beside them were their fellow Levites, the descendants of Merari, led by Ethan, son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

New Heart English Bible
On the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

Webster's Bible Translation
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,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

World English Bible
On the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And sons of Merari, their brothers, on the left: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

Berean Literal Bible
The sons of Merari and their brothers on the left hand: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

Young's Literal Translation
And sons of Merari, their brethren, are on the left. Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Merari their brethren at the left: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the sons of Merari their brethren, on the left hand, Ethan the son of Cusi, the son of Abdi, the son of Meloch,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the sons of Merari, their brothers, were on the left: Ethan, the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

New American Bible
Their brothers, the Merarites, stood at the left: Ethan, son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,

New Revised Standard Version
On the left were their kindred the sons of Merari: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan, the son of Kishi, the son of Amar, the son of Malluch,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The sons of Merari their brother who stood at the left side: Athan, son of Qishi, son of Amar, son of Maluk
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And on the left hand their brethren the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the sons of Merari their brethren on the left hand: Aetham the son of Kisa, the son of Abai, the son of Maloch,

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Temple Musicians
43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi. 44On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, 45the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,…

Cross References
On the left were their kinsmen,

2 Chronicles 23:10
He stationed all the troops, with their weapons in hand, surrounding the king by the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

2 Chronicles 5:12
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.

2 Chronicles 35:15
The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.
the sons of Merari:

Numbers 3:33
From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.

Numbers 4:29
As for the sons of Merari, you are to number them by their clans and families,

1 Chronicles 23:6
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Ethan the son of Kishi,

1 Chronicles 15:17
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;

1 Chronicles 15:19
The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.
the son of Abdi,

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 10:26
From the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
the son of Malluch,

Nehemiah 12:2
Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

Nehemiah 10:4
Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,

Ezra 10:29
From the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
1 Chronicles 25:1-7
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. …

2 Chronicles 29:25-30
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. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. …

Nehemiah 12:24
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

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

stood.

1 Chronicles 6:32,39
And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order…

on the left hand.

Genesis 48:13
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.

Judges 20:16
Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

Ethan.

1 Chronicles 2:6
And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

1 Chronicles 25:1,3,6
Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: …

Jeduthun.

Psalm 89:1
Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Kishi.

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;

Kushaiah.

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:

Abdi.

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.

1 Chronicles 6:44
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,

(2) Son of Merari,

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:

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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.












On the left were their kinsmen,

On the left stood their kinsmen, the Merarites, who served alongside the descendants of Kohath, each family fulfilling its appointed role in the ministry of worship.

2Ch 23:10 He stationed all the troops, with their weapons in hand,…
2Ch 5:12 all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun,…
2Ch 35:15 The singers, the descendants of Asaph…

the sons of Merari:

Merari was Levi’s third son, and his descendants were entrusted with significant tabernacle duties before being appointed to musical service.

Num 3:33 From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites;…
Num 4:29 As for the sons of Merari, you are to number them…
1Ch 23:6 Then David divided the Levites into divisions…

Ethan the son of Kishi,

Ethan, whose name means “enduring” or “strong,” was the leading representative of the Merarite musicians, serving with the other Levitical families before the ark.

1Ch 15:17 So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel;…
1Ch 15:19 The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan…

the son of Abdi,

“The son of Abdi” identifies Kishi as Abdi’s son and traces Ethan’s ancestry within the Merarite Levites. Abdi means “my servant,” reflecting the servant nature of the Levites. This genealogy established Ethan’s rightful place among those set apart for musical ministry.

2Ch 29:12 Then the Levites set to work: Mahath son of Amasai…
Ezr 10:26 From the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah…

the son of Malluch,

“The son of Malluch” preserves the family line through which this service was passed down from generation to generation. Malluch means “counselor” or “king.”

Neh 12:2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,
Neh 10:4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
Ezr 10:29 From the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ethan
A descendant of Merari, one of the sons of Levi. Ethan is noted for his role in the musical worship of the temple, highlighting the importance of the Levites in the spiritual life of Israel.

2. Asaph
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Asaph is a significant figure in the Chronicles, known for his role as a chief musician and psalmist. He is often associated with the worship and musical traditions of Israel.

3. Merari
One of the three sons of Levi, whose descendants were responsible for specific duties related to the tabernacle and later the temple. The Merarites had roles in the physical aspects of worship, such as the care of the temple structure.

4. Berechiah
The father of Asaph, indicating the lineage and heritage of those involved in temple worship.

5. Shimea
An ancestor in the lineage of Asaph, showing the generational continuity of service in the temple.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Heritage in Worship
The lineage of Ethan and Asaph underscores the value of spiritual heritage and the passing down of faith and service through generations. This encourages believers to honor and continue the spiritual legacies of their families.

The Role of Music in Worship
The mention of Ethan and Asaph highlights the significant role of music in worship. Music is a powerful tool for expressing faith and leading others in worship, reminding us to incorporate it meaningfully in our spiritual practices.

Faithfulness in Assigned Roles
The Levites, including the descendants of Merari, were faithful in their specific roles. This teaches us the importance of being diligent and faithful in whatever role God assigns us, whether seen or unseen.

Generational Continuity in Ministry
The passage illustrates the continuity of ministry across generations. It challenges us to mentor and prepare the next generation for service in God's kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 6:44?

2. How does 1 Chronicles 6:44 highlight the importance of Levitical service today?

3. What role did the Levites play in worship according to 1 Chronicles 6:44?

4. How can we apply the dedication of Levites to our church service?

5. What connections exist between 1 Chronicles 6:44 and New Testament teachings on service?

6. How does "ministering with singing" in 1 Chronicles 6:44 inspire modern worship practices?

7. What is the significance of 1 Chronicles 6:44 in the Levitical genealogy?

8. How does 1 Chronicles 6:44 contribute to understanding the role of Levites in worship?

9. Why is the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6:44 important for biblical history?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 6?


(44-47) The pedigree of Ethan the Merarite, traced back through twelve names to Levi. Ethan is no doubt the same as Jeduthun, 1Chronicles 25:1; 2Chronicles 35:15.

(44) And their brethren the sons of Merari.--We should say their comrades or kinsmen (see Note on 1Chronicles 6:39). "Brethren," or "brothers," is the natural style for the members of a guild, whether religious like the monastic bodies, or commercial like the city companies of London, or benevolent like the Freemasons. The plural pronoun refers to the two preceding guilds of Heman and Asaph. The Ethanites stood on the left of the Hemanites in the sanctuary, as the Asaphites stood on their right, and this arrangement was hereditary.

Kishi is a contraction of Kushaiah, like Zabdi of Zebadiah.

(47) Son of Manli, the son of Mushi.--In 1Chronicles 6:19 Mahli and Mushi appear as two sons of Merari; so also at Lev. 3:20. Mahli son of Mushi here must be nephew of the Mahli of those two passages, if the genealogical form is in each case to be understood literally. It is difficult on a first inspection to perceive any connection between the present list and that of the Merarites in 1Chronicles 6:29-30. The series there is: . . .

Verse 44. - Ethan. This passage and 1 Chronicles 15:19 are the leading passages for this name Ethan. But in succeeding references (and they are not a few) to the three chief leaders of song, the name appears as Jeduthun; unless, as seems scarcely credible, two different persons are designated. The occasion and significance of the alteration of the name are not stated, however, and elude detection so far. In 2 Chronicles 35:15 the title of "king's seer" (חֶזֹה) is added to the name Jeduthun, which is variously spelt (יְדֻתוּן יתדוּתוּן ירְיִתוּן). This arrangement of chief singers, one from each of the three branches of Levi's family, lasted unbroken to Josiah's reign (2 Chronicles 35:13); and the representatives of Jeduthun, at all events, are mentioned in the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 11:17, 18). Kishi. The most frequent form of this name is Kish (קִישׁ, equivalent to the Vulgate Cis), if, indeed, the form of this verse and that of 1 Chronicles 15:17, Kushaiah (קוּשָׁיָהוּ), are not merely the fruit of a corrupt text.

1 Chronicles 6:44 records where a specific Levitical team stood, who they were, and how they connected to earlier servants. The verse affirms God’s orderly design for worship, the reliability of genealogies, and the call for every generation to take its place in praising the Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the left
הַשְּׂמֹ֑אול (haś·śə·mō·wl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand

[were] their kinsmen,
אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם (’ă·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

the sons
וּבְנֵ֧י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Merari:
מְרָרִ֛י (mə·rā·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi

Ethan
אֵיתָן֙ (’ê·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 387: Ethan -- 'permanence', an Israelite name

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Kishi,
קִישִׁ֔י (qî·šî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7029: Kishi -- a Levite

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abdi,
עַבְדִּ֖י (‘aḇ·dî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5660: Abdi -- two Israelites

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Malluch,
מַלּֽוּךְ׃ (mal·lūḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4409: Malluch -- the name of several Israelites


Additonal Resources
1 Chronicles 6:44 Blue Letter Bible
1 Chronicles 6:44 Bible Gateway
1 Chronicles 6:44 Bible.com

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1 Chronicles 6:44 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Chronicles 6:44 On the left hand their brothers (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)

1 Chronicles 6:43
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