What does 1 Chronicles 6:43 mean?
What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 6:43?

The son of Jahath

1 Chronicles 6:43 opens with “the son of Jahath”. Jahath is a Gershonite leader several generations after the Exodus. By starting with him, the Chronicler anchors the genealogy at a recognizable, post-wilderness point in Israel’s history.

1 Chronicles 6:20 lists Jahath among the Gershonite heads, confirming his place in the clan roster.

1 Chronicles 23:10-11 shows Jahath’s descendants counted among those set over the temple duties in David’s day, underlining how family lines were directly tied to ministry roles.

2 Chronicles 34:12 notes Jahath as an overseer during Josiah’s reforms, illustrating how God kept Levites active in worship renewal across centuries.

The phrase reminds readers that God works through specific people in real time, passing on both calling and responsibility from parent to child.


The son of Gershom

The verse then steps back to “the son of Gershom.” Gershom (also spelled Gershon in some verses) is the firstborn son of Levi (Exodus 6:16; 1 Chronicles 6:1). His descendants camped to the west of the tabernacle and were charged with caring for its fabrics and coverings (Numbers 3:23-25).

Numbers 4:24-26 details the Gershonites’ tasks—transporting curtains, tent cloths, and screens. This practical service kept worship possible for all Israel.

Psalm 73’s title assigns the psalm to Asaph, a later Gershonite, showing how this branch produced not only servants but also worship leaders and songwriters.

• The Gershom mentioned in Exodus 2:22 (Moses’ son) shares the same name, reminding us that “sojourner” themes weave through Scripture, though that Gershom belongs to a different line.

By invoking Gershom, the Chronicler traces the privilege of worship service back to its original allocation in the wilderness, affirming that the calling still stood in his own day.


The son of Levi

Finally, the genealogy reaches “the son of Levi.” Levi is Jacob’s third son (Genesis 29:34). After the golden calf incident, the Levites rallied to the LORD’s side (Exodus 32:26-29), and God set them apart for sacred duty (Numbers 3:12-13; Deuteronomy 10:8).

Genesis 49:5-7 records Levi’s early sin, yet God’s later choice of the tribe highlights grace—He repurposes flawed people for holy service.

Hebrews 7:11 references the Levitical priesthood to stress its temporary nature compared with Christ’s ultimate priesthood, but the genealogy here in Chronicles underscores that the Levitical order was God-ordained and indispensable until Christ came.

Malachi 2:4-6 recalls the covenant with Levi, praising the tribe’s early faithfulness and calling for continued integrity.

By closing the chain with Levi, the verse affirms that the ministry described in Chronicles rests on God’s covenant design, not human ambition.


summary

1 Chronicles 6:43 may read like a simple string of names, yet each link—Jahath, Gershom, Levi—shows God’s deliberate, covenantal hand. He raises up real families, assigns them real tasks, and preserves their line so that worship stays central in Israel. The verse assures believers today that God’s purposes span generations, remain rooted in His promises, and invite every follower to honor the heritage of faithful service entrusted to them.

Why is the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6:42 important for biblical history?
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