1 Chronicles 23:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

David organized them into divisions named after the sons of Levi - Gershon, K'hat and M'rari.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And David^{H1732} divided^{H2505} them into courses^{H4256} among the sons^{H1121} of Levi^{H3878}, namely, Gershon^{H1648}, Kohath^{H6955}, and Merari^{H4847}.

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Commentary for 1 Chronicles 23:6

1 Chronicles 23:6 is a verse that captures a moment in the religious organization of ancient Israel during the reign of King David. The historical context is the period after David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and established it as the religious center of the nation. He had a desire to build a temple for God, although this task would ultimately be completed by his son Solomon.

In this verse, David is organizing the Levites, the tribe designated for priestly duties and the care of the tabernacle, into divisions or "courses" for service. The Levites were not given a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were instead set apart for the service of the Lord. The three main families of the Levites mentioned are Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These divisions were important for the rotational system of service in the sanctuary, ensuring that the work of the tabernacle (and later the temple) was carried out efficiently and continually by different groups at assigned times.

The themes present in this verse include divine order and organization, the importance of priestly roles and responsibilities, and the preparation for the future temple worship. It reflects the meticulous care that David took in arranging the religious life of the nation according to the Law of Moses. This organization would have lasting implications for the worship of God in Israel, as it set a precedent for how the priestly and Levitical duties were to be managed in the temple that Solomon would build. The verse also underscores the centrality of the Levites in Israel's worship, highlighting their unique role in mediating between God and the people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2505
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלַק
   Transliteration: châlaq
   Pronunciation: khaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er).
   
3. Strong's Number: H4256
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַחֲלֹקֶת
   Transliteration: machălôqeth
   Pronunciation: makh-al-o'-keth
   Description: from חָלַק; a section (of Levites, people or soldiers); company, course, division, portion. See also סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3878
   There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵוִי
   Transliteration: Lêvîy
   Pronunciation: lay-vee'
   Description: from לָוָה; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob; Levi. See also לֵוִי, לֵוִיִּי.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1648
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֵּרְשׁוֹן
   Transliteration: Gêrᵉshôwn
   Pronunciation: gay-resh-one'
   Description: or גֵּרְשׁוֹם; from גָּרַשׁ; a refugee; Gereshon or Gereshom, an Israelite; Gershon, Gershom.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6955
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קְהָת
   Transliteration: Qᵉhâth
   Pronunciation: keh-hawth'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to ally oneself; allied; Kehath, an Israelite; Kohath.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4847
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְרָרִי
   Transliteration: Mᵉrârîy
   Pronunciation: mer-aw-ree'
   Description: from מָרַר; bitter; Merari, an Israelite; Merari. See also מְרָרִי.