1 Chronicles 23:15

KJV

The sons of Moses [were], Gershom, and Eliezer.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sons {H1121} of Moses {H4872} were, Gershom {H1647}, and Eliezer {H461}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of Moshe: Gershom and Eli'ezer.

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.

American Standard Version

The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Chronicles 23:15, a seemingly simple genealogical entry, meticulously records "The sons of Moses [were], Gershom, and Eliezer," as part of King David's extensive organization of the Levites for service in the future temple. This verse highlights the divine order and precise record-keeping within Israel, ensuring that even the descendants of the great lawgiver Moses were accounted for and assigned their specific, non-priestly roles within the broader Levitical duties, signifying a transition from nomadic tabernacle worship to a more settled, permanent temple system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles 23-26, a significant block of text detailing King David's meticulous preparations for the construction and operation of the temple, which his son Solomon would ultimately build. Having brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and established a more settled kingdom, David, now "old and full of days" (as noted in [1 Chronicles 23:1](/1_chronicles/23-1 "1 Chronicles 23:1 - David's Preparations for the Temple")), undertook a comprehensive reorganization of the Levites. Prior to this, the Levites' primary duties revolved around the portable tabernacle, involving its dismantling, transport, and reassembly. This section of Chronicles outlines the new, expanded roles for the Levites in the permanent temple, including maintenance, gatekeeping, musical worship, and administrative tasks. Verse 15 specifically identifies Moses's descendants as part of this broader Levitical census, underscoring the Chronicler's emphasis on comprehensive and legitimate lineage for all aspects of temple service.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in 1 Chronicles marks a pivotal transition in Israelite worship from the nomadic tabernacle system, which had been central since the Exodus, to a centralized, permanent temple in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant, now settled in Jerusalem, necessitated a redefinition of Levitical responsibilities. Culturally, genealogies were paramount in ancient Israel, serving not merely as family trees but as crucial records for tribal identity, land inheritance, and, most importantly for the Levites, the legitimacy of their roles in sacred service. While Aaron's descendants were designated for the priesthood, Moses's descendants, though from the tribe of Levi, were assigned to the general Levitical duties. This distinction highlights the structured nature of divine appointments within Israel, where even the family of the nation's foundational leader had a specific, divinely ordained place within the broader framework of service.

* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of Moses's sons in this Levitical census underscores several key themes. First, it emphasizes **Lineage and Divine Order**, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His people and the precision with which roles for sacred service were established and maintained through generations. This is consistent with the biblical emphasis on genealogies, seen from [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations") onward, which legitimized claims and defined responsibilities. Second, it highlights **Inclusivity within the Levites**, showing that despite Moses's unique and foundational role in Israel's history, his direct descendants were integrated into the general Levitical duties rather than holding an exclusive priestly status (which was reserved for the line of Aaron, as seen in [Numbers 3:1-4](/numbers/3-1 "Numbers 3:1-4 - The Sons of Aaron")). This illustrates that service to God encompasses all parts of the designated tribe, with diverse roles contributing to the whole. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **Transition of Service**, marking the shift from the mobile worship of the tabernacle era to the structured, permanent worship envisioned for the [Solomonic temple](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple"), for which David was so diligently preparing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gershom (גרשׁם, _Gershom'_):** This name means "a stranger there" or "a sojourner there." Moses named his firstborn son this, declaring, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land" ([Exodus 2:22](/exodus/2-22 "Exodus 2:22 - Moses Names Gershom")). The name encapsulates Moses's initial experience of exile in Midian, a poignant reminder of his displacement and God's providence in a foreign land. Even generations later, as his descendants are counted for service, the name carries a historical echo of God's faithfulness to their progenitor.
* **Eliezer (אליעזר, _Eliezer'_):** Meaning "my God is help" or "God is help," Moses named his second son this, stating, "for the God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh" ([Exodus 18:4](/exodus/18-4 "Exodus 18:4 - Moses Names Eliezer")). This name serves as a powerful testimony to God's direct intervention and deliverance in Moses's life. Both names, therefore, are not mere labels but theological statements, embedding Moses's personal faith and experience of God's saving power into the very fabric of his family's identity, which is now meticulously recorded for their role in the divine service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sons of Moses":** This phrase immediately establishes the lineage from one of Israel's most pivotal figures, Moses, the lawgiver and leader of the Exodus. The Chronicler's inclusion of his sons here emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Levitical census, ensuring that even the descendants of such a prominent individual were accounted for within the established divine order for service, distinct from the Aaronic priestly line.
* **"[were], Gershom, and Eliezer":** The explicit naming of Gershom and Eliezer, Moses's two sons, confirms their specific identities and their integration into the general Levitical duties. This detail underscores the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping, which was crucial for legitimate service in the temple. It also subtly highlights that prominence of ancestry did not automatically confer the highest priestly office; rather, God's specific appointments determined roles within the Levitical tribe.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Chronicles 23:15, and indeed throughout much of this section of Chronicles, is **Genealogy/Census**. This meticulous listing of names and lineages serves several crucial functions for the Chronicler. It provides legitimacy and continuity, connecting the present organization of the Levites back to their foundational ancestors, thereby validating their roles. It also emphasizes God's precise order and planning for His people and their worship. Related to this is **Enumeration**, the simple act of listing, which conveys a sense of thoroughness and divine intentionality in accounting for every family unit designated for service. The verse also implicitly uses **Historical Allusion** by referencing Moses's sons, whose names (Gershom and Eliezer) carry significant personal and theological meaning from the Exodus narrative, subtly enriching the historical depth of the seemingly dry list.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple verse, embedded within a detailed census, carries profound theological weight. It underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign ordering of His people for sacred service. The inclusion of Moses's sons, not as priests but as general Levites, highlights that all roles within God's kingdom are valuable and divinely appointed, regardless of their perceived prominence. It speaks to the faithfulness of God across generations, ensuring the continuity of His covenant and the structured administration of His worship. The verse also subtly reminds us that even the most influential figures, like Moses, operate within God's established order, and their descendants find their place within that same divine framework, demonstrating humility and submission to God's design.

* [Numbers 3:1-4](/numbers/3-1 "Numbers 3:1-4 - The Sons of Aaron")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")
* [Romans 12:4-8](/romans/12-4 "Romans 12:4-8 - Gifts for Service")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed accounting of Moses's sons in 1 Chronicles 23:15 invites us to reflect on our own place within God's grand design and the value of every form of service. In a world that often prioritizes visible leadership and prominent roles, this verse reminds us that God's kingdom operates on a different economy: one where faithfulness in an assigned role, no matter how "behind the scenes," is profoundly valued. Moses, the great lawgiver, had sons whose service was not in the high priesthood, yet their inclusion in this meticulous list signifies their essential contribution to the overall functioning of the temple. This encourages us to embrace humility, finding joy and purpose in the specific gifts and callings God has given us, recognizing that every part of the body of Christ is indispensable. It challenges us to consider our "spiritual genealogy" in Christ and how we, as His adopted children, are called to contribute to His ongoing work in the world, faithfully stewarding our unique roles for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping of Moses's sons challenge our understanding of "important" versus "unimportant" roles in God's kingdom today?**
* **In what ways can we emulate the humility of Moses's descendants, who served faithfully within the general Levitical duties rather than holding the most prominent priestly roles?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's faithfulness across generations, even for those not in the direct spotlight, and how does that encourage us in our own walk?**

### FAQ
**Why are Moses's sons listed here, and not Aaron's?**

Answer: This chapter, 1 Chronicles 23, focuses on the organization of all the Levites for temple service, not exclusively the priests. Aaron's sons were indeed Levites, but they constituted the specific priestly line, set apart for sacrificial duties and ministering in the Holy Place. Moses's sons, Gershom and Eliezer, were also Levites, but their descendants were integrated into the broader Levitical duties, which included roles such as gatekeepers, musicians, treasurers, and various administrative tasks related to the temple. The Chronicler's purpose here is to meticulously list all the Levitical families and their assigned functions, ensuring that every aspect of future temple worship was covered by a legitimate and divinely appointed lineage. This highlights the distinct yet complementary roles within the tribe of Levi, all essential for the proper functioning of God's house.

**What was the significance of the names Gershom and Eliezer?**

Answer: The names of Moses's sons carry deep personal and theological significance, reflecting Moses's experiences and testimonies of God's faithfulness. Gershom (meaning "a stranger there" or "a sojourner there") was named by Moses because he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land" ([Exodus 2:22](/exodus/2-22 "Exodus 2:22 - Moses Names Gershom")), referring to his exile in Midian. Eliezer (meaning "my God is help" or "God is help") was named by Moses, saying, "for the God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh" ([Exodus 18:4](/exodus/18-4 "Exodus 18:4 - Moses Names Eliezer")). These names are not just labels but profound declarations of God's providence, protection, and deliverance in Moses's life. Their inclusion in this genealogical record subtly reminds the reader of God's personal care for His servants and how His faithfulness extends through their descendants, even as they take on their roles in the ongoing service of God's people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 23:15 details the meticulous organization of the Levites under the Old Covenant, it foreshadows the perfect order and inclusive service found in Christ and His Church. The Levitical system, with its distinct roles and emphasis on lineage, pointed to the need for a mediator and a divinely appointed structure for worship. Christ fulfills this by becoming the ultimate High Priest, not according to the Aaronic lineage, but after the order of Melchizedek, offering a superior and eternal priesthood that transcends tribal lines ([Hebrews 7:11-28](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-28 - A Superior Priesthood")). In Him, the meticulous record-keeping of human lineage gives way to a spiritual lineage, where all who believe are adopted into God's family, becoming "children of God" not by "blood nor by the will of the flesh nor by the will of man, but by God" ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God")). The diverse roles within the Levitical service find their ultimate expression in the New Testament concept of the Church as the body of Christ, where every member, regardless of perceived prominence, is vital and gifted for service ([1 Corinthians 12:4-27](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-27 - Gifts of the Spirit")). Just as Moses's sons served faithfully in their appointed roles, believers in Christ are called to be a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), offering spiritual sacrifices and proclaiming the excellencies of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light, thereby fulfilling the spirit of dedicated service in a new and greater covenant.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 2:22

And she bare [him] a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

Exodus 18:3

And her two sons; of which the name of the one [was] Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:

Exodus 18:4

And the name of the other [was] Eliezer; for the God of my father, [said he, was] mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:

Exodus 4:20

And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.