1 Chronicles 23:17

KJV

And the sons of Eliezer [were], Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Eliezer {H461} were, Rehabiah {H7345} the chief {H7218}. And Eliezer {H461} had none other {H312} sons {H1121}; but the sons {H1121} of Rehabiah {H7345} were very {H4605} many {H7235}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of Eli'ezer were: Rechavyah the chief. Eli'ezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rechavyah were very numerous.

Berean Standard Bible

The descendants of Eliezer: Rehabiah was the first. Eliezer did not have any other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very numerous.

American Standard Version

And the sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 23:17 meticulously records the lineage of Moses through his son Eliezer, specifically highlighting the remarkable proliferation of descendants through Eliezer's sole son, Rehabiah, who is identified as the "chief" of his family line. This verse underscores the divine blessing of growth upon this particular branch of the Levite tribe, ensuring a substantial number of individuals for dedicated service in the future Temple, thereby contributing to the comprehensive organization of the Levites initiated by King David.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within 1 Chronicles 23, a chapter dedicated to King David's detailed organization and assignment of the Levites for their duties in the future Temple. Having established the general framework for the Levites in the preceding verses, the text then systematically lists the descendants of Levi's three sons—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—and their respective family heads and roles. Verses [1 Chronicles 23:14-17](/1_chronicles/23-14 "1 Chronicles 23:14-17 - Moses' Descendants Among the Levites") specifically focus on the lineage of Moses, who, though not a Levite by primary function as a priest, was of the tribe of Levi, and his sons Gershom and Eliezer are thus included in this vital census. The mention of Rehabiah's numerous offspring in [1 Chronicles 23:17](/1_chronicles/23-17 "1 Chronicles 23:17 - The Numerous Descendants of Rehabiah") serves to emphasize the continuity and strength of this particular family branch within the broader Levite structure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, genealogy was not merely a record of ancestry but a crucial determinant of identity, inheritance, and social function, especially for the priestly and Levitical tribes. The Levites, unlike other tribes, received no territorial inheritance but were set apart for service to God in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Their roles encompassed everything from carrying the Ark and Tabernacle components during wilderness wanderings to performing musical worship, gatekeeping, and assisting the priests. King David, nearing the end of his reign, meticulously organized these divisions (as seen in [1 Chronicles 23](/1_chronicles/23 "1 Chronicles 23 - David Organizes the Levites")) to ensure a smooth transition and continuous, orderly worship in the Temple that his son Solomon would build. The emphasis on the numerical strength of Rehabiah's line would have been significant for ensuring an adequate workforce for the complex Temple operations.
* **Key Themes:** The chapter, and this verse within it, contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles. First, it highlights **Divine Order and Preparation**, demonstrating David's foresight and God's desire for structured, intentional worship and service. The meticulous record-keeping reflects a divine blueprint for the Temple's operation. Second, it underscores the **Significance of Lineage and Continuity**, particularly for those in sacred roles. Family lines determined specific duties, ensuring that the covenant responsibilities passed faithfully from generation to generation. Finally, the phrase "very many" points to **God's Blessing of Increase and Fruitfulness**. Despite Eliezer having only one son, God's hand is evident in the remarkable multiplication of this single line, echoing divine promises of numerous descendants found throughout Israel's history, such as the promise to Abraham in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rehabiah (Hebrew, _Rĕḥabyāh_):** This name is highly significant, meaning "the Lord has enlarged" or "God has widened." Its meaning directly correlates with the verse's statement that "the sons of Rehabiah were very many." This is a beautiful example of a biblical name reflecting a person's destiny or a divine characteristic evident in their life or lineage, emphasizing God's active hand in the expansion and prosperity of this family line.
* **Chief (Hebrew, _ro'sh_):** The term _ro'sh_ literally means "head" and indicates a leader, principal person, or head of a family or group. In this context, Rehabiah is designated as the primary figure or patriarch of his family branch, signifying his prominent position and authority within the lineage of Eliezer and, by extension, within the broader Levite organization. This designation points to an established hierarchy and leadership structure within the Levitical families.
* **Very many (Hebrew, _rab_):** The Hebrew word _rab_ denotes "much," "many," or "great." Its usage here emphasizes the extraordinary numerical growth of Rehabiah's descendants. This is not merely a statement of fact but implicitly conveys a sense of divine blessing and favor, as large families were often seen as a sign of God's blessing and prosperity in ancient Israel. It highlights the successful continuation and expansion of Moses' lineage through this single branch.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Eliezer [were], Rehabiah the chief."**: This clause establishes the direct lineage from Eliezer, Moses' son, to Rehabiah. The parenthetical "[were]" in the KJV clarifies that Rehabiah was the *only* son of Eliezer, a crucial detail for understanding the subsequent statement. The designation "the chief" immediately elevates Rehabiah's status, indicating his leadership role and prominence within this specific family branch of the Levites.
* **"And Eliezer had none other sons;"**: This explicit statement reinforces the singularity of Rehabiah as Eliezer's only son. This detail is not merely genealogical trivia; it sets the stage for the remarkable growth described next, highlighting that all the subsequent multiplication of this line stemmed from a single individual. It emphasizes the concentrated nature of the blessing upon this one branch.
* **"but the sons of Rehabiah were very many."**: This final clause delivers the central point of the verse: the extraordinary numerical increase of Rehabiah's descendants. The phrase "very many" (Hebrew: _rab_) signifies a substantial and perhaps unexpected proliferation from a solitary ancestral line. This growth is implicitly presented as a divine blessing, ensuring a robust and numerous family to contribute to the Levitical service in the Temple, fulfilling God's plan for orderly worship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Genealogy**, a common literary device in the Old Testament, particularly in Chronicles, to establish lineage, legitimacy, and continuity. This genealogical record is not just a dry list but serves a theological purpose by demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promises of multiplication and the meticulous divine order for Temple service. The use of **Emphasis** is evident in the specific mention that Eliezer had "none other sons," which then highlights the remarkable nature of Rehabiah's descendants being "very many." This contrast draws attention to the singular source from which such a multitude sprang. Furthermore, there is an element of **Naming Significance** or **Etymological Allusion** with the name "Rehabiah" ("the Lord has enlarged"), which perfectly aligns with and foreshadows the numerical growth of his family, providing a subtle yet powerful theological commentary on God's active hand in their proliferation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple genealogical entry is rich with theological implications, primarily showcasing God's sovereign hand in the preservation and multiplication of His people, particularly those designated for sacred service. It underscores the divine commitment to order and preparation for worship, as seen in David's meticulous organization of the Levites. The growth of Rehabiah's line from a single son, despite the potential for it to dwindle, testifies to God's ability to bless and increase from humble beginnings, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled. This echoes the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly concerning the multiplication of Abraham's descendants and the provision of a people for His name. The detailed record also reminds us that every individual and family, no matter how seemingly small, plays a vital role in God's grand design.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate to Multiply")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - Israel's Multiplication in Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 28:11](/deuteronomy/28-11 "Deuteronomy 28:11 - Blessings of Increase for Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed accounting of the Levite families, even down to the specific growth of Rehabiah's line, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, who meticulously plans and prepares for His work. Just as David diligently organized the Levites for the Temple, we are called to be diligent in preparing ourselves and our communities for God's service, recognizing that every individual has a place and purpose within His grand design. Furthermore, the remarkable increase from a single son, Rehabiah, serves as a powerful encouragement: God can take our seemingly small beginnings, our limited resources, or our solitary efforts, and multiply them exponentially for His glory. It instills faith that faithfulness in small things can lead to significant impact through divine blessing. This verse invites us to trust in God's ability to bring about growth and fruitfulness, even when circumstances appear constrained, and to recognize His hand in the expansion of His kingdom through seemingly ordinary means.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous organization of the Levites by David inspire your approach to order and preparation in your own spiritual life or service?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel like you have "only one son" (limited resources or beginnings), and how might the story of Rehabiah encourage you to trust God for multiplication?**
* **What does this detailed genealogical record teach us about God's attention to individual lives and families within His overarching plan?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a specific genealogical detail about Rehabiah's numerous sons included in the Bible?**

Answer: This specific genealogical detail is included for several significant reasons. Firstly, it underscores the meticulous nature of the record-keeping for the Levites, who were set apart for sacred service. Their lineage determined their roles and legitimacy within the Temple system, ensuring that the divine order for worship was maintained. Secondly, the emphasis on Rehabiah's "very many" sons highlights a divine blessing of fruitfulness and increase upon this particular branch of Moses' descendants. In ancient Israel, large families were seen as a sign of God's favor and prosperity, ensuring continuity and strength for the community. This detail confirms that despite Eliezer having only one son, God ensured the proliferation of this line to provide a substantial workforce for the complex operations of the future Temple, reinforcing the theme of God's provision and faithfulness to His people as seen in [Deuteronomy 7:13](/deuteronomy/7-13 "Deuteronomy 7:13 - God's Blessing of Fruitfulness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 23:17 details the physical lineage and numerical growth of a specific Levite family for Temple service, it ultimately points to a greater spiritual fulfillment in Christ. The meticulous organization and preparation for the earthly Temple foreshadow the perfect and eternal High Priesthood of Jesus, who is the ultimate "chief" and head of a new, spiritual lineage. Just as Rehabiah's line was divinely multiplied to serve in the physical sanctuary, Christ's spiritual descendants—those who believe in Him—are multiplied "very many" through the power of the Holy Spirit, forming His body, the Church, which is the true Temple of God ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - The Church as God's Temple")). Jesus, as the true Lamb of God, fulfills the Levitical sacrificial system ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")), and through His singular sacrifice, He brings forth an innumerable multitude of spiritual sons and daughters ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")). The blessing of increase upon Rehabiah's line finds its ultimate and most profound expression in the spiritual multiplication of disciples from every nation, tribe, and tongue, all serving in the eternal presence of God through Christ, the great High Priest ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude Before the Throne")).

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

1 Chronicles 26:25

And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.