1 Chronicles 24:28

KJV

Of Mahli [came] Eleazar, who had no sons.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of Mahli {H4249} came Eleazar {H499}, who had no sons {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Of Machli: El'azar, who had no sons.

Berean Standard Bible

From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

American Standard Version

Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 24:28, a seemingly minor detail within the extensive Levitical genealogies, records that Eleazar, a descendant of Mahli from the Merarite clan, had no sons. This brief statement, embedded in a chapter meticulously outlining the divisions for temple service, highlights the critical importance of lineage for sacred roles in ancient Israel. Far from being an insignificant note, this detail sets the stage for the divine provision revealed in the subsequent verse, demonstrating God's meticulous care in ensuring the continuity of His purposes even when human circumstances present challenges to established norms of inheritance and succession.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 24 is part of a larger section (chapters 23-26) dedicated to King David's divinely inspired organization of the Levites and priests for service in the tabernacle, anticipating the future temple. Chapter 23 provides an overview of the Levitical duties, while chapter 24 specifically details the priestly divisions descended from Aaron (verses 1-19) before shifting to the remaining Levitical families (verses 20-31). This meticulous record-keeping underscores the Chronicler's emphasis on order, proper worship, and the legitimate continuation of sacred service, particularly in the post-exilic period when the community was re-establishing its identity and practices. The verse itself is nestled within the list of Merarite descendants, a branch of the Levites responsible for carrying the tabernacle components and later for various temple duties. The mention of Eleazar's lack of sons here is not an isolated fact but a narrative detail that immediately finds its resolution in [1 Chronicles 24:29](/1_chronicles/24-29 "1 Chronicles 24:29 - Eleazar's Daughters Continue the Line"), where his line continues through his daughters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the continuation of the family line through male heirs was paramount. Sons ensured the preservation of the family name, inheritance of land, and the fulfillment of covenant promises. To have "no sons" was often considered a significant personal and societal challenge, as it threatened the very existence of a family's legacy and its portion within the tribal land allocation. For a Levite, whose role was tied to specific family branches for temple service, the absence of male heirs could pose a direct threat to the continuity of their designated duties. The Chronicler, writing centuries after David, likely for a community returning from exile, placed immense value on accurate genealogies. These records were crucial for re-establishing tribal identities, land claims, and, most importantly, the legitimate roles of priests and Levites in the rebuilt temple. This verse, therefore, speaks to both a personal challenge and a broader societal concern for order and continuity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles. First, it reinforces the theme of **Meticulous Genealogy and Divine Order**, demonstrating God's attention to detail and His desire for structured, orderly worship. The Chronicler's exhaustive lists, even down to individuals with unique circumstances, affirm that every part of God's plan is important. Second, it subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Provision Amidst Human Obstacles**. The phrase "who had no sons" highlights a potential disruption to the expected patrilineal succession, yet the immediate context (the next verse) reveals how God ensures the continuation of the line through alternative means. This echoes the broader biblical pattern where God often works through unexpected channels to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the case of [Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - Inheritance Rights for Daughters"). Finally, it underscores the **Faithfulness in Record-Keeping**, which was vital for maintaining the post-exilic community's identity, land rights, and the proper functioning of the priesthood and Levites.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mahli (Hebrew, _Maḥlî_):** Mahli was one of the two sons of Merari, who was one of Levi's three sons (along with Gershon and Kohath). His descendants, the Mahlites, formed a significant clan within the Merarite branch of the Levites. Their specific duties included carrying the frames, bars, pillars, and sockets of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:36-37). The mention of Eleazar as "of Mahli" firmly places him within this established and important Levitical lineage, emphasizing his rightful claim to a position within the organized temple service.
* **Eleazar (Hebrew, _ʾElʿāzār_):** This Eleazar is distinct from Eleazar the son of Aaron, the high priest. Here, he is identified as a specific individual within the Mahlite branch of the Merarite Levites. The name "Eleazar" means "God has helped," which, in light of the subsequent phrase, takes on a poignant and ironic significance. While he may have faced a personal challenge, the divine help would manifest in the continuation of his line through an unexpected means.
* **no sons (Hebrew, אֵין לוֹ בָנִים, _ʾên lô bānîm_):** This concise Hebrew phrase carries significant weight. In a society where male heirs were crucial for lineage, inheritance, and social standing, the absence of sons was a profound matter. It implied the potential end of a family line and the loss of its portion of the ancestral inheritance. For a Levite, it could also mean the cessation of their family's contribution to the sacred service. The Chronicler's inclusion of this detail is not merely biographical but serves as a narrative device, highlighting a problem that requires a divine solution, which is promptly provided in the very next verse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of Mahli [came] Eleazar":** This clause establishes the genealogical link, placing Eleazar firmly within the Merarite clan, specifically through the sub-branch of Mahli. This detail is essential for the Chronicler's purpose of meticulously documenting the Levitical families and their rightful places in the structured temple service. It signifies Eleazar's legitimate claim to a role within the Levitical order.
* **"who had no sons":** This is the pivotal statement of the verse. It immediately introduces a challenge to the patrilineal system of inheritance and succession that was fundamental to Israelite society, especially concerning the continuation of sacred duties. The brevity of the phrase belies its profound cultural and theological implications. It raises a question in the reader's mind: how will this line continue, given the importance of male heirs? This question is answered in [1 Chronicles 24:29](/1_chronicles/24-29 "1 Chronicles 24:29 - Eleazar's Daughters Continue the Line"), where it is revealed that Eleazar's daughters married their cousins, ensuring the family's continuity within the Merarite clan.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this terse verse. The primary device is **Genealogy/List**, which is the overarching structure of the chapter. However, within this dry list, the inclusion of "who had no sons" serves as a subtle yet powerful instance of **Ellipsis** or **Conciseness**, where a few words convey a significant challenge and cultural context without elaborate explanation. This brevity also creates a sense of **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**, as the reader is left to wonder how Eleazar's line will continue, setting up the immediate resolution in the subsequent verse. The detail acts as a narrative pivot, transforming a mere name in a list into a point of interest that highlights God's unique ways of ensuring continuity and provision, even when conventional means are absent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 24:28, though a small detail in a lengthy genealogy, speaks volumes about God's meticulous providence and His ability to work through and around human circumstances to fulfill His divine plan. It underscores that even in what appears to be a dry record, God's hand is at work, ensuring the continuity of His appointed order. The challenge of "no sons" in a patrilineal society highlights a potential disruption, yet the very next verse reveals God's provision through an alternative means, demonstrating His sovereign control over all aspects of life, including lineage and inheritance. This teaches us that God's purposes are not thwarted by human limitations or societal norms; rather, He orchestrates events, often in unexpected ways, to bring about His desired outcome. This divine oversight ensures that His kingdom purposes, whether in the meticulous organization of temple service or in the grand narrative of salvation, will always prevail.

* [Numbers 27:8-11](/numbers/27-8 "Numbers 27:8-11 - Inheritance Rights for Zelophehad's Daughters")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - God Works All Things According to His Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly obscure verse offers profound encouragement for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives, even those that appear insignificant or challenging. Just as Eleazar's lack of sons was not an oversight but a detail that allowed for a unique demonstration of God's provision, so too are our personal struggles, limitations, or unexpected turns not outside of God's sovereign plan. We often face "no sons" moments in our lives—situations where our expected paths are blocked, our plans fall through, or our hopes seem unfulfilled. This verse invites us to trust in God's meticulous planning, knowing that He can and will provide alternative means for His purposes to be accomplished, often in ways more creative and impactful than we could imagine. It calls us to look beyond immediate obstacles and recognize that God's faithfulness ensures the continuation of His work, whether in our individual lives or in the broader scope of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping, even of seemingly minor details like Eleazar having no sons, challenge our perception of what is "important" in God's eyes?**
* **When have you experienced a "no sons" moment in your life—a significant obstacle or unfulfilled expectation—and how did God provide an unexpected solution or alternative path?**
* **What does this verse teach us about trusting God's providence, even when His plans unfold in ways that deviate from our cultural norms or personal expectations?**

### FAQ

**Why is this seemingly minor detail about Eleazar having no sons included in such a detailed genealogy?**

Answer: The inclusion of this detail is far from minor; it serves several crucial purposes for the Chronicler and the Israelite community. First, it highlights the meticulous nature of God's divine order and the importance of preserving accurate lineage for the Levitical service. Every individual, even those with unique circumstances, plays a part in God's grand design. Second, and most importantly, it sets up a narrative point of divine provision. In a society where male heirs were paramount for inheritance and continuity, stating that Eleazar had "no sons" immediately raises a question about the continuation of his line. The very next verse, [1 Chronicles 24:29](/1_chronicles/24-29 "1 Chronicles 24:29 - Eleazar's Daughters Continue the Line"), provides the answer: his daughters married their cousins, ensuring the family's name and portion remained within the Merarite clan. This demonstrates God's ability to work through alternative means to ensure His purposes are fulfilled, even when human circumstances present obstacles. It emphasizes that God's plans are not thwarted by human limitations.

**Does "no sons" imply a failure or a curse for Eleazar?**

Answer: While having "no sons" was certainly a significant challenge and could be viewed with sorrow in ancient Israelite culture due to the importance of male lineage for inheritance and family continuity, the biblical text does not present it as a failure or a curse in Eleazar's case. Instead, the Chronicler immediately follows this statement with the resolution in [1 Chronicles 24:29](/1_chronicles/24-29 "1 Chronicles 24:29 - Eleazar's Daughters Continue the Line"), where his daughters marry their cousins. This solution was a legitimate and divinely sanctioned means of ensuring the continuation of a family line and its inheritance when there were no male heirs, as famously established in the case of [Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - Inheritance Laws for Daughters"). Therefore, rather than signifying a curse, Eleazar's situation becomes an example of God's providential care and His capacity to ensure the continuity of His people and their roles through unexpected but legitimate means, affirming His sovereignty over lineage and destiny.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane detail of Eleazar having "no sons" in 1 Chronicles 24:28, and the subsequent divine provision for the continuation of his line through his daughters, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The meticulous genealogies of the Old Testament, including those of the Levites, underscore the importance of lineage for covenantal roles and promises. Yet, the New Testament reveals that while Jesus' earthly lineage is meticulously recorded in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus"), His ultimate authority and priesthood do not depend on typical human succession or the Levitical system. He is a priest forever, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life, in the order of Melchizedek ([Hebrews 7:16-17](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16-17 - Christ's Indestructible Priesthood")). The "no sons" situation in the Old Testament, requiring a divine workaround for continuity, foreshadows how God's ultimate plan for salvation and the establishment of His eternal kingdom would not rely on human succession or perfect adherence to earthly legalities, but on His own sovereign, miraculous intervention through Christ. Through Jesus, the true "seed" of Abraham, God provides an inheritance not based on human birthright but on spiritual adoption and faith ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise"); [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God by Faith")). He is the one who ensures the continuity of God's people, establishing a spiritual lineage that transcends all earthly limitations and guarantees an eternal inheritance for all who believe.

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 23:22

And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.