1 Chronicles 6:14

KJV

And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Azariah {H5838} begat {H3205} Seraiah {H8304}, and Seraiah {H8304} begat {H3205} Jehozadak {H3087},

Complete Jewish Bible

'Azaryah fathered S'rayah, S'rayah fathered Y'hotzadak,

Berean Standard Bible

Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak.

American Standard Version

and Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 6:14 meticulously records a vital segment of the High Priestly lineage, tracing the succession from Azariah to Seraiah, and then to Jehozadak. This seemingly simple genealogical entry is profoundly significant, serving to validate the continuity and legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood through the line of Eleazar, particularly crucial for the post-exilic community in establishing spiritual authority and reinforcing the enduring nature of God's covenant promises despite periods of national upheaval and exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The sixth chapter of 1 Chronicles is a comprehensive and highly structured genealogical record of the Levites, detailing their various families, roles, and, most prominently, the sacred line of the High Priests. Verses 4-15 specifically focus on the direct descendants of Aaron through Eleazar, establishing the unbroken chain of the high priestly office from the time of the Exodus through the Babylonian exile. The Chronicler's emphasis on this lineage underscores the importance of legitimate spiritual authority and the continuity of worship, providing a foundational anchor for the returning exiles. This verse, therefore, is not merely a list of names but a crucial link in demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving the divinely ordained leadership for His people, even when the temple lay in ruins.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Written after the Babylonian exile, likely in the late 5th or early 4th century BC, 1 Chronicles addresses a community grappling with identity, restoration, and the re-establishment of their covenant relationship with God. Genealogies in ancient Israel were far more than family trees; they were legal documents, establishing tribal identity, land claims, and, critically, the legitimacy of religious and political offices. The High Priesthood was central to Israel's worship, mediating between God and the people through sacrifices and intercession. The meticulous recording of this lineage, including figures like Seraiah who lived through the destruction of the First Temple and Jehozadak who endured the exile, served to reassure the post-exilic community that despite the cataclysmic events, the sacred office was preserved by God's hand, ensuring proper worship could resume.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Chronicles. First, it highlights **Divine Preservation**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises by faithfully maintaining the priestly line even through the darkest periods of Israelite history, such as the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile (cf. [2 Kings 25:18-21](/2_kings/25-18 "2 Kings 25:18-21 - The Execution of Seraiah")). Second, it emphasizes the **Continuity of Covenant**, affirming that God's plan for His people and the means of their worship remained intact, providing hope and a framework for rebuilding. The High Priests were pivotal in maintaining the covenant relationship, and their unbroken lineage underscored its enduring nature. Finally, the meticulous detail reinforces the **Legitimacy of Authority**, particularly the spiritual authority of the High Priesthood, which was vital for the re-establishment of temple worship and national identity in the post-exilic period, echoing the importance of proper order and leadership found throughout [the book of Chronicles](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles - Genealogies and Early Kings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Begat (Hebrew, _yalad'_):** This verb literally means "to bear," "to bring forth," or "to beget." In genealogical contexts, as here, it signifies a direct father-son relationship, emphasizing the lineal succession. Its repeated use in genealogies underscores the direct, biological, and thus legitimate, transmission of lineage and, in this case, the sacred office of the High Priesthood. The term highlights the continuity and divine preservation of the family line through which God's purposes were fulfilled.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Azariah begat Seraiah":** This clause establishes Azariah as a direct ancestor of Seraiah within the high priestly line. While "Azariah" is a common name, this specific Azariah is a key link in the chain leading to the High Priest who served during the pivotal moment of the Babylonian conquest. The Chronicler's purpose is not to detail Azariah's life but to confirm the unbroken succession.
* **"and Seraiah begat Jehozadak":** This clause continues the lineage, identifying Seraiah as the father of Jehozadak. Seraiah is historically significant as the High Priest who served at the time of Jerusalem's destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. He was tragically executed at Riblah (as recorded in [2 Kings 25:18-21](/2_kings/25-18 "2 Kings 25:18-21 - The Execution of Seraiah") and [Jeremiah 52:24-27](/jeremiah/52-24 "Jeremiah 52:24-27 - Seraiah's Execution")). His son, Jehozadak, did not serve as High Priest in Jerusalem but was taken captive to Babylon, representing the priestly line's endurance through exile. This transition from a High Priest executed in Jerusalem to his son enduring captivity in Babylon powerfully illustrates the trauma of the exile while simultaneously affirming the preservation of the priestly seed.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Chronicles 6:14, and indeed throughout the genealogies of Chronicles, is **Genealogy** itself. This is not merely a list but a structured literary form designed to establish identity, legitimacy, and continuity. The **Repetition** of the phrase "begat" (or its equivalent) creates a rhythmic, sequential progression, emphasizing the unbroken chain of descent. The Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping serves as a form of **Historical Validation**, lending authority and credibility to the post-exilic community's claims to their heritage and the legitimacy of their spiritual leadership. Furthermore, the inclusion of these names within a sacred lineage carries **Symbolism** of divine faithfulness and preservation, portraying God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and their priestly mediation, even in the face of national catastrophe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly dry genealogical entry of 1 Chronicles 6:14 carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His commitment to His covenant promises, particularly concerning the preservation of the Aaronic priesthood. Even when the temple was destroyed and the people exiled, God ensured the continuation of the high priestly line through Seraiah and Jehozadak, providing a tangible link to the past and a hope for future restoration. This meticulous record underscores the divine order and legitimacy of the priesthood, which was essential for the spiritual identity and worship life of Israel. It reminds us that God's purposes are not thwarted by human failure or historical upheaval, but rather, His sovereign plan unfolds across generations, often through unexpected paths of suffering and exile, leading towards ultimate redemption.

* [Exodus 29:9](/exodus/29-9 "Exodus 29:9 - The Ordination of Priests")
* [Nehemiah 12:26](/nehemiah/12-26 "Nehemiah 12:26 - Priests and Levites in the Days of Joiakim")
* [Hebrews 7:23-24](/hebrews/7-23 "Hebrews 7:23-24 - The Unchanging Priesthood of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a genealogical list might seem distant from daily life, 1 Chronicles 6:14 offers profound insights into God's character and our own spiritual journey. It reminds us that God's plans are often long-term, spanning generations, and that His faithfulness endures even through periods of immense trial, loss, and apparent brokenness. Just as He preserved the priestly line through exile, He preserves His people and His purposes today. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign hand, even when circumstances seem chaotic or hopeless. It underscores the importance of spiritual heritage, connecting us to a vast, ongoing narrative of God's work in history and reminding us that we are part of a larger story, called to carry forward the torch of faith for future generations. Our individual lives, like the names in this genealogy, contribute to God's unfolding story of redemption, calling us to faithfulness in our own "link" in the chain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the preservation of the priestly line through exile speak to God's faithfulness in your own life during difficult seasons?**
* **What "heritage" – spiritual or otherwise – are you called to receive and pass on to the next generation?**
* **In what ways can you see God's long-term plan unfolding, even when immediate circumstances seem bleak?**

### FAQ
**Why are genealogies, like this one, so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Genealogies in the Bible are far more than simple family trees; they serve crucial theological and historical purposes. They establish legitimacy (e.g., for kingship, priesthood), confirm covenant promises (e.g., the Abrahamic covenant through specific lines), track the fulfillment of prophecy, and demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving a chosen lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. For the post-exilic community, the genealogies in Chronicles were vital for re-establishing tribal identities, land claims, and, most importantly, the legitimacy of the priesthood and the right to serve in the rebuilt temple, ensuring proper worship could resume according to God's divine order (cf. [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests Whose Ancestry Was Not Clear")). They underscore the continuity of God's work through history.

**Who was Seraiah, and why is his inclusion significant?**

Answer: Seraiah was the High Priest at the time of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC. His significance lies in his tragic fate: he was captured by the Babylonians and executed by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, along with other prominent officials (as detailed in [2 Kings 25:18-21](/2_kings/25-18 "2 Kings 25:18-21 - The Execution of Seraiah") and [Jeremiah 52:24-27](/jeremiah/52-24 "Jeremiah 52:24-27 - Seraiah's Execution")). His inclusion in this genealogy highlights the profound disruption and suffering experienced by the priestly line and the nation during the exile. Yet, the fact that his son, Jehozadak, is named immediately afterwards underscores God's persistent preservation of the lineage, even through such cataclysmic events, preventing the complete termination of the High Priestly office.

**What happened to Jehozadak, and how does his story connect to the post-exilic period?**

Answer: Jehozadak, the son of Seraiah, did not suffer his father's fate but was taken captive to Babylon during the exile. While he did not serve as High Priest in Jerusalem, his very existence in Babylon ensured the continuation of the legitimate high priestly line. His son, Jeshua (or Joshua), became a pivotal figure in the post-exilic period, returning to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel to lead the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of proper worship (as seen in [Ezra 3:2](/ezra/3-2 "Ezra 3:2 - Jeshua and Zerubbabel Rebuild the Altar") and [Haggai 1:1](/haggai/1-1 "Haggai 1:1 - The Word of the Lord Through Haggai")). Jehozadak's story, therefore, represents the enduring nature of God's covenant and the resilience of the priestly office, providing a bridge between the pre-exilic and post-exilic eras.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous preservation of the high priestly lineage in 1 Chronicles 6:14, even through the devastating period of exile, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. The Aaronic priesthood, with its succession of flawed and mortal men like Azariah, Seraiah, and Jehozadak, served as a temporary and symbolic means of mediation between God and humanity. Their lineage, though divinely appointed, was subject to the fragility of human life and the vicissitudes of history. However, in Christ, we see the fulfillment of this ancient office in a way that transcends all earthly limitations. He is not merely a descendant in a long line, but the eternal Son of God, appointed by God Himself, holding an "indestructible life" and an "unchangeable priesthood" (as proclaimed in [Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Jesus' Indestructible Life") and [Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Jesus' Unchanging Priesthood")). Unlike Seraiah, who faced execution, or Jehozadak, who endured exile, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, entering the true heavenly sanctuary and securing eternal redemption for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Thus, the continuity of the Old Testament priesthood, so carefully recorded in this verse, ultimately points to the superior, eternal, and all-sufficient priesthood of Jesus, through whom we have direct and perpetual access to God.

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

2 Kings 25:18

And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

Nehemiah 11:11

Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, [was] the ruler of the house of God.

Zechariah 6:11

Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set [them] upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

Ezra 7:1

¶ Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,