1 Chronicles 6:50

KJV

And these [are] the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

KJV (with Strong's)

And these are the sons {H1121} of Aaron {H175}; Eleazar {H499} his son {H1121}, Phinehas {H6372} his son {H1121}, Abishua {H50} his son {H1121},

Complete Jewish Bible

These are the descendants of Aharon: his son El'azar, his son Pinchas, his son Avishua,

Berean Standard Bible

These were the descendants of Aaron:

American Standard Version

And these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 6:50 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse embedded within the extensive genealogical records of the tribe of Levi, specifically detailing the direct, unbroken line of high priestly succession from Aaron through his immediate descendants. This verse, by listing Eleazar, Phinehas, and Abishua, meticulously establishes the divine order and historical legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood, an office central to Israel's worship, covenant relationship with God, and the administration of the sacrificial system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 6 is primarily dedicated to the genealogies of the Levites, underscoring their critical role in Israel's religious life and temple service. Within this extensive chapter, verses 4-15 specifically trace the high priestly lineage from Aaron to the time of the Babylonian exile. 1 Chronicles 6:50 is nestled early in this sequence, immediately following the mention of Aaron's sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar (1 Chronicles 6:3). This particular verse, by focusing on Eleazar, Phinehas, and Abishua, establishes the initial, divinely ordained line through whom the high priesthood was to be maintained. The Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping here serves to reinforce the continuity and legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood, which was foundational to the restored community's worship and covenant fidelity after the exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was likely composed in the post-exilic period, possibly in the late 5th or early 4th century BC. For the returning exiles, establishing identity, land rights, and the legitimacy of religious offices was paramount. Genealogies in ancient Israel were far more than mere lists; they were vital documents that affirmed tribal affiliation, inheritance claims, and the right to hold specific positions, especially the priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood, divinely instituted at Mount Sinai, was the cornerstone of Israel's ritual and sacrificial system, providing the means for atonement and access to God's presence. The Chronicler's emphasis on this unbroken line would have provided assurance and stability to a community seeking to re-establish its covenant relationship with Yahweh in the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. It highlights the **Divine Order and Succession**, illustrating God's meticulous establishment of the high priestly office and ensuring a clear, legitimate line of succession through Aaron's male descendants. This was crucial for maintaining proper worship, ritual purity, and the integrity of the sacrificial system in Israel. Furthermore, the meticulous listing underscores the **Legitimacy of Authority** for those serving in the tabernacle and later the temple; their authority was not self-appointed but divinely appointed and hereditary, as seen in passages like [Exodus 28:1](/exodus/28-1 "Exodus 28:1 - Aaron and his Sons Appointed Priests"). Finally, it speaks to the **Continuity of God's Plan** for His people's worship and access to Him. Even through generations and the vicissitudes of history, God's covenant promises and the means of His people's approach to Him remained steadfast, manifested in the unbroken line of the priesthood, a theme that resonates with God's faithfulness throughout salvation history, as promised to Phinehas in [Numbers 25:13](/numbers/25-13 "Numbers 25:13 - The Covenant of Peace with Phinehas").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sons (Hebrew, בְּנֵ֣י _bə·nê_):** This term, meaning "sons of" or "children of," is crucial in genealogical contexts. Here, it signifies direct, lineal descent, emphasizing that Eleazar, Phinehas, and Abishua were not merely general descendants but immediate, legitimate successors in the high priestly line. It underscores the hereditary nature of the office.
* **Aaron (Hebrew, אַהֲרֹ֔ן _’a·hă·rōn_):** The foundational figure of the Israelite priesthood, Aaron was divinely chosen and consecrated to serve as the first High Priest. His name here serves as the anchor for the entire priestly lineage, establishing the ultimate source of their authority and legitimacy.
* **Phinehas (Hebrew, פִּֽינְחָ֥ס _pîn·ḥās_):** While Eleazar was Aaron's immediate successor, Phinehas is particularly notable in biblical history (cf. Numbers 25) for his zealous act against idolatry and immorality, which resulted in God granting him and his descendants a "covenant of an everlasting priesthood." His inclusion here reinforces the divine endorsement of this specific lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these [are] the sons of Aaron;":** This introductory clause sets the stage, indicating that what follows is a specific enumeration of Aaron's direct male offspring who continued his priestly line. The KJV's "[are]" clarifies the implicit Hebrew, affirming the identity of those listed.
* **"Eleazar his son,":** Eleazar was Aaron's third son, but after the death of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2), he became the designated successor to Aaron as High Priest. His mention here confirms his pivotal role in maintaining the continuity of the high priestly office from its very inception.
* **"Phinehas his son,":** Phinehas was Eleazar's son and succeeded him as High Priest. His inclusion highlights the direct generational transfer of the office. As noted above, his zeal for God's covenant earned his line a perpetual priesthood, making his presence in this genealogy particularly significant.
* **"Abishua his son,":** Abishua, Phinehas's son, continues the direct line of succession. While less prominent in the biblical narrative than his father or grandfather, his inclusion is vital for demonstrating the unbroken chain of legitimate high priests, reinforcing the concept of hereditary succession that was essential for the priesthood's authority.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Chronicles 6:50, as in much of the chapter, is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a list of names but a structured record designed to establish lineage, identity, and legitimacy, particularly for the priestly office. The **Repetition** of "his son" after each name (Eleazar, Phinehas, Abishua) serves to emphasize the direct, successive, and unbroken nature of the high priestly line. This repetitive structure reinforces the idea of an orderly and divinely sanctioned transmission of authority from one generation to the next. The **Conciseness** of the verse, presenting only the essential names, highlights the factual and authoritative nature of the record, underscoring the importance of this specific lineage without extraneous detail.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 6:50, though a simple genealogical entry, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care in establishing and maintaining the means by which His people could approach Him. It speaks to the divine intentionality behind the Old Covenant system, where the priesthood served as the divinely appointed mediator between God and Israel. The unbroken succession through Aaron's line underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His commitment to providing a legitimate and orderly path for worship and atonement. This hereditary priesthood, while imperfect and temporary, was a crucial part of God's redemptive plan, foreshadowing the ultimate and perfect High Priest to come.

* [Exodus 28:1](/exodus/28-1 "Exodus 28:1 - Aaron and his Sons Consecrated")
* [Numbers 3:10](/numbers/3-10 "Numbers 3:10 - Aaron and his Sons Appointed to the Priesthood")
* [Numbers 25:13](/numbers/25-13 "Numbers 25:13 - The Covenant of Peace with Phinehas")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, seemingly dry and historical, offers rich spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, intentionality, and faithfulness. Just as He meticulously established a clear structure for worship in ancient Israel, He continues to work through established means and faithful individuals to accomplish His purposes in the world and in the church. The emphasis on succession highlights the profound importance of spiritual legacy—the faithful transmission of truth, service, and devotion from one generation to the next. We are called to be stewards of the faith, ensuring that the spiritual heritage we receive is not only preserved but also passed on, enriched, to those who follow. This continuity speaks to the enduring nature of God's promises and His unwavering commitment to His people, even through changing times and challenging circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous ordering of the priesthood in ancient Israel inform our understanding of order and structure in the church today?**
* **What spiritual legacy are we building and actively passing on to future generations in our families and communities of faith?**
* **How does the continuity of the Aaronic line point us to the unchanging nature of God's redemptive plan and His faithfulness across history?**

### FAQ
**Why are genealogies so important in the Bible, especially in Chronicles?**

Answer: Genealogies in the Bible serve several crucial purposes. In the post-exilic context of Chronicles, they were vital for establishing the identity and tribal affiliation of the returning exiles, confirming their right to land and inheritance, and most importantly, validating the legitimacy of claims to religious office, particularly the priesthood. For the Chronicler, these lists reinforced the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the ongoing validity of the temple worship system, providing a sense of stability and divine order for a community rebuilding its life. They demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving His chosen lines and His meticulous attention to detail in His redemptive plan.

**What was the primary role of the high priest in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The high priest held the most sacred office in ancient Israel, serving as the chief mediator between God and the people. His primary roles included presiding over the sacrificial system, especially on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")), where he alone entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the nation. He was responsible for leading worship, administering the sacred rituals, and often consulting God through the Urim and Thummim. The high priest's role was indispensable for maintaining Israel's covenant relationship with God and ensuring the purity and holiness of their worship.

**Does this verse have any direct relevance for Christians today?**

Answer: While 1 Chronicles 6:50 details an Old Testament priesthood, its relevance for Christians is significant. It highlights God's character as a God of order, faithfulness, and intentionality in providing a way for His people to approach Him. The Aaronic priesthood, though temporary and imperfect, served as a "shadow" or "type" that pointed forward to the ultimate and perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. For Christians, this verse underscores the historical reality of the Old Covenant system that God established, which ultimately finds its fulfillment and completion in Christ, our eternal High Priest. It reminds us of the divine preparation for the coming of our Savior.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous recording of the Aaronic high priestly line in 1 Chronicles 6:50, establishing a legitimate and unbroken succession, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament priesthood, with its hereditary succession and repeated sacrifices, served as a temporary and imperfect means of access to God, foreshadowing a better and eternal reality. Jesus, unlike the Aaronic priests who were appointed by birth and served until death, holds an eternal priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" ([Hebrews 7:11](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11 - The Melchizedek Priesthood")), not based on human lineage but on the power of an indestructible life ([Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Jesus' Indestructible Life")). He is our ultimate and perfect High Priest, who "always lives to intercede" for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Intercessor")). The continuity of the Aaronic line pointed to the necessity of a mediator, but Jesus, through His single, perfect, and eternal sacrifice on the cross, has accomplished what the Old Testament sacrifices could only prefigure, providing permanent access to God's presence ([Hebrews 10:12-14](/hebrews/10-12 "Hebrews 10:12-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). Thus, 1 Chronicles 6:50, by detailing the earthly, temporal priesthood, implicitly magnifies the eternal, divine priesthood of Christ, through whom we now have confident access to the Father ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our Great High Priest")).

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 9:20

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, [and] the LORD [was] with him.

Exodus 28:1

¶ And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, [even] Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

Leviticus 10:16

And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron [which were] left [alive], saying,

Ezra 8:33

Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him [was] Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them [was] Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;

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,

Ezra 7:5

The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:

Numbers 20:26

And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered [unto his people], and shall die there.