1 chronicles 15:6 - of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred twenty;

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 15:6

What does "1 chronicles 15:6" mean?


This verse, 1 Chronicles 15:6, identifies a specific group of Levites responsible for transporting the Ark of the Covenant during King David's reign. Let's break it down:

"Of the sons of Merari": This indicates that the group identified belongs to the Merari clan, one of the three major divisions (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari) within the tribe of Levi. The Levites were a priestly tribe dedicated to religious service. Merari's descendants had specific duties related to the structural elements of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple).

"Asaiah the chief": Asaiah was the leader or head of this particular group of Merarites. The title "chief" suggests he was responsible for organizing and overseeing their duties.

"and his brothers two hundred twenty": This tells us that Asaiah led a contingent of 220 male relatives (brothers in the broader sense of kinsmen from the same lineage) from the Merari clan. These men were likely responsible for the physical labor of carrying and handling the Ark of the Covenant.

In summary, 1 Chronicles 15:6 is a genealogical and organizational note. It highlights the specific contribution of a group of Merarite Levites, led by Asaiah, in the important task of moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The number 220 indicates the significant size of this contingent, emphasizing the scale of the undertaking and the involvement of different Levite families.

This verse, in the context of 1 Chronicles 15, is part of a larger narrative about David's efforts to properly bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and establish its place there. The meticulous listing of the Levite divisions and their leaders underscores the importance David placed on following divine instructions and organizing the religious service according to God's law.

What categories does "1 chronicles 15:6" have?