1 chronicles 23:22 - Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brothers the sons of Kish took them as wives.

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 23:22

What does "1 chronicles 23:22" mean?


This verse from 1 Chronicles 23:22 is a straightforward statement of family history and inheritance practices within the context of the Levite lineage. Let's break it down:

"Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only...": This indicates that Eleazar, a descendant of Levi, passed away without any male heirs. In ancient Israelite society, inheritance primarily passed through the male line.

"...and their brothers the sons of Kish took them as wives.": This part is crucial. Because Eleazar had no sons, his daughters would have been in a difficult situation regarding inheritance and continuation of the family line. To keep the inheritance within the same family group (the broader clan of Kish), the daughters married their male cousins, who were the sons of Kish.

Significance and Implications:

Maintaining Family Lineage and Property: The primary reason for this arrangement was to ensure that Eleazar's property and status within the Levitical order remained within the family. If his daughters married outside the clan, the inheritance could have been lost to another family group.
Levitical Lineage: This situation is particularly important because it involves the Levites, who held a special role in religious service. Maintaining the purity and integrity of the Levitical lineage was crucial.
Custom and Law: While not explicitly stated as a law in the Torah, this practice reflects a societal custom designed to protect family inheritance. It's similar in spirit to the laws concerning daughters who inherit when there are no sons.
Genealogical Record: The book of Chronicles is concerned with maintaining accurate genealogical records, especially those relating to the priestly and Levitical lines. This verse serves to document how the family line of Eleazar continued despite the absence of male heirs.

In summary, 1 Chronicles 23:22 provides a glimpse into ancient Israelite inheritance practices and demonstrates how families sought to maintain their property and lineage within their clan, especially in the context of the Levitical priesthood.

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