1 Chronicles 23:21
New International Version
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

New Living Translation
The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

English Standard Version
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Berean Standard Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

King James Bible
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

New King James Version
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

New American Standard Bible
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

NASB 1995
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

NASB 1977
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

Legacy Standard Bible
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish.

Amplified Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Christian Standard Bible
Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi. Mahli’s sons: Eleazar and Kish.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi. Mahli’s sons: Eleazar and Kish.

American Standard Version
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Contemporary English Version
Merari had two sons: Mahli and Mushi. Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish.

English Revised Version
The sons of Merari; Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar and Kish.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. Mahli's sons were Eleazar and Kish.

Good News Translation
Merari had two sons, Mahli and Mushi. Mahli also had two sons, Eleazar and Kish,

International Standard Version
The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. The descendants of Mahli included Eleazar and Kish,

Majority Standard Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

NET Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

New Heart English Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Webster's Bible Translation
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

World English Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Young's Literal Translation
Sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Smith's Literal Translation
The sons of Merari Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sons of Merari: Moholi, and Musi. The sons of Moholi: Eleazar and Cia.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

New American Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

New Revised Standard Version
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The sons of Marari: Makhli and Mushi. The sons of Makhli: Eliazar and Qish.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The sons of Merari: Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar, and Kish.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The sons of Merari; Mooli, and Musi: the sons of Mooli; Eleazar, and Kis.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Merarites
21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. 22Eleazar died without having any sons; he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.…

Cross References
Numbers 26:28-34
The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim. / These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead. / These were the descendants of Gilead: the Iezerite clan from Iezer, the Helekite clan from Helek, ...

Genesis 46:20
Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

Joshua 17:1-6
Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war. / So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. / But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ...

1 Chronicles 7:14-19
The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead. / Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters. / Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son, and she named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem. ...

Exodus 6:17
The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans.

Numbers 3:33-35
From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. / The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200. / The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.

Numbers 26:57-58
Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari. / These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram,

1 Chronicles 6:1-3
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. / The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 6:16-19
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. / These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ...

1 Chronicles 7:20-29
The descendants of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, / Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the natives of Gath, because they went down to steal their livestock. / Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. ...

1 Chronicles 24:20-31
Now these were the rest of the descendants of Levi: From the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah. / As for Rehabiah, from his sons: The first was Isshiah. / From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath. ...

1 Chronicles 25:1-31
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

1 Chronicles 26:20-28
Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things. / From the descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and heads of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli, / the sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD. ...

Acts 7:14-16
Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all. / So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. / Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.


Treasury of Scripture

The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

Merari

1 Chronicles 23:6
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:20,30
Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, …

1 Chronicles 24:26-30
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno…

Mahli

Exodus 6:19
And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.

Mahali

Jump to Previous
Eleazar Elea'zar Kish Mahli Merari Merar'i Mushi
Jump to Next
Eleazar Elea'zar Kish Mahli Merari Merar'i Mushi
1 Chronicles 23
1. David in his old age makes Solomon king
2. The number and distribution of the Levites
7. The families of the Gershonites
12. The sons of Kohath
21. The sons of Merari
24. The office of the Levites














The sons of Merari
The phrase introduces us to the descendants of Merari, one of the three sons of Levi, who was the third son of Jacob and Leah. The Levites were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, and each of Levi's sons—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—had specific duties. Merari's descendants were responsible for the framework of the Tabernacle, including the pillars, bases, and other structural elements. This highlights the importance of every role in the service of God, emphasizing that each task, no matter how seemingly mundane, is vital in the worship and service of the Lord.

Mahli and Mushi
These names are significant as they represent the two main branches of Merari's lineage. Mahli and Mushi are often mentioned together, indicating their close familial and functional relationship in the Levitical duties. The names themselves, Mahli meaning "sick" or "weak" and Mushi meaning "yielding" or "sensitive," may reflect the human condition and the need for reliance on God's strength. Despite any perceived weakness, they were entrusted with essential responsibilities, reminding us that God often uses those who may seem weak to accomplish His purposes.

The sons of Mahli
This phrase transitions to the next generation, showing the continuation of the Levitical line and their duties. It underscores the importance of family and generational faithfulness in the service of God. The Levites were to pass down their responsibilities and devotion to God from one generation to the next, illustrating the biblical principle of teaching and training children in the ways of the Lord.

Eleazar and Kish
These are the sons of Mahli, and their mention signifies the continuation of the Levitical duties through their lineage. Eleazar, meaning "God has helped," and Kish, meaning "bow" or "power," reflect the divine assistance and strength given to those who serve God. Eleazar's name, in particular, is a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision for those who are dedicated to His service. Kish's name may symbolize the strength and readiness required for the tasks assigned to the Levites. Together, these names encapsulate the balance of divine help and human responsibility in fulfilling God's work.

(21) The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi.--See Exodus 6:19, and Numbers 3:33, and 1Chronicles 6:19.

Verse 21. - This and the following two verses give the houses of Merari, contributing four houses, and, with the nine Gershonite and eleven Kohathite, adding up to twenty-four. Merari is the third son of Levi (Genesis 46:11). The Mahli and Mushi of this verse were possibly grandson and son of Merari, if we follow the guidance of 1 Chronicles 6:47. Yet it would seem far more natural to explain this last-quoted passage by our ver. 23, which would then parallel it. Otherwise we must account for the name of Mahli habitually standing first, as here, as in 1 Chronicles 6:19 also, and 1 Chronicles 24:26, as also in Exodus 6:19; Numbers 3:20, 33, etc.; in all of which places the statement is as distinct as in this verse, that Mahli and Mushi were sons. This and the following verse must be compared particularly with 1 Chronicles 24:26-29; the Jaaziah of which passage was evidently no son of Merari, on a par with Mahli and Mushi, but a later descendant. His descendants were three - Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri (Beno being no proper name, but signifying "his son").

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The sons
בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Merari:
מְרָרִי֙ (mə·rā·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi

Mahli
מַחְלִ֣י (maḥ·lî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4249: Mahli -- a Levite, also a son of Mushi

and Mushi.
וּמוּשִׁ֔י (ū·mū·šî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4187: Mushi -- 'sensitive', a Levite

The sons
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Mahli:
מַחְלִ֖י (maḥ·lî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4249: Mahli -- a Levite, also a son of Mushi

Eleazar
אֶלְעָזָ֥ר (’el·‘ā·zār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 499: Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites

and Kish.
וְקִֽישׁ׃ (wə·qîš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7027: Kish -- father of Saul, also the name of several other Israelites


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 23:21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
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