1 Chronicles 9:15
Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah

These Levites belonged to the community restored in Jerusalem after the exile. Their inclusion in the record shows that the renewed city was not merely rebuilt with walls and homes, but with servants appointed for the worship of the Lord. Mattaniah belonged to the guild of temple singers descended from Asaph, preserving a ministry established in David’s day.

Neh 12:8-9 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah…
1Ch 25:1-2 Additionally, David and the commanders of the army…

son of Mica,

Mattaniah received a heritage of service through his family line. The Lord’s worship was sustained across generations as Levite families faithfully carried the responsibilities entrusted to them.

Neh 11:17 Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph…
1Ch 6:39-43 Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served…

the son of Zichri,

Zichri stood within the recorded line that established Mattaniah’s rightful place among the Levites. Such genealogies guarded the order God had given Israel and testified that His covenant purposes continued after the judgment of exile.

1Ch 26:25 His relatives through Eliezer included Rehabiah his son,…
2Ch 17:16 and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer…

the son of Asaph;

Asaph served as a leading musician under David and was associated with psalms that call God’s people to reverent, truthful worship. His descendants continued this musical ministry in the temple, declaring that the worship of God remained central to the life of the restored people.

1Ch 16:4-5 David appointed some of the Levites to minister…
2Ch 29:30-31 Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Bakbakkar
A Levite mentioned in the genealogies of the post-exilic community. His role is not detailed, but his inclusion signifies his importance in the Levitical order.

2. Heresh
Another Levite listed among those who returned from exile. His specific duties are not mentioned, but he is part of the group responsible for temple service.

3. Galal
A Levite whose mention in this genealogy highlights the continuity of the Levitical line and their service in the temple.

4. Mattaniah
A Levite, son of Mica, and a descendant of Asaph, indicating his role in the musical aspect of temple worship, as Asaph was a prominent musician and psalmist.

5. Asaph
A significant figure in the history of Israel's worship, known for his role as a musician and psalmist. His descendants continued his legacy in temple worship.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Heritage in Worship
The genealogies remind us of the importance of spiritual heritage and the continuity of worship practices across generations. We are encouraged to honor and learn from the faith of those who came before us.

The Role of Music in Worship
As descendants of Asaph, these Levites highlight the integral role of music in worship. Music is a powerful tool for expressing devotion and teaching theology.

Faithfulness in Service
The mention of these Levites underscores the value of faithfulness in service, regardless of the prominence of one's role. Every contribution to the community of faith is significant.

Restoration and Renewal
The post-exilic context of this passage speaks to the themes of restoration and renewal. God is always at work to restore His people and their worship, even after periods of exile or spiritual decline.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 9:15 reflect the importance of maintaining spiritual heritage in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we incorporate music into our personal and communal worship to enrich our spiritual experience, following the example of Asaph's descendants?

3. What lessons can we learn from the faithfulness of the Levites in serving God, even when their roles are not prominently featured in Scripture?

4. How can the themes of restoration and renewal in the post-exilic community inspire us in our personal spiritual journeys or in our local church communities?

5. How do the genealogies in 1 Chronicles encourage us to view our own family histories and spiritual legacies in light of God's ongoing work in the world?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Chronicles 6
This chapter provides a broader genealogy of the Levites, including the line of Asaph, emphasizing the importance of musical worship in Israel's history.

Nehemiah 11
This passage also lists the inhabitants of Jerusalem, including Levites, and provides context for the post-exilic community's efforts to restore worship practices.

Psalms attributed to Asaph
These Psalms reflect the spiritual and musical heritage of Asaph's line, offering insight into the worship practices and theological reflections of the time.
Genealogy of the Returned ExilesF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 9:1-44
Aspects of Christian WorkW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 9:14-34
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abdon, Abinadab, Adaiah, Adiel, Ahaz, Ahiman, Ahio, Ahitub, Akkub, Alemeth, Ammihud, Asa, Asaiah, Asaph, Azariah, Azel, Azmaveth, Azrikam, Bakbakkar, Bani, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Berechiah, Binea, Bocheru, David, Ebiasaph, Elah, Eleasah, Eleazar, Elkanah, Eshbaal, Galal, Gedor, Gibeon, Hanan, Hasenuah, Hashabiah, Hasshub, Heresh, Hilkiah, Hodaviah, Ibneiah, Ibnijah, Immer, Imri, Ishmael, Israelites, Jachin, Jahzerah, Jarah, Jedaiah, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jehoiarib, Jeiel, Jeroham, Jeuel, Jonathan, Kish, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Kore, Levi, Levites, Maacah, Maachah, Maasiai, Malchijah, Malchishua, Manasseh, Mattaniah, Mattithiah, Melech, Meraioth, Merari, Meribbaal, Meshelemiah, Meshillemith, Meshullam, Micah, Michri, Mikloth, Moza, Nadab, Ner, Netophathites, Obadiah, Omri, Pashur, Perez, Pharez, Phinehas, Pithon, Rephaiah, Reuel, Sallu, Samuel, Saul, Shallum, Sheariah, Shemaiah, Shemariah, Shephathiah, Shephatiah, Shilonites, Tahrea, Talmon, Uthai, Uzzi, Zadok, Zechariah, Zerah, Zichri, Zimri, Zur
Places
Babylon, Gibeon, Jerusalem
Topics
Asaph, Bakbakkar, Bakbak'kar, Galal, Heresh, Mattaniah, Mattani'ah, Mica, Micah, Zichri, Zicri
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 9:3-22

     7230   genealogies

Library
The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death,
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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