Knox Bible

1

The descendants of Aaron were also divided into separate clans. Of Aaron’s sons,

2

Nadab and Abiu predeceased him, dying childless, so the priesthood passed to Eleazar and Ithamar.

3

Sadoc represented the sons of Eleazar, and Achimelech the sons of Ithamar, when David appointed them the different duties they were to perform;

4

and it proved there was no parity in their numbers, the division must take place between sixteen heads of families in Eleazar’s clan, eight in Ithamar’s.

5

The order of these families was arranged by lot, the heads of families in either clan taking rank as overseers of the sanctuary and of all divine things.

6

In the presence of the king and his nobles, of the high priest Sadoc, Abiathar’s son Achimelech, and all the heads of the priestly and Levitical families, the Levite scribe Semeias, son of Nathanael, inscribed the names, precedence being given first to one of Eleazar’s households, then to one of Ithamar’s.

7

And the lot gave the names in this order: Joiarib, Jedei,

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Harim, Seorim,

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Melchia, Maiman,

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Accos, Abia,

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Jesua, Sechenia,

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Eliasib, Jacim,

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Hoppha, Isbaab,

14

Belga, Emmer,

15

Hezir, Aphses,

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Pheteia, Hezechiel,

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Jachin, Gamul,

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Dalaiau, Maaziau.

19

These were the courses under which they exercised their office in turn, duly entering the Lord’s house after the manner prescribed by their father Aaron at the bidding of the Lord God of Israel.

20

Among the other Levite clans, the following gave their names to courses; of Amram’s sons, Subael, of Subael’s, Jehedeia,

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of Rohobia’s, Jesias,

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of Isaar’s, Salemoth and his son Jahath, …✻

23

and his four sons, Jeriau, Amarias, Jahaziel and Jecmaan;

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of Oziel’s, Micha, his son Samir,

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his brother Jesia and Jesia’s son Zacharias.

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Of Merari’s Moholi and Musi, … Benno son of Oziau …

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Oziau son of Merari … Soam, Zachur and Hebri …

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(Moholi had a son Eleazar who died without issue) …

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Jerameel son of Cis.✻

30

And of Musi’s sons, Moholi, Eder and Jerimoth. Thus were Levi’s descendants arranged by clans;

31

and these too, in the presence of king David, and Sadoc, and Achimelech, and all the chiefs of the priestly and Levitical families, drew lots to match their brethren the sons of Aaron; greater or less, all must abide by the lot’s arbitrament.