Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 23:16
The descendants of Gershom: Shebuel was the first.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records Levitical and Mosaic family lines during David’s temple administrative reorganization. This verse names the initial leader of the Gershonite clan immediately after introducing Moses’ sons.
The words — The Hebrew בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹם (benei Gershom) literally means “sons of Gershom,” while הָרֹאשׁ (ha-rō’sh) translates to “the chief” or “the first.” The text explicitly identifies Shebuel (שְׁבוּאֵל) as the starting head of this lineage.
The thread — The name Shebuel reappears in 1 Chronicles 26:24 as officer over the treasuries, and the related Shubael family appears in 1 Chronicles 24:20 and 25:20 within Levitical divisions. The Chronicler consistently tracks this clan across treasury, priestly, and musical assignments.
Why it lands — The verse establishes Shebuel as the documented head of the Gershonite clan for temple service. Readers must recognize the precise genealogical accounting required to assign Levitical duties under David’s administration.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 26:24 Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the officer in charge of the treasuries.
- 1 Chronicles 24:20 Now these were the rest of the descendants of Levi: From the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.
- 1 Chronicles 25:20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;