And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
Among the Levites who returned: Shemaiah, whose father was Hasshub, whose father was Azrikam, whose father was Hashabiah, from the family line of Merari.
This verse lists one of the Levites who came back to Jerusalem after the exile, tracing his family lineage back through several generations.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is from the Books of Chronicles, written after the Babylonian exile to help the returning Israelites reconnect with their tribal heritage and organize the temple services properly. It lists genealogies of the Levites, a tribe specifically set apart for religious duties in the tabernacle and later the temple, highlighting the importance of lineage for maintaining purity in worship. Shemaiah is mentioned as a descendant of Merari, one of Levi's sons, to establish legitimate claims to these roles in the restored community.
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