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Between Babel and Beast
(America and Empires in Biblical Perspective)
The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift for James B. Jordan
Fyodor Dostoevsky
(Christian Encounters Series)
Athanasius
(Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality)
The Four: A Survey of the Gospels
Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom
From Behind the Veil: The Epistles of John
Deep Exegesis:The Mystery of Reading Scripture
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
The genealogy of Levi is at the chiastic center of the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9, and at the center of the genealogy of Levi is the description of the Levitical singers (1 Chronicles 6:31-32).
Prior to this point, the genealogies move forward in time, from Levi to his sons all the way down to Elkanah, Samuel, and his son Joel (6:272-28). After verses 31-32, the genealogies run backwards.
The genealogies on either side of these verses don’t match in every detail, but there are enough matches to make the point. The following names match:
1. Levi (6:1, 38)
2. Kohath (6:1, 2, 18-30, 38)
3. Izhar (6:2, 38)
4. Korah (6:22, 37)
5. Ebiasaph (6:23, 37)
6. Assir (6:22-23, 37)
7. Tahath (6:24, 37)
8. Elkanah (6:23, 36)
9. Amasai (6:25, 36)
10. Another Elkanah (6:26, 35)
11. Zuph/Zophai (6:26, 35)
12. Eliab/Eliel? (6:27, 34)
13. Jeroham (6:27, 34)
14. Another Elkanah (6:27, 34)
15. Samuel (6:28, 33)
16. Joel (6:28, 33)
“Heman the singer” (6:33) is the hinge of the structure, the center to which the rest of the genealogy points.
In a genealogy that runs from Adam to the exile and beyond, the climax is the appointment of Levitical servants who minister at the ark “with song.” 1 Chronicles 1-9 is a genealogical riff on Jesus’ announcement that the “Father seeks worshipers.” The aim of all human history is to create a human choir to join the angels at the throne of God.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 4:52 am
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