Who was Jahath in the Bible?

Jahath was a Levite, specifically a descendant of Shimei and a grandson of Gershon, who was one of the three sons of Levi (1 Chronicles 23:10-11). His lineage placed him within the priestly tribe responsible for the service of the tabernacle and temple.

What is the significance of Jahath's lineage?

As a Levite from the line of Gershon, Jahath was part of the family assigned specific duties for the tabernacle, such as caring for its coverings, curtains, and hangings (Numbers 3:25-26). This highlights the organized division of sacred responsibilities among the Levitical clans.

Are there any key events in Jahath's life recorded in the Bible?

The Bible does not record specific events from Jahath's life. His significance comes solely from his genealogical listing, which establishes the continuity and structure of the Levitical priesthood during the time of King David's temple preparations (1 Chronicles 23).

Jahath

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeviteSon

Jahath was a Levite, a descendant of Shimei, and a grandson of Gershon (1Ch.23.10-11).

Jahath

Biography

Jahath was a Levite descended from the clan of Gershon through his grandfather Gershon's son Shimei (1 Chronicles 23:10-11). He appears in David's organization of the Levitical families in preparation for the future temple service. In the listing of Shimei's sons, Jahath is identified as the chief among his brothers, suggesting he held a position of leadership within the Gershonite Levitical subdivision. The Chronicles passage notes that Jahath and his brother Zina (or Zizah) were counted separately from their brothers Jeush and Beriah, who together were reckoned as one household because of their relatively small numbers. Jahath's listing in the Davidic Levitical registers places him squarely within the carefully preserved genealogical framework of Israel's sacred personnel.

Significance

Jahath's inclusion in the Gershonite Levitical genealogy of 1 Chronicles 23 reflects the Chronicler's systematic concern for demonstrating that Israel's worship infrastructure was firmly rooted in legitimate, traceable lineages going back to Levi himself. The Levites were the appointed servants of the sanctuary, musicians, gatekeepers, treasurers, and assistants to the priests, and the integrity of their service depended on proper genealogical standing. Jahath as chief of his family group represents the kind of Levitical leadership that sustained Israel's worship life across generations. His example reminds readers that faithful service to God's house, even in supporting roles, is honored in the divine record and essential to the community's spiritual health.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherLibni

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 23:10 1Chr 23:11

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources