Zimmah
Zimmah, a Levite and descendant of Gershon, was the son of Shimei (1Ch.6.20,42).
Biography
This Zimmah was a Levite of the Gershonite clan, identified as the son of Shimei in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 6:20 and 42. The Gershonites were one of the three great divisions of the Levitical tribe, responsible in the wilderness period for transporting the tabernacle's curtains, coverings, and screens. The genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles 6 trace the lines of levitical families with particular care, establishing the credentials of those who served in the temple precincts. Zimmah appears twice in these lists, in verses 20 and 42, as the text traces his lineage from different angles, situating him firmly within the Gershonite tradition of worship service that stretched back to Levi himself.
Significance
Zimmah's double appearance in the Gershonite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 6 reflects the Chronicler's meticulous concern to establish the legitimate heritage of Israel's worship ministers. In a context where the authenticity of priestly and Levitical lineage carried enormous practical and theological weight, particularly after the disruptions of exile, the preservation of these records was an act of covenant faithfulness. Zimmah's place in the genealogy testifies to a lineage of service that connected the post-exilic community back to the formative period of Israel's wilderness journey, grounding present worship in the unbroken continuity of God's purposes for his people.
Verse Appearances (2)
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]