Exodus 6:13-30

An insertion by the editor, who in Exodus 6:13 anticipates the mention of Aaron (Exodus 7:1 f.), and in Exodus 6:14 compresses a wider genealogy to give the pedigree of Moses and Aaron, and in Exodus 6:28 recapitulates Exodus 6:1. From Genesis 5 onwards genealogies, original and inserted, abound in P, reflecting the post-exilic interest in pedigrees (Ch., Ezr., Neh.). A Canaanite strain is indicated for Simeon (Exodus 6:15), as well as for Judah (Genesis 38), by the mention of Shaul's Canaanite mother. The post-exilic tradition found sanction for the current distribution of duties about the Temple among certain hereditary guilds in tracing back their descent to Levi (Exodus 6:16), and their appointment to Moses (Numbers 3:11 to Numbers 4:49 *), their duties being revised by David (1 Chronicles 23:6 *). For the writer's purpose Kohath's descendants are important. To his first son, Amram, Aaron and Moses (Numbers 26:59; Numbers 26:1 MS, Sam., LXX, Syr. here add and Miriam their sister) were born (Exodus 6:20), Jochebed his wife (Exodus 6:22 *) being his aunt. As Leviticus 18:12 forbids such a marriage, we may infer that an old tradition is here preserved.