Exodus 6:14-25

EXODUS—NOTE ON Exodus 6:14 The genealogy begins as if the sons or heads of the household of Jacob’s sons will be listed in birth order (v. Exodus 6:14). First it names the sons of Reuben (v. Exodus 6:14) and then Simeon (v. Exodus 6:15). Then it stops to focus on the sons of Levi (v. Exodus 6:16) and in particular on Aaron, Moses (v. Exodus 6:20), and Aaron’s sons (vv. Exodus 6:23, Exodus 6:25). The genealogy functions primarily to preserve (1) the family history of Moses and Aaron as the ones through whom the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, and (2) the history of Aaron’s sons as those who were called to be priests in Israel (see Exodus 28:1). Other figures in the genealogy are likely included because of their roles in events narrated in the book of Numbers 1:1: the sons of Korah (Exodus 6:24; Numbers 16:1); and Aaron’s grandson Phinehas (Exodus 6:25; Numbers 25:1). Like many biblical genealogies, this one does not include every single generation.