1 Chronicles 23:22
And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.
1 Chronicles 23:22 · King James Version
Meaning
According to the verse, Eleazar, a man mentioned in the Bible, passed away without leaving behind any sons to carry on his lineage. Instead, Eleazar had daughters who inherited his legacy. In this cultural context, having daughters but no sons to inherit his estate and continue his family line could have been seen as a challenge or disappointment. However, in a surprising turn of events, Eleazar's daughters were taken in by their relatives, specifically their cousins, the sons of Kish. This act of kindness and acceptance by their extended family ensured that Eleazar's daughters were cared for and supported, despite the absence of male heirs. This story highlights the importance of family ties and the ways in which communities work together to provide for and uplift one another, even in times of loss or adversity.
Theological Overview
In this verse, we see Eleazar, one of the sons of Aaron the high priest, passing away without leaving any sons but only daughters. This was significant because inheritance in ancient Israel was often passed down through male descendants. However, in this instance, Eleazar's daughters were the only ones available to carry on his lineage. It was not uncommon for such situations to arise, and the Law of Moses allowed for provisions to be made in such cases. In this specific instance, Eleazar's daughters were married to their cousins, the sons of Kish, in order to ensure that the family line and inheritance would continue. This act highlights how the Israelites followed the laws and customs established by God to ensure the continuation of the priesthood and inheritance within the community. It also demonstrates the importance of family and lineage in the culture of ancient Israel.
1 Chronicles 23:22 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them [to wife] .
World English Bible
Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brothers the sons of Kish took them as wives.
Douay-Rheims
And Eleazar died, and had no sons but daughters: and the sons of Cis their brethren took them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Eleazar dyed, and had no sonnes, but daughters, and their brethren the sonnes of Kish tooke them.