Exodus 6:15

Genealogies of Moses and Aaron · Exodus 6:14–30
Read Exodus 6

Translations

Modern
The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon.
Traditional
And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.
Literal
And the sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul son of the Canaanitess. These are the clans of Simeon.
Latin
…hæ cognationes Ruben. Filii Simeon: Jamuel, et Jamin, et Ahod, et Jachin, et Soar, et Saul filius Chananitidis: hæ progenies Simeon.

Original

Hebrew
English
The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon.

Notes

The list of ancestors moves step by step through Jacob’s sons. It begins with the first son, then the second, and then the third, Levi. Levi was the ancestor of Moses and Aaron.

After reaching Levi, the list of ancestors does not continue with the other nine sons. Instead, it focuses on Levi’s family line. This focus prepares the reader to understand the role of Moses and Aaron in God’s plan.

This section referring to family lineage places Moses and Aaron within the families of Israel. It is obviously background information because 6:30 repeats 6:12. Exodus often emphasizes the Lord as the God of the ancestors, both directly (from 3:6 onward) and indirectly (from 1:1 onward). The upcoming events were not actions by a new god dismissing older gods (a common theme in ancient pagan stories).

Unlike pagan gods, who only want personal power and often fight among themselves, the true God has one main goal. God wants his creation to find fulfillment in a proper relationship with him. Although God shows this purpose through creative acts, these actions always align with what he has already revealed about himself.

Moses and Aaron did not suddenly appear out of the unknown, but were an essential part of that same people to whom God first revealed himself and through whom he was about to give an even grander revelation. The family lineage of Jesus has a similar purpose (Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh God’s Instructions

Events

People

Canaanite woman: Shaul's mother, a Canaanite woman Jachin: Son of Simeon; founder of the Jachinites clan Jamin: Son of Simeon, grandson of Jacob Jemuel: Son of Simeon, also known as Nemuel Ohad: Son of Simeon Shaul: Son of Simeon, grandson of Jacob Simeon: Son of Jacob and Leah, one of the twelve tribes Zerah: Son of Simeon; ancestor of the Zerahites

Glossary

Aaron Baptism of Jesus Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Jachin Jamin Jemuel Ohad Shaul Simeon (Person) Simeon, Tribe of Zerah Zohar

Topics

Genealogy of Jacob Jachin: Son of Simeon Jamin: Son of Simeon Jemuel: Son of Simeon Ohad: Son of Simeon Shaul: Son of Simeon Simeon: Son of Jacob: His Sons Zohar: Son of Simeon