1 Chronicles 5:16

KJV

And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they dwelt {H3427} in Gilead {H1568} in Bashan {H1316}, and in her towns {H1323}, and in all the suburbs {H4054} of Sharon {H8289}, upon their borders {H8444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They lived in Gil'ad, in Bashan, in its towns and in all the pasture lands of the plain as far as their borders.

Berean Standard Bible

They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its towns, and throughout the pasturelands of Sharon.

American Standard Version

And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in its towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, as far as their borders.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 5:16 provides a succinct geographical description of the Gadite tribe's settlement east of the Jordan River, specifically detailing their dwelling in the regions of Gilead and Bashan, encompassing their towns and extending to the pasturelands of Sharon, which defined their territorial boundaries. This verse, embedded within the Chronicler's meticulous genealogies, underscores the historical reality of the tribe's inheritance and God's faithfulness in establishing His people in their promised land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 5 is dedicated to the genealogies of the Transjordanian tribes: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Following the detailed lineage of Gad (1 Chronicles 5:11-15), which includes their military strength and the names of their family heads, verse 16 shifts to describe their geographical domain. This transition from lineage to territory is characteristic of the Chronicler's method, linking identity and divine blessing to the physical land. The precise demarcation of their dwelling places serves to affirm their legitimate claim to the land east of the Jordan, a crucial point for the post-exilic community who needed to re-establish their identity and heritage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The tribe of Gad, along with Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh, chose to settle east of the Jordan River during the time of Moses, before the main conquest of Canaan (Numbers 32). This verse confirms their historical occupation of these territories. Gilead was a mountainous region known for its balm and pasturelands, while Bashan, to the north, was a fertile plateau famous for its rich grazing lands and strong cattle. The mention of "suburbs of Sharon" refers to common pasturelands surrounding towns, which were vital for the pastoral economy of these tribes. This "Sharon" is distinct from the well-known coastal plain in western Israel, referring instead to an eastern plain or pastureland within or bordering Gad's territory. The meticulous recording of these boundaries reflects the ancient Near Eastern importance of land ownership, tribal identity, and the fulfillment of divine promises regarding inheritance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles. It highlights the **Divine Preservation of Lineage and Land**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in upholding His covenant promises to Israel, even for tribes settled beyond the primary land of Canaan. The detailed geographical markers emphasize the **Importance of Tribal Identity and Inheritance**, showing how each tribe had a specific, divinely appointed place within the nation. The Chronicler's attention to these details also underscores the **Order and Structure** God established for His people, where land ownership was intrinsically linked to tribal and family identity, reinforcing the foundational narrative of God's people dwelling securely in the land He provided, as seen in passages detailing the land division in [Joshua 13](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - Division of the Land East of Jordan") and [Numbers 32](/numbers/32 "Numbers 32 - The Transjordanian Tribes Settle").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gilead (Hebrew, _Gil‘āḏ_):** A significant mountainous region east of the Jordan River, stretching from the Yarmuk River in the north to the Arnon River in the south. It was known for its fertile valleys, forests, and especially for its "balm of Gilead" (Jeremiah 8:22). It was a key territory for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
* **Bashan (Hebrew, _Bāšān_):** A highly fertile and productive plateau region north of Gilead, famous for its rich pastures, strong cattle, and oak trees (Deuteronomy 32:14; Ezekiel 27:6). Its inclusion here further defines the northern extent of Gad's influence or territory.
* **Sharon (Hebrew, _Šārôn_):** While the most famous Sharon is the coastal plain in western Israel, the context here clearly indicates an eastern Sharon. This likely refers to a specific fertile plain or extensive pastureland located within or bordering the territory of Gad, east of the Jordan. The term "suburbs" (מִגְרָשׁ, _migrāš_) typically refers to the common pasturelands surrounding a town, indicating the agricultural and pastoral nature of the Gadite settlement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan":** This clause establishes the primary geographical areas where the tribe of Gad resided. It signifies their historical and continuous occupation of these well-known and agriculturally rich regions east of the Jordan River.
* **"and in her towns":** This refers to the various cities and villages located within the broader regions of Gilead and Bashan that belonged to the Gadites. It indicates not just nomadic grazing but settled life within established communities.
* **"and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders":** This phrase further defines the extent and specific nature of their territory. "Suburbs" (מִגְרָשׁ) emphasizes the importance of pasturelands for their livestock. The mention of "Sharon" here, distinct from the western plain, highlights a specific eastern plain or pasture area that formed part of their boundary, marking the full extent of their inherited land.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Topography** and **Geographical Listing** to precisely delineate the tribal boundaries and dwelling places of the Gadites. This meticulous naming of places serves to underscore the historical reality and the divine allocation of land to the tribes of Israel. The Chronicler's use of such specific details, even in a genealogical context, lends a sense of **Verisimilitude** and historical grounding to the narrative, reinforcing the legitimacy of Israel's claim to the land and the fulfillment of God's promises. The very act of listing these places within a genealogy highlights the deep connection between identity, lineage, and physical inheritance in ancient Israelite thought.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple geographical verse carries significant theological weight. It speaks to God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, particularly the promise of land to Abraham and his descendants. The precise detailing of tribal territories, even for a tribe like Gad situated east of the Jordan, underscores that God's plan for Israel's inheritance was not vague but specific and divinely ordained. It demonstrates God's care for every detail of His people's lives, from their lineage to their physical dwelling places, affirming their identity and security within His sovereign design. This attention to land and borders reflects a divine order and provision, ensuring that each part of the covenant nation had its rightful place and inheritance.

* [Numbers 32:33](/numbers/32-33 "Numbers 32:33 - Moses Allots Land East of Jordan")
* [Deuteronomy 3:12-17](/deuteronomy/3-12 "Deuteronomy 3:12-17 - Allotment of Transjordanian Territory")
* [Joshua 13:24-28](/joshua/13-24 "Joshua 13:24-28 - Inheritance of Gad")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 1 Chronicles 5:16 describes ancient geographical boundaries, it offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of detail, who cares about the specific "borders" and spheres of influence He has appointed for each of us. Just as the Gadites had a distinct inheritance and place, we too are called to steward the unique gifts, relationships, and responsibilities God has entrusted to us. This verse encourages us to recognize our own "territory"—whether it be our families, workplaces, communities, or personal callings—as divinely appointed spaces where we are to live out our faith. It challenges us to embrace our identity within God's larger story, understanding that even seemingly small or mundane aspects of our lives are part of His grand design, contributing to His kingdom purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's attention to detail in ancient genealogies and land descriptions encourage you in your own life today?**
* **What are the "borders" or spheres of influence that God has specifically appointed for you?**
* **How can you better steward the "land" (resources, relationships, opportunities) that God has given you?**
* **In what ways does understanding your spiritual heritage provide a sense of belonging and purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific geographical details important in a genealogical record?**

Answer: These geographical details are crucial for several reasons. First, they confirm the historical reality of the tribes' inheritance and settlement, demonstrating God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to give land to His people. Second, for the post-exilic community for whom Chronicles was written, these details served to re-establish and affirm their legitimate claim to their ancestral lands. Third, they provide a concrete sense of identity and belonging, linking each tribal lineage to a specific, divinely allotted territory, reinforcing the idea that every part of Israel had its place within God's ordered plan, as seen in the detailed land divisions in [Joshua](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - Division of the Land").

**Is the "Sharon" mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:16 the same as the well-known coastal plain of Sharon in western Israel?**

Answer: No, the "Sharon" referenced in 1 Chronicles 5:16 is distinct from the famous coastal plain of Sharon, which lies along the Mediterranean Sea. Scholarly consensus indicates that this verse refers to an eastern Sharon, likely a fertile plain or extensive pastureland located within or bordering the territory of Gad, east of the Jordan River. The context of the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) settling east of the Jordan confirms this geographical distinction, highlighting the Gadites' specific territorial boundaries in the regions of Gilead and Bashan, extending to this eastern Sharon.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 5:16 details the physical land inheritance of the tribe of Gad, it ultimately points beyond earthly territories to the spiritual inheritance and dwelling place found in Christ. The meticulous recording of their "borders" foreshadows the boundless spiritual "territory" and eternal security that believers possess in the Kingdom of God through Jesus. Just as the Gadites found their identity and security in their allotted land, so too do believers find their true identity, belonging, and rest in Christ, our ultimate inheritance. He is the true "land" of promise, where we are fully established and secure. The physical boundaries of Gilead, Bashan, and Sharon, though historically significant, give way to the spiritual reality that in Christ, we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, with an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4). Our true dwelling is no longer defined by earthly geography but by our union with Christ, in whom "we have obtained an inheritance" (Ephesians 1:11), and are made fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household (Ephesians 2:19). He is our ultimate rest, fulfilling the longing for a secure and promised land (Hebrews 4:9-11).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 27:29

And over the herds that fed in Sharon [was] Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds [that were] in the valleys [was] Shaphat the son of Adlai:

Song Of Solomon 2:1

¶ I [am] the rose of Sharon, [and] the lily of the valleys.

Isaiah 35:2

It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.