TRV
“Distribution of Levitical Cities”· 1 Chronicles 6:54–81
Translation
King James Version
And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
Complete Jewish Bible
and out of the tribe of Binyamin: Geva with its surrounding open land, 'Alemet with its surrounding open land and 'Anatot with its surrounding open land. All the cities for all their clans amounted to thirteen cities.
Berean Standard Bible
And from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth, together with their pasturelands. So they had thirteen cities in all among their families.
American Standard Version
and out of the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its suburbs, and Allemeth with its suburbs, and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
World English Bible Messianic
and out of the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its suburbs, and Allemeth with its suburbs, and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And of the tribe of Beniamin, Geba and her suburbes, and Alemeth with her suburbes, and Anathoth with her suburbes: all their cities were thirteene cities by their families.
Young's Literal Translation
And from the tribe of Benjamin, Geba and its suburbs, and Allemeth and its suburbs, and Anathoth and its suburbs. All their cities are thirteen cities, for their families.
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Chronicles 6:54–81.
Passage under comment1 Chronicles 6:54–81
54¶ Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
55And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
58And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
60And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
61And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
62And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
63Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
66And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
69And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:
70And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
71Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
72And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,
79Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.
We have here an account of the Levites' cities. They are here called their castles (Ch1 6:54), not only because walled and fortified, and well guarded by the country (for it is the interest of every nation to protect its ministers), but because they and their possessions were, in a particular manner, the care of the divine providence: as God was their portion, so God was their protection; and a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This account is much the same with that which we had, Jos. 21. We need not be critical in comparing them (what good will it do us?) nor will it do any hurt to the credit of the holy scripture if the names of some of the places be not spelt just the same here as they were there. We know it is common for cities to have several names. Sarum and Salisbury, Salop and Shrewsbury, are more unlike than Hilen (Ch1 6:58) and Holon (Jos 21:15), Ashan (Ch1 6:59) and Ain (Jos 21:16), Alemeth (Ch1 6:60) and Almon (Jos 21:18); and time changes names. We are only to observe that in this appointment of cities for the Levites God took care, 1. For the accomplishment of dying Jacob's prediction concerning this tribe, that it should be scattered in Israel, Gen 49:7. 2. For the diffusing of the knowledge of himself and his law to all parts of the land of Israel. Every tribe had Levites' cities in it; and so every room was furnished with a candle, so that none could be ignorant of his duty but it was either his own fault or the Levites'. 3. For a comfortable maintenance for those that ministered in holy things. Besides their tithes and offerings, they had glebe-lands and cities of their own to dwell in. Some of the most considerable cities of Israel fell to the Levites' lot. Every tribe had benefit by the Levites, and therefore every tribe must contribute to their support. Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth, and do it cheerfully.
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Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
The Chronicles also speak about the tabernacle because a temple of the Lord had not yet been built by either Samuel or David. The text also adds that that the holy services were held in the tabernacle. Worship was observed at that time according to the number of the days of the week. For it also says, “and their kindred who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with them.” With regard to the holy utensils it says, “Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the choice flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the spices.” And about the priests it says, “Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices.” With regard to the tomb of Saul the Chronicles gives us much information, and in the Book of Kings itself we read that his bones were gathered and buried in the land of Jabesh.
There is abundant information in the books of Chronicles which were written to continue the books of the Kings and to preserve the memory of such important events. The first book begins with a genealogy that sets out to demonstrate how the human race came from a single man. Since it focuses only on the single kingdom of Judah, it can tell us about its cities and the villages, and from where they took their names. Here we come to know Nathan, from whom the blessed Luke constructed the beginning of his genealogy of our Lord and Savior, Son of David and Solomon’s brother4 on his mother’s side: “The following children were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimeah, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, that is, the four children he fathered with Bersabea, daughter of Ammiel.” And Rechab6 herself, who is mentioned in many books of Scripture, is said to have come from the tribe of Judah.It also clearly explains why Reuben lost his birthright and Joseph gained it and also, finally, the reason why the tribe of Judah obtained the highest honor: “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright; though Judah became prominent among his brothers and a ruler came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph.” It also explains the reason why such a great honor was conceded to Joseph. By the will of God Judah had the dignity of receiving the Lord who was born from him according to the flesh. This is the sense tacitly expressed with the words “a leader from him.” Indeed the passage seems to assert that not only the kings of the earth derived from Judah, but also the eternal king himself who had no beginning and will never end.
It also describes the situation of the tribes beyond the Jordan, those of Reuben and Gad, and even the tribes of Manasseh which later were received into those of the Hagarites and the Itureans, and talks about the tribes of the Naphiseans, and all those peoples who entered into conflict with them. In addition the text relates how they fought and won, and made the Hagarites flee. And it also reports the reason for the victory: “When they received help against them, the Hagarites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried to God in the battle, and he granted their entreaty because they trusted in him.” It also describes the amount of the spoils of war: “They captured their livestock: 50, of their camels, 250, sheep, 2, donkeys and 100, captives. Many were slain because the war was from God. And they lived in their territory until the exile.”
The genealogy of the priests and the Levites comes after this. It relates that Zadok, who was high priest at the time of David, had been the eleventh from Aaron; that Azariah, nephew of Zadok, had been the first to receive the priestly anointing in the temple built by Solomon. Among them there was also Jehozadak, who was brought to Babylon as a war prisoner. Jesus9 was his son, a high priest as well, who delivered the people from bondage together with Zerubbabel, and built a temple for the Lord. Here we also learn that Korah, who revolted against the great Moses, was a nephew of Isaar, son of Caath and brother of Amram, Aaron’s and Moses’ father. According to this lineage he was related to the first legislator. But he himself paid in the desert for his errors, although his children did not share the punishment of their father. From here Samuel13 came and then Aeman, who intoned Psalms and was a nephew of the prophet Samuel. In fact he was the son of Joel, son of Samuel. On the other hand, Asaph, one of the singers, came from the lineage of Gerson, son of Levi and brother of Caath. Aetham, who also belonged to the group of the singers, had Merari, the third son of Levi, as great-grandfather.The text also explains the difference between the priests and the Levites. It relates that the Levites were initiated into all the ministries of the holy altar of God: “But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, doing all the work of the most holy place, to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.” It seems to me, in fact, that this book was written after the return from Babylon. For this reason it also talks about the bondage and explains its cause: “So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and these are written in the book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to live again in their possessions in their towns were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.” These accounts show that the book was begun after the captivity. Indeed no historian ever relates facts that happened afterwards, but what happened before or during his times. And actually only the prophets have the power to foretell the future. In addition it says that also those who had inhabited that land before them had been enslaved. And actually many of them still live with them: the Canaanites, Chettites, Jebusites, who had been their companions in such a misfortune. Also the priests and the Levites were brought into captivity with the Israelites. I believe that those who were called “the saints’ servants” were then called Nathinim. Many of them, in fact, consecrated themselves to the ministries of the priests and the Levites. There were among them also those who were entrusted with the carrying of the water, the gathering of wood and other necessary duties. Indeed, if it was imposed to the Gabaonites, who were foreigners, to follow Joshua in the praises and to perform some works as porters or carpenters, this task was even more the duty of the Israelites. As a proof of this I have found in the interpretation of Hebrew names that this name means “house of Iaō,” that is, “of the God who is.” The text, in fact, mentions the children of Israel and among them Judah and Benjamin, and Ephraim18 and Manasseh. It also mentions the priests and the Levites, who inhabited those cities. About the Korēnites it says that they derived from Korah. It also says that among them there had been the guardians of the temple of God as well, and it seems that this custom had been introduced by Samuel and David. “All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were two hundred twelve. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and the prophet Samuel established them in their office of trust. So they and their descendants were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
1 Chronicles 6:60 meticulously records the specific cities—Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth—along with their designated common lands, that were allotted to the priestly families (descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan) within the tribal territory of Benjamin. This verse concludes a detailed enumeration of thirteen cities assigned to these Levites throughout their families, underscoring God's precise and faithful provision for those consecrated to His service, ensuring their sustenance and dwelling places as they ministered to the nation of Israel.
Context
Literary Context
Chapter 6 of 1 Chronicles is primarily a comprehensive genealogical record of the tribe of Levi, emphasizing the lineage of the priests descended from Aaron. Following a lengthy tracing of the priestly line, the chapter transitions from verse 54 to an exhaustive, geographically organized list of cities assigned to the Levites across all the tribes of Israel. This meticulous enumeration fulfills the divine command given through Moses, as detailed in Numbers 35:7, and executed by Joshua, as recorded in Joshua 21:2. Verse 60 specifically concludes the list of cities designated for the priestly families within the territory of Benjamin, providing a precise count of three named cities and a total of thirteen for the entire tribal allocation. This detailed catalog serves to affirm the historical fulfillment of God's promises and the orderly establishment of the Levitical system within the land.
Historical & Cultural Context
The allocation of cities to the Levites was a unique provision in ancient Israelite society. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance of agricultural land, as the Lord Himself was their inheritance, a principle clearly stated in Numbers 18:20. Instead, they were distributed among all the tribes in forty-eight designated cities, ensuring their presence throughout the nation for spiritual instruction, judicial functions, and temple service. The "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrashim) mentioned in the verse refer to the common pasture lands surrounding these walled cities, crucial for the Levites to sustain their livestock, which were their primary source of livelihood. The tribe of Benjamin, located strategically between Judah and Ephraim, held significant historical and political importance, being the tribe from which Israel's first king, Saul, emerged, and later playing a key role in the southern kingdom of Judah. The inclusion of these cities within Benjamin's territory highlights the widespread distribution of the priestly presence.
Key Themes
This verse, embedded within the larger Levitical city list, contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates Divine Provision and Order. The meticulous and systematic allocation of cities demonstrates God's faithful and detailed care for His consecrated servants, ensuring their physical sustenance and strategic placement for ministry. This underscores the principle that God provides for those dedicated to His service, and that His kingdom operates with divine precision. Secondly, it emphasizes Historical Accuracy and Reliability. The precise enumeration of cities, their names, and the total count serves as a testament to the meticulous record-keeping of ancient Israel and the historical veracity of the biblical narrative, affirming the fulfillment of God's commands regarding the land and its distribution. Thirdly, it highlights The Integral Role of the Priesthood. These cities were designated for the spiritual leaders and teachers of Israel, underscoring their vital function in the nation's spiritual and judicial life, and the importance of supporting those who ministered before God. The mention of Anathoth, for instance, later became known as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah, further connecting these seemingly mundane lists to significant figures in Israel's spiritual history.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term, derived from a root meaning "to extend" or "to stretch out," figuratively refers to a branch or a rod, and by extension, a tribe. In this context, it signifies one of the twelve administrative and familial divisions of Israel, emphasizing the structured and organized nature of the nation's inheritance and the distribution of its people. The mention of "the tribe of Benjamin" precisely locates these cities within a specific, recognized societal unit.
This term is critical, as it signifies more than just the outskirts of a city. Migrâsh specifically refers to the common pasture lands surrounding the walled cities, extending 1,000 cubits (approximately 1,500 feet) from the city wall in every direction (Numbers 35:4-5). This provision was essential for the Levites, who did not receive an inheritance of agricultural land like the other tribes. It ensured they had sufficient space for their livestock, which were a primary source of sustenance and income, highlighting a complete and thoughtful divine provision for their needs and livelihoods.
This word emphasizes the tribal and clan structure of Israelite society. A mishpâchâh is a circle of relatives, a family unit, which by extension could also refer to a clan, tribe, or people group. The cities were allocated not just to individual priests but to their entire families and households, indicating a communal provision for the Levitical clans. It underscores the corporate nature of God's covenant and His care for the entire lineage dedicated to His service, ensuring the continuity of their sacred duties through generations.
Verse Breakdown
"And out of the tribe of Benjamin"
This phrase specifies the tribal territory from which the cities for the priestly Levites were drawn. Benjamin was a relatively small but historically significant tribe, located strategically in the central hill country, bordering Judah. Its inclusion here demonstrates the widespread distribution of the Levitical cities among all the tribes, ensuring that priestly presence and instruction were accessible throughout Israel.
"Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs"
This is a precise enumeration of three specific cities within Benjamin's territory that were designated for the priests. The repeated phrase "with her suburbs" emphasizes the inclusion of the vital pasture lands (migrashim) alongside the walled cities, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the divine provision for the Levites' sustenance. Geba was a significant border town, Alemeth (or Almon) is less prominent, and Anathoth is famously known as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah.
"All their cities throughout their families [were] thirteen cities"
This concluding statement provides a summary count. While only three cities are explicitly named in this verse, the total of thirteen cities for the priestly families from Benjamin indicates that other unnamed cities or perhaps smaller settlements within Benjamin's territory were also allocated to them, or that this total encompasses the full allotment for the Kohathite priests within Benjamin as part of the larger Levitical distribution. This numerical precision highlights the meticulous record-keeping and the fulfillment of the divine command for the Levitical inheritance.
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 6:60, and indeed throughout the latter part of Chapter 6, is Enumeration. The text systematically lists the cities assigned to the Levites, demonstrating a meticulous and comprehensive accounting. This serves to establish the historical veracity and the fulfillment of divine commands regarding the land's distribution and the establishment of the Levitical system. Closely related is Repetition, particularly the phrase "with her suburbs," which is repeated for each city. This repetition emphasizes the crucial nature of the migrashim (pasture lands) for the Levites' livelihood, highlighting God's complete and thoughtful provision beyond just dwelling places. Finally, the entire passage functions as a Historical Record, providing a detailed and precise account of the tribal and Levitical allocations, serving to affirm God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the orderly structure He established for His people.
Theological and Thematic Connections
1 Chronicles 6:60, while seemingly a dry list of names, is rich with theological significance. It speaks volumes about God's character as a God of order, precision, and faithful provision. The meticulous allocation of cities and their accompanying pasture lands to the Levites underscores the divine commitment to caring for those consecrated to His service. It demonstrates that God's plans are not abstract but are worked out in concrete, practical details, ensuring that His ministers are sustained and strategically placed to carry out their duties of teaching, judging, and officiating. This divine order reflects God's wisdom in establishing a functional and spiritually vibrant community. The very existence of these lists in Chronicles, compiled centuries later, serves as a reminder to the post-exilic community of God's enduring faithfulness to His ancient promises and the historical continuity of His covenant with Israel, even in times of rebuilding and restoration.
Reflection and Application
In an age that often values spontaneity and improvisation, the meticulous detail of 1 Chronicles 6:60 serves as a profound reminder of God's character as a God of order, precision, and intentionality. This seemingly mundane list of cities and their "suburbs" reveals a divine commitment to providing for His servants in every practical detail, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for ministry. It challenges us to recognize that God's grand redemptive plan is executed not just in dramatic miracles but also in the careful, often unseen, arrangements of daily life. For us today, this verse encourages a deeper trust in God's provision, not just for our spiritual needs but also for our practical ones, particularly for those who dedicate their lives to ministry. It also highlights the importance of supporting those who serve in spiritual capacities, recognizing that their well-being is part of God's design for the flourishing of His people. Ultimately, it invites us to appreciate the beauty of divine order and the historical grounding of our faith, knowing that God's promises are fulfilled with unwavering accuracy.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of cities and genealogies, like in 1 Chronicles 6:60?
The inclusion of detailed lists of cities and genealogies, such as in 1 Chronicles 6:60, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it establishes historical veracity and reliability. These records demonstrate the meticulous nature of ancient Israelite record-keeping and affirm the concrete, historical reality of God's covenant with His people and the fulfillment of His promises, particularly regarding the land inheritance and the establishment of the Levitical system (Joshua 21). Secondly, it underscores divine order and faithfulness. The precise allocation of cities to the Levites, who had no tribal land inheritance, highlights God's systematic provision for those consecrated to His service (Numbers 35). It shows that God's plans are not abstract but are meticulously worked out in practical details. Thirdly, for the post-exilic audience of Chronicles, these lists served as a vital link to their heritage, affirming their identity and the continuity of God's covenant despite the exile. They provided a blueprint for re-establishing the priestly and Levitical service in the restored community, reminding them of God's enduring commitment to His people and His established order.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While 1 Chronicles 6:60 details a specific, historical provision for the Old Testament priesthood, it deeply foreshadows the ultimate provision and order found in Jesus Christ. The meticulous care God showed in allocating cities and pasture lands to the Levites—who mediated between God and Israel—points to Christ as our ultimate and perfect provision. Just as the Levites were given no earthly inheritance but had the Lord as their portion, so believers in Christ find their true inheritance not in material possessions but in Him (Ephesians 1:11). Jesus is the great High Priest, not of the Aaronic order, but after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17), who perfectly fulfills all priestly functions. The "suburbs" provided for the Levites' sustenance find their ultimate reality in Christ, who is our spiritual food and drink, sustaining us in every way (John 6:35). Furthermore, the distribution of priests throughout Israel to teach and serve foreshadows the New Covenant reality where, through Christ, all believers are made a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called them out of darkness. The divine order and provision evident in these ancient city lists culminate in Christ, who establishes a new, spiritual temple (Ephesians 2:20-22) and perfectly provides for His people, enabling them to dwell securely in Him and and serve Him faithfully.