TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
Complete Jewish Bible
Some of the clans of the descendants of K'hat were given cities in territory from the tribe of Efrayim.
Berean Standard Bible
And some of the clans of the Kohathites were given cities from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory:
American Standard Version
And some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim.
World English Bible Messianic
Some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they of the families of the sonnes of Kohath, had cities and their coastes out of the tribe of Ephraim.
Young's Literal Translation
and some of the families of the sons of Kohath have cities of their border from the tribe of Ephraim;
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 6 verses 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.
55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57 And 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,
58 And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59 And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
60 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.
61 And 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.
62 And 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.
63 Unto 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.
64 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65 And 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.
66 And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
69 And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:
70 And 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.
71 Unto 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:
72 And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73 And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74 And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75 And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76 And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78 And 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,
79 Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80 And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81 And 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.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 54–81. Public domain.
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Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON FIRST CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
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.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
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.”
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
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
First Chronicles 6:66 meticulously records a specific aspect of the Levitical city distribution, detailing that the remaining families of the Kohathite clan, distinct from the priestly lineage, were allotted their designated cities within the tribal territory of Ephraim. This seemingly administrative entry profoundly illustrates God's faithful and meticulous provision for His consecrated servants, ensuring the Levites, who received no territorial inheritance of their own, were strategically dispersed throughout Israel to fulfill their vital spiritual, judicial, and educational duties, thereby upholding the nation's covenant fidelity and spiritual vitality.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: First Chronicles Chapter 6 is a comprehensive genealogical record of the Levites, tracing their lineage from Levi through his three sons—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—and emphasizing their indispensable role in Israel's worship and service to God. The chapter systematically outlines the priestly line descending from Aaron within the Kohathite division, as seen in passages like 1 Chronicles 6:4-15, before transitioning in verses 54-81 to detail the specific cities allotted to the various Levitical families across the tribes of Israel. This section fulfills the divine command given in the Pentateuch, particularly in Numbers 35:2 and elaborated upon in Joshua 21, which mandated that cities with their pasturelands be provided for the Levites. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance of their own because "the priesthood of the LORD" was their inheritance, a principle affirmed in Deuteronomy 18:1. Verse 66 specifically focuses on "the residue" of the families of the sons of Kohath, distinguishing them from the direct descendants of Aaron (the priests) who had already received their cities, including cities of refuge, as noted in 1 Chronicles 6:57-60. This verse, therefore, continues the detailed accounting of God's faithful and comprehensive provision for all segments of His chosen servants.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, land inheritance was foundational to tribal identity, economic stability, and the fulfillment of covenant blessings. The unique status of the Levites, consecrated for service to the Lord and thus without a tribal land inheritance, necessitated a distinct system of provision. Their distribution among all the tribes in designated cities was not arbitrary but served a crucial strategic purpose. Culturally, this arrangement ensured that spiritual leadership, the teaching of the Law, and judicial functions were accessible throughout the nation, preventing any single tribe from monopolizing religious authority and fostering national unity under God's covenant. The tribe of Ephraim, from whose territory these particular Kohathites received their cities, was one of the most prominent and powerful tribes in the northern kingdom, often representing the entire northern confederation in prophetic literature, as exemplified in Isaiah 7:2. Its central location and significant influence made it a strategic area for Levitical presence, allowing these non-priestly Kohathites, who were responsible for the care and transport of the Tabernacle's sacred articles, as detailed in Numbers 3:31, to effectively perform their duties and minister to the people across a significant portion of the land.
Key Themes: The meticulous listing in 1 Chronicles 6 and specifically in verse 66 contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates Divine Order and Provision. God's precise and faithful provision for His chosen servants is evident in the detailed allocation of cities, ensuring they had places to live while performing their duties throughout the land. This underscores the divine plan for Israel's spiritual well-being and the Lord's attention to every detail of His covenant people's lives. Secondly, the distribution of these Levitical cities represents a direct Fulfillment of Covenant, specifically the Lord's instructions given through Moses in Numbers 35. This emphasizes the enduring nature of God's promises and His unwavering faithfulness in their execution, demonstrating that He keeps His word. Finally, the strategic location of these cities facilitated Levitical Service and accessibility. By being distributed among all tribes, the Levites could effectively serve as teachers of the Law, judges, musicians, and guardians of the sanctuary, thus maintaining the spiritual health and covenant fidelity of the entire nation, as mandated by the Law, for example in Deuteronomy 33:10.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse, though embedded within a genealogical and administrative list, subtly employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning. Primarily, it functions as Cataloging, meticulously listing the distribution of cities to ensure a complete and accurate record of God's fulfillment of His covenant promises. This precise enumeration underscores the divine Order and Providence at work, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His people and His comprehensive plan for their spiritual well-being. The very act of listing these cities, seemingly mundane, serves as a profound testament to God's faithfulness in providing for those consecrated to His service. Furthermore, the verse implicitly uses Metonymy by referring to "the tribe of Ephraim" as the source of the cities, where "Ephraim" stands for the geographical territory or land belonging to that tribe. This concise phrasing efficiently conveys the geographical origin of the Levitical settlements. The overall narrative of Levitical distribution, of which this verse is a part, also carries profound Symbolism: the Levites, scattered among all tribes, symbolize the pervasive presence of God's law, spiritual instruction, and divine guidance throughout the nation, acting as a constant reminder of the covenant and the Lord's presence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Chronicles 6:66, while a specific detail in a long list of allocations, powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His meticulous provision for those called to serve Him. It highlights that divine order extends even to the mundane details of land allocation, ensuring that His chosen servants, the Levites, were strategically positioned to facilitate the spiritual health of the entire nation. Their unique status, lacking a territorial inheritance, underscored their identity as those whose "inheritance" was the Lord Himself, yet God faithfully provided for their physical needs through the generosity and obedience of the other tribes. This arrangement fostered inter-tribal dependence and emphasized the collective responsibility of Israel in supporting its spiritual leaders, ensuring the continuous flow of instruction, justice, and worship throughout the land. This verse thus speaks to God's faithfulness, the importance of spiritual leadership, and the communal responsibility for ministry.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly obscure verse offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God is a God of intricate order and abundant provision, meticulously caring for every detail of His kingdom and His people. Just as He provided for the Levites to fulfill their unique calling, He continues to equip and enable us for our individual purposes within His larger redemptive plan. Our "inheritance" in Christ may not be a physical land, but a spiritual reality of immense richness and eternal significance, as described in Ephesians 1:11. Yet, God faithfully provides for our earthly needs as we prioritize His kingdom and righteousness, a truth powerfully affirmed in Matthew 6:33. The strategic distribution of the Levites also highlights the importance of every member's placement and function within the body of Christ. Each believer is uniquely gifted and positioned by God to contribute to the spiritual nourishment, growth, and outreach of the community, ensuring that the light of the gospel reaches every "coast" of our world. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign provision, to embrace our specific calling with faithfulness, and to serve diligently within the community He has placed us, knowing that He orchestrates the details for His glory and our ultimate good.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these detailed genealogies and city lists so important in the Bible?
Answer: These detailed genealogies and city lists, though seemingly dry to a modern reader, are crucial for several profound reasons. First, they serve as undeniable evidence of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, particularly the promise of land to Abraham's descendants and the specific, meticulous instructions for the Levites' provision detailed in Numbers 35. Second, they establish and affirm the legitimacy of tribal and priestly lineages, which was absolutely vital for maintaining the social, religious, and political order of ancient Israel. For the Levites, these lists prove their rightful claim to their unique role and provision. Third, they underscore God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign control over human history, demonstrating that every aspect of His divine plan is carefully orchestrated and executed. Finally, they function as a robust historical record, grounding the spiritual narratives in concrete realities and affirming the historical accuracy and reliability of the biblical account.
What was the specific role of the non-priestly Kohathites mentioned in this verse?
Answer: While the priestly line of Aaron, also descendants of Kohath, served at the altar and in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and Temple, the other Kohathite families had distinct, yet equally vital, roles related to the sanctuary. Their primary duty, as meticulously outlined in Numbers 3:31 and Numbers 4, was the sacred care and transport of the most holy articles of the sanctuary. This included the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altars. They were specifically responsible for carefully covering these items before they were moved and carrying them on their shoulders, as these items were too sacred to be touched directly. Later, in the Temple era, their roles expanded to include essential administrative functions such as gatekeepers, treasurers, musicians, and other support roles, all indispensable for the proper functioning and maintenance of Israel's worship life.
Why did these Kohathites receive cities specifically from the tribe of Ephraim?
Answer: The allocation of cities from the tribe of Ephraim was not a random assignment but a highly strategic decision within God's meticulously ordered plan. Ephraim was one of the largest, most powerful, and most influential tribes, centrally located within the land of Canaan. Its territory was renowned for its fertility and held significant strategic importance, making it a key area for the presence of Levitical families. By receiving cities "out of the tribe of Ephraim," these Kohathites were positioned to serve a large and influential segment of the Israelite population, ensuring that spiritual instruction, judicial guidance, and access to Levitical services were readily available in a prominent region. This distribution pattern, which saw Levites dispersed among all the tribes as detailed in Joshua 21, ensured that the Levites could effectively fulfill their national mandate to teach God's Law and maintain the spiritual health and covenant fidelity of all Israel.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The detailed provision for the "residue" of the Kohathites in 1 Chronicles 6:66, ensuring their dwelling among the tribes of Israel, profoundly prefigures the ultimate provision and dispersion of God's people in Christ. Just as the Levites had no earthly inheritance but were sustained by God's faithful provision and strategically distributed to serve, believers in Christ find their true and enduring inheritance not in physical land but in the boundless spiritual blessings of the heavenly kingdom, as beautifully articulated in Ephesians 1:3. Jesus, as our great High Priest, perfectly fulfills and supersedes the Aaronic priesthood (e.g., Hebrews 4:14), and through His atoning work, all believers are made part of a "royal priesthood" (e.g., 1 Peter 2:9), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and to proclaim God's excellencies. The strategic placement of the Kohathites among the tribes, facilitating access to spiritual instruction and divine law, powerfully foreshadows the New Covenant reality where the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, empowering them to be witnesses of Christ "in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (e.g., Acts 1:8). God's meticulous care for the Levitical families, ensuring their sustenance and strategic location, points to His even greater and more glorious care for His church, the body of Christ, providing all that is needed for its mission and ensuring that His presence and truth are accessible to all nations through His Spirit-empowered people, for "my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (e.g., Philippians 4:19).