1 Chronicles 6:81

KJV

And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Heshbon {H2809} with her suburbs {H4054}, and Jazer {H3270} with her suburbs {H4054}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Heshbon with the surrounding open land and Ya'zer with the surrounding open land.

Berean Standard Bible

Heshbon, and Jazer, together with their pasturelands.

American Standard Version

and Heshbon with its suburbs, and Jazer with its suburbs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 6:81, a seemingly simple geographical notation, brings to a close the meticulous listing of cities allocated to the Merarite clan of the Levites, specifically designating Heshbon and Jazer along with their essential surrounding pasturelands. This verse, therefore, serves as a final testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and precise provision for His priestly tribe, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement across the promised land to facilitate spiritual instruction, judicial wisdom, and worship for all Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned at the culmination of 1 Chronicles chapter 6, a chapter primarily dedicated to the extensive and detailed genealogical records, divisions, and dwelling places of the Levites. The Chronicler meticulously traces the lineage of Levi (vv. 1-15), delineates the various priestly lines (vv. 16-53), and then enumerates the cities divinely allotted to the three principal Levitical clans: the Kohathites (vv. 54-66), the Gershonites (vv. 67-71), and finally, the Merarites (vv. 77-81). Verse 81 functions as the concluding entry for the Merarite cities, and by extension, the entire comprehensive list of Levitical cities within this chapter. Its placement underscores the Chronicler's emphasis on divine order, God's faithful provision, and the foundational importance of the Levitical ministry and temple worship system, which was central to the post-exilic Jewish identity and restoration. The precision of this list reinforces the theme of God's covenant reliability.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of cities to the Levites, as meticulously detailed in 1 Chronicles 6, reflects a historical reality established during the initial conquest and settlement of Canaan under Joshua. Unlike the other Israelite tribes who received contiguous territorial inheritances, the Levites were uniquely designated by God to receive no single tribal land. Instead, they were strategically distributed among all the other tribes, receiving a total of 48 cities, each accompanied by its surrounding pasturelands, as explicitly commanded in [Numbers 35:2-8](/numbers/35-2-8 "Numbers 35:2-8 - Command to Give Cities to Levites") and reaffirmed in [Joshua 21:41](/joshua/21-41 "Joshua 21:41 - Forty-Eight Cities for Levites"). Heshbon and Jazer were prominent cities situated east of the Jordan River in the Transjordan region, territories originally conquered by Moses from King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan, respectively. These cities were subsequently assigned to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. Their inclusion in the list of Levitical cities confirms the Levites' pervasive presence, even in these eastern frontier territories, ensuring that spiritual guidance, judicial wisdom, and support for tabernacle/temple worship were accessible across the entire breadth of Israelite settlement. The "suburbs" (Hebrew: _migrāš_) were not residential extensions but specific, inalienable pasturelands for the Levites' livestock, crucial for their sustenance, and were forbidden from being sold ([Leviticus 25:34](/leviticus/25-34 "Leviticus 25:34 - Levitical Cities and Their Suburbs")).

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous enumeration of Levitical cities, culminating in this verse, powerfully articulates several foundational themes woven throughout the book of Chronicles. Firstly, it profoundly underscores **Divine Provision and Order**, showcasing God's meticulous planning and unwavering faithfulness in providing for the Levites, ensuring they possessed both a place to dwell and the means to carry out their sacred duties. This highlights His profound care for those consecrated to His service and the structured nature of His covenant relationship with Israel. Secondly, this detailed list signifies the **Fulfillment of Covenant**, as the precise distribution of these cities directly fulfills God's earlier commands and promises regarding the Levites' inheritance and unique role, demonstrating His consistent adherence to His divine word, as powerfully affirmed in [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - God's Promises Fulfilled"). Thirdly, the strategic placement of Levites across all tribal territories emphasizes the **Accessibility of Spiritual Instruction and Justice**. By dispersing them, access to spiritual teaching, judicial wisdom, and support for tabernacle/temple worship was made readily available to all Israelites, fostering national spiritual health and adherence to the Law. Finally, the unique inheritance pattern of the Levites, set apart exclusively for sacred service, highlights the overarching theme of **Holiness and Separation**, underscoring their distinct role and God's desire for a holy people served by holy individuals.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heshbon (Hebrew, _Cheshbôwn'_):** An ancient and strategically significant city located east of the Jordan River, within the territory later assigned to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. Originally the capital of King Sihon of the Amorites, it was conquered by Moses (Numbers 21:26-30). Its inclusion here signifies the Levites' presence even in the Transjordan region, emphasizing the widespread nature of their spiritual influence and the comprehensive reach of God's provision.
* **Jazer (Hebrew, _Yaʻăzêyr'_):** Another notable city situated east of the Jordan, specifically north of Heshbon, within the territory of Gad. It too was conquered by Moses (Numbers 21:32). Like Heshbon, its mention confirms the Levites' presence in these eastern lands, ensuring the accessibility of spiritual instruction and worship support across the entire Israelite confederation, demonstrating God's holistic plan for His people.
* **suburbs (Hebrew, _migrâsh'_):** This term is critically important for understanding the nature of the Levites' inheritance. It does not refer to residential areas outside a city as understood in modern contexts, but rather specifically to the open common lands or pasturelands immediately surrounding the walled city. These areas were explicitly designated for the Levites' cattle and other livestock, providing the essential means for their sustenance. They were explicitly forbidden from being sold or used for cultivation, emphasizing their perpetual dedication for the Levites' use, as detailed in [Leviticus 25:34](/leviticus/25-34 "Leviticus 25:34 - Levitical Cities and Their Suburbs"). This specific provision highlights God's practical, detailed, and enduring care for those devoted to His service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Heshbon with her suburbs":** This clause precisely designates the city of Heshbon, a significant Transjordanian city, along with its associated pasturelands, as one of the cities divinely allotted to the Merarite Levites. The vital inclusion of "her suburbs" (migrāš) indicates that the Levites received not merely the urban centers but also the essential agricultural and grazing lands necessary for their livelihood, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's provision and His meticulous planning for His servants.
* **"and Jazer with her suburbs":** This parallel clause similarly designates Jazer, another key Transjordanian city, and its surrounding pasturelands, as a Levitical possession. The deliberate repetition of the phrase "with her suburbs" emphasizes the consistent, complete, and uniform nature of the divine allocation. It ensures that each Levitical city came with the necessary means for the Levites to sustain themselves and their families while diligently fulfilling their sacred duties, thereby reinforcing the overarching theme of divine order, faithfulness, and comprehensive provision.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 6:81, and indeed throughout the entire list of Levitical cities (vv. 54-81), is **Enumeration**. The Chronicler meticulously lists each city, demonstrating a precise, exhaustive, and deliberate account of God's provision and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. This detailed listing serves to validate the divine order established for Israel and emphasizes the historical accuracy of the record. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the phrase "with her suburbs" for both Heshbon and Jazer, and consistently for most cities in the broader list, emphasizes the consistent and complete nature of the Levites' inheritance. This repetition highlights that God's provision was not merely a place to live but a comprehensive means of sustenance, reinforcing the idea of God's thorough and practical care. This enumeration and repetition also contribute to the **Symbolism** of divine order, meticulous planning, and covenant faithfulness. The very act of such a detailed listing underscores the Chronicler's profound theological point: God is faithful to His word, and His plans are executed with precision, ensuring that His chosen servants are fully equipped and strategically positioned to facilitate the spiritual health and well-being of the entire nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple geographical reference, concluding a lengthy and detailed list of cities, carries profound theological significance. It speaks volumes about God's immutable character as a faithful, meticulous, and sovereign provider. The precise allocation of these cities, including their essential pasturelands, demonstrates that God's covenant promises are not vague abstractions but are fulfilled with extraordinary detail and practical, tangible care. The Levites, set apart for sacred service and forbidden from owning tribal land, were entirely dependent on God's provision mediated through the other tribes, and this comprehensive list serves as an enduring testament to that divine provision. It powerfully underscores the biblical principle that those who dedicate their lives to serving God's purposes will be sustained by His hand, often through the communal generosity and obedience of the community of faith. This divine order ensured that spiritual leadership, instruction in the Law, and access to justice were accessible throughout the land, fostering national unity and unwavering devotion to God's covenant.

* [Numbers 35:7](/numbers/35-7 "Numbers 35:7 - Total Number of Levitical Cities")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43-45 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Faithfulness in Giving Rest and Land")
* [Deuteronomy 10:9](/deuteronomy/10-9 "Deuteronomy 10:9 - Levites Have No Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 6:81, though a brief mention of two ancient cities, invites profound reflection on the character of God and its direct implications for our lives of faith today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of meticulous detail and unwavering, faithful provision. Just as He precisely planned and provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for the spiritual well-being of all Israel, so too does He intimately care for and orchestrate the lives of His people in the present age. This verse challenges us to cultivate a deeper trust in His providence, even in what might appear to be the "mundane" or overlooked details of our daily existence, recognizing that every aspect of our lives is intricately woven into His larger, redemptive plan. It also highlights the profound importance of intentionality, order, and strategic positioning in spiritual service and community. The Levites were divinely dispersed to bring spiritual light and instruction to every corner of Israel; similarly, believers today are called to be salt and light in their communities, sharing the transformative truth of God's word wherever they are positioned. This understanding encourages us to view our "placement" in life – whether in our families, workplaces, neighborhoods, or ministries – as part of God's strategic design for the advancement of His kingdom and the flourishing of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the Levites, as seen in this verse, encourage your trust in His provision for your own life, especially in seemingly small or overlooked details?**
* **In what specific ways can you identify God's "suburbs" – His practical and often subtle provisions – in your own daily life and the spheres of your ministry or influence?**
* **How does the strategic dispersion of the Levites inspire you to consider your own "placement" in your community, workplace, or family as a unique opportunity for spiritual influence and service?**
* **What seemingly "small" or "mundane" details or circumstances in your life might God be intentionally using to fulfill His larger, redemptive purposes?**

### FAQ

**Why are specific cities like Heshbon and Jazer listed for the Levites?**

Answer: Heshbon and Jazer are listed because they were among the 48 cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands ("suburbs"), that God commanded to be given to the Levites. Unlike the other Israelite tribes who received contiguous territorial inheritances, the Levites, as the priestly tribe dedicated to service in the tabernacle/temple, were not given a single land inheritance. Instead, they were strategically distributed among all the other tribes across the entire land of Israel. This arrangement, first commanded in [Numbers 35:2-8](/numbers/35-2-8 "Numbers 35:2-8 - Command to Give Cities to Levites") and fulfilled in [Joshua 21](/joshua/21 "Joshua 21 - Cities for the Levites"), ensured that spiritual instruction, judicial wisdom, and support for worship were accessible to all Israelites, regardless of their tribal territory. Heshbon and Jazer specifically highlight the Levites' presence in the Transjordan region, east of the Jordan River, demonstrating the comprehensive reach of God's plan.

**What does "suburbs" mean in this context?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "suburbs" (Hebrew: _migrāš_) does not refer to residential areas outside a city as we understand them today. Instead, it denotes the open common lands or pasturelands immediately surrounding the walled city. These areas were designated specifically for the Levites' cattle and other livestock, providing for their sustenance. They were explicitly set apart for this purpose and were forbidden from being sold or used for cultivation, emphasizing their perpetual dedication for the Levites' use, as detailed in [Leviticus 25:34](/leviticus/25-34 "Leviticus 25:34 - Levitical Cities and Their Suburbs"). This provision highlights God's meticulous and practical care for His chosen servants, ensuring their livelihood as they performed their sacred duties.

**What was the overall purpose of the Levites being spread out among all the tribes?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Levites being spread out was to ensure the spiritual health, moral integrity, and adherence to God's Law throughout all of Israel. As the tribe uniquely responsible for teaching the Law, administering justice, and facilitating worship and sacrifice, their strategic distribution meant that every tribal territory had access to spiritual guidance and instruction. This arrangement fostered national unity under God's covenant, prevented the concentration of spiritual authority in one region, and ensured that the people had constant access to those who mediated between God and Israel, helping them to live in accordance with God's commands. It was a divine strategy for pervasive spiritual influence and accountability, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - Levites to Teach God's Ordinances").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Levites, including the specific mention of cities like Heshbon and Jazer with their suburbs, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Levites served as essential mediators, teachers of the Law, and facilitators of worship, consistently pointing to humanity's need for access to God and the vital importance of spiritual guidance. However, their service, like the Old Covenant itself, was inherently imperfect and temporary. Jesus, as our Great High Priest according to the eternal order of Melchizedek ([Hebrews 7:11-17](/hebrews/7-11-17 "Hebrews 7:11-17 - Christ a Priest Like Melchizedek")), fulfills and infinitely transcends the Levitical priesthood. He is the ultimate, perfect provision for His people, not needing physical cities or pasturelands, for "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus Has No Home")). Through His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, He establishes a new and better covenant, offering direct, unhindered access to God for all believers ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")). The strategic dispersion of the Levites to bring spiritual light and instruction to Israel powerfully foreshadows the Great Commission, where Christ commands His followers, who are now themselves a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), to "go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" ([Mark 16:15](/mark/16-15 "Mark 16:15 - The Great Commission")). Thus, what was a physical, limited provision for a specific tribe under the Old Covenant becomes a spiritual, universal reality in Christ, where His presence, truth, and redemptive power are made accessible to every nation and every heart through His body, the Church, until the consummation of the ages.

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

Joshua 21:39

Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.

Numbers 21:32

And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that [were] there.

Numbers 32:1

¶ Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place [was] a place for cattle;

Numbers 32:37

And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,

Deuteronomy 2:24

¶ Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess [it], and contend with him in battle.

Numbers 21:25

And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.

Joshua 13:25

And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that [is] before Rabbah;