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 succinct verse, concludes the comprehensive listing of cities allocated to the Merarite clan of the Levites, specifically mentioning Heshbon and Jazer along with their surrounding pasturelands. This seemingly simple geographical notation underscores God's meticulous faithfulness and precise provision for His priestly tribe, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement throughout the promised land to facilitate spiritual instruction and worship for all Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles chapter 6, a lengthy and detailed genealogical record primarily focused on the lineage, divisions, and dwelling places of the Levites. The chapter begins with the descendants of Levi (vv. 1-15), then details the various priestly lines (vv. 16-53), and finally enumerates the cities allotted to the three main Levitical clans: the Kohathites (vv. 54-66), the Gershonites (vv. 67-71), and the Merarites (vv. 77-81). Verse 81 serves as the concluding entry for the Merarite cities and, by extension, the entire list of Levitical cities within this chapter, providing a final confirmation of God's fulfillment of His promise to provide for His chosen servants. The meticulous nature of this list highlights the Chronicler's emphasis on order, divine provision, and the proper functioning of the temple worship system, which was central to post-exilic Jewish identity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of cities to the Levites, as detailed in 1 Chronicles 6, reflects a historical reality established during the conquest and settlement of Canaan under Joshua. Unlike the other tribes who received contiguous territorial inheritances, the Levites were not given a single tribal land. Instead, they were strategically distributed among all the other tribes, receiving 48 cities in total, along with their surrounding pasturelands, as commanded in [Numbers 35:2-8](/numbers/35-2 "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 located east of the Jordan River in the Transjordan region, 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' presence even in these eastern territories, ensuring that spiritual guidance, judicial wisdom, and support for tabernacle/temple worship were accessible across the entire breadth of Israelite settlement, including the frontier regions. The "suburbs" (Hebrew: _migrāš_) were not residential areas but designated 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 key themes throughout the book of Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Provision and Order**, demonstrating God's faithfulness and meticulous planning in providing for the Levites, ensuring they had a place to live and carry out their sacred duties. This highlights His care for those dedicated to His service and the structured nature of His covenant relationship with Israel. Secondly, it signifies the **Fulfillment of Covenant**, as the distribution of these cities directly fulfills God's earlier commands and promises regarding the Levites' inheritance and role, showcasing His consistent adherence to His word, as seen 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**. By dispersing them, access to spiritual teaching, judicial wisdom, and support for tabernacle/temple worship was made available to all Israelites, fostering national spiritual health and adherence to the Law. Finally, the unique inheritance pattern of the Levites, set apart for sacred service, highlights the 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, _ḥešbôn_):** An ancient and significant city located east of the Jordan River, in the territory later assigned to 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.
* **Jazer (Hebrew, _yaʿzēr_):** Another city east of the Jordan, situated north of Heshbon, in the territory of Gad. It was also conquered by Moses (Numbers 21:32). Like Heshbon, its mention confirms the Levites' presence in the eastern lands, ensuring the reach of spiritual instruction and worship support across the entire Israelite confederation.
* **suburbs (Hebrew, _migrāš_):** This term is crucial for understanding the Levites' inheritance. It does not refer to residential areas outside a city as understood today, but specifically to the open common lands or pasturelands immediately surrounding the walled city. These areas were designated for the Levites' cattle and other livestock, ensuring 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 provision highlights God's practical and detailed care for those devoted to His service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Heshbon with her suburbs":** This clause designates the city of Heshbon, a significant Transjordanian city, along with its associated pasturelands, as one of the cities allotted to the Merarite Levites. The inclusion of "suburbs" (migrāš) is vital, indicating that the Levites received not just the urban centers but also the agricultural and grazing lands necessary for their livelihood, underscoring God's comprehensive provision.
* **"and Jazer with her suburbs":** This parallel clause similarly designates Jazer, another key Transjordanian city, and its pasturelands, as a Levitical possession. The repetition of the phrase "with her suburbs" emphasizes the consistent and complete nature of the divine allocation, ensuring that each Levitical city came with the necessary means for the Levites to sustain themselves and their families while fulfilling their sacred duties. This meticulous detail reinforces the theme of divine order and 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 and exhaustive account of God's provision and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. This detailed listing serves to validate the divine order established for Israel. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the phrase "with her suburbs" for both Heshbon and Jazer, and indeed for most cities in the broader list, emphasizes the consistent and complete nature of the Levites' inheritance. It highlights that the provision was not merely a place to live but a means of sustenance, reinforcing the idea of God's thorough care. This enumeration and repetition also contribute to the **Symbolism** of divine order and meticulous planning. The very act of such a detailed listing underscores the Chronicler's theological point: God is faithful to His word, and His plans are executed with precision, ensuring that His chosen servants are fully equipped and positioned to facilitate the spiritual health of the entire nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple geographical reference, concluding a long list of cities, is deeply significant. It speaks volumes about God's 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 but are fulfilled with extraordinary detail and practical care. The Levites, set apart for sacred service, were entirely dependent on God's provision through the other tribes, and this list serves as a testament to that provision. It underscores the biblical principle that those who dedicate their lives to serving God's purposes will be sustained by His hand, often through the community of faith. This divine order ensured that spiritual leadership and instruction were accessible throughout the land, fostering national unity and devotion to the Law.

* [Numbers 35:7](/numbers/35-7 "Numbers 35:7 - Total Number of Levitical Cities")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "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 God's character and our own lives of faith. It reminds us that God is a God of meticulous detail and faithful provision. Just as He precisely planned and provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for the spiritual well-being of Israel, so too does He care for and orchestrate the lives of His people today. This verse challenges us to trust in His providence, even in what might seem like the "mundane" details of our lives, recognizing that every aspect is part of His larger, redemptive plan. It also highlights the importance of intentionality and order in spiritual service and community. The Levites were dispersed to bring spiritual light; similarly, believers are called to be salt and light in their communities, sharing the truth of God's word wherever they are positioned, understanding that our "placement" in life is often part of God's strategic design for His kingdom.

#### 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?**
* **In what ways can you see God's "suburbs" – His practical provision – in your own daily life and ministry?**
* **How does the strategic dispersion of the Levites inspire you to consider your own "placement" in your community or workplace as an opportunity for spiritual influence?**
* **What seemingly "small" or "mundane" details in your life might God be using to fulfill His larger 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 "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.

**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 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.

**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 and adherence to God's Law throughout all of Israel. As the tribe responsible for teaching the Law, administering justice, and facilitating worship, 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 fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Levites served as mediators, teachers, and facilitators of worship, pointing to the need for access to God and the importance of spiritual guidance. However, their service, like the Old Covenant itself, was imperfect and temporary. Jesus, as our Great High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek ([Hebrews 7:11-17](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-17 - Christ a Priest Like Melchizedek")), fulfills and transcends the Levitical priesthood. He is the ultimate provision for His people, not needing 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 sacrifice, He establishes a new covenant, offering direct access to God for all believers ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")). The dispersion of the Levites to bring spiritual light to Israel foreshadows the Great Commission, where Christ commands His followers, who are now 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 and truth are made accessible to every nation and every heart through His body, the Church.

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;