1 Chronicles 6:65

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.

And they gave {H5414} by lot {H1486} out of the tribe {H4294} of the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063}, and out of the tribe {H4294} of the children {H1121} of Simeon {H8095}, and out of the tribe {H4294} of the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144}, these cities {H5892}, which are called {H7121} by their names {H8034}.

From the tribes of the descendants of Y'hudah, Shim'on and Binyamin they assigned these cities mentioned by name.

They assigned by lot the cities named above from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.

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 mentioned by name.

Commentary

Context

First Chronicles Chapter 6 is primarily a detailed genealogy of the tribe of Levi, tracing the lineage of priests and Levites. Within this extensive record, verses 54-81 meticulously list the various cities allocated to the Levites throughout the land of Israel. Verse 65 specifically refers to the cities given to the sons of Aaron (the priests), which were drawn from the territories of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. This distribution was not arbitrary but a direct fulfillment of God's command given through Moses, ensuring that the Levites, who had no tribal land inheritance, would have designated places to live among the other tribes to serve the spiritual needs of the nation (see Numbers 35:2 and Joshua 21:41 for the broader context of Levitical cities).

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Provision: The allocation of cities "by lot" signifies God's direct involvement in the distribution of the land and His meticulous provision for the priests and Levites. It underscores the divine order established for the functioning of ancient Israel.
  • Fulfillment of God's Command: This verse highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His earlier instructions regarding the Levites' inheritance. Despite not receiving a territorial inheritance like other tribes, they were provided for through designated cities, reinforcing God's covenant promises.
  • Interdependence of Tribes: By having the priests and Levites scattered among all the tribes, the arrangement fostered spiritual unity and interdependence within Israel. The priests served as spiritual guides and instructors, accessible to all.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gave by lot" translates from the Hebrew word goral, which refers to a lot or portion. In ancient Israel, casting lots was a common method for making important decisions or distributing land, as it was believed to reveal God's will and prevent human bias (as seen in Proverbs 16:33). This method ensured that the distribution of these priestly cities was seen as divinely ordained.

Practical Application

This seemingly administrative verse offers several profound insights for today:

  • God's Faithfulness: It serves as a reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Just as He meticulously provided for the priests, He continues to provide for His people today, often in ways that demonstrate His intricate planning.
  • Divine Guidance in Decisions: The use of lots, while not directly prescriptive for modern decision-making, points to the principle that God guides and orders events, even those that appear random. We are encouraged to seek God's will in all our endeavors.
  • Serving in Your Place: The priests and Levites were distributed throughout the land to serve the spiritual needs of the people. This illustrates the importance of serving God faithfully wherever He places us, recognizing that every location can be a place of ministry and influence.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 6:57 (2 votes)

    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,

  • 1 Chronicles 6:60 (2 votes)

    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.