1 Chronicles 6:70

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.

And out of the half {H4276} tribe {H4294} of Manasseh {H4519}; Aner {H6063} with her suburbs {H4054}, and Bileam {H1109} with her suburbs {H4054}, for the family {H4940} of the remnant {H3498} of the sons {H1121} of Kohath {H6955}.

and out of the half-tribe of M'nasheh: 'Aner with the surrounding open land and Bil'am with the surrounding open land, for the rest of the clans of the descendants of K'hat.

And from the half-tribe of Manasseh the remaining clans of the Kohathites were given Aner and Bileam, together with their pasturelands.

and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs, and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:70 is a concise verse detailing the allocation of specific cities to a segment of the Levitical priesthood within ancient Israel. It reads, "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." This verse is part of a larger historical record emphasizing God's meticulous ordering of the Israelite nation.

Context

This verse is found within a lengthy genealogical and geographical section of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9), which meticulously records the tribal lineages and land distributions after the Israelites settled in Canaan. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 6 focuses on the descendants of Levi and their assigned roles and dwelling places. The Levites, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a territorial inheritance of their own (Numbers 18:20), but were instead given 48 cities scattered throughout the other tribes, along with their surrounding pasturelands (known as "suburbs"). This arrangement was commanded by God to ensure the Levites, who were responsible for the tabernacle and later temple service, could live among the people they served and minister to them.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Order: The allocation of these Levitical cities demonstrates God's faithfulness in providing for His servants. It highlights the divine order established for the functioning of Israel's spiritual life, ensuring those dedicated to God's service had a place to live and resources.
  • Levitical Service: The "sons of Kohath" were a significant branch of the Levites, charged with the solemn responsibility of caring for the most sacred articles of the tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the candlestick, and the altars (Numbers 3:31). The provision of cities like Aner and Bileam ensured they had a stable base from which to fulfill these crucial duties.
  • Fulfillment of Command: This detailed listing in 1 Chronicles confirms the historical fulfillment of God's earlier commands given through Moses regarding the distribution of land and the specific provision for the Levites (Joshua 21:41). It underscores the reliability and precision of God's word.

Linguistic Insights

The term "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrash) in this context refers not to urban residential areas as we understand them today, but to the common lands or pasture grounds surrounding the walled cities. These areas were crucial for the Levites' livestock, providing a means of sustenance and emphasizing that their provision came from the land, even if they did not own large tracts themselves. The name "Kohath" means "assembly" or "congregation," reflecting the family's central role in the assembly of Israel for worship and service.

Practical Application

The meticulous detail in 1 Chronicles 6:70, though seemingly mundane, offers profound lessons. It reminds us of God's attention to every detail in His plan, ensuring that those called to spiritual leadership or service are adequately supported. It also speaks to the principle of interdependence within the body of believers: different parts (tribes, families) contribute to the well-being of the whole, and those who serve spiritually are to be sustained by the community. Just as the Levites were dispersed to minister, believers today are called to be a light and witness in their communities, supported by the larger body of Christ.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 21:25 (2 votes)

    And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.

  • Joshua 17:11 (2 votes)

    And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, [even] three countries.