1 Chronicles 6 29

1 Chronicles 6:29 kjv

The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,

1 Chronicles 6:29 nkjv

The sons of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,

1 Chronicles 6:29 niv

The descendants of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,

1 Chronicles 6:29 esv

The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,

1 Chronicles 6:29 nlt

The descendants of Merari included Mahli, Libni, Shimei, Uzzah,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 29 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:29 outlines the allocated dwelling places for a specific segment of the Levites: the priestly descendants of Aaron, who belonged to the Kohathite clan. It affirms that these cities were distributed to them through a sacred lot, underscoring the divine arrangement and provision for those dedicated to God's service. The verse serves as an introduction to the detailed listing of these priestly cities in the subsequent verses of the chapter.

1 Chronicles 6 29 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 is primarily a detailed genealogical record of the Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It emphasizes their crucial role in the tabernacle and later temple worship, especially highlighting the line of priests descended from Aaron. The preceding verses (1 Chr 6:1-28) meticulously trace the ancestry of Levi through his sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, culminating in a detailed lineage for Aaron within the Kohathite clan.

Verse 29 specifically introduces the geographical aspect of the Levites' provision. Unlike other tribes who received consolidated land inheritance, the Levites were given 48 cities scattered throughout Israel, along with surrounding pasturelands, as mandated by divine law (Numbers 35) and fulfilled during Joshua's time (Joshua 21). This arrangement allowed them to live among the other tribes, fulfilling their priestly and spiritual duties across the nation. The historical context reflects the post-conquest period of Israel's settlement in Canaan, where the distribution of land was overseen by Joshua and Eleazar the priest, with God's sovereignty affirmed through the casting of lots. The chronicler’s detailed recounting here reinforces the divinely established order and the sacred legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood and their dwelling places.

1 Chronicles 6 29 Word analysis

• And these are their dwelling places (וְאֵ֣לֶּה מוֹשְׁבֹתָ֔ם, v'elleh moshavotam):
  • moshavotam (מוֹשְׁבֹתָם): Plural noun from the root yashav (to sit, dwell, settle). Signifies established habitations, settlements, or places where one lives. It implies permanence and designated residences, contrasting with nomadic existence.
  • This phrase indicates the chronicler is about to list specific locations.
• according to their settlements in their territory (בְּטִֽחוֹתָם֙ בְּגְבוּלָ֔ם, b'tihotam b'gvulam):
  • b'tihotam (בְּטִֽחוֹתָם֙): Derived from tihah or betach meaning secure, safe, confidence, fortified. Often translated as "settlements," "castles," "fortified cities," or "secure places." This highlights the security and stability of the homes provided to them. It suggests places of safety and establishment rather than temporary encampments.
  • b'gvulam (בְּגְבוּלָ֔ם): "In their boundary" or "in their territory." Indicates defined, allotted geographical areas. It emphasizes precision and order in the land division, each city and its pastureland clearly marked within tribal boundaries.
• to the sons of Aaron (לִבְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹ֖ן, livne Aharon):
  • "Sons of Aaron" explicitly identifies the recipients. Aaron's lineage was divinely chosen for the priesthood. This specifies the priestly line within the tribe of Levi.
• of the families of the Kohathites (לְמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת הַקְּהָתִ֑י, l'mishpechot ha-q'hati):
  • mishpechot (מִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת): "Families" or "clans." Further narrows the specific group within the Kohathite branch of Levi.
  • "Kohathites": One of the three main divisions of the Levites (along with Gershonites and Merarites). They had particular responsibilities in the Tabernacle/Temple, including carrying the holy vessels and furniture. Aaron was a descendant of Kohath. This clarifies the precise Levitical branch that includes the priests.
• for theirs was the lot. (כִּ֥י לָהֶ֖ם הָיָ֥ה הַגּוֹרָֽל, ki lahem hayah ha-goral):
  • ki (כִּ֥י): "For" or "because." Indicates the reason or justification for their possession of these places.
  • goral (הַגּוֹרָֽל): "The lot." Refers to the ancient practice of casting lots to make decisions, particularly in land distribution. In a biblical context, casting lots was seen as a way of discerning God's will (Prov 16:33).
  • This phrase emphasizes the divine sanction and impartial method of allocation, underscoring that their inheritance was by God's decree, not human preference or negotiation. It also implicitly refutes any human claim or arbitrary assignment by declaring a divine process.

1 Chronicles 6 29 Bonus section

• The allocation of 48 Levitical cities (Numbers 35:7) demonstrated God's careful provision for the tribe of Levi, who received no tribal land inheritance but instead received God Himself as their portion. These cities served as scattered centers of spiritual guidance and instruction for the entire nation.
• The emphasis on "the lot" (גּוֹרָל, goral) connects the allocation directly to divine will, making the division unimpeachable and sovereignly directed. This principle applied throughout the land division of Canaan (Joshua 14-19), establishing that the ultimate distributor of the land was the Lord Himself.
• The fact that these "dwelling places" were often "fortified cities" (implied by some translations of tihotam) suggests divine protection and secure establishment for those ministering in the Lord's name, signifying their importance and the need for their secure operation within a new land.
• For the original audience returning from exile, this detailed account would have been encouraging. It reminded them of God's meticulous care, His adherence to ancient promises, and His re-establishment of the priesthood, offering hope for a renewed future grounded in His faithfulness and order.

1 Chronicles 6 29 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:29 serves as the specific preface to the enumeration of priestly cities, a pivotal part of the chronicler's narrative. It consolidates earlier accounts found in Numbers and Joshua regarding the provision for the Levites. The verse’s brevity belies its profound theological implications. By stating "these are their dwelling places" and emphasizing their allocation "by lot," the text underlines the divinely ordained and systematic settlement of the priestly families. This ensured the priests' accessibility to all tribes for religious instruction, legal judgment, and sacrificial worship, fulfilling their function as spiritual guardians across the land. The use of "lot" highlights God's sovereignty over the seemingly random act, affirming His faithful commitment to His covenant people and His precise ordering of their national and spiritual life. This meticulous record highlights not only God’s faithfulness in providing for His ministers but also the principle of divine order in every aspect of His plan.