1 Chronicles 6:54 kjv
Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
1 Chronicles 6:54 nkjv
Now these are their dwelling places throughout their settlements in their territory, for they were given by lot to the sons of Aaron, of the family of the Kohathites:
1 Chronicles 6:54 niv
These were the locations of their settlements allotted as their territory (they were assigned to the descendants of Aaron who were from the Kohathite clan, because the first lot was for them):
1 Chronicles 6:54 esv
These are their dwelling places according to their settlements within their borders: to the sons of Aaron of the clans of Kohathites, for theirs was the first lot,
1 Chronicles 6:54 nlt
This is a record of the towns and territory assigned by means of sacred lots to the descendants of Aaron, who were from the clan of Kohath.
1 Chronicles 6 54 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Josh 21:1-3 | Then the heads of fathers’ households... to Eleazar... the chief of the fathers of the Levites... by lot, as the LORD commanded through Moses. | The initial command and distribution of Levitical cities by lot to all Levite clans, including Aaron’s descendants. |
| Josh 21:13-19 | To the sons of Aaron... Hebron... Libnah... Jattir... Eshtemoa... Holon... Debir... Ain... Juttah... Beth-shemesh... out of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities. | Specific listing of priestly cities matching the promise and often recounted in Chronicles. |
| Num 35:1-8 | The LORD spoke to Moses... command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in... forty-eight cities. | The original divine command to set apart cities for the Levites as a whole, including pasture lands. |
| Num 26:55-56 | But the land shall be divided by lot... by the names of the tribes... according to their fathers’ tribes they shall divide it for their inheritance. | God’s ordained method of land distribution to the tribes of Israel, extended also to Levitical cities. |
| Prov 16:33 | The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. | Upholds the theological principle that casting lots was a recognized way to discern God’s will, demonstrating divine sovereignty. |
| Num 18:20 | Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.” | Explains why the priests received cities but not territorial land inheritance like other tribes – their inheritance was God Himself and His provisions. |
| Deut 10:9 | Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God spoke to him. | Reiterates the unique status of Levi as a tribe set apart for service, whose portion is God, leading to reliance on tithes and designated cities. |
| Deut 18:1-2 | The Levitical priests... shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel... but they shall eat the LORD’S offerings by fire and His portion. | Further details the support mechanism for the priests – they would live from the sacrifices and tithes, complementing their housing provision. |
| Gen 46:11 | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. | Identifies Kohath as one of the three foundational sons of Levi, from whom the specific priestly line descends. |
| Exod 6:18 | The sons of Kohath: Amram and Izhar and Hebron and Uzziel; and the years of Kohath’s life were 133 years. | Narrows down the ancestry, showing Kohath’s significant position as father of Moses and Aaron. |
| Num 3:17-31 | These were the sons of Levi... and for Kohath was the division of the Amramites... Kohathites had charge of the tabernacle furnishings. | Specifies the broader duties and families of Kohath, from whom the priests originate. |
| Exod 28:1 | “Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priests to Me...” | The divine commissioning of Aaron and his sons as priests, highlighting their unique call. |
| Lev 8 | And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and bathed them with water... And Moses clothed Aaron with the tunic... and anointed him and consecrated him. | Describes the detailed consecration of Aaron and his sons, setting them apart for their holy function. |
| Ezra 2:70 | So the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, settled in their cities... | Post-exilic account affirming the re-establishment of various Levitical groups in their cities, echoing 1 Chr 6’s theme of proper settlement. |
| Neh 11:3 | These are the heads of the province who lived in Jerusalem, but in the cities of Judah each lived on his own property... priests and Levites also returned. | Confirms the settlement patterns, including priests and Levites, after the return from Babylonian exile, underscoring continuity. |
| Ezek 48:9-14 | This shall be the holy allotment for the priests... a place for their houses. | A prophetic vision describing a future, dedicated holy district for priests and Levites in the restored land, reflecting divine provision. |
| Acts 1:26 | And they cast lots for them; and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. | Demonstrates the continuation of lot-casting in the early church as a means of discerning God’s choice, a concept rooted in OT practice. |
| Ps 78:55 | He also drove out the nations before them; And He apportioned them an inheritance by measurement, and made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents. | Connects God's act of dispossessing the nations with His orderly apportionment of land, highlighting His sovereign role in Israel's settlement. |
| Isa 34:17 | He has cast the lot for them, and His hand has apportioned it to them by measuring line... they will live there from generation to generation. | Describes God's meticulous and eternal division of inheritance, applicable metaphorically or literally to various forms of divine distribution. |
| Heb 7:12-14 | For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one about whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. | While focusing on the shift to Christ’s priesthood, this passage acknowledges the historical specificities and divine origin of the Aaronic priesthood and its tribal/land connection, now superseded by a new and eternal order. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession... | Applies the concept of "priesthood" to all believers in the New Covenant, showing a broader spiritual "inheritance" and calling distinct from the literal land and city allocations of the Old Testament. |
1 Chronicles 6 verses
1 Chronicles 6 54 Meaning
This verse initiates the specific listing of cities allocated to the Aaronic priests. It highlights that these dwelling places, situated within the various tribal territories across Israel, were designated for the direct descendants of Aaron from the family line of Kohath within the tribe of Levi. The emphasis "for the lot was theirs" underscores that their inheritance and location were not by human design or choice but by divine decree, specifically determined by lot, signifying God's sovereign arrangement.
1 Chronicles 6 54 Context
Chapter 6 of 1 Chronicles meticulously details the lineage of Levi, serving a crucial function for the post-exilic community in Judah. It traces the priestly line of Aaron down to the time of the exile, then backtracks to specify the dwelling places of the Levites according to their families. This particular verse (1 Chron 6:54) transitions from genealogies to the actual allocation of cities, starting with the highest-ranking Levites: the Aaronic priests who were Kohathites. This precise listing reinforces the legitimacy of the priestly families returning to Judah and Jerusalem by tying them directly to God’s original commands for settlement in the land. Historically, after the return from Babylonian exile, the re-establishment of the temple worship, priestly duties, and social order was paramount. The Chronicler emphasizes these historical roots and divine provisions to reassure and guide the returning community in reconstructing their sacred life and society.
1 Chronicles 6 54 Word analysis
- Now these (וְאֵלֶּה, wə’elleh): A connective phrase ("And these") signifying a transition to a new section of enumeration or explanation, linking the genealogies just provided to the ensuing list of cities. It implies a direct continuation and specific details related to the previously established lineage.
- are their dwelling places (מוֹשְׁבוֹתָם, moshvōṯām): From the root יָשַׁב (yashab), meaning "to sit," "dwell," or "inhabit." Refers to permanent settlements or habitations. For priests, these were divinely provided homes, emphasizing stability and provision rather than a nomadic lifestyle, ensuring their readiness for sacred duties.
- throughout their settlements (לְעֵרֹתֵיהֶם, lə‘erōṯêhem): Literally "to their cities" (‘ārîm, "cities"). This clarifies that the "dwelling places" were specific urban centers, not isolated rural plots, providing access to infrastructure and community necessary for the functioning of the cultic system and support from the populace.
- in their territories (בִּגְבוּלֹתָם, bigvūlōṯām): From גְּבוּל (gəḇūl), meaning "border," "territory," or "boundary." This signifies that these cities were situated within the distinct tribal land allotments of other Israelite tribes. It illustrates the interconnectedness of the tribes and the presence of the spiritual leadership within the community, providing access for all Israelites to priestly services.
- for the sons of Aaron (לִבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן, livnê ’Aharōn): Explicitly identifies the recipients as the descendants of Aaron, highlighting their unique sacred office as priests responsible for cultic service, sacrifices, and instructing the people in God's law. This specific mention underscores the sanctity and distinctiveness of their role.
- of the families of the Kohathites (לְמִשְׁפַּחַת הַקְּהָתִי, ləmishpaḥat haqqəhāṯî): Identifies the specific Levitical clan within which the Aaronic priesthood resided. The Kohathites, one of the three primary divisions of Levi (along with Gershonites and Merarites), were originally entrusted with carrying the most sacred components of the Tabernacle (e.g., the Ark of the Covenant, Num 3:31), adding to the prestige and sacred identity of the Aaronic line.
- for the lot was theirs (כִּי לָהֶם הַגּוֹרָל, kî lāhem haggôrāl): This crucial phrase ("because the lot was theirs") signifies divine appointment and meticulous, orderly provision. Gôrāl ("lot") refers to the casting of lots, a biblical practice for discerning God's will in dividing land or making significant decisions. It emphasizes that the priestly cities were not chosen by human preference or power struggles but divinely apportioned, thereby lending absolute legitimacy to their claim and avoiding disputes over land ownership, which was a significant concern for the post-exilic community. This highlights God’s detailed care and unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel.
1 Chronicles 6 54 Bonus section
The precise enumeration of Levitical and priestly cities in Chronicles (and paralleled in Joshua 21) serves not just as a historical record but also as a theological statement. It underscored the fulfillment of God’s command and covenant fidelity, ensuring that the religious infrastructure necessary for the nation's spiritual well-being was in place. The existence of these cities, provided from the inheritances of other tribes, served as a tangible reminder to all Israelites that they were to support those dedicated to God’s service, signifying their commitment to the worship and instruction of the Law. The lack of their own "tribal" land (unlike the other tribes) meant the priests and Levites were entirely dependent on the faithful offerings and tithes of the people, fostering a symbiotic relationship crucial for the health of the community and the continuity of God's worship. This divine arrangement was critical for establishing order and unity among a disparate group of tribes following the conquest and into subsequent generations.
1 Chronicles 6 54 Commentary
1 Chronicles 6:54 is the foundational verse for listing the specific cities granted to the Aaronic priesthood. It immediately sets the tone for a detailed accounting of divine provision and order. The chronicler emphasizes that these "dwelling places" were not merely convenient locations but divinely ordained settlements, distinguishing the priestly inheritance from the typical tribal land allocation. This highlights the priests' unique role, entirely dependent on God's provision. The emphasis on the "lot" (גּוֹרָל, gôrāl) signifies divine sovereignty in the distribution of these cities. It communicates that God personally supervised their placement, ensuring they were strategically located within the territories of various tribes to allow the priests to minister to all Israel. This systematic provision reflects God's meticulous care for His appointed servants and the established structure of His covenant community. It serves as a profound affirmation to the post-exilic audience of the legitimacy and divine origin of their priestly system.