1 Chronicles 6 57

1 Chronicles 6:57 kjv

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 6:57 nkjv

And to the sons of Aaron they gave one of the cities of refuge, Hebron; also Libnah with its common-lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its common-lands,

1 Chronicles 6:57 niv

So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), and Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa,

1 Chronicles 6:57 esv

To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron, Libnah with its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands,

1 Chronicles 6:57 nlt

So the descendants of Aaron were given the following towns, each with its pasturelands: Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 57 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:57 records the specific cities that were allocated to the descendants of Aaron, who served as priests within Israel. These cities, located within the territories of Judah and Benjamin, included several designated "cities of refuge" such as Hebron, along with Libnah, Jattir, and Eshtemoa. This allocation signifies God's precise provision for His priestly ministers, ensuring their living places were aligned with the Mosaic Law, emphasizing divine order and their essential role in the nation's spiritual life.

1 Chronicles 6 57 Context

This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles chapter 6, which meticulously details the genealogies of Levi, a tribe dedicated to priestly and sacred duties. Following a lengthy lineage of Aaron, Moses, and their descendants (1 Chr 6:1-15), and the subsequent generations of Levi's three sons (Gershom, Kohath, Merari), the chapter transitions into a specific list of dwelling places allocated to the various Levitical families. Verses 54-81 precisely detail these assignments, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's command for the Levites to receive cities rather than tribal land inheritance. Verse 57 specifically addresses the most revered division, the Aaronites (priests), specifying the four cities assigned to them in Judah. Historically, these allocations are a fulfillment of divine instructions given in Numbers 35 and elaborated upon in Joshua 21, establishing a divinely ordered system for the support and location of those responsible for Israel's worship and justice system in the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 6 57 Word analysis

• To the descendants of Aaron: בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹון (b'ney Aharon). This phrase designates the priestly family. Only direct male descendants of Aaron, Moses' brother, were permitted to serve as priests in the tabernacle and later the Temple. This emphasizes the sanctity and specificity of their lineage. Their special status within the tribe of Levi is consistently upheld throughout the Pentateuch and Chronicles.

• they gave: נָתְנוּ (natnu). This active verb signifies intentional action, indicating a formal allocation based on divine instruction rather than mere happenstance or conquest. It points to a systematic fulfillment of God's covenant promises and legal commands.

• the towns of refuge: עָרֵי הַמִּקְלָט (arei ha-miqlaṭ). These were specific cities designated by Mosaic Law (Num 35:9-34; Deut 19:1-13) where individuals who had unintentionally caused a death could find safety from blood vengeance until their case was judged. Their inclusion here highlights the Chronicler's emphasis on legal adherence and divine provision for justice. The term itself means "cities of asylum" or "cities of receiving."

• Hebron: חֶבְרֹון (Chevrōn). An ancient and highly significant city, deeply tied to Israel's patriarchs (burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Leah – Gen 23, 49). It was one of the original cities given to Judah, and subsequently designated a city of refuge. Its inclusion for the priests emphasizes its importance and the divine privilege bestowed upon the Aaronite lineage. It was given to Caleb but he then passed a part of it (suburbs and specific area) to the priests (Josh 14:13-14, 21:13).

• (a city of refuge): The parenthetical clarification reiterates Hebron's dual status and its primary role within the system, even though all "towns of refuge" are listed together. This serves as an immediate identifier of its specific function.

• Libnah: לִבְנָה (Livnah). Another city in Judah, near the Shephelah (lowlands). Mentioned as one of the cities taken by Joshua (Josh 10:29). Its assignment further confirms the detailed allocation of Levitical cities within various tribal territories.

• Jattir: יַתִּיר (Yattîr). A city in the hill country of Judah, mentioned as part of the Levitical assignments (Josh 21:14). Along with Eshtemoa, it reflects the scattered presence of priestly families throughout the land to serve the people.

• Eshtemoa: אֶשְׁתְּמֹועַ (Eshtemo'a). Another city in the hill country of Judah (Josh 15:50). Like Jattir, it shows the geographical dispersion of the priests' residences. The mention of specific cities ensures precision and verification for the post-exilic community about their ancient heritage and structure.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "To the descendants of Aaron...the towns of refuge": This grouping clearly defines the beneficiaries and the specific nature of some of the allocated towns. It underlines the Chronicler's concern with the precise fulfillment of the Law regarding the priesthood and their assigned habitation, reflecting the divine plan for order and justice within the nation. The priests, while serving spiritual functions, also had practical living arrangements dictated by God's provision.
  • "Hebron...Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa": This sequence of cities located in the south (primarily in Judah) indicates a regional cluster for the priestly assignments. This geographical specificity serves to confirm the biblical narratives of land division (Joshua 21) and offers a verifiable historical record for the Chronicler's audience. The inclusion of key cities, like Hebron, reinforces the deep historical and spiritual ties.

1 Chronicles 6 57 Bonus section

The Chronicler's persistent focus on lists, particularly genealogies and city allocations, was highly important for his post-exilic audience. It provided a sense of continuity and identity for a people seeking to re-establish their covenant relationship with God after a period of exile and apparent discontinuity. By meticulously listing these priestly cities, the Chronicler validated the historical accounts, legitimized the priesthood of his day by linking them directly to Aaron, and underscored the sacred order established by God from antiquity. This also served as an encouragement that divine promises and provisions, including a land and a priesthood, were immutable, irrespective of past national failings. The mention of specific cities also rooted the faith in tangible, geographical realities that would have been familiar to many, strengthening their sense of belonging and divine oversight.

1 Chronicles 6 57 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:57, though seemingly a dry list of cities, is profoundly significant. It is part of the Chronicler's meticulous record of Israel's tribal allocations, particularly emphasizing the divine order and provision for the priesthood. This verse affirms the fulfillment of specific commands from Numbers and Joshua, detailing the provision of cities for the Aaronites (priests), who did not receive a tribal land inheritance but were sustained directly by the Lord through tithes and specific cities with their surrounding pasturelands. The inclusion of "cities of refuge" highlights God's twin attributes of justice and mercy—these places provided temporary asylum for the unintentional slayer, overseen by priests. For the post-exilic community, this detailed accounting reinforced the legitimacy of the priesthood, the continuity of God's covenant promises, and the enduring structure of divine worship and justice in Israel. It underscores that God's people, even in the details of their settlements, are governed by divine law and care, prefiguring the ultimate refuge found in Christ for those who turn to Him.