1 Chronicles 6 59

1 Chronicles 6:59 kjv

And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:

1 Chronicles 6:59 nkjv

Ashan with its common-lands, and Beth Shemesh with its common-lands.

1 Chronicles 6:59 niv

Ashan, Juttah and Beth Shemesh, together with their pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6:59 esv

Ashan with its pasturelands, and Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands;

1 Chronicles 6:59 nlt

Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 59 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:59, completing a list of specific towns, names Ashan and Beth-shemesh along with their surrounding pasturelands. This verse specifies two additional cities from the tribe of Judah (assigned from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin) that were designated as dwelling places for the descendants of Aaron, who were priests. It highlights God's systematic provision for the priestly class, ensuring their sustenance and ability to fulfill their divinely appointed duties.

1 Chronicles 6 59 Context

1 Chronicles 6 details the genealogies of the Levites, especially focusing on the priestly lineage of Aaron and the functions assigned to different Levitical families within the temple service. Verses 54-81 specifically list the cities allocated to the Levites, subdivided according to their clans (sons of Aaron, Kohathites, Gershonites, Merarites). This particular section (verses 54-60) enumerates the thirteen cities designated for the sons of Aaron, the priests.

Historically, the allocation of these cities and their surrounding pasturelands fulfilled a direct divine command (Num 35; Josh 21). These cities were strategically spread throughout the tribes of Israel, allowing the Levites, who had no tribal land inheritance, to be supported and to serve as spiritual instructors and judges among all the tribes. The Chronicler, writing in the post-exilic period, emphasizes this precise fulfillment of Mosaic law regarding the Levitical cities, reinforcing the legitimacy of the priestly office and the proper order of worship in a restored community. The detailed list serves as a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the importance of an organized, divinely sanctioned worship system.

1 Chronicles 6 59 Word analysis

• and: Connects this specific enumeration of cities to the preceding ones (Aijalon, Gath-rimmon in the prior verse, and the general list beginning from v. 54). It emphasizes the systematic and continuous nature of the divine provision and the Chronicler's methodical recounting of it.
• Ashan (עָשָׁן - Ashan): This name means "smoke." It is also referred to as "Ain" (עַיִן - Ayin) meaning "spring" or "eye" in other biblical lists, specifically Joshua 15:32 and Joshua 19:7 (which connects it with En-rimmon). The interchangeability between Ashan and Ain suggests either a scribal variation or that it was known by both names. Ashan was located in the territory originally allotted to Judah but was then transferred to Simeon and later given to the priests. Its identification as a specific Levitical city underscores the fulfillment of the divine mandate to scatter the Levites throughout the land.
• with its pasturelands (וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ - u-migrasheha):
  • u-: Conjunction "and."
  • migrasheha: From מִגְרָשׁ (migrash), meaning "pastureland," "open space," "suburban land." The suffix -ha indicates "its." This term refers to the communal open land around a city designated for grazing livestock belonging to the inhabitants, especially crucial for the Levites' cattle (Num 35:3). These lands were essential for the Levites' economic sustenance since they did not receive a tribal land inheritance like others. The inclusion of migrash emphasizes the completeness of the grant—not just the urban center but the surrounding agricultural and grazing land vital for livelihood. Furthermore, Lev 25:34 states that these pasturelands were perpetually held by the Levites and could not be sold, ensuring their enduring provision.
• and: Again, this conjunction maintains the structured enumeration of priestly cities, linking Beth-shemesh to Ashan.
• Beth-shemesh (בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ - Beit Shemesh): Means "House of the Sun." This city was significant, situated on the border between Judah and Dan, later given to the priests (Josh 21:16). Its name indicates a potential previous association with pagan sun worship, common in Canaanite culture. The dedication of such a place, originally named for a pagan deity, to the Yahwistic priesthood, may subtly assert God's sovereignty over pagan gods and the transformation of the land for His holy purposes. Beth-shemesh is notably where the Ark of the Covenant was first brought back from Philistine captivity (1 Sam 6), further highlighting its spiritual significance and priestly connection. Archaeologically, Beth-shemesh has been extensively excavated, revealing its importance throughout biblical history.
• with its pasturelands: Reiterates the full and perpetual grant of land for Beth-shemesh as well, providing economic stability and support for the resident priests and their families. This repeated phrase emphasizes the meticulous adherence to the Mosaic instructions for the provision of the Levites and highlights the comprehensive care God commanded for His servants.

1 Chronicles 6 59 Bonus section

The detailed enumeration of Levitical cities in 1 Chronicles, including those in 1 Chronicles 6:59, reflects the Chronicler's intense focus on proper temple worship, priestly legitimacy, and the faithful adherence to Mosaic law. For the post-exilic community, these lists served not merely as historical records but as a foundational blueprint for restoring the divine order in Judah. By emphasizing that specific cities and their essential migrash (pasturelands) were given to the Aaronic priests, the text validates their lineage and their unique role as intercessors and teachers of the Law. This also subtly reassures the community that even in exile's aftermath, God's plan and His established channels for covenant blessings remained intact. The careful distinction between various Levitical groups and their designated cities showcases God's intricate design for the functional hierarchy within His tabernacle and, later, temple service. The distribution of these cities throughout Israel allowed the Levites to influence and teach God's law across the diverse tribal territories, serving as vital spiritual and legal hubs.

1 Chronicles 6 59 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:59, nestled within a detailed genealogy and enumeration of Levitical cities, is a concise statement with profound theological and practical implications. It testifies to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to provide for His priests, as explicitly outlined in Mosaic law (Numbers 35; Joshua 21). The inclusion of "pasturelands" with each city is not a mere detail but signifies complete, practical provision for the priests' sustenance, acknowledging their non-inheriting status among the tribes. This ensured they could dedicate themselves wholly to their spiritual duties without worldly concerns. The meticulous listing by the Chronicler underscores the historical continuity and divine order, particularly significant for a post-exilic community rebuilding its identity and seeking to re-establish proper worship according to God's commands. It demonstrates how God organizes His people for their good and His glory, making provision for those who minister to Him, reflecting His unwavering care and the importance of upholding divine institutions. The mention of Beth-shemesh, a city with potential past pagan connections in its very name, but now consecrated for the holy purpose of the Aaronic priesthood, implicitly asserts the supremacy of Yahweh and the sanctification of the land for His worship. This verse, therefore, is a microcosm of divine order, faithful provision, and the dedication of all things, even specific geographic locations, to God's redemptive plan.