1 Chronicles 6 61

1 Chronicles 6:61 kjv

And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.

1 Chronicles 6:61 nkjv

To the rest of the family of the tribe of the Kohathites they gave by lot ten cities from half the tribe of Manasseh.

1 Chronicles 6:61 niv

The rest of Kohath's descendants were allotted ten towns from the clans of half the tribe of Manasseh.

1 Chronicles 6:61 esv

To the rest of the Kohathites were given by lot out of the clan of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities.

1 Chronicles 6:61 nlt

The remaining descendants of Kohath received ten towns from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh by means of sacred lots.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 61 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:61 details the divine allocation of ten cities by lot to the non-Aaronic descendants of Kohath from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh. This provision enabled the Levites to fulfill their sacred duties across the land of Israel, affirming God's precise care for those consecrated to His service and the fulfillment of His covenant promises regarding the Levites' dwelling.

1 Chronicles 6 61 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 comprehensively traces the genealogies of the tribe of Levi, highlighting the lineage of Aaron and the priestly functions. The Chronicler's intent is to underscore the meticulous order of God's chosen people, particularly concerning the sacred duties and the appointed dwelling places for the Levites. This chapter lists the specific cities allotted to each Levite family—Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites—throughout Israel. Verse 61, specifically for the Kohathites not directly descended from Aaron, demonstrates how the promise made in the wilderness regarding the Levites receiving cities to dwell in (Num 35) was systematically fulfilled by divine arrangement. This meticulous detailing reinforces the divine plan for Israel's worship and national identity after the Babylonian exile, affirming continuity with their covenant heritage. Historically, this highlights the fulfillment of Mosaic law regarding land distribution after the conquest of Canaan, ensuring that the Levites, who had no territorial inheritance of their own, were provided for by all the tribes of Israel, allowing them to perform their essential roles as instructors of the Law and guardians of the Tabernacle/Temple throughout the nation.

1 Chronicles 6 61 Word analysis

• And: A conjunction, connecting this verse to the preceding discussion of other Levite allocations, signifying continuity in the comprehensive listing of Levitical cities.
• to the sons of Kohath: Heb. b'nei Qehat (בְּנֵי קְהָת). Refers to the male descendants of Kohath, the second son of Levi (Gen 46:11). These Kohathites were responsible for carrying the sacred articles of the tabernacle (Num 3:31) and, later, were appointed as gatekeepers and musicians in the temple (1 Chr 9:17-31). This specific group, distinct from the Aaronite (priestly) Kohathites already mentioned in the prior verses, underscores the precision of their familial and functional identity within Levi.
• who were left: Heb. hannôṯārim (הַנּוֹתָרִים), literally "the ones remaining/left over." This differentiates them from the Aaronite branch of Kohathites, who were also "sons of Kohath" but served as priests and had already received their cities (1 Chr 6:54-60). This specifies a particular sub-group within the Kohathite lineage.
• of the family of that tribe: Heb. mimmishpaḥat hammattěh (מִמִּשְׁפַּחַת הַמַּטֶּה). This further emphasizes their tribal and clan identity, clarifying that these are indeed the other clans within the Kohathite branch of the Levite tribe, apart from Aaron's lineage.
• were given by lot: Heb. vayĕhî gôralam (וַיְהִי גוֹרָלָם), meaning "and their lot was/came to be." The term goral (גּוֹרָל) signifies a divinely directed process of apportionment or selection, demonstrating that the allocation was not arbitrary or humanly devised, but God's sovereign will, confirming His providential hand in the precise arrangement of His people and their land. This system ensured impartiality and emphasized divine authority.
• out of the half tribe of Manasseh: Heb. mimmaṭṭēḥ ḥǎtsî hammenaššêh (מִמַּטֵּה חֲצִי הַמְנַשֶּׁה). This specifies the particular tribal territory from which these cities were designated. While Joshua 21:5 indicates that the "remaining" Kohathites received ten cities in total from Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Chronicles here summarily emphasizes Manasseh, possibly as the primary or initial source in its arrangement. This precise geographical detail illustrates the scattered distribution of the Levites across the land among the other tribes.
• ten cities: Heb. ārîm ʿeśer (עָרִים עֶשֶׂר). A specific quantitative designation. This number, combined with cities from other tribes mentioned elsewhere, signifies the sufficient provision made for these Levite families, enabling them to reside, and presumably carry out their duties, within various parts of Israel. The allocation was precisely measured and confirmed.
• "sons of Kohath, who were left...": This phrase isolates the non-Aaronic Kohathites, confirming that the Chronicler is meticulously accounting for all Levitical sub-branches and their divinely appointed roles and provisions.
• "...given by lot, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.": This word group encapsulates the divine methodology of distribution (by lot), the specific source of the provision (from Manasseh), and the quantitative measure of the provision (ten cities). It underlines God's precise and equitable ordering of His people.

1 Chronicles 6 61 Bonus section

The comprehensive listing of Levitical cities in 1 Chronicles (and Joshua 21) serves as more than just a historical record; it underlines a profound theological principle. The Levites, without a tribal land inheritance of their own, were uniquely positioned as mediators and spiritual guides dispersed throughout the twelve tribes. Their dwelling in scattered cities ensured that spiritual instruction, sacrificial services, and judicial interpretations were accessible to all corners of Israel. This prefigured the New Covenant scattering of God's people (the Church) as spiritual ministers (1 Pet 2:9) living within society to bear witness to God, though without a geographical land inheritance, but rather inheriting the Kingdom of God (Mt 25:34). This strategic allocation reinforced the unity of the twelve tribes around their shared worship of the one true God, as represented by the Levites among them. The Chronicler, writing post-exile, uses this detailed lineage and land allocation to remind the returning exiles of their heritage, their divinely ordered community, and God's consistent faithfulness in fulfilling His every promise.

1 Chronicles 6 61 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:61 meticulously records the fulfillment of God's instructions regarding the dwelling places for the non-priestly Kohathite Levites. It highlights the divine hand in the detailed apportionment of cities by "lot," reinforcing God's sovereignty over the land distribution and His provision for His consecrated servants. The Chronicler emphasizes order and fulfillment, affirming that every Levitical family, in accordance with their designated duties, received cities from the territories of the other tribes. This ensured their presence throughout Israel to teach, minister, and preserve the divine law. The apparent discrepancy with Joshua 21 (which distributes these ten cities from three different tribes: Ephraim, Dan, and Manasseh) suggests that Chronicles, through conciseness or particular focus, presents a summary or specific facet of this detailed allocation, affirming the overall ten cities for this group of Kohathites, with Manasseh being a named contributor. The ultimate point remains God's faithfulness in upholding His covenant promises by meticulously arranging for the Levites' sustenance and residence among their brethren.