1 Chronicles 6:64 kjv
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
1 Chronicles 6:64 nkjv
So the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands to the Levites.
1 Chronicles 6:64 niv
So the Israelites gave the Levites these towns and their pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:64 esv
So the people of Israel gave the Levites the cities with their pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:64 nlt
So the people of Israel assigned all these towns and pasturelands to the Levites.
1 Chronicles 6 64 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 35:2 | "Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites, from the inheritance... cities to dwell in." | Divine command for Levite cities. |
| Num 35:6 | "The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge..." | Specific instruction for cities of refuge for Levites. |
| Josh 21:2 | "...And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities..." | Levites seeking their commanded inheritance. |
| Josh 21:19 | "All the cities for the sons of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their pasturelands." | Total count of cities for Aaron's sons. |
| Josh 21:20 | "As for the families of the sons of Kohath, the Levites... cities from the tribe of Ephraim." | Distribution to other Kohathites. |
| Deut 12:12 | "You shall rejoice before the LORD your God... and the Levite who is within your towns..." | Command to care for the Levite. |
| Deut 18:1 | "The Levitical priests... shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel..." | Levites' lack of territorial inheritance. |
| Josh 14:4 | "For the descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim; so they gave no portion in the land to the Levites..." | Confirmation of Levites' unique land status. |
| Deut 4:41 | "Then Moses set apart three cities in the East beyond the Jordan..." | Initial establishment of cities of refuge. |
| Exod 29:9 | "...and the priesthood shall be theirs for a permanent statute." | Aaronic priesthood as a perpetual institution. |
| Num 18:21 | "To the Levites, I have given every tithe in Israel as an inheritance in return for their service." | Primary source of Levite provision. |
| Josh 21:41 | "All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were forty-eight cities..." | Total number of all Levite cities. |
| Matt 8:20 | "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." | Christ's non-reliance on earthly inheritance/possessions. |
| John 14:2 | "In my Father's house are many rooms... I go to prepare a place for you." | Christ providing spiritual "dwellings." |
| Heb 6:18 | "...so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge..." | God's faithfulness as our spiritual "refuge." |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's faithfulness in providing for His people. |
| 1 Cor 9:14 | "In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." | Principle of ministers being supported by ministry. |
| 2 Tim 2:2 | "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." | Spiritual inheritance/passing on of divine truth. |
| Eph 2:19 | "...you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God," | Believers as members of God's spiritual household/city. |
| Col 1:12 | "...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." | Believers' spiritual inheritance. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..." | Believers' identity as a spiritual priesthood. |
| Rev 21:2 | "And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God..." | The ultimate divine city and dwelling. |
1 Chronicles 6 verses
1 Chronicles 6 64 Meaning
1 Chronicles 6:64 details the precise distribution of specific dwelling places to the sons of Aaron, who constituted the priestly lineage within the tribe of Levi. This verse highlights that they received designated cities, which included cities of refuge, along with their associated pasturelands. The allotment was meticulously carried out according to the divisions of their families, ensuring each group received its proper inheritance as ordained. It signifies the practical fulfillment of divine commands regarding the provision for the priestly class within the promised land.
1 Chronicles 6 64 Context
This verse is part of an extensive genealogical and historical record in 1 Chronicles, specifically detailing the lineage and functions of the Levites. Chapter 6 is dedicated to tracing the descendants of Levi, focusing particularly on the Aaronic priests and the Levitical musicians. The main purpose of this chapter is to meticulously record the inheritance and roles assigned to the different branches of the Levites according to the Mosaic Law. Verse 64 serves as a summary statement within the section that enumerates the cities allocated to the sons of Aaron, acting as a concise recap of the practical execution of God's earlier commands regarding their settlement. Historically, this allocation took place after the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, representing the fulfillment of specific divine instructions (e.g., Numbers 35, Joshua 21) concerning the Levites' dwelling places, as they were not to receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes. The meticulous detail in Chronicles emphasizes God's faithfulness in upholding His promises and Israel's obedience (at this point) in establishing the divinely ordered system.
1 Chronicles 6 64 Word analysis
- Thus (וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ vayyittənu): Literally means "and they gave" or "so they gave." The introductory conjunction "and" often functions to summarize or conclude a preceding section or instruction, indicating that the action described is a direct consequence or fulfillment. It underscores the culmination of the prior directives concerning the Levite cities.
- they gave (וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ vayyittənu): Plural active verb. While the ultimate command came from God, the immediate action of "giving" involved the tribes of Israel, acting under the direction of Joshua and Eleazar, who oversaw the land distribution. This highlights human participation in executing divine plans.
- to the sons of Aaron (לִבְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹ֖ן livnei Ahăron): Specifies the recipients as the direct descendants of Aaron, who held the priestly office. This differentiates them from other Levites (like the Gershonites and Merarites) who also received cities, emphasizing their unique role and inheritance as the appointed priests of Israel. Ahăron (אַהֲרֹן) signifies the patriarch of the priestly line, established by God.
- some of the cities (מֵעָרֵ֣י me‘arei): The preposition "from/some of" indicates a portion rather than all cities. This phrasing suggests selection and intentionality in which cities were allocated to them.
- of refuge (הַמִּקְלָ֗ט hammiqlāṭ): Refers to specific cities designated for individuals who committed unintentional homicide. These cities served a dual purpose: providing sanctuary for manslayers and providing a dwelling for the Levites. Their presence among the priestly cities is significant, as the Levites, who oversaw justice and taught the Law, resided in places meant to uphold God's justice and mercy. Miqlāṭ (מִקְלָט) means "refuge" or "asylum."
- with their pasturelands (וְאֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ם ve’et-migrešêhem): Migrâsh (מִגְרָשׁ) refers to the open grazing lands or suburbs surrounding the walled cities. This provision was essential as the Levites did not inherit agricultural land for cultivation. These pasturelands allowed them to raise livestock for their sustenance and livelihood, fulfilling God's promise to provide for them. This detail shows a comprehensive provision, addressing both dwelling and economic needs.
- and some others (וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶ֖ם ve’et-‘ārêhem): Literally "and their cities." This phrase clarifies that the allocation was not limited to only cities of refuge. It emphasizes that in addition to the few designated refuge cities, other non-refuge cities were also given to them to complete their required quota of cities.
- according to their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ lĕmišpeḥotêhem): Mishpaḥah (מִשְׁפָּחָה) means "family" or "clan." This detail stresses the organized, systematic, and precise nature of the distribution. It ensured equity and proper succession within each Aaronic family group, reflecting the orderly and just character of God's governance.
1 Chronicles 6 64 Bonus section
The chronicler's detailed recording of the Levite cities, including 1 Chr 6:64, served several significant purposes for the post-exilic community for whom the book was primarily written.Firstly, it reaffirmed the validity and perpetuity of the Aaronic priesthood after the return from exile, showing that their heritage and divine provisions were historically settled and guaranteed by God's faithfulness.Secondly, it provided a concrete basis for re-establishing the proper service and function of the Levites and priests, ensuring that the roles and support systems for temple worship could be correctly implemented according to ancient mandates.Thirdly, the inclusion of "cities of refuge" in this listing is subtle but significant. These cities, under the care of the Levites, represented places of temporary safety rooted in divine law and mercy. In a spiritual sense, this prefigures the ultimate "refuge" found in Messiah, providing a secure haven from sin's condemnation and the wrath to come. The priests' dwelling in such places visually connected them with themes of divine justice, forgiveness, and protection, themes crucial to understanding God's character.Finally, the exactness ("according to their families") demonstrated the meticulous care of God in organizing His people and providing for His servants. It reinforced the concept that even the physical infrastructure for worship and the lives of its practitioners were precisely ordained and faithfully provided.
1 Chronicles 6 64 Commentary
1 Chronicles 6:64 serves as a succinct summary of the fulfillment of God's covenantal promises and detailed instructions regarding the Levitical priesthood. It records the successful allocation of cities and their vital pasturelands to the sons of Aaron. This act was not a human invention but a direct obedience to the divine blueprint established in the wilderness. The mention of "cities of refuge" within their inheritance is poignant, connecting the priests, who were teachers and guardians of the Law, with places embodying God's mercy and justice. This specific provision underscored that while the priests did not receive an agricultural inheritance, God Himself was their portion (Num 18:20), providing them with specific dwelling places for their families and support for their livelihood. The emphasis on the precise distribution "according to their families" highlights the divine order, ensuring proper care and structured living for those dedicated to God's service. The Chronicler includes this detail to reaffirm the legitimate authority and provision for the established priesthood, demonstrating God's faithfulness in every aspect of His people's lives and organization.