1 Chronicles 6 66

1 Chronicles 6:66 kjv

And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.

1 Chronicles 6:66 nkjv

Now some of the families of the sons of Kohath were given cities as their territory from the tribe of Ephraim.

1 Chronicles 6:66 niv

Some of the Kohathite clans were given as their territory towns from the tribe of Ephraim.

1 Chronicles 6:66 esv

And some of the clans of the sons of Kohath had cities of their territory out of the tribe of Ephraim.

1 Chronicles 6:66 nlt

The descendants of Kohath were given the following towns from the territory of Ephraim, each with its pasturelands:

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 66 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:66 records the specific cities given to the non-priestly families of the Kohathite Levites, establishing their dwelling places within the territories of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This distribution ensured their provision and continued fulfillment of their God-appointed duties, as they had no tribal land inheritance of their own.

1 Chronicles 6 66 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 primarily focuses on the genealogies of the Levites and their assigned roles and cities. The broader historical context is post-exilic Israel, where the Chronicler is re-establishing the lineage of priests and Levites, emphasizing order, proper worship, and faithfulness to the Mosaic law. Verse 66 specifically details part of the divinely ordained provision for the Kohathite Levites. These non-priestly Kohathites had a significant role in handling and transporting the most sacred elements of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This verse, along with others in the chapter and Joshua 21, assures the returning exiles of God's faithfulness to His promises regarding the land and the established roles within the Mosaic covenant, despite their displacement and return. It reiterates the specific land distribution to ensure the Levites, who had no territorial inheritance, were cared for and could fulfill their duties within reach of the tribes.

1 Chronicles 6 66 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve-): Connects this verse to the preceding allocation of cities to other Levitical families, showing a continuation of the same administrative theme.
• to the families (לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹת - lᵉmishpᵉchôth): Denotes the tribal subdivisions; emphasizes the organized, lineage-based structure for land distribution among the Levites. This was not individual provision but for entire family units.
• of the sons of Kohath (לִבְנֵי קְהָת - livnê qᵉhāth): Identifies the specific Levitical clan receiving these cities. The Kohathites were a primary division of the Levites, descendants of Levi's second son, Kohath, with distinct roles in handling sacred temple objects.
• the rest of the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם הַנּוֹתָרִים - halᵉwiyîm hannôthârîm): This crucial phrase distinguishes these Kohathites from the priestly Kohathites (the direct descendants of Aaron, who received cities from Judah, Benjamin, and Simeon, as noted in previous verses). This specifies the non-Aaronic branch of the Kohathites.
• they gave cities (נָתְנוּ עָרִים - nāthnû ‘ārim): Indicates that the various Israelite tribes, as per God's command through Moses (Num 35:2-8) and Joshua, allocated these cities to the Levites. This highlights communal responsibility.
• out of the tribe of Ephraim (מִמַּטֵּה אֶפְרָיִם - mimmaṭṭēh ’ep̄rayim): Identifies the first contributing tribe. Ephraim was a prominent tribe in the central part of Israel.
• and out of the tribe of Dan (וּמִמַּטֵּה דָן - ûmimmaṭṭēh ḏān): Identifies the second contributing tribe. Dan was initially situated west of Benjamin, towards the coast.
• and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh (וּמִמַּחֲצִית מַטֵּה מְנַשֶּׁה - ûmimaḥaṣîth maṭṭēh mᵉnaššeh): Identifies the third contributing entity. Manasseh was divided, with half on each side of the Jordan. This likely refers to the western (cis-Jordan) half of Manasseh.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "to the families of the sons of Kohath, the rest of the Levites": This detailed phrase specifies the exact recipients of the cities. It clarifies that this provision is for the specific Kohathite families not descended directly from Aaron (who were priests and had different allocations), but for the wider clan who performed other sacred duties like carrying the ark and sacred vessels. This reflects careful and systematic administration in the divine plan.
  • "they gave cities out of the tribe of Ephraim and out of the tribe of Dan and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh": This lists the specific tribal contributions, highlighting the widespread nature of the support for the Levites. These were all strategic locations, mostly in the central and northern parts of the territory, demonstrating how the Levites, while without their own land, were interwoven into the very fabric of the tribes across the land, facilitating their teaching and judicial roles.

1 Chronicles 6 66 Bonus section

• The allocation of cities to the Levites across various tribes prevented them from being a segregated, landless underclass. Instead, they were strategically dispersed, allowing them to fulfill their duties of teaching the Law, judging disputes, and leading worship closer to the people.
• The fact that these details are meticulously repeated in Chronicles, even after being given in Joshua, speaks to the Chronicler's concern for legitimate worship and the correct administration of sacred duties. It emphasizes continuity and faithfulness to ancient divine mandates, important for a community rebuilding its identity after exile.
• These Levitical cities, while serving as homes, were not their inheritance in the same way as the tribal territories. Their 'inheritance' was the Lord Himself, reinforcing their singular dedication to His service, independent of earthly gain (Num 18:20).

1 Chronicles 6 66 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:66 is a precise administrative detail in the larger context of organizing post-exilic Israel. It reiterates the specific provision made for a particular segment of the Kohathite Levites—those not of Aaron's priestly line. The careful designation of cities from Ephraim, Dan, and half of Manasseh underscores several truths. First, it reflects God's faithfulness to His covenant, ensuring the Levites, though lacking a territorial inheritance like other tribes, were fully supported and integrated into Israel's life as custodians of the sacred and teachers of the Law. Second, it highlights the importance of order and exact adherence to God's commands in the community, particularly concerning sacred roles and temple service. The allocation of cities to all Levitical families, meticulously detailed across Joshua and 1 Chronicles, provided them centers for their ministry, for instruction, and for their livelihood, affirming that those who serve God's house should be sustained by God's people, reflecting a principle seen both in Old Testament law and New Testament church life.