1 Chronicles 6 69

1 Chronicles 6:69 kjv

And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:

1 Chronicles 6:69 nkjv

Aijalon with its common-lands, and Gath Rimmon with its common-lands.

1 Chronicles 6:69 niv

Aijalon and Gath Rimmon, together with their pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6:69 esv

Aijalon with its pasturelands, Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands,

1 Chronicles 6:69 nlt

Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 69 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:69 lists Aijalon and Gathrimmon, along with their associated common lands (suburbs), as cities allotted to the Kohathite Levites who were not of the priestly lineage (sons of Aaron). This was part of God's detailed provision, allowing the Levites to dwell scattered among the various Israelite tribes and fulfill their specific duties related to worship, instruction, and maintaining God's law within the nation.

1 Chronicles 6 69 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 focuses on the priestly and Levitical genealogies, emphasizing their integral role in Israel's worship and national identity. Following a detailed lineage of Levi and the priesthood, the chapter systematically lists the cities assigned to each Levitical family across the twelve tribes. Verses 54-81 meticulously enumerate these cities, underscoring the fulfillment of God's command in Numbers 35 and Joshua 21 to provide for the Levites, who received no tribal land inheritance of their own. This distribution of 48 cities ensured that the Levites, the designated ministers and teachers of the Law, were dispersed throughout Israel to provide religious guidance, judgment, and service, reflecting the divine order and structure within the covenant community. The specific mention of Aijalon and Gathrimmon continues this detailed record for the non-priestly Kohathites, demonstrating the Chronicler's concern for the proper establishment and ongoing functionality of Israel's spiritual framework.

1 Chronicles 6 69 Word analysis

• and: (וְ - wə). A simple conjunctive linking this listing to the preceding cities, part of a consistent enumeration.
• Aijalon: (עַיָּלוֹן - `Ayyalōn). Meaning "Place of the Deer" or "Place of Gazelles." This city was strategically located in the Shephelah, bordering the territories of Dan, Benjamin, and Ephraim. It was initially allocated to the tribe of Dan (Josh 19:42) and later designated as a Kohathite Levitical city (Josh 21:24). Its inclusion highlights that even strategically significant areas were part of the Levitical distribution, underscoring their vital national role. Aijalon is famously associated with the sun standing still in Joshua's battle (Josh 10:12).
• with her suburbs: (וּמִגְרָשֶׁהָ - u-migrasheha). Migrash (מִגְרָשׁ) refers to the surrounding common or pasture lands specifically set aside for the Levites' cattle and livestock (Num 35:2-5). This provision was essential for their economic sustenance, as they did not own large agricultural plots. It allowed them to dedicate themselves to their sacred duties without needing to farm for subsistence, highlighting God's complete and practical care for those dedicated to His service.
• and Gathrimmon: (וְגַת רִמּוֹן - ve-Gath Rimmōn). Meaning "Winepress of the Pomegranate." Like Aijalon, Gathrimmon was in the territory of Dan (Josh 19:45) and was also allocated to the Kohathite Levites (Josh 21:25). Its specific mention, along with other cities, confirms the meticulous nature of the allocation, fulfilling God's promise of ordered dwelling places for the Levites.
• with her suburbs: (וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ - u-migrasheha). Identical to the prior mention, reinforcing the standard provision of adjacent pasture lands for each Levitical city.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs": This complete phrase exemplifies the meticulous detail found throughout the lists of Levitical cities. The repeated structure of "city name with her suburbs" emphasizes that these allotments were comprehensive—providing not just a place to live but also the means for livelihood. This reiterates the fulfillment of God's instructions regarding the sustenance of the Levites, who were set apart from agriculture but still required means of support for their daily needs and families. The scattering of these cities across the tribes also reflects the strategic intention to embed spiritual leadership and instruction throughout Israel.

1 Chronicles 6 69 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's precise recording of Levitical cities, including those like Aijalon which held significant historical weight beyond being merely Levitical (e.g., in Joshua's battle), reinforces the authenticity and historical rooting of the Mosaic system.
• The system of Levitical cities ensured decentralization of spiritual authority and education, preventing a spiritual vacuum in distant regions and providing accessible points for instruction in the Mosaic Law and worship rituals for all tribes.
• While these cities were "given" to the Levites, it does not mean the Levites "owned" them outright as tribal land. They had dwelling rights and common pasturage but the underlying tribal allocation usually remained with the primary tribe. This shows their distinct status as servants of God rather than landholders.
• The meticulous accounting in Chronicles demonstrates a theological emphasis on order, structure, and faithful adherence to divine instructions for the community's welfare and spiritual health.

1 Chronicles 6 69 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:69 serves as a brief but significant line within the Chronicler's detailed enumeration of Levitical cities. Its precision, listing both the cities and their essential "suburbs" (pasture lands), speaks volumes about God's organized providence for His chosen ministers. The allocation of Aijalon and Gathrimmon to the Kohathites highlights that the Levites were intentionally dispersed throughout Israel's tribal territories, fulfilling a divine strategy. This dispersion was not random; it allowed them to act as spiritual and legal anchors, accessible to the general population for teaching God's Law, adjudicating disputes, and maintaining communal worship. The "suburbs" detail underscores the practical reality of their support—a demonstration of God ensuring that those devoted to His service are adequately sustained, free to focus on their divine mandate. The Chronicler's emphasis on such lists validates the historical fidelity of God's covenant promises and the meticulously established order within ancient Israel.