1 Chronicles 6 71

1 Chronicles 6:71 kjv

Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:

1 Chronicles 6:71 nkjv

From the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh the sons of Gershon were given Golan in Bashan with its common-lands and Ashtaroth with its common-lands.

1 Chronicles 6:71 niv

The Gershonites received the following: From the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh they received Golan in Bashan and also Ashtaroth, together with their pasturelands;

1 Chronicles 6:71 esv

To the Gershomites were given out of the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands and Ashtaroth with its pasturelands;

1 Chronicles 6:71 nlt

The descendants of Gershon received the towns of Golan (in Bashan) and Ashtaroth from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh, each with its pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 71 Meaning

This verse details specific cities allotted to the Gershomite branch of the Levites from the half-tribe of Manasseh located east of the Jordan River. These cities are Golan in Bashan and Ashtaroth, both including their surrounding common-lands for pasturage and sustenance. It underscores God's faithfulness in providing for the Levites as commanded in the Mosaic Law, ensuring they were strategically distributed throughout Israel to serve as spiritual and judicial guides without a dedicated tribal land inheritance.

1 Chronicles 6 71 Context

First Chronicles chapter 6 primarily focuses on the extensive genealogies of the Levites, especially detailing the priestly line descended from Aaron (Kohathites). Following this, it lists the cities allotted to the three major Levite branches: Kohath, Gershom, and Merari. Verse 71 falls within the section enumerating the cities given to the Gershomite Levites, specifically from the land east of the Jordan. This list serves to demonstrate the faithful fulfillment of God's command given in Numbers 35 and Joshua 21, where Levites were to receive no tribal land inheritance but instead live in designated cities scattered throughout all tribal territories, supported by tithes and offerings. Historically, this allocation would have taken place after the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, establishing the Levites' presence across the nation as custodians of God's law, teachers, and judges. The Chronicler emphasizes these details to highlight Israel's adherence to divine commands and God's consistent provision for His covenant people.

1 Chronicles 6 71 Word analysis

• And: Connects this verse to the preceding list of cities given to other Levite clans. It signifies continuation and comprehensive listing.
• to the sons of Gershom: Hebrew: לִבְנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹם (liḇnê ḡêršōm). "Sons of Gershom" refers to the specific Levitical family or clan descending from Gershom, one of Levi's three sons (the others being Kohath and Merari). Gershomites were primarily responsible for carrying the tabernacle's coverings and hangings during Israel's wilderness wanderings.
• were given: Hebrew: נָתָנוּ (nāṯānū - a common Hebrew verb meaning "they gave" or here in passive context "were given"). The passive construction indicates that the provision came from a higher authority (God's command) through the people of Israel, rather than being conquered or chosen by the Levites themselves. It underscores divine allocation and provision.
• out of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Refers to the portion of the tribe of Manasseh that settled east of the Jordan River. This allocation demonstrates that the Levites were given cities from all tribes, including those in Transjordan, ensuring their widespread presence.
• Golan: Hebrew: גּוֹלָן (Gōlān). A specific city located in the Bashan region. It was one of the six designated Cities of Refuge, vital for legal justice concerning accidental homicide. Its allocation to the Levites reinforces their role in upholding justice and interpreting the Law.
• in Bashan: Hebrew: בַּבָּשָׁן (bābašān). Bashan was a fertile, productive region east of the Jordan, known for its rich pasturage and strong cattle (Ps 22:12, Amos 4:1). The location indicates the strategic positioning of these Levite cities in significant agricultural and historical areas.
• with its common-lands: Hebrew: וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ (ūmiḡrāšêhā). Refers to the open lands, pasturage, or suburbs surrounding the walled cities. These lands were crucial for the Levites' sustenance, as they typically owned livestock but not extensive agricultural plots. This provision fulfilled the instruction in Num 35:2-3.
• and Ashtaroth: Hebrew: וְעַשְׁתָּרוֹת (wəʿaštārōṯ). Also spelled Ashtoreth (singular) or plural Ashtaroth, referring to a Canaanite fertility goddess. The city was likely named after this deity, being an ancient significant place in the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan (Deut 1:4). The giving of such a city, potentially associated with idolatry, to the Levites, who were servants of Yahweh, highlights the divine reclaiming of land and implies the potential for spiritual purification or a prophetic challenge against pagan worship. In Josh 21:27, the parallel city is "Beeshterah," likely an alternate or expanded name for Ashtaroth.
• with its common-lands: Similar to the above, this specifies that Ashtaroth, too, included its surrounding pasturage.

1 Chronicles 6 71 Bonus section

The distribution of Levite cities, as exemplified in 1 Chronicles 6:71, showcases a deliberate divine strategy to ensure widespread spiritual instruction and judicial oversight. Rather than confining them to one tribal area, their scattering among all tribes ensured accessibility to teaching and counsel, fostering a decentralized yet unified spiritual influence across the nation. This systematic placement countered tendencies toward regional isolation, promoting national coherence rooted in the Mosaic covenant. The dual purpose of some Levitical cities as Cities of Refuge further amplified their significance, making them havens of legal protection under the Law, thus integrating spiritual teaching with practical justice.

1 Chronicles 6 71 Commentary

This verse from 1 Chronicles 6 is a precise record of divine faithfulness and order within the early Israelite kingdom. It affirms God's commitment to sustaining the Levites, who were uniquely set apart for spiritual service without an individual tribal land inheritance. By listing Golan and Ashtaroth, both within the resource-rich Bashan territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh, the Chronicler emphasizes the precise fulfillment of Mosaic Law regarding Levitical cities (Numbers 35, Joshua 21).

The designation of Golan as a City of Refuge, alongside its Levitical inhabitancy, underscores the Levites' integral role in administering justice and preserving the sanctity of life within the covenant community. The inclusion of Ashtaroth, a city often associated with the pagan goddess Ashtoreth in Canaanite culture, carries a deeper symbolic resonance. Granting this location to the Levites implies God's sovereignty over all territories, even those with idolatrous pasts. It positioned the bearers of God's truth directly into areas historically permeated by paganism, establishing centers of monotheistic worship and teaching that would ideally counteract existing spiritual darkness. Thus, the Levites were not merely provided for; they were strategically scattered throughout the land, becoming spiritual anchors and teachers, embodying God's presence and Law in every corner of Israel.