1 Chronicles 6 73

1 Chronicles 6:73 kjv

And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:

1 Chronicles 6:73 nkjv

Ramoth with its common-lands, and Anem with its common-lands.

1 Chronicles 6:73 niv

Ramoth and Anem, together with their pasturelands;

1 Chronicles 6:73 esv

Ramoth with its pasturelands, and Anem with its pasturelands;

1 Chronicles 6:73 nlt

Ramoth, and Anem, each with its pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 73 Meaning

This verse, "and Anem with its common-land, and Beth-shean with its common-land," is part of an exhaustive list detailing the cities specifically allotted to the Gershonite Levites within the tribal territory of Issachar. It signifies the fulfillment of God's command regarding the provision for the Levites, who did not receive a tribal inheritance of land like the other Israelite tribes. These cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands (common-land), provided dwelling places and sustenance, enabling the Levites to fulfill their sacred duties of service, teaching, and guardianship of the Law throughout Israel.

1 Chronicles 6 73 Context

Chapter Context: 1 Chronicles chapter 6 focuses heavily on the lineage of Levi, tracing the priestly and Levitical families from Aaron. It meticulously lists the divisions of the Levites—Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—and the specific cities allocated to each, fulfilling the commands given through Moses (Num 35) and enacted under Joshua (Josh 21). This systematic enumeration, particularly in verses 54-81, highlights the established order of sacred service and God's provision for His ministers. Verse 73 specifically falls within the section detailing the cities for the Gershonites, following a section for the Kohathites and preceding the section for the Merarites.

Historical Context: Written in the post-exilic period, the Book of Chronicles served to reinforce the identity, heritage, and religious traditions of the returned exiles. The meticulous detailing of genealogies, temple organization, and Levitical duties, including the precise allocation of cities, aimed to re-establish stability and assure the community of God's continuing faithfulness to His covenant promises. The Levitical cities demonstrated God's careful plan for housing those dedicated to worship and teaching, ensuring that spiritual instruction and priestly functions were distributed throughout the tribes of Israel, reaffirming divine order amidst a challenging time of rebuilding.

1 Chronicles 6 73 Word analysis

• and: (וְ, we-) A simple conjunction connecting the listing of these two cities to the preceding ones, indicating continuation within the inventory of Levitical settlements.

• Anem: (עָנֶם, Anem) This city, in the tribe of Issachar, is generally identified with En-Gannim ("spring of gardens") mentioned in Joshua 21:29 as a Gershonite city. The chronicler’s usage of "Anem" may be a shortened or alternative name. Its inclusion signifies the meticulous detail and thoroughness of the Levitical city distribution.

• with its common-land: (וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ, u'migrasheha) This refers to the pasturelands or open areas surrounding the city, extending outwards in specific dimensions (Num 35:4-5). This aspect was crucial as Levites did not inherit agricultural tribal land. These common-lands provided for their cattle and, thus, their livelihood. It underscores divine provision, allowing them to subsist without diverting resources from the tribes’ primary land, so they could dedicate themselves wholly to their religious duties.

• Beth-shean: (וּבֵית־שְׁאָן, u'veyt-sh'an) "House of rest" or "house of safety." A significant Canaanite and later Israelite city, renowned for its strategic location in the Jezreel Valley and its grim association with King Saul’s death (1 Sam 31:10). Its allocation as a Levitical city meant a place of military and political importance was designated for sacred purpose, ensuring the presence of Levitical influence in a critical region. This re-dedication reflects God's reclaiming of key strategic sites for His Kingdom.

• Words-group Analysis: "Anem with its common-land, and Beth-shean with its common-land" emphasizes the precise and comprehensive nature of the land allocation to the Levites. Each listed city came with its designated supporting pasturelands, signifying not just a dwelling place but a self-sustaining provision for their ministry. This precision reinforces the reliability of God’s promise and the orderly establishment of His worship and instruction throughout Israel. It underscores that spiritual laborers are to be adequately provided for, enabling their full dedication to their calling without worldly distraction.

1 Chronicles 6 73 Bonus section

The chronicler’s focus on the Levites and their cities is not merely an exercise in historical cataloging but carries significant theological weight.

• The widespread distribution of Levitical cities across all tribal territories (excluding Judah, who had Jerusalem and nearby priestly towns) facilitated nationwide spiritual instruction and access to justice based on Mosaic law. This implies a network of faith and legal administration.
• The meticulous adherence to these lists in 1 Chronicles highlights the theme of order and restoration. For the exiles returning to the land, seeing the careful detail of how God previously arranged the nation's spiritual and practical life would have been profoundly reassuring and a call to return to these divinely ordained patterns.
• The mention of "common-land" for sustenance points to the broader biblical principle that those who minister spiritually should be adequately supported by the community they serve, allowing them to be fully devoted to their sacred tasks. This model finds echoes in New Testament teachings about supporting gospel workers.

1 Chronicles 6 73 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:73 is a terse verse, yet deeply significant. It meticulously lists two cities, Anem and Beth-shean, granted to the Gershonite Levites, along with their indispensable common-lands. This concise notation points to several profound truths. First, it powerfully affirms God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as these allotments were established by Mosaic law. Second, it highlights the divine provision for those set apart for sacred service. Unlike other tribes who received agricultural inheritance, Levites were dependent on God's provision through these cities and the tithes and offerings of the people. This arrangement enabled them to be geographically dispersed across Israel, acting as centers of religious education, justice, and worship. The chronicler's inclusion of such detailed lists aimed to remind the post-exilic community of God's systematic ordering of Israel's spiritual life, inspiring renewed confidence and dedication to divine commands for the present and future. It practically demonstrated how Israel was to sustain and value their spiritual guides.