1 Chronicles 6 77

1 Chronicles 6:77 kjv

Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:

1 Chronicles 6:77 nkjv

From the tribe of Zebulun the rest of the children of Merari were given Rimmon with its common-lands and Tabor with its common-lands.

1 Chronicles 6:77 niv

The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they received Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands;

1 Chronicles 6:77 esv

To the rest of the Merarites were allotted out of the tribe of Zebulun: Rimmono with its pasturelands, Tabor with its pasturelands,

1 Chronicles 6:77 nlt

The remaining descendants of Merari received the towns of Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmon, and Tabor from the territory of Zebulun, each with its pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 77 Meaning

This verse details a specific portion of the land inheritance given to a subset of the Merarite Levites. It states that two cities, Rimmono and Tabor, along with their surrounding pasturelands (common-land), were allocated to "the rest of the Merarites" from within the territory of the tribe of Zebulun. This allocation was part of the divine provision for the Levites, who received cities to dwell in throughout Israel, rather than a contiguous tribal land inheritance like the other tribes.

1 Chronicles 6 77 Context

1 Chronicles 6 meticulously details the genealogies of Levi, especially the lineage of Aaron (the high priests) and the musical guilds associated with the temple service. It then proceeds to list the cities allotted to the various Levitical families (Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites) across the tribes of Israel, in fulfillment of God's commands (e.g., Numbers 35; Joshua 21). This specific verse falls within the section listing cities for the Merarite Levites. For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, this comprehensive list would have underscored the importance of re-establishing the proper Levitical service and temple worship according to ancient divine patterns, highlighting God's meticulous provision and order for His consecrated servants. Historically, this allocation ensured that spiritual instruction, legal guidance (as Levites often served as judges), and a connection to the central sanctuary were decentralized and accessible throughout Israel.

1 Chronicles 6 77 Word analysis

• And to the rest of the Merarites: This phrase refers to a specific sub-group within the Merarite clan of Levites. The Levites were divided into three main families—Kohath, Gershon, and Merari—each with specific duties concerning the Tabernacle/Temple. The phrase "the rest of" indicates that some Merarites' cities might have been mentioned previously or that this specifically denotes those who were not part of an initial or primary assignment mentioned elsewhere. It highlights a precise, meticulous allocation to every part of Levi's lineage.
• Merarites (מְרָרִים - Mᵊrāarîm): Descendants of Merari, one of Levi's sons. Their primary responsibilities initially involved carrying the heavy components of the Tabernacle (boards, bars, pillars). In later Temple service, they would have been involved in various support roles, including maintaining the Temple structure and potentially assisting the priests.
• were given (נִתְּנוּ - nitᵊnū): A passive verb emphasizing that these cities were not acquired through conquest or human effort by the Levites themselves, but divinely assigned or granted. This reinforces the concept of divine provision and an established covenant order.
• out of the tribe of Zebulun (מִמַּטֵּה זְבֻלוּן - mimaṭṭēh zᵊḇulûn): Indicates the source territory from which these cities were designated. Zebulun was one of the twelve tribes, occupying a territory in northern Israel. The distribution of Levitical cities throughout the land was critical for the spiritual and judicial presence of the Levites in every tribal region, decentralizing their function.
• Rimmono (רִמּוֹנוֹ - Rimmōnô): A city in the territory of Zebulun. It is often equated by scholars with Dimnah mentioned in the parallel list in Joshua 21:35, possibly being an alternative name or a textual variation. Its name might mean "pomegranate."
• and Tabor (תָּבֹר - Tābōr): Refers to a city named Tabor in the territory of Zebulun, not necessarily Mount Tabor, although it could be near it. In the parallel passage (Joshua 21:35), the corresponding city listed is Nahalal. This discrepancy suggests potential textual variations, alternative names for the same locations, or different historical periods of possession.
• with its common-land (וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ - ūmiḡrāšeihā): This phrase is significant. The Hebrew word migrash (מִגְרָשׁ) refers to the open pasturelands or suburbs surrounding the Levitical cities. Levites did not receive agricultural land for tilling but relied on these common lands for grazing their livestock, vital for their sustenance. This arrangement ensured they were wholly dependent on God's provision through the donations of the people and the produce from these specified common lands, reflecting their dedication to their sacred duties without the burden of extensive farming. It underscored their unique role, separated unto the Lord.

• Words-group analysis:
• "To the rest of the Merarites were given": This phrase highlights God's systematic and comprehensive care for His dedicated servants. No family or group within the Levites was overlooked; each was meticulously provided for according to the divine blueprint established in the Law. It emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Levi.
• "Out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmono with its common-land, and Tabor with its common-land": This entire phrase, by listing specific cities and emphasizing their "common-land," reiterates the unique nature of Levitical inheritance. They were interwoven among the tribes rather than isolated, which allowed them to effectively fulfill their roles as teachers of the Law and judges, maintaining a spiritual presence throughout the land. The explicit mention of common-land stresses the practical provision God made for their livelihood in lieu of agricultural land.

1 Chronicles 6 77 Bonus section

The discrepancy between the cities listed in 1 Chronicles 6:77 (Rimmono and Tabor) and Joshua 21:34-35 (Jokneam and Kartah for Merarites in Zebulun; some texts of Joshua 21:35 have Dimnah and Nahalal, which fits better as Dimnah is possibly Rimmono) is a recognized textual issue among scholars. Various explanations include: scribal errors, the cities having multiple names over different historical periods, or the Chronicler drawing on a different, but equally valid, source list from his time. The key theological point for the Chronicler, however, remains unaffected: God's command regarding the distribution of Levitical cities was faithfully executed. This list assures the reader of the careful preservation of divine ordinances, providing a stable foundation for the nation's spiritual life. The precise enumeration also underlines the ordered nature of God's covenant with Israel and the centrality of the Levites to the ongoing worship and teaching of the Law, serving as spiritual anchors throughout the various tribal territories.

1 Chronicles 6 77 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:77 is a factual record of the implementation of a fundamental aspect of Israel's national and religious life: the provision for the Levites. These cities were not merely places of residence but served as decentralized centers for the spiritual education, administration of justice, and ritual purity that were the responsibilities of the Levites. The mention of "common-land" (migrash) is key, differentiating their living situation from other tribes and highlighting their unique dependence on God and the contributions of the people. While there are discrepancies between the names of cities listed in this verse and its parallel in Joshua 21, the Chronicler's primary aim is to show that God's plan for His consecrated servants was fully established and maintained, underscoring order, provision, and the importance of adhering to the divine pattern for the temple service. This was particularly reassuring for the post-exilic community who sought to re-establish proper worship and social order. This passage reminds us that God meticulously provides for those consecrated to His service and establishes order within His people.