1 Chronicles 6 78

1 Chronicles 6:78 kjv

And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,

1 Chronicles 6:78 nkjv

And on the other side of the Jordan, across from Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, they were given from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its common-lands, Jahzah with its common-lands,

1 Chronicles 6:78 niv

from the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan east of Jericho they received Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah,

1 Chronicles 6:78 esv

and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, out of the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its pasturelands, Jahzah with its pasturelands,

1 Chronicles 6:78 nlt

From the territory of Reuben, east of the Jordan River opposite Jericho, they received Bezer (a desert town), Jahaz,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 78 Meaning

The verse specifies two cities, Bezer and Jahzah (or Jahaz), located within the territorial allotment of the tribe of Reuben, east of the Jordan River. These cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, were designated and given to the Merarite clan, one of the three primary divisions of the Levites. This detail forms part of a broader inventory of cities dispersed among the Israelite tribes, demonstrating the structured divine provision for the Levites who served the Lord and had no tribal land inheritance of their own.

1 Chronicles 6 78 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 is a meticulous record of the Levites, beginning with their genealogy and transitioning into a detailed enumeration of the cities they were allotted throughout Israel. This extensive list serves to underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of providing for the Levites, despite their unique inheritance status. Verses 64-81 specifically detail the cities given to the Merarite clan, one of the three Levitical branches. Within this larger section, verse 78 precisely names two Merarite cities, Bezer and Jahzah, situated in the Transjordanian territory belonging to the tribe of Reuben. The Chronicler’s inclusion of such granular details emphasizes the orderly nature of Israel's divine establishment and the precise fulfillment of commands given much earlier in the Mosaic law regarding the Levites' dwelling places and their sustenance through "pasturelands." This detailed record served to remind the post-exilic community of the sacred organization and God's consistent provision within Israel's history, strengthening their commitment to proper worship.

1 Chronicles 6 78 Word analysis

• and from the tribe of Reuben,: This phrase marks a continuation in the list of Merarite cities. "Reuben" (רְאוּבֵן, Rĕ'ûḇēn) was Jacob's firstborn, and his tribe settled east of the Jordan. Its inclusion here ensures a systematic geographical listing of Levitical cities.
• Bezer: (בֶּצֶר, Betser) Meaning "fortress" or "gold ore." Bezer holds dual significance: it was a city specifically allocated to the Merarite Levites for dwelling, and, notably, it was designated as one of the six Cities of Refuge (Deut 4:43; Josh 20:8). These cities provided sanctuary for those who accidentally killed someone, highlighting God's interwoven principles of justice and mercy within the land.
• with its pasturelands,: (וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ, u·miḡ·rā·šey·hā) Translated as "suburbs" or "common lands" in other versions. This term refers to the open, common grazing areas around the city walls, which were vital for the Levites to sustain their livestock (Num 35:3). This detail emphasizes the practical and complete provision God made for the Levites, ensuring their livelihood despite not inheriting land as other tribes did.
• and Jahzah: (וְיַהְצָה, wĕ·Yahṣāh) Also spelled Jahaz. Like Bezer, this was a specific Levitical city assigned to the Merarites within Reuben's territory. It is also mentioned as a battle site where Israel defeated King Sihon (Num 21:23-24). Its inclusion here underlines the Chronicler's meticulous historical and administrative accuracy regarding the allocation of God's people and land.
• with its pasturelands,: This repeats the essential provision for sustenance associated with Levitical cities, emphasizing that each assigned city came with the necessary surrounding land for their herds.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• from the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its pasturelands, and Jahzah with its pasturelands: This comprehensive phrase encapsulates the structured fulfillment of God's promise to provide for the Levites. It specifies the particular tribal territory (Reuben) within which these two cities were located, emphasizing the dispersion of the Levites throughout Israel. The repeated mention of "pasturelands" underscores the divine understanding of the Levites' practical needs for livelihood, allowing them to fully devote themselves to their spiritual responsibilities without agricultural concerns. This detailed geographical and administrative record reaffirms God's meticulous ordering of the nation and His consistent provision for those set apart for His service.

1 Chronicles 6 78 Bonus section

• Architectural Wisdom: The system of Levitical cities demonstrates a profound understanding of community and governance. By scattering the Levites (spiritual leaders, teachers, scribes, judges) throughout all tribal territories, God ensured accessibility to spiritual instruction and proper legal administration for all Israelites, preventing any single tribe from holding exclusive spiritual authority.
• Economic Viability: The consistent mention of "pasturelands" with each Levitical city (Num 35) was crucial. It provided the Levites with a sustainable economic base through animal husbandry, making them economically independent in their respective locations, rather than solely reliant on tithes that might fluctuate or be unequally distributed.
• Beyond Census: For the Chronicler, listing these cities was not merely a historical or census record. It was a theological statement demonstrating the stability of God’s covenant with Israel through their proper organization around the worship of God, particularly important for the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity and adherence to the law.
• Typological Significance: The principle of setting apart specific individuals and providing for their needs so they may serve the community, as seen with the Levites, foreshadows the call for those dedicated to Christian ministry. As the Levites lived amongst but were separate from other tribes, sustained for service, so are ministers in the church supported to dedicate themselves to spiritual work.

1 Chronicles 6 78 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:78, though a brief geographical reference, profoundly speaks to God's precise provision and the established order within the covenant community of Israel. By listing Bezer and Jahzah, with their crucial pasturelands, as designated cities for the Merarite Levites in Reuben's territory, the Chronicler reinforces several theological truths. It highlights God's faithfulness in literally fulfilling His word concerning the Levites’ unique inheritance (Josh 21, Num 35). This comprehensive distribution of Levites, including in Transjordanian regions like Reuben’s territory, ensured a widespread presence of those responsible for teaching God's law and administering justice (as in Bezer, a City of Refuge). Furthermore, the specific inclusion of "pasturelands" speaks to the practical, economic provision God ensured for His servants, allowing them to focus on their sacred duties. This intricate organization reflects God's meticulous care for His people and the foundational principles of community support for spiritual service, a principle echoed later in the New Testament concerning support for ministers of the gospel.