1 Chronicles 6 80

1 Chronicles 6:80 kjv

And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

1 Chronicles 6:80 nkjv

And from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its common-lands, Mahanaim with its common-lands,

1 Chronicles 6:80 niv

and from the tribe of Gad they received Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim,

1 Chronicles 6:80 esv

and out of the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands,

1 Chronicles 6:80 nlt

And from the territory of Gad, they received Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim,

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 80 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:80 precisely records that the Levite families of the Gershonite clan were given three specific cities within the tribal territory of Naphtali, along with their surrounding pasturelands. These cities were Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kirjathaim. This verse is part of an extensive biblical record detailing the allocation of cities to the Levites, who unlike the other Israelite tribes, did not receive a continuous tribal land inheritance but were dispersed throughout the land to serve God and teach His laws to the people.

1 Chronicles 6 80 Context

This verse is nestled within the extensive genealogies found in 1 Chronicles chapters 1-9. Specifically, 1 Chronicles chapter 6 is dedicated to the lineage and divisions of the tribe of Levi, from whom the priests and Levites were drawn. It meticulously traces the line of Aaron, establishes the duties of the Levitical families, and critically, details the cities designated for them throughout Israel. This detailed record served multiple purposes for the post-exilic community: it affirmed the legitimate identity and divine appointment of the priesthood and Levites, reassured the people of God's covenant faithfulness and provision, and reinforced the divinely ordained order of worship.

Verses 54-81 of 1 Chronicles 6 list the specific cities allotted to the three main Levitical families: the Kohathites, Gershonites (to whom 1 Chr 6:80 pertains), and Merarites. The Levites did not inherit a specific tribal territory like the other eleven tribes (Num 18:20-24). Instead, they were strategically distributed in forty-eight cities across the tribal territories of the other Israelites, including these from Naphtali. This dispersion allowed them to fulfill their vital role as religious instructors, judges, and facilitators of worship across the nation, making God's law and presence accessible to all. The mention of Kedesh, a city of refuge, highlights the intersection of God's justice, mercy, and the Levites' presence.

1 Chronicles 6 80 Word analysis

• And out of: The Hebrew prefix וּמִמַּטֵּה (u-mimatteh) connects this specific allotment with the preceding ones, signifying continuity in the description of cities given to the Gershonites from various tribes. It implies that these are additional cities.
• the tribe of: מַטֵּה (matteh) refers to a branch, rod, or staff, metaphorically denoting a tribe or clan. It underscores the patriarchal and organizational structure of Israel.
• Naphtali: נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtali) was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob, by Bilhah (Gen 30:8). Their territory was in the northern part of Israel, west of the Sea of Galilee. Naphtali's tribal land, though geographically distinct, hosted Levitical cities to ensure access to divine instruction throughout the region. This land would later become significant in the New Testament as part of "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Isa 9:1, Mt 4:15).
• Kedesh: קֶדֶשׁ (Kedesh), meaning "holy place" or "sanctuary." This was a significant city in the northern territory. It is specifically identified as "Kedesh in Galilee" (קֶדֶשׁ בַּגָּלִיל), distinguishing it from other places named Kedesh (e.g., Kedesh in Issachar, Kedesh in Judah). Its primary importance here is its designation as one of the six cities of refuge, and one of the three west of the Jordan (Josh 20:7). Cities of refuge were established by divine command (Num 35:9-34) to provide protection for those who committed unintentional homicide from the vengeance of a kinsman. The Levites living in such cities could potentially serve in a legal capacity or facilitate understanding of these laws of refuge.
• in Galilee: בַּגָּלִיל (ba-Galil). Galilee ("district," "circle") was a region in northern Israel. Its inclusion here specifies the location of Kedesh, which helps prevent confusion with other cities by the same name. Its geographical mention links the Old Testament tribal distributions to the historical settings, later pivotal for Jesus' ministry (Mt 4:13).
• with its suburbs: וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ (u-migrasheha), meaning "and its pastures" or "common lands" or "outskirts." This phrase is crucial and appears consistently when describing Levitical cities (Num 35:2, Josh 21). It denotes the land immediately outside the city walls, typically for grazing livestock of the Levites (since they did not have agricultural tribal allotments). It was also space for building extensions or community use. This ensured the Levites' economic sustenance despite not inheriting large tracts of agricultural land like the other tribes, showcasing God's meticulous provision for His servants.
• and Hammon: וְחַמּוֹן (ve-Hammon), another city allocated to the Gershonites. The name potentially means "hot springs" or "sun sanctuary." Its precise location is debated among scholars but it was within Naphtali's territory.
• and Kirjathaim: וְקִרְיָתַיִם (ve-Kirjathaim), the third city mentioned, its name means "double city." There were other places with similar names, but this one is specific to Naphtali. Its inclusion completes the list of three cities and their corresponding pastures designated from the tribe of Naphtali for the Gershonite Levites in this context.

1 Chronicles 6 80 Bonus section

The lists of Levitical cities in 1 Chronicles 6 and Joshua 21 are remarkably similar but not entirely identical. For instance, in Joshua 21:32, "Dor" or "Doro" is sometimes mentioned where "Hammon" or "Kirjathaim" might appear, depending on ancient manuscripts and interpretations. These slight variations are not contradictions but reflect common biblical transcription or abridgment practices. They do not undermine the overall accuracy or divine intent but rather highlight that the essential purpose—the dispersal of the Levites with sufficient means throughout Israel for spiritual service—remains consistent across all records. The meticulous detailing in Chronicles emphasizes order and legitimacy, crucial themes for a returning community seeking to re-establish proper worship and social structure based on Mosaic Law.

1 Chronicles 6 80 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:80 highlights the practical fulfillment of God's command regarding the settlement of the Levites in Israel. Rather than a singular tribal land, the Levites were strategically disbursed throughout all twelve tribes, receiving cities along with their vital pasturelands. This arrangement was not arbitrary; it served the overarching divine purpose for the Levites. Their primary role was to maintain and administer the Tabernacle/Temple worship, but equally significant was their function as teachers of God's Law and moral guides for the entire nation (Deut 33:10, Neh 8:7-8). By being scattered, they ensured that the principles of the Torah and the practices of true worship were accessible in every region, acting as spiritual hubs and living reminders of God's presence and covenant.

The inclusion of Kedesh as a city of refuge from Naphtali is particularly poignant. Its holy name, "sanctuary," foreshadows its special role as a safe haven for those who unintentionally caused death, a place where justice and mercy could converge under the oversight of the Law. The Levites, being present in such a city, would have played a critical role in mediating such cases, providing counsel rooted in divine law, and upholding the integrity of the judicial system. The detail "with its suburbs" (migrasheha) emphasizes the completeness of God's provision for the Levites; even without traditional land inheritance, their economic needs were met, freeing them to fully devote themselves to their sacred calling. This precise record in Chronicles, consistent with Joshua 21, validates the Levitical heritage and structure for the post-exilic community, reaffirming their covenant standing and divine legitimacy.