1 Chronicles 6 81

1 Chronicles 6:81 kjv

And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.

1 Chronicles 6:81 nkjv

Heshbon with its common-lands, and Jazer with its common-lands.

1 Chronicles 6:81 niv

Heshbon and Jazer, together with their pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6:81 esv

Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6:81 nlt

Heshbon, and Jazer, each with its pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 81 Meaning

This verse concludes the list of cities designated for the Merarite branch of the Levites. Specifically, it names "Jazer with its pasture lands" as a city assigned to the Merarite descendants from the tribe of Gad. This allocation ensured that the Levites, who received no tribal land inheritance, were provided with residences and the necessary common lands for their livestock, enabling them to fulfill their sacred duties throughout Israel.

1 Chronicles 6 81 Context

First Chronicles chapter 6 systematically details the genealogies and divisions of the tribe of Levi. It begins with Levi's descendants through Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (1 Chr 6:1-15), tracing the priestly line of Aaron down to the time of the exile (1 Chr 6:4-15). The chapter then pivots to enumerate the cities assigned to the Levites, fulfilling the divine command given in Numbers 35 and Joshua 21.

Verses 1 Chronicles 6:54-61 detail the cities given to the Kohathite descendants of Aaron. Verses 1 Chronicles 6:66-70 cover the cities for the remaining Kohathites. Verses 1 Chronicles 6:71-76 list cities for the Gershomites. Finally, 1 Chronicles 6:77-81 focus on the cities designated for the Merarites, with our verse, 1 Chronicles 6:81, providing the very last city in this specific listing for them. The historical context for the Book of Chronicles is the post-exilic period, where the Chronicler emphasizes the continuity of Israel's spiritual heritage, the restoration of proper worship, and the re-establishment of the priesthood and Levitical service. These precise lists serve to legitimate the returning priests and Levites, reinforcing their established roles and divinely sanctioned provision within the re-formed community.

1 Chronicles 6 81 Word analysis

• and (Hebrew: וְ, ve): This conjunction links the present city, Jazer, to the previously listed cities (Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon) given to the Merarite Levites from the tribe of Gad. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the allocation.
• Jazer (Hebrew: יַעְזֵר, Ya’zer): This city's name means "helpful" or "whom God helps." Jazer was a prominent city in Transjordan, specifically within the territory of the tribe of Gad, known for its pastures. Its inclusion signifies the completion of the allocated cities for the Merarite family derived from the tribe of Gad, affirming God's provision for His ministers. Jazer's presence here confirms the meticulous detail with which the Levitical inheritances were managed and documented, highlighting the fulfillment of the Mosaic law.
• with its pasture lands (Hebrew: מִגְרָשֶׁיהָ, migrasheha): This phrase indicates the open grazing areas surrounding the city, crucial for sustaining the Levites' flocks. Unlike the other tribes who received vast tracts of agricultural land, the Levites received cities along with these "pasture lands" or "suburbs," emphasizing their dependence on divine and communal provision. This highlights the practical and comprehensive nature of God's provision, addressing both dwelling and sustenance for His dedicated servants.

• "and Jazer with its pasture lands": This phrase functions as the final entry in the list of specific provisions for the Merarite Levites within the tribe of Gad. It underscores the practical fulfillment of God's command regarding the Levites' sustenance. The repetitive nature of "with its pasture lands" across these verses (e.g., 1 Chr 6:77-81) emphasizes the vital economic necessity for the Levites, who, unlike other tribes, were landless but devoted to spiritual service. It reflects an organized and provident divine economy where needs are precisely met.

1 Chronicles 6 81 Bonus section

The careful enumeration of Levitical cities in Chronicles highlights the Chronicler's intense focus on the importance of priestly and Levitical service for a properly functioning post-exilic community. While there are some minor textual differences in the specific cities listed between 1 Chronicles 6 and Joshua 21 in other sections, the list for Merarites from Gad in 1 Chronicles 6:77-81, specifically Jazer in 1 Chr 6:81, aligns well with Joshua 21. This meticulous recording validates the continuity of God's covenant with Levi and establishes a framework for Israel's religious future. These cities were not merely residences but hubs from which the Levites provided spiritual instruction and upheld the Law throughout the nation. Their placement served to connect the dispersed tribes to the central worship, maintaining spiritual unity and purity.

1 Chronicles 6 81 Commentary

First Chronicles 6:81, listing Jazer with its pasture lands, completes the record of Levitical cities given to the Merarites from the tribe of Gad. This detailed accounting reinforces several key truths: God's faithfulness in providing for those dedicated to His service, the systematic and orderly structure of ancient Israel, and the central role of the Levites in the nation's spiritual life. By providing specific cities and their adjacent grazing areas, God ensured the Levites were strategically distributed throughout the land, enabling them to fulfill their duties of teaching, guarding the sanctuary, and serving as ministers. The inclusion of "pasture lands" underscores God's practical care for their livelihoods. This chapter, written in the post-exilic period, served as an encouragement and blueprint for the returned community, asserting the continuity and legitimacy of their spiritual heritage rooted in divine appointments and meticulous fulfillment of divine law.