Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
Read it in contextTerritories for the Levites
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 6:54 (1 Chronicles 6:54 to 1 Chronicles 6:81).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
6:54Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
6:55And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
6:56But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
6:57And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
6:58And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
6:59And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
6:60And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
6:61And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
6:62And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
6:63Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
6:64And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
6:65And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
6:66And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
6:67And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
6:68And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
6:69And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:
6:70And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
6:71Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
6:72And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
6:73And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
6:74And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
6:75And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
6:76And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
6:77Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
6:78And 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,
6:79Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
6:80And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
6:81And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution. The historical writer or compiler is commonly called the Chronicler; an exact personal identification is not certain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Chronicles 1:1–9:44): These genealogies and settlement lists identify ancestral families, tribes, priests, Levites, and returned inhabitants for the community's record. The people listed are not all participants in one contemporary gathering. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after the Babylonian exile, reconnecting its families, worship, and identity with Israel's earlier history. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 9:1; 1 Chronicles 9:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Territories for the Levites. Read 1 Chronicles 6:54 through 1 Chronicles 6:81 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The genealogies range widely through generations; the narrative then concentrates on David and preparations for the temple. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The tribal lines and settlements range through Israel. David's reign and temple preparations concentrate on Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Territories for the Levites (1 Chronicles 6:54 to 1 Chronicles 6:81).
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 6:54. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? David's house and promised successor belong to the royal line later connected to Jesus. Preserve the immediate reference to Solomon where temple-building responsibilities are stated. See 1 Chronicles 17:11, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Luke 1:32. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Consider faithful preparation, ordered service, and the contribution of many people to worship. Genealogies describe particular family relationships and should not be turned into a universal ranking of personal worth. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles 6
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The genealogies place Israel and its worshiping community within an extended family history.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography.
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.