1 chronicles 6:69 - Aijalon with its suburbs, Gath Rimmon with its suburbs;

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 6:69

What does "1 chronicles 6:69" mean?


1 Chronicles 6:69 is part of a list of towns allocated to the Levites, specifically the Kohathites, within the tribal territories of Israel. Let's break down the meaning:

Aijalon and Gath Rimmon: These are names of cities. Aijalon was located in the territory of the tribe of Dan, and Gath Rimmon was another Levitical city within the territory of Dan (Joshua 19:45, 21:24).

"with its suburbs": This is the key part. "Suburbs" in this context doesn't mean modern suburban sprawl. It refers to the agricultural lands and pasturelands surrounding the city. The Levites, being a priestly tribe, were not given a large contiguous territory like the other tribes. Instead, they were given cities scattered throughout Israel. These "suburbs" provided the Levites with land for their animals, gardens, and other agricultural needs to sustain themselves. The size of these "suburbs" was specifically designated.

Therefore, the verse means that the cities of Aijalon and Gath Rimmon, along with the specified pasturelands and agricultural areas around those cities, were given to the Levites (specifically the Kohathites in this chapter) as their inheritance.

Significance:

Provision for the Levites: It ensured the Levites had a means of sustenance despite not having their own tribal territory.
Dispersion of Religious Authority: It placed Levites throughout the land, allowing them to teach the Law, offer sacrifices, and provide religious leadership to the various tribes.
Strategic Importance: Strategically situating these Levitical cities was crucial for maintaining religious and moral stability across the Israelite settlements.

In essence, the verse describes a specific parcel of land, including the city and the surrounding areas, designated for the Levites to live and work. It emphasizes the practical provisions made for the Levitical priests within the broader structure of the Israelite nation.

What categories does "1 chronicles 6:69" have?