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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:54-81

We have here an account of the Levites? cities. They are here called their castles (1 Chron. 6:54), not only because walled and fortified, and well guarded by the country (for it is the interest of every nation to protect its ministers), but because they and their possessions were, in a particular manner, the care of the divine providence: as God was their portion, so God was their protection; and a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This account is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:54-81

Now these are their dwelling places ,.... The dwelling places of the priests and Levites, assigned and given to them in the several tribes of Israel; and the account of them agrees with that in Joshua 21:1 with some few variations of names of places, which have been there observed: see the notes there; only in 1 Chronicles 6:57 two cities are omitted, Juttah and Gibeon, through want of care in transcribing, since they are said to be "thirteen", as they should be, whereas eleven only are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:54-70

And these are their dwellings according to their enclosures in their territories , טִירוֹתָם means the settlements of whatever people in question, surrounded and protected by whatever fence or defence customary. For theirs was the lot is more intelligible with the addition of the word "first," supplied in Jos 31:10, i.e. theirs was the first lot. The whole drift of the present passage, with the remainder of the chapter, is made entirely plain by Numbers 35:1-8 and Joshua 21:1-10... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:54-81

The writer returns upon his steps to give the cities and dwelling-places of the Levites, beginning with the priestly members of the Kohathite line ( 1 Chronicles 6:54-61 ), then taking those of the Gershomite ( 1 Chronicles 6:62 ) and Merarite lines ( 1 Chronicles 6:63-65 ) in order; and again in the same order disposing of the members not priestly ( 1 Chronicles 6:66-70 ; 71-76; 77-81) of the same three branches. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:56-81

The writer evidently had before him Joshua 21:0, which he followed, as to its matter, closely. In some cases he perhaps modernised the ancient names (1 Chronicles 6:58, 1 Chronicles 6:60, 1 Chronicles 6:72, etc.); in a few he substituted for the old an entirely new name, the modern apellation, probably, of the ancient site 1 Chronicles 6:70, 1 Chronicles 6:77. At one time, it would seem, his intention was to give the cities of the priests only, and to content himself with stating the mere... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:1-81

The Levites (6:1-81)Levi had three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The priesthood in Israel began with Aaron, who was descended from Levi through Kohath. From that time on, all Aaron’s descendants, and no others, were priests. This means that the Levites may be divided into four groups - the priestly Kohathites, the non-priestly Kohathites, the Gershonites and the Merarites.The Chronicler begins with the priestly line descended from Aaron through his son Eleazar, and traces the line to the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Chronicles 6:58

Hilen = Holon of Joshua 21:15 . Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "Helez". read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Chronicles 6:1-81

4. The family of Levi ch. 6This list clearly defines the priests and Levites’ line of descent. Its purpose seems to be to legitimate and clarify their role and service in the temple. [Note: Idem, "1 Chronicles," in The Old . . ., p. 301.] Only the descendants of Aaron, the priests, could serve in the temple by offering sacrifices on the incense altar (1 Chronicles 6:49; cf. Numbers 3:5-38). Nehemiah correctly barred priests who could not demonstrate that they were descendants of Aaron from... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:1-81

Genealogies (continued)This chapter records the descendants of Levi, traces the line of the high priests to the captivity, and enumerates the cities of the Priests and Levites.3. Nadab, and Abihu] see Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Chronicles 24:2. Ithamar] The descendants of Ithamar are not given here, but several occur in Samuel and Kings (Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, Ahimelech, Abiathar), and ’courses’ of priests who traced their origin to him are enumerated in 1 Chronicles 24.4. Eleazar begat, etc.] The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 6:54-81

(54-81) The Levitical cities, beginning with those of the Aavonites, the principal branch of the Kohathite clan. This list deals with the same topic as Joshua 21:3-40, with which, upon the whole, it is in substantial agreement. 1 Chronicles 6:54-60 are parallel to Joshua 21:10-19. read more

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