1 Chronicles 6:54-81

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:54

Theirs was the lot - All the tribes and families obtained their respective inheritances by lot, but to the sons of Aaron was the first lot; and so the Syriac and Arabic have understood this place. The first lot, says Jarchi, fell to Judah, that they might give to the priests and the Levites the cities marked below. See an account of the possessions of the priests and Levites, Joshua 20:1-9 , 21. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:60

All their cities - were thirteen - But there are only eleven reckoned here, Gibeon and Juttah being omitted, and the names of some of the others changed. None of the versions give the full number of names, although they all give the whole sum thirteen. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:65

Which are called by their names - Probably each family gave its own name to the city that fell to its lot. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:69

Aijalon with her suburbs - There are the two cities wanting here, Eltekeh and Gibethon. See Joshua 21:23 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:71-77

We shall see from Joshua 21:28 , etc., that several of these cities have different names. How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:62

The twenty-three cities that belonged to the sons of Kohath are now followed by the thirteen due to the sons of Gershom, taken from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half Manasseh. The fact only is stated here, the details being supplied in verses 71-76. And it is easily to be seen that, as from the most important tribes were levied the cities for Levites first in precedence, so the same principle is observed to the end. read more

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