1 Chronicles 5:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 5:16 mean?

1 Chronicles 5:16 describes where certain members of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived, saying they settled in the regions of Gilead, Bashan, the towns connected to these areas, and all the surrounding lands of Sharon, up to their borders. This verse is a geographical summary of their territory on the east side of the Jordan River.

The writer of 1 Chronicles is recording the locations where these Israelite tribes made their homes after entering the Promised Land. The verse helps map out their settlements, mentioning well-known areas like Gilead and Bashan, as well as the towns and open lands (suburbs) around Sharon, showing the extent of their territory.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 5:16

• "dwelt" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word means to settle or live in a place, emphasizing that these groups made these regions their established homes, not just passing through.
• "suburbs" (מִגְרָשׁ, migrash): This word refers to the open land or pastureland around a town, not just the town itself. It highlights that their territory included not only cities but also the surrounding fields and grazing areas.
• "borders" (תְּבוּלָה, tebulah): This word points to the outer limits or boundaries of their land, showing that their settlements stretched to the edges of these regions.

Why 1 Chronicles 5:16 matters

• This verse clarifies the specific geographic areas occupied by these tribes, which helps readers understand the distribution of land among the Israelites east of the Jordan.
• By mentioning both towns and their surrounding lands, the verse shows that the tribes controlled not just urban centers but also the agricultural and grazing areas essential for their way of life.
• The verse connects to the broader context of 1 Chronicles 5, which traces the genealogy and territory of the tribes, helping readers see how the land was divided and settled among the descendants of Israel.