1 Chronicles 6:55 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:55 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:55 states that the people gave the city of Hebron, located in the land of Judah, along with its surrounding areas, to a particular group. This verse is part of a record showing how certain cities and their nearby lands were assigned to the Levites.

This verse comes from a section where the chronicler is listing the towns given to the descendants of Aaron, who were priests from the tribe of Levi. The giving of Hebron and its suburbs meant that the Levites had a place to live and serve among the other tribes, as they did not receive a separate territory like the other tribes of Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:55

• "gave" (נָתַן, nathan): This word means to give or assign. Here, it emphasizes that the city and its lands were officially granted, not just casually handed over.
• "suburbs" (מִגְרָשׁ, migrash): This term refers to the open land or pastureland around a city. It shows that the Levites received not only the city itself but also the surrounding area needed for their daily life and livestock.
• "about" (סָבִיב, saviv): This word means "around" or "surrounding." It highlights that the grant included all the land encircling Hebron, not just the city center.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:55 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Levites were provided for by the other tribes, showing their unique role and dependence on the rest of Israel for their homes and livelihoods.
• The mention of Hebron, a significant city in Judah, underlines the importance of the Levites’ presence in key locations throughout the land.
• By recording these assignments, the chronicler connects the priestly duties and the organization of Israel’s tribes, helping readers understand how spiritual leadership was woven into the life of the nation.