1 Chronicles 6:56 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:56 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:56 states that the fields and villages surrounding the city were given to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. This verse notes a specific land allocation, showing that while the Levites received certain cities, the surrounding lands went to Caleb’s family.

This verse is part of a larger list describing how land was distributed among the tribes of Israel after they entered Canaan. The writer is recording which areas were assigned to the Levites and which went to others, making it clear that Caleb, a notable figure from earlier in Israel’s history, received the fields and villages around the city, not the city itself.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:56

• "fields" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh): This word refers to open land used for agriculture or grazing. Its use here highlights that Caleb received not just the city, but the productive land around it.
• "villages" (חָצֵר, chatser): This term often means small settlements or hamlets outside a main city. The verse distinguishes between the main city and these smaller communities, clarifying what was given to Caleb.
• "gave" (נָתַן, natan): This verb means to give or assign. It emphasizes that the transfer of land was official and deliberate, not accidental or informal.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:56 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Levites did not receive all the land around their cities; some of it was specifically given to Caleb’s family, preserving earlier promises made to him.
• The verse connects to the broader story of Caleb, who was rewarded for his faithfulness when Israel first scouted the land of Canaan, showing the fulfillment of God’s promise to him.
• By naming Caleb and Jephunneh, the verse links the land distribution to specific individuals and family lines, which was important for Israel’s tribal identity and inheritance records.