And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,

1 CHRONICLES 6:57KJV
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1 Chronicles 6:57 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:57 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:57 describes how certain cities in the territory of Judah were given to the sons of Aaron, who were the priestly descendants, including Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, and Eshtemoa, along with their surrounding lands. This verse records the allocation of specific towns and their nearby fields to the priests as part of their inheritance.

The verse is part of a larger section where the chronicler lists the cities assigned to the Levites, especially the Aaronic priests, after the Israelites settled in the Promised Land. The mention of Hebron as a "city of refuge" highlights its special role as a safe place for those seeking protection under the law. The passage shows how the priests were provided for by being given places to live and land to support their families, since they did not receive a tribal territory like the other Israelites.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:57

  • בְּנֵי (bənê, "sons"): This word refers specifically to the descendants or offspring, in this case, the sons of Aaron, emphasizing the priestly family line.
  • עָרִים (ʿārîm, "cities"): The term here means established towns or settlements, not just small villages, highlighting the importance of these places given to the priests.
  • מִקְלָט (miqlāṭ, "refuge"): Used for Hebron, this word means a place of asylum or safety, showing that Hebron had a special legal and spiritual function beyond just being a city.
  • מִגְרָשִׁים (migrāšîm, "suburbs"): This refers to the open land or pastureland around the cities, which was given along with the cities themselves, providing space for livestock and agriculture to support the priests.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:57 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priests, though landless as a tribe, were provided for through specific cities and their surrounding lands, ensuring their livelihood and ability to serve the community.
  • By naming Hebron as a city of refuge, the verse connects the priestly inheritance to the broader system of justice and mercy in ancient Israel, where certain cities offered protection for those accused of manslaughter.
  • The detailed listing of cities and lands in this chapter shows the careful organization and distribution of resources among the Levites, highlighting the importance of both spiritual and practical provision in Israel’s society.

Where else these words appear

“Jattir” Hebrew H3492 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 15:48 And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
  • Joshua 21:14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
  • 1 Samuel 30:27 To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,

“Eshtemoa” Hebrew H851 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 15:50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
  • Joshua 21:14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
  • 1 Chronicles 4:17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

“Libnah” Hebrew H3841 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 33:20 And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.
  • Joshua 10:39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
  • 2 Kings 19:8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

“refuge” Hebrew H4733 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 35:6 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
  • Numbers 35:25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
  • Joshua 20:3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.