And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
1 CHRONICLES 6:61KJVWhat does 1 Chronicles 6:61 mean?
1 Chronicles 6:61 records that the remaining sons of Kohath, a family within the tribe of Levi, were assigned ten cities by drawing lots from the half-tribe of Manasseh. This verse details part of the distribution of cities to the Levites, who did not receive their own territory but were given places to live among the other tribes.
This verse is part of a historical record where the chronicler lists how the Levites, specifically the Kohathite branch, received their allotted cities. The setting is after the Israelites entered the Promised Land, and the land was being divided among the tribes. The process was done by "lot," meaning it was seen as guided by God’s decision rather than human choice.
The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:61
- בְּנֵי (bənê, "sons"): This word refers specifically to the male descendants or members of a family group, here meaning the descendants of Kohath.
- קְהָת (Qəhāṯ, "Kohath"): Kohath was one of Levi’s sons, and his descendants formed one of the main Levitical families responsible for duties in the sanctuary.
- גּוֹרָל (gōral, "lot"): This word means a method of making decisions that is often understood as casting lots, which was seen as a way to let God determine the outcome.
- מַנַּשֶּׁה (Mannasheh, "Manasseh"): This is the name of one of Joseph’s sons, whose descendants formed one of the tribes of Israel. The "half-tribe" refers to the division of Manasseh’s territory on both sides of the Jordan River.
Why 1 Chronicles 6:61 matters
- This verse clarifies that the Levites, unlike other tribes, did not get a single territory but were given cities spread out among the other tribes, emphasizing their unique role in Israelite society.
- The mention of the "lot" highlights that the distribution was not random or political but was believed to be directed by God, reinforcing the idea of divine order in Israel’s organization.
- By specifying the half-tribe of Manasseh, the verse shows the careful and detailed way the land was divided, reflecting the chronicler’s concern for accurate historical record-keeping.