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 6:61KJV
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1 Chronicles 6:61 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“half” Hebrew H4276 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 30:13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary:(a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:20 This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
  • Numbers 31:47 Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“Kohath” Hebrew H6955 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 46:11 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
  • Numbers 4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

“lot” Hebrew H1486 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
  • Joshua 19:24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 18:2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: