1 Chronicles 6:70 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:70 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:70 records that from the half-tribe of Manasseh, the towns of Aner and Bileam, along with their surrounding lands, were given to the remaining families of the sons of Kohath. This verse is part of a list describing how specific towns were assigned to certain Levite families for their use.

The writer is listing land allocations during the time when the Israelites settled in Canaan. The Levites, who served in religious roles, did not receive a large territory like the other tribes but were instead given towns and pasturelands ("suburbs") within other tribes’ territories. Here, the focus is on the Kohathite Levites and the towns they received from the half-tribe of Manasseh.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:70

• מַחֲצִי (machatsi, "half"): This word refers to the "half" tribe of Manasseh, clarifying that only part of the tribe is involved in this allocation, since Manasseh’s territory was split between east and west of the Jordan.
• מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, "family"): This term shows that the towns were given not to individuals but to extended family groups within the Kohathite Levites, highlighting the communal nature of the inheritance.
• יֶתֶר (yeter, "remnant"): This word means "the rest" or "the remainder," indicating that these towns were for the remaining Kohathite families who had not yet received their share, showing a careful and equitable distribution.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:70 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Levites were provided for by the other tribes, emphasizing their unique role and dependence on the community rather than owning large territories themselves.
• The mention of the "remnant" of the sons of Kohath shows that the distribution was thorough and aimed to include all eligible Levite families, not just the prominent ones.
• By naming specific towns and their "suburbs," the passage connects the religious duties of the Levites to real, everyday places in Israel, grounding their service in the life of the nation.