Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:

1 CHRONICLES 6:71KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 6:71 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:71 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:71 records that the sons of Gershom, one of the Levite families, received the towns of Golan in Bashan and Ashtaroth, along with their surrounding lands, from the half-tribe of Manasseh as part of their allotted inheritance. This verse lists specific cities given to the Levites for their use and service.

The verse comes from a section where the chronicler is listing the towns assigned to different Levitical families by the tribes of Israel. The sons of Gershom were descendants of Levi, set apart for religious duties, and these towns provided them with places to live and land to support their families. The mention of Golan and Ashtaroth highlights the geographical spread and the practical arrangements made for the Levites throughout Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:71

  • גֵּרְשֹׁם (Gershom): This name refers to one of Levi's sons, whose descendants formed a major Levitical clan. The verse specifically tracks which towns were given to this group.
  • מַנַּשֶּׁה (Manasseh): This word identifies the tribe from which the land was taken. Noting the "half tribe" reminds the reader that Manasseh's territory was split across the Jordan River, and these towns were in the eastern portion.
  • גּוֹלָן (Golan) and עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (Ashtaroth): These are the actual cities given. Both were significant towns in Bashan, showing that the Levites were given established, important places to live.
  • מִגְרָשׁ (suburbs): This word refers to the pasturelands or open spaces around the cities, which were essential for the Levites' livestock and daily life, not just the city itself.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:71 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Levites did not receive a single territory but were distributed among the tribes, reinforcing their unique role in Israelite society.
  • The specific mention of towns and their "suburbs" shows that the Levites were provided for in a practical way, with both living spaces and land for their needs.
  • By connecting the Levites to named locations, the chronicler ties the religious leadership of Israel to real places and communities, grounding spiritual service in everyday life.

Where else these words appear

“Golan” Hebrew H1474 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:43 Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.
  • Joshua 20:8 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
  • Joshua 21:27 And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.

“Ashtaroth” Hebrew H6252 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:
  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
  • 1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

“Gershom” Hebrew H1647 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 2:22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:17 And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:7 Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.