Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 6:79 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 6:79 lists two towns, Kedemoth and Mephaath, along with their surrounding lands ("suburbs"), as part of the territory given to the Levites. This verse is part of a record detailing which cities and lands were assigned to the Levite families for their use and service. In the context of 1 Chronicles 6, the chronicler is documenting the distribution of land to the Levites, who did not receive a tribal territory like the other Israelites. Instead, they were given specific towns and their surrounding pasturelands within other tribes’ territories. This verse simply names two of those towns and notes that their "suburbs" (the open lands around the towns) were included.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:79

Accepted Answer

קְדֵמוֹת (Qedemoth): This is the name of a town given to the Levites. Its mention here marks it as one of the specific locations set aside for their use. מֵיפַעַת (Mephaath): Another town listed as a Levitical city. Including its name shows the care taken to record each place given to the Levites. מִגְרָשׁ (migrash, translated "suburbs"): This word refers to the pasturelands or open areas surrounding a town. These lands were essential for the Levites’ livestock and daily needs, not just the town itself.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 6:79 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies that the Levites were not left without land; instead, they were provided with specific towns and the necessary surrounding lands to support their families and duties. Listing the towns and their "suburbs" highlights the practical arrangements made for the Levites, showing attention to their everyday needs, not just their religious roles. The verse connects to the larger passage, which carefully records the distribution of Levitical cities, emphasizing the organization and fairness in Israel’s tribal system.

1 Chronicles 6:79 (KJV)