And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

1 CHRONICLES 6:80KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 6:80 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:80 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:80 lists two towns, Ramoth in Gilead and Mahanaim, along with their surrounding lands, as being given from the tribe of Gad. These places were assigned to the Levites, the priestly tribe, as part of their allotted cities and lands for their service.

This verse is part of a larger section where the chronicler is recording which towns from each Israelite tribe were set aside for the Levites. The setting is after the Israelites have settled in the Promised Land, and the writer is carefully detailing the distribution of land and responsibilities among the tribes, especially focusing on the Levites’ role.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:80

  • גָּד (Gad, H1410): This is the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob’s son Gad. Mentioning Gad here clarifies which tribe’s territory these towns came from.
  • רָמוֹת (Ramoth, H7216): This town’s name means “heights” or “high places.” It was a significant city in the region of Gilead, often associated with refuge or importance.
  • גִּלְעָד (Gilead, H1568): Gilead refers to a region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and as a place of settlement for several tribes.
  • מַחֲנַיִם (Mahanaim, H4266): The name means “two camps” or “double camp.” This town had historical significance, as it was a place where Jacob encountered angels (Genesis 32:2).
  • מִגְרָשׁ (suburbs, H4054): This word refers to the pasturelands or open lands around a city, not just the city itself. The Levites received not only the towns but also these surrounding areas for their livestock and needs.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:80 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Levites, who did not receive a large territory of their own, were provided for by being given specific towns and their surrounding lands from other tribes.
  • The mention of both the towns and their “suburbs” (pasturelands) shows that the Levites’ needs were considered in detail, not just for housing but also for their daily living and livestock.
  • By listing these towns, the chronicler connects the Levites’ presence and service to specific locations in Israel’s geography, grounding their priestly role in the everyday life of the nation.

Where else these words appear

“Ramoth” Hebrew H7216 · 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:73 And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:

“Mahanaim” Hebrew H4266 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 32:2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
  • 2 Samuel 2:8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
  • 2 Samuel 17:27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

“Gad” Hebrew H1410 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 30:11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 1 Samuel 22:5 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

“suburbs” Hebrew H4054 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 25:34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
  • Joshua 21:25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,