What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 6:60? And from the tribe of Benjamin “ And from the tribe of Benjamin …” (1 Chronicles 6:60) – The Chronicler is listing the towns assigned to the priestly descendants of Aaron. – God had earlier ordered every tribe to set aside specific towns for the Levites (Numbers 35:1-8; Joshua 21:1-3). – Benjamin’s territory lay close to Jerusalem, making these towns ideally placed for priests who regularly served at the temple (Deuteronomy 12:5-7; 2 Chronicles 31:16-18). they were given Gibeon “…they were given Gibeon…” (v. 60) – Gibeon was famous for its covenant with Joshua (Joshua 9:3-27) and later for being a place where Solomon worshiped (1 Kings 3:4-5). – Its history of honoring God’s people fits the Lord’s decision to entrust it to the priests. Geba “ …[and] Geba …” – Geba stood on Benjamin’s northern border (Joshua 18:24). – Jonathan once routed a Philistine garrison there (1 Samuel 13:3), showing the town’s strategic value—which now served the priests’ security and influence (2 Chronicles 17:8-9). Alemeth “ …Alemeth …” – Also called Almon in Joshua 21:18, reminding us that God remembers even the lesser-known places and people in His plan. – Its inclusion underlines that no assignment in God’s service is insignificant (1 Corinthians 12:18-22). and Anathoth “…and Anathoth…” – Anathoth later became Jeremiah’s hometown (Jeremiah 1:1) and the refuge granted to Abiathar when Solomon removed him from the priesthood (1 Kings 2:26). – These links show how priestly towns could shape future prophets and events. together with their pasturelands “…together with their pasturelands.” – Each Levitical town included surrounding fields for livestock (Numbers 35:4-5). – God provided not only spiritual duties but daily sustenance for His servants (1 Timothy 5:18). So they had thirteen cities in all among their families “So they had thirteen cities in all among their families.” – Adding the four Benjaminite towns to the nine already listed from Judah and Simeon (1 Chronicles 6:57-59) brings the total to the prescribed thirteen (Joshua 21:4, 19). – The exact count confirms God’s faithfulness to His word and the Chronicler’s care in recording it. summary 1 Chronicles 6:60 records four towns in Benjamin—Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth—assigned to the Aaronic priests, along with their pasturelands. The list completes a total of thirteen priestly cities, highlighting God’s meticulous provision, the strategic placement of His servants near the temple, and the way seemingly ordinary towns become stages for His unfolding purposes. |
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