1 Chronicles 6:56
But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh.
But the fields and villages around the city
This phrase refers to the allocation of land surrounding a central city, which was a common practice in ancient Israel. The fields and villages provided agricultural resources and living spaces for the inhabitants. In the context of the Levitical cities, these lands were essential for the sustenance of the Levites, who did not receive a tribal inheritance like the other tribes of Israel (Numbers 18:20-24). The mention of fields and villages highlights the importance of land distribution in maintaining the economic and social structure of Israelite society.

were given to Caleb
Caleb, son of Jephunneh, is a significant figure in the Old Testament. He was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:6). Along with Joshua, Caleb showed faith in God's promise and encouraged the Israelites to take possession of the land despite the presence of formidable inhabitants (Numbers 13:30, 14:6-9). As a reward for his faithfulness, Caleb was granted a portion of the land, specifically Hebron, as his inheritance (Joshua 14:13-14). This allocation underscores the biblical principle of rewarding faith and obedience to God.

son of Jephunneh
Jephunneh is identified as a Kenizzite, which suggests that Caleb's family may have been of non-Israelite origin, possibly assimilated into the tribe of Judah (Numbers 32:12). This inclusion of Caleb's lineage highlights the theme of God's grace extending beyond ethnic boundaries, foreshadowing the New Testament message of salvation available to all people through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:28). Caleb's story serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and loyalty to God, regardless of one's background.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Caleb son of Jephunneh
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. He is known for his faithfulness and trust in God's promises, as he, along with Joshua, brought back a positive report and encouraged the Israelites to take possession of the land.

2. Fields and Villages
These refer to the surrounding lands and settlements that were allocated to Caleb. This allocation was part of the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel.

3. The City
While not named in this specific verse, the context of 1 Chronicles 6 refers to the Levitical cities and their surrounding lands. The city in question would be one of those given to the Levites, with the surrounding fields and villages given to Caleb.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness Rewarded
Caleb's inheritance of the land is a testament to the rewards of faithfulness and trust in God's promises. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that God honors His promises.

God's Sovereignty in Allocation
The distribution of land, including the fields and villages to Caleb, reflects God's sovereign plan and provision for His people. It reminds us that God has a specific plan and purpose for each of us.

Legacy of Faith
Caleb's account is a powerful example of leaving a legacy of faith for future generations. His trust in God not only benefited him but also his descendants.

Courage in the Face of Opposition
Caleb stood firm in his faith despite the negative reports from the other spies. This teaches us the importance of courage and conviction in standing for truth, even when it is unpopular.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Caleb's faithfulness in the face of opposition inspire you in your own walk with God?

2. In what ways can you trust God's promises in your life, as Caleb did, even when circumstances seem challenging?

3. How does the allocation of land to Caleb reflect God's sovereignty and provision in your life?

4. What legacy of faith are you building for future generations, and how can Caleb's example guide you in this?

5. How can you demonstrate courage and conviction in your faith when faced with opposition or doubt from others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 13-14
These chapters provide the background of Caleb's faithfulness as one of the spies and his reward of receiving a portion of the land.

Joshua 14:6-15
This passage details Caleb's request to Joshua for the hill country of Hebron, which was promised to him because of his wholehearted following of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 1:36
This verse reiterates God's promise to Caleb that he and his descendants would inherit the land he set foot on because of his faithfulness.
Religious CultureW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 6:32-81
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Aaron, Abdi, Abdon, Abiah, Abihu, Abijah, Abishua, Adaiah, Ahimaaz, Ahimoth, Ahitub, Alemeth, Amariah, Amasai, Amaziah, Amminadab, Amram, Amzi, Anathoth, Aner, Asaiah, Asaph, Asher, Assir, Azariah, Baaseiah, Bani, Benjamin, Berachiah, Berechiah, Bezer, Bukki, Caleb, Dan, David, Debir, Ebiasaph, Eleazar, Eliab, Eliel, Elkanah, Eshtemoa, Ethan, Ethni, Gad, Gershom, Gershomites, Gershon, Gibeon, Haggiah, Hashabiah, Heman, Hilkiah, Iddo, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Izhar, Jahath, Jeaterai, Jehozadak, Jephunneh, Jeroham, Joah, Joel, Johanan, Kishi, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Levi, Levites, Libni, Mahath, Mahli, Malchiah, Malchijah, Malluch, Manasseh, Meraioth, Merari, Merarites, Michael, Miriam, Mushi, Nadab, Nahath, Naphtali, Nebuchadnezzar, Phinehas, Rehob, Reuben, Samuel, Saul, Seraiah, Shallum, Shamer, Shaul, Shemer, Shemuel, Shimea, Shimei, Simeon, Solomon, Tahath, Toah, Uriel, Uzza, Uzzah, Uzzi, Uzziah, Uzziel, Vashni, Zadok, Zebulun, Zephaniah, Zerah, Zerahiah, Zimmah, Zophai, Zuph
Places
Abdon, Aijalon, Alemeth, Anathoth, Anem, Aner, Ashan, Ashtaroth, Assyria, Bashan, Beth-horon, Beth-shemesh, Bezer, Bileam, Daberath, Debir, Eshtemoa, Galilee, Gath-rimmon, Geba, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilead, Golan, Hammon, Hebron, Heshbon, Hilen, Hukok, Jahzah, Jattir, Jazer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jokmeam, Jordan River, Kedemoth, Kedesh, Kiriathaim, Libnah, Mahanaim, Mashal, Mephaath, Most Holy Place, Ramoth, Rehob, Shechem, Tabor
Topics
Caleb, Field, Fields, Hamlets, Jephunneh, Jephun'neh, Open, Places, Round, Thereof, Town, Villages
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 6:54-80

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
David's Choristers
'They stood in their office, according to their order.'--1 CHRON. vi. 32 (R.V. margin). This brief note is buried in the catalogue of the singers appointed by David for 'the service of song in the house of the Lord.' The waves of their choral praise have long ages since ceased to eddy round the 'tabernacle of the tent of meeting,' and all that is left of their melodious companies is a dry list of names, in spite of which the dead owners of them are nameless. But the chronicler's description of them
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Nob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean!
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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