1 Chronicles 6:63
1 Chronicles 6:63 in Multiple Translations
The Merarites, according to their families, were allotted twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, according to their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
And to the sons of Merari, by their families, twelve towns were given by the Lord's decision, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun.
The descendants of Merari, by family, received twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
Vnto the sonnes of Merari according to their families out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, by lot twelue cities.
To the sons of Merari, for their families, from the tribe of Reuben, and from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun, by lot, twelve cities.
To the sons of Merari were given by lot, according to their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
To the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
And to the sons of Merari by their families out of the tribe of Ruben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zabulon, they gave by lot twelve cities.
The descendants of Merari were allotted twelve cities and towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 6:63
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Chronicles 6:63 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מֵ/עֵ֜בֶר
לְ/יַרְדֵּ֣ן
יְרֵחוֹ֮
לְ/מִזְרַ֣ח
הַ/יַּרְדֵּן֒
מִ/מַּטֵּ֣ה
רְאוּבֵ֔ן
אֶת
בֶּ֥צֶר
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֖ר
וְ/אֶת
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑י/הָ
וְ/אֶת
יַ֖הְצָ/ה
וְ/אֶת
מִגְרָשֶֽׁי/הָ
וּ/מֵ/עֵ֜בֶר
ʻêber
H5676
side
Conj | Prep | N-ms
לְ/יַרְדֵּ֣ן
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Prep | N-proper
יְרֵחוֹ֮
Yᵉrîychôw
H3405
Jericho
N-proper
לְ/מִזְרַ֣ח
mizrâch
H4217
east
Prep | N-ms
הַ/יַּרְדֵּן֒
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Art | N-proper
מִ/מַּטֵּ֣ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
Prep | N-ms
רְאוּבֵ֔ן
Rᵉʼûwbên
H7205
Reuben
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בֶּ֥צֶר
Betser
H1221
Bezer
N-proper
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֖ר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑י/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
pasture
N-mp | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
יַ֖הְצָ/ה
Yahats
H3096
Jahaz
N-proper | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִגְרָשֶֽׁי/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
pasture
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 6:63
וּ/מֵ/עֵ֜בֶר
ʻêber
H5676
"side"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
This word describes a region or side, often referring to the area beyond or across a river, and can be used to describe a location, direction, or perspective.
Definition: : ahead/beyond 1) region beyond or across, side 1a) region across or beyond 1b) side, opposite side
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] against, beyond, by, [idiom] from, over, passage, quarter, (other, this) side, straight. See also: Genesis 50:10; Joshua 22:11; Isaiah 7:20.
לְ/יַרְדֵּ֣ן
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Prep | N-proper
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
יְרֵחוֹ֮
Yᵉrîychôw
H3405
"Jericho"
N-proper
Jericho was a city in Palestine, the first conquered by the Israelites in Canaan. Its name means 'its moon' and it was located near the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.
Definition: Jericho = "its moon" a city 5 miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and 7 miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan Also named: Hierichō (Ἱεριχώ "Jericho" G2410)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Jericho. See also: Numbers 22:1; Joshua 9:3; Jeremiah 39:5.
לְ/מִזְרַ֣ח
mizrâch
H4217
"east"
Prep | N-ms
This word means the direction of the sunrise, or east. It is used in the Bible to describe the direction of the sun and the east side of something.
Definition: 1) place of sunrise, east 1a) sunrise, east (with 'sun') 1b) the east (without 'sun') 1b1) to or toward the place of sunrise 1b2) to the east, eastward
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: east (side, -ward), (sun-) rising (of the sun). See also: Exodus 27:13; 1 Kings 7:25; Psalms 50:1.
הַ/יַּרְדֵּן֒
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Art | N-proper
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
מִ/מַּטֵּ֣ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
רְאוּבֵ֔ן
Rᵉʼûwbên
H7205
"Reuben"
N-proper
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of the tribe of Reuben. He is mentioned in Genesis as the brother of Simeon, Levi, and Judah, and the father of Hanoch and Pallu.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Reuben living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.32; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Hanoch (H2585J), Pallu (H6396), Hezron (H2696) and Carmi (H3756) § Reuben = "behold a son" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Leah 2) the tribe descended from Reuben 3) the territory inhabited by the tribe of Reuben
Usage: Occurs in 68 OT verses. KJV: Reuben. See also: Genesis 29:32; Deuteronomy 27:13; Ezekiel 48:31.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בֶּ֥צֶר
Betser
H1221
"Bezer"
N-proper
Bezer was a man from the tribe of Asher and also the name of a place in Palestine, meaning gold ore or remote fortress. It is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:37.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Asher living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.37; son of: Zophah (H6690); brother of: Suah (H5477), Harnepher (H2774), Shual (H7777B), Beri (H1275), Imrah (H3236), Hod (H1936), Shamma (H8037H), Shilshah (H8030), Ithran (H3506H) and Beera (H0878) § Bezer = "gold ore" or "remote fortress" 1) son of Zophah, one of the heads of the houses of Asher 2) a city of refuge in Reuben in the downs on the east of the Jordan
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Bezer. See also: Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 21:36; 1 Chronicles 7:37.
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֖ר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑י/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
"pasture"
N-mp | Suff
A pasture or open land, often the area around a building or the margin of the sea. This term describes a common or shared space in the Bible.
Definition: common, common land, open land, suburb
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cast out, suburb. See also: Leviticus 25:34; Joshua 21:37; Ezekiel 48:17.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יַ֖הְצָ/ה
Yahats
H3096
"Jahaz"
N-proper | Suff
Jahaz was a place east of the Jordan River where Israel defeated Sihon, the Amorite king. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is mentioned in the Bible as a significant site.
Definition: § Jahaz or Jahazah or Jahzah = "trodden down" a place in Reuben east of the Dead Sea where Israel defeated Sihon king of the Amorites; site uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Jahaz, Jahazah, Jahzah. See also: Numbers 21:23; Judges 11:20; Isaiah 15:4.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִגְרָשֶֽׁי/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
"pasture"
N-mp | Suff
A pasture or open land, often the area around a building or the margin of the sea. This term describes a common or shared space in the Bible.
Definition: common, common land, open land, suburb
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cast out, suburb. See also: Leviticus 25:34; Joshua 21:37; Ezekiel 48:17.
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 6:63
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Territories for the Levites
61To the rest of the Kohathites, ten cities were allotted from the half-tribe of Manasseh.
62The Gershomites, according to their clans, were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan.
63The Merarites, according to their clans, were allotted twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
64So the Israelites gave to the Levites these cities and their pasturelands. 65They assigned by lot the cities named above from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 21:7 | And the descendants of Merari received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. |
| 2 | Joshua 21:34–40 | This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal—four cities, together with their pasturelands. From the tribe of Reuben they were given Bezer, Jahaz, Kedemoth, and Mephaath—four cities, together with their pasturelands. And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer—four cities in all, together with their pasturelands. In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans. |
| 3 | Numbers 3:20 | And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families. |
| 4 | Genesis 46:11 | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 6:77–81 | The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands. From the tribe of Reuben east of the Jordan opposite Jericho they were given Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah, Kedemoth, and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands. And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer, together with their pasturelands. |
1 Chronicles 6:63 Summary
[This verse shows how God provided for the Merarites, a group of Levites, by giving them twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. The Israelites gave these cities to the Merarites as part of their inheritance, just like God instructed in Numbers 35:1-8. This demonstrates God's care for His servants and teaches us to trust in His provision, as seen in Matthew 6:25-34. By providing for the Merarites, the Israelites obeyed God's command to care for the Levites, as stated in Deuteronomy 18:1-8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Merarites given cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun?
The Merarites were given cities from these tribes as part of the Levites' inheritance, as instructed by God in Numbers 35:1-8, to provide for their livelihood and support their ministry among the Israelites.
What was the significance of the Merarites receiving twelve cities?
The number of cities allocated to the Merarites, twelve, may symbolize completeness or perfection in their role as servants of God, as seen in Revelation 21:21, where the gates of the New Jerusalem are twelve in number.
How did the Israelites determine which cities to give to the Merarites?
The allocation of cities to the Merarites was done by lot, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:64, following the example set by God in Joshua 14:1-2, where He instructed the Israelites to divide the land by lot.
What can we learn from the way the Israelites provided for the Merarites?
The Israelites' provision for the Merarites demonstrates their obedience to God's command to care for the Levites, as stated in Deuteronomy 18:1-8, and serves as an example of how we should support those in ministry today, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:17-18.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's care for the Levites, and how can I apply this to my own life as a servant of God?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, provide for and support those in ministry, as an act of obedience to God's commands?
- How does the allocation of cities to the Merarites illustrate the principle of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 16:9?
- What can I learn from the Merarites' example about being content with the provisions God has given me, as taught in 1 Timothy 6:6-10?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 6:63
[See comments on 1 Chronicles 6:54].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 6:63
Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:63
(63) This verse is word for word the same as Joshua 21:7, omitting the one term “by lot.”
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 6:63
63. twelve cities] The total number of Levitic cities (1 Chronicles 6:60 thirteen, 1 Chronicles 6:61 ten, 1 Chronicles 6:62 thirteen, 1 Chronicles 6:63 twelve) was forty-eight (so Joshua 21:41), of which the Kohathites, as the largest division (cp. 1 Chronicles 15:5, note), received twenty-three or nearly half.
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 6:63
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 46-48 by Joe Focht | In this sermon, the preacher begins by highlighting the story of Jacob and his sons in the Bible. He emphasizes that God is still the same today as He was in ancient times, and tha |