49 Aaron and his sons offered the sacrifices on the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Altar of Incense; they were in charge of all the work surrounding the Holy of Holies. They made atonement for Israel following the instructions commanded by Moses, servant of God. 50 These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.
54 And these are the places where the priestly families were assigned to live. The first assignment went by lot to the sons of Aaron of the Kohathite family; 55 they were given Hebron in the land of Judah and all the neighboring pastures. 56 Caleb the son of Jephunneh got the fields and villages around the city. 57 The family of Aaron was also given the cities of refuge, with pastures included: Hebron, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, 58 Hilen, Debir, 59 Ashan, and Beth Shemesh. 60 They were also given Geba from the tribe of Benjamin, Alemeth, and Anathoth, all with pastures included. In all, thirteen cities were distributed among the Kohathite families. 61 The rest of the Kohathites were given another ten cities, distributed by lot from the half-tribe of Manasseh. 62 The sons of Gershon were given, family by family, thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan. 63 The sons of Merari, family by family, were assigned by lot twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. 64 The sons of Israel gave the Levites both the cities and their pastures. 65 They also distributed by lot cities from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. 66 Some of the Kohath families were given their cities from the tribe of Ephraim, 67 cities of refuge: Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer, 68 Jokmeam, Beth Horon, 69 Aijalon, and Gath Rimmon - all with their pastures. 70 The rest of the sons of Kohath were given Aner and Bileam with their pastures from the half-tribe of Manasseh. 71 The sons of Gershon were given, family by family, from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan and Ashtaroth; 72 from the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh, Daberath, 73 Ramoth, and Anem; 74 from the tribe of Asher, Mashal, Abdon, 75 Hukok, and Rehob; 76 from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim. 77 The rest of the sons of Merari got Rimmono and Tabor from the tribe of Zebulun; 78 Bezer in the desert, Jahzah, 79 Kedemoth, and Mephaath from the tribe of Reuben to the east of the Jordan; 80 and Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, 81 Heshbon, and Jazer from the tribe of Gad. Pastures were included in all these towns.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:49-81
Chapter Contents
Genealogies.
We have an account of Levi in this chapter. The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites, to preserve their descent clear, and to be able to prove it; because all the honours and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. Now, the Spirit of God calls ministers to their work, without any limit as to the families they came from; and then, as now, though believers and ministers may be very useful to the church, none but our great High Priest can make atonement for sin, nor can any be accepted but through his atonement.