1 Chronicles 6:58
Hilen, Debir,
Hilen
The name "Hilen" is derived from the Hebrew root "חִיל" (chil), which can mean "to be strong" or "to endure." This city, allocated to the Levites, signifies a place of strength and endurance, reflecting the enduring nature of God's provision for His people. In the context of the Levitical cities, Hilen represents a spiritual stronghold, a place where the Levites could find refuge and sustenance as they carried out their priestly duties. Historically, the allocation of cities like Hilen to the Levites underscores the importance of providing for those who serve in spiritual capacities, ensuring they have the resources needed to fulfill their roles in leading worship and teaching the law.

with its pasturelands
The phrase "with its pasturelands" indicates the provision of land for grazing, essential for the sustenance of livestock. In Hebrew, the term for pasturelands is "מִגְרָשׁ" (migrash), which refers to open land surrounding a city. This allocation was crucial for the Levites, who did not receive a tribal inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. The pasturelands provided not only physical sustenance but also a metaphorical space for spiritual growth and reflection. The inclusion of pasturelands in the Levitical cities highlights God's comprehensive care for His servants, ensuring they have both the physical and spiritual resources necessary for their ministry.

Debir
"Debir" is another city given to the Levites, and its name is derived from the Hebrew "דְּבִיר" (debir), meaning "sanctuary" or "inner sanctuary." This name is significant as it reflects the sacred role of the Levites in maintaining the spiritual sanctity of Israel. Debir, as a Levitical city, symbolizes a place of holiness and divine presence, where the Levites could live and serve God. The historical context of Debir, once a Canaanite city conquered by Joshua, illustrates the transformation of a place from paganism to a center of worship and service to the one true God. This transformation is a powerful reminder of God's redemptive work in reclaiming and sanctifying places and people for His purposes.

with its pasturelands
Reiterating the phrase "with its pasturelands" emphasizes the importance of these lands in the daily lives of the Levites. The provision of pasturelands ensured that the Levites could sustain their families and livestock, allowing them to focus on their spiritual duties without the burden of seeking additional resources. This provision reflects God's understanding of the practical needs of His servants and His desire to meet those needs abundantly. The pasturelands also serve as a symbol of God's promise to provide for His people, a promise that extends beyond physical needs to encompass spiritual nourishment and growth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hilen
A town allocated to the Levites in the territory of Judah. It is significant as part of the Levitical cities, which were given to the tribe of Levi for their service to God and the community.

2. Debir
Another town given to the Levites, also located in the territory of Judah. It highlights the provision for the Levites, who had no inheritance of land like the other tribes.

3. Pasturelands
These were the lands surrounding the Levitical cities, used for grazing livestock. They were essential for the sustenance of the Levites, who relied on these lands for their livelihood.

4. Levites
The tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service in the temple. They were supported by the other tribes through the provision of cities and pasturelands.

5. Allocation of Land
The event of distributing land to the Levites as recorded in 1 Chronicles 6, which underscores God's provision and the importance of supporting those dedicated to His service.
Teaching Points
God's Provision for His Servants
God ensures that those who serve Him are provided for. The allocation of cities and pasturelands to the Levites is a testament to His faithfulness and care.

The Importance of Supporting Ministry
Just as the Israelites supported the Levites, Christians today are called to support those in ministry, recognizing their role in spiritual leadership and service.

Community and Interdependence
The distribution of land to the Levites highlights the interdependence within the community of God's people. Each tribe had a role in supporting the spiritual leaders, fostering unity and cooperation.

Stewardship of Resources
The provision of pasturelands underscores the importance of stewardship. The Levites were to use these resources wisely to sustain their families and fulfill their duties.

Faithfulness in Service
The Levites' dedication to their roles, despite not having a traditional inheritance, serves as a model of faithfulness and trust in God's provision.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the allocation of cities and pasturelands to the Levites reflect God's care for those who serve Him? Consider how this principle applies to modern-day ministry support.

2. In what ways can we, as a church community, ensure that those who are dedicated to spiritual leadership are adequately supported?

3. Reflect on the concept of interdependence within the body of Christ. How can we foster a sense of community and mutual support in our local church?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Levites' reliance on God's provision, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives, especially in times of uncertainty?

5. How does the principle of stewardship, as seen in the use of pasturelands, challenge us to manage our resources for God's glory and the benefit of others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 21
This chapter provides a parallel account of the allocation of cities to the Levites, including Hilen and Debir, emphasizing the consistency of God's provision across different biblical accounts.

Numbers 35
This passage outlines the command to give cities and pasturelands to the Levites, establishing the biblical foundation for the practice seen in 1 Chronicles 6.

Deuteronomy 18
Discusses the inheritance of the Levites, reinforcing the idea that their inheritance is the Lord and the support from the other tribes.
Religious CultureW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 6:32-81
The Doctrinal Witness of the Refuge CitiesR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 6:57, 67
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
Debir, Hilen, Lands, Open, Outskirts, Pasture, Suburbs
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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