1 Chronicles 6:59
And Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs:
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִגְרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃
with her suburbs
H4054
מִגְרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃
with her suburbs
Strong's:
H4054
Word #:
4 of 9
a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The Levitical city system originated in Joshua's conquest (c. 1400 BC, Joshua 21) but required continual renegotiation as tribal boundaries shifted. By the Chronicler's time (450-400 BC), most northern Levitical cities were lost to Assyrian conquest; this genealogical record preserved the ideal distribution and encouraged restoration where possible. Beth-shemesh's excavation shows Israelite occupation from Late Bronze Age through Iron Age II, confirming its long-standing importance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Levitical city system—distributing spiritual leaders throughout the land rather than centralizing them—challenge or affirm your church's approach to ministry?
- What significance does priestly presence in border cities like Beth-shemesh have for Christian witness in culturally contested spaces?
Analysis & Commentary
And Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs—this verse lists Levitical cities assigned to Aaron's descendants in Judah's and Simeon's territories. The Hebrew מִגְרָשֶׁיהָ (migrasheiha, 'suburbs') technically means 'pasture lands' or 'open spaces'—grazing fields extending 2,000 cubits around each city (Numbers 35:4-5), providing agricultural support for non-farming priestly families.
Ashan (עָשָׁן 'smoke') appears in Joshua 15:42 as a Judahite city given to Simeon (Joshua 19:7), then designated for Levites. Beth-shemesh (בֵּית־שֶׁמֶשׁ 'house of the sun') was a strategic border city with Philistia, famous as the terminus of the ark's return journey after Philistine captivity (1 Samuel 6). The priestly presence in border cities served dual purposes: worship leadership and covenant witness to neighboring nations.
The Levitical city system (48 cities total) geographically distributed spiritual leadership throughout Israel, preventing priestly isolation in Jerusalem and ensuring Torah teaching reached all tribes. This decentralized model anticipates the New Testament pattern of elders/pastors in every city (Titus 1:5), making spiritual oversight accessible rather than centralized.