American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Joshua 21
1
Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
Reference
2
And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 18:1
3
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.
Reference
References Israel
Genesis 49:7
4
And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
5
And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
6
And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
7
The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
8
And the children of Israel gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
Reference
References Lord
Joshua 21:3
9
And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name.
10
Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 21:4
11
And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.
Reference
12
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
13
Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,
Reference
16
And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.
Reference
17
And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 9:3
18
Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
📍 Locations
19
All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
20
And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:66
21
For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 20:7
22
And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.
📍 Kibzaim
23
And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,
📍 Elteke
24
Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.
25
And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
📍 Gath-rimmon 2
26
All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
27
And to the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.
Reference
📍 Beeshterah
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:71
28
And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
29
Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities.
📍 Jarmuth 2
30
And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,
📍 Abdon
31
Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.
32
And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.
Reference
📍 Locations
33
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
34
And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,
Reference
📍 Kartah
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:77
35
Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities.
📍 Dimnah
37
Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.
38
And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 32:2
39
Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.
40
So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
41
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
42
These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.
43
And the LORD gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelled therein.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 13:15
Genesis 28:4
Psalm 44:3
Exodus 3:8
References Lord
Deuteronomy 11:31
Genesis 12:7
Deuteronomy 17:14
44
And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he swore to their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
Reference
45
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel; all came to pass.
Reference
Good
1 Kings 8:56
Numbers 23:19
Parallel theme
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Hebrews 6:18
Titus 1:2
References Lord
1 Corinthians 1:9
Summary of Joshua 21
Joshua 21 describes the cities of the Levites. The tribe of Levi did not receive one large inheritance; instead, the Levites received smaller cities scattered throughout the land of Israel, as well as pasturelands. The chapter also declares the six cities of refuge among the Levitical cities and ends by stating that God had kept His promises to Israel.
The chapter of Joshua begins with the heads of the families of Levi bringing a message to Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes of Israel. The Levitical leaders came to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was, and brought to the leaders a reminder of the Lord’s command through Moses to give the Levites cities to dwell in and pasturelands for their cattle.
The Levites had different responsibilities from the other tribes. They were the Lord’s servants at the tabernacle, assisting Israel in her service to Him. Therefore, the Levites did not inherit an extensive territory as the rest of the Israelite tribes did.
Instead, the Levites’ allotment consisted of cities scattered throughout the land of Israel. Their inheritance was the cities with pasturelands in the territories of the other tribes.
The Israelites gave the Levites cities as Moses commanded. The assignment of cities to the Levites was by lot, and the Israelites gave cities to the children of Aaron, the descendants of Kohath, of Gershon, and of Merari.
The Levitical clan of Kohathite descendants of Aaron the priest received thirteen cities from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
Among these cities was Hebron, which belonged to Caleb as his inheritance. The pasturelands around Hebron also belonged to the Aaronide priests, while the fields and villages of Hebron belonged to the tribe.
Other priestly cities included Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh. The cities were given from the territories of Judah and Simeon.
The tribe of Benjamin gave four cities to the Levites: Gibeon, Geba, Anathoth, and Almon.
The Kohathites who were not Aaron’s descendants received ten cities from the tribe of Ephraim, Dan, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities from the territories of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the eastern half tribe of Manasseh.
The Merarites received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
In all, the Levites received forty-eight cities with pasturelands throughout the land of Israel.
The Levitical cities were significant for a tribe set apart to serve the Lord. These cities were spread out across Israel, meaning that the Levites were not gathered into one division among the people of Israel.
Six cities out of the forty-eight belonged to the Levites as cities of refuge. The cities of refuge were Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan. This was a continuation from the previous chapter about the cities of refuge.
The cities of refuge were assigned to the Levites, signifying the importance of this tribe in Israelite society. The Levitical cities of refuge protected the innocent manslayers.
However, Joshua 21 concludes with a declaration of the Lord’s faithfulness to give Israel all that He promised to the patriarchs. Israel had obtained the land, and God had given them rest from their enemies.
Indeed, none of the enemies were left to harass them. The chapter ends with a note of gratitude to the Lord for fulfilling His word.
Another significant message in Joshua 21 is that not one of the good things that the Lord had promised to the house of Israel failed.
A close examination of the last verse reveals that all of God’s words had come to pass. This was a most precious message to Israel at this time in their history.
It seems that Joshua 21 completes a number of Israel’s important activities. The Israelites had completed their long wanderings in the wilderness and conquered the land of Canaan.
They divided the land among the tribes, assigned cities to the Levites, and built cities of refuge.
This chapter’s declaration that Israel had obtained the land and God had given them rest from their enemies does not mean that Israel became free from all enemies.
Indeed, we know from subsequent verses that God did not remove them from the land but rather allowed them to continue to live among the Canaanites.
Nevertheless, the people of Israel had achieved rest after the long and difficult march through the wilderness.
The completion of this stage in Israel’s history was an appropriate time to recognize and rejoice in the accomplishments of the Lord.
Joshua 21 also completes the Levitical allotments.
Previously, the Israelites had been informed that Levi would not receive a tribal inheritance like the other sons of Israel.
But from the above verses, we can see that they received compensation in the form of cities.
The Levitical tribe did not inherit one portion of the land of Israel but rather received cities scattered throughout the land.
This way, the Levites could serve Israel wherever they went with Moses’s teachings and reminders of the covenant between the Lord and the children of Abraham.
In addition, the Levites could live close to the Israelites and remind them of God’s law, particularly in matters of moral and ethical conduct.
It can be seen from this chapter that the Lord prepared a systematic distribution of land among the tribes and the Levites.
The Israelites did not conquer the land and randomly assign cities to the Levites. Instead, the territories were apportioned, and the cities given as gifts to the Levites were designated by lot.
Furthermore, the Levitical families received their share of the inheritance according to their needs.
By the end of this chapter, we discover that the Israelites have largely completed their territorial division.
The tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, Joseph’s sons, and others received their shares, while the Levites received their cities.
Therefore, Joshua 21 provides us with many significant insights into Israel’s history.
In brief, the chapter narrates how the Levites received forty-eight cities scattered throughout Israel, including six cities of refuge.
The Levitical cities were given as compensation for the Levites’ service to the Lord and the Israelites.
Moreover, Joshua 21 ends on a triumphant note of Israel obtaining the land of promise and resting from her enemies.
The chapter of Joshua begins with the heads of the families of Levi bringing a message to Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes of Israel. The Levitical leaders came to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was, and brought to the leaders a reminder of the Lord’s command through Moses to give the Levites cities to dwell in and pasturelands for their cattle.
The Levites had different responsibilities from the other tribes. They were the Lord’s servants at the tabernacle, assisting Israel in her service to Him. Therefore, the Levites did not inherit an extensive territory as the rest of the Israelite tribes did.
Instead, the Levites’ allotment consisted of cities scattered throughout the land of Israel. Their inheritance was the cities with pasturelands in the territories of the other tribes.
The Israelites gave the Levites cities as Moses commanded. The assignment of cities to the Levites was by lot, and the Israelites gave cities to the children of Aaron, the descendants of Kohath, of Gershon, and of Merari.
The Levitical clan of Kohathite descendants of Aaron the priest received thirteen cities from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
Among these cities was Hebron, which belonged to Caleb as his inheritance. The pasturelands around Hebron also belonged to the Aaronide priests, while the fields and villages of Hebron belonged to the tribe.
Other priestly cities included Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh. The cities were given from the territories of Judah and Simeon.
The tribe of Benjamin gave four cities to the Levites: Gibeon, Geba, Anathoth, and Almon.
The Kohathites who were not Aaron’s descendants received ten cities from the tribe of Ephraim, Dan, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities from the territories of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the eastern half tribe of Manasseh.
The Merarites received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
In all, the Levites received forty-eight cities with pasturelands throughout the land of Israel.
The Levitical cities were significant for a tribe set apart to serve the Lord. These cities were spread out across Israel, meaning that the Levites were not gathered into one division among the people of Israel.
Six cities out of the forty-eight belonged to the Levites as cities of refuge. The cities of refuge were Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan. This was a continuation from the previous chapter about the cities of refuge.
The cities of refuge were assigned to the Levites, signifying the importance of this tribe in Israelite society. The Levitical cities of refuge protected the innocent manslayers.
However, Joshua 21 concludes with a declaration of the Lord’s faithfulness to give Israel all that He promised to the patriarchs. Israel had obtained the land, and God had given them rest from their enemies.
Indeed, none of the enemies were left to harass them. The chapter ends with a note of gratitude to the Lord for fulfilling His word.
Another significant message in Joshua 21 is that not one of the good things that the Lord had promised to the house of Israel failed.
A close examination of the last verse reveals that all of God’s words had come to pass. This was a most precious message to Israel at this time in their history.
It seems that Joshua 21 completes a number of Israel’s important activities. The Israelites had completed their long wanderings in the wilderness and conquered the land of Canaan.
They divided the land among the tribes, assigned cities to the Levites, and built cities of refuge.
This chapter’s declaration that Israel had obtained the land and God had given them rest from their enemies does not mean that Israel became free from all enemies.
Indeed, we know from subsequent verses that God did not remove them from the land but rather allowed them to continue to live among the Canaanites.
Nevertheless, the people of Israel had achieved rest after the long and difficult march through the wilderness.
The completion of this stage in Israel’s history was an appropriate time to recognize and rejoice in the accomplishments of the Lord.
Joshua 21 also completes the Levitical allotments.
Previously, the Israelites had been informed that Levi would not receive a tribal inheritance like the other sons of Israel.
But from the above verses, we can see that they received compensation in the form of cities.
The Levitical tribe did not inherit one portion of the land of Israel but rather received cities scattered throughout the land.
This way, the Levites could serve Israel wherever they went with Moses’s teachings and reminders of the covenant between the Lord and the children of Abraham.
In addition, the Levites could live close to the Israelites and remind them of God’s law, particularly in matters of moral and ethical conduct.
It can be seen from this chapter that the Lord prepared a systematic distribution of land among the tribes and the Levites.
The Israelites did not conquer the land and randomly assign cities to the Levites. Instead, the territories were apportioned, and the cities given as gifts to the Levites were designated by lot.
Furthermore, the Levitical families received their share of the inheritance according to their needs.
By the end of this chapter, we discover that the Israelites have largely completed their territorial division.
The tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, Joseph’s sons, and others received their shares, while the Levites received their cities.
Therefore, Joshua 21 provides us with many significant insights into Israel’s history.
In brief, the chapter narrates how the Levites received forty-eight cities scattered throughout Israel, including six cities of refuge.
The Levitical cities were given as compensation for the Levites’ service to the Lord and the Israelites.
Moreover, Joshua 21 ends on a triumphant note of Israel obtaining the land of promise and resting from her enemies.