New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Joshua 21
1
The leaders of the Levite family groups approached the priest Eleazar and Joshua, the son of Nun. They also approached the leaders of the family groups of Israel's other tribes.
Reference
2
They went to all of them at Shiloh in Canaan. They said to them, "Give us towns to live in. Also give us grasslands for our livestock. That's what the Lord commanded through Moses."
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 18:1
3
So the people of Israel gave the Levites towns and grasslands out of their own shares of land. They did what the Lord had commanded. Here are the towns the Levites were given.
Reference
References Israel
Genesis 49:7
4
The first lot that was drawn out was for the people of Kohath, family group by family group. Some of the Levites came from the family line of the priest Aaron. They were given 13 towns from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.
5
The rest of Kohath's family groups were given ten towns from the family groups of the tribes of Ephraim and Dan and half of the tribe of Manasseh.
6
The family groups of Gershon were given 13 towns from the family groups of the tribes of Issachar, Asher and Naphtali and half of the tribe of Manasseh. That part of Manasseh was in the land of Bashan.
7
The family groups of Merari received 12 towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun. Each family group received its share.
8
So the people of Israel gave those towns and their grasslands to the Levites. They did what the Lord had commanded through Moses.
Reference
References Lord
Joshua 21:3
9
They gave some towns from the territories of the tribes of Judah and Simeon
10
to the members of the family line of Aaron. The towns were given to the family groups of Kohath. They were Levites. The first lot that was drawn out was for them. Here are the towns the family groups of Kohath were given.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 21:4
11
The people of Israel gave them Kiriath Arba and the grasslands that were around it. Kiriath Arba is also called Hebron. It's in the hill country of Judah. Anak came from the family line of Arba.
Reference
12
But Israel had already given away the fields and villages around the city. They had given them to Caleb as his share. Caleb was the son of Jephunneh.
13
So they gave Hebron to the members of the family line of the priest Aaron. Hebron was a city where anyone who was charged with murder could go for safety. They also gave them Libnah,
Reference
16
Ain, Juttah and Beth Shemesh. They gave those towns and their grasslands to the family groups of Kohath. The total number of towns from the tribes of Judah and Simeon was nine.
Reference
17
The people of Israel gave some towns from the tribe of Benjamin to the family groups of Kohath. The towns were Gibeon, Geba,
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 9:3
18
Anathoth and Almon. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
📍 Locations
19
So the total number of towns and their grasslands that were given to the priests in the family line of Aaron was 13.
20
There were other family groups of Kohath among the Levites. They were given towns from the tribe of Ephraim. Here are the towns those other family groups of Kohath were given.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:66
21
In the hill country of Ephraim they were given Shechem. It was a city where anyone who was charged with murder could go for safety. They were also given Gezer,
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 20:7
22
Kibzaim and Beth Horon. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
📍 Kibzaim
23
From the tribe of Dan they received Eltekeh, Gibbethon,
📍 Elteke
24
Aijalon and Gath Rimmon. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
25
From half of the tribe of Manasseh they received Taanach and Gath Rimmon. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was two.
📍 Gath-rimmon 2
26
So all of those ten towns and their grasslands were given to the other family groups of Kohath.
27
Here are the towns the family groups of Gershon among the Levites were given. From half of the tribe of Manasseh they received Golan in the land of Bashan. Golan was a city where anyone who was charged with murder could go for safety. They also received Be Eshtarah. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was two.
Reference
📍 Beeshterah
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:71
28
From the tribe of Issacharthey received Kishion, Daberath,
29
Jarmuth and En Gannim. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
📍 Jarmuth 2
30
From the tribe of Asherthey received Mishal, Abdon,
📍 Abdon
31
Helkath and Rehob. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
32
From the tribe of Naphtalithey received Kedesh in Galilee. Kedesh was a city where anyone who was charged with murder could go for safety. They also received Hammoth Dor and Kartan. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was three.
Reference
📍 Locations
33
So the total number of towns and their grasslands that were given to the family groups of Gershon was 13.
34
The rest of the Levites were from the family groups of Merari. Here are the towns they were given. From the tribe of Zebulunthey received Jokneam, Kartah,
Reference
📍 Kartah
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:77
35
Dimnah and Nahalal. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
📍 Dimnah
37
Kedemoth and Mephaath. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
38
From the tribe of Gadthey received Ramoth in Gilead. Ramoth was a city where anyone who was charged with murder could go for safety. They also received Mahanaim,
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 32:2
39
Heshbon and Jazer. The total number of those towns and their grasslands was four.
40
So the total number of towns that were given to the family groups of Merari was 12. That concludes the list of towns the rest of the Levites received.
41
The total number of Levite towns and their grasslands in the territory that was given to Israel was 48.
42
Each of those towns had grasslands around it. That was true of all of them.
43
So the Lord gave Israel all of the land he had promised with an oath to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And Israel took it over. Then they settled down there.
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
The Lord gave them peace and rest on every side. That's what he had promised their fathers he would do. Not one of their enemies was able to fight against Israel and win. The Lord handed all of their enemies over to them.
Reference
45
The Lord kept all of the good promises he had made to the people of Israel. Every one of them came true.
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.