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Joshua 21:36

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And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,

And out of the tribe of Reuben {H7205}, Bezer {H1221} with her suburbs, and Jahazah {H3096} with her suburbs,

Out of the tribe of Re'uven: Betzer with its surrounding open land, Yachtzah with its surrounding open land,

From the tribe of Reuben they were given Bezer, Jahaz,

And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its suburbs, and Jahaz with its suburbs,

Commentary

Context

Joshua 21:36 is part of a detailed account in the Book of Joshua concerning the allocation of forty-eight cities to the Levites. Unlike the other eleven tribes of Israel, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance of land, as their inheritance was to be the Lord Himself and their service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Deuteronomy 18:1). Instead, they were given specific cities and their surrounding pasturelands scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes.

This verse specifically lists "Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs" as cities assigned to the Levites from the tribe of Reuben. The tribe of Reuben, along with Gad and half of Manasseh, had chosen to settle their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River. The meticulous distribution of these cities ensured that the Levites, who served as priests, teachers of the Law, and administrators of justice, would be accessible to all Israelites across the land. It is also significant that Bezer was designated as one of the six cities of refuge, providing asylum for those who had unintentionally caused the death of another (Numbers 35:6).

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Faithfulness: This verse exemplifies God's faithful and meticulous provision for His people. Despite the Levites having no land inheritance, God ensured their sustenance and ability to fulfill their sacred duties through these designated cities and their pasturelands.
  • Order and Organization: The precise enumeration of cities and their distribution across the tribes highlights God's orderly nature and the well-structured society He established for Israel. Every detail was purposed for the nation's spiritual and practical well-being.
  • Justice and Mercy: The inclusion of Bezer as a city of refuge within this allocation underscores God's commitment to both justice and mercy in the legal system of Israel, providing a crucial mechanism for protection and due process.

Linguistic Insights

The term "suburbs" in the King James Version (KJV), derived from the Hebrew word migrashim (מִגְרָשִׁים), does not refer to residential extensions of a city as we understand it today. Instead, it denotes the open lands, common pastures, and fields surrounding the walled city. These migrashim were crucial for the Levites' livelihood, as they were permitted to graze their livestock there. This detail emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's provision, ensuring not just a dwelling place but also the means of sustenance for the priestly tribe.

Practical Application

While Joshua 21:36 might seem like a mere list of ancient places, it carries enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His meticulous care for every detail of His plan. Just as He provided for the Levites, He promises to meet the needs of His people who serve Him. This verse also implicitly encourages the support of those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service and teaching, mirroring the provision made for the Levites by the other tribes. Ultimately, this passage, part of the broader account of the land's distribution, points to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, assuring us that God's word always comes to pass.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 20:8 (5 votes)

    And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.

  • Deuteronomy 4:43 (3 votes)

    [Namely], Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

  • Numbers 21:23 (2 votes)

    And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

  • Joshua 13:18 (2 votes)

    And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,

  • 1 Chronicles 6:78 (2 votes)

    And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, [were given them] out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,

  • 1 Chronicles 6:79 (2 votes)

    Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs: