TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
Complete Jewish Bible
Then the leaders of the ancestral clans of the L'vi'im approached El'azar the cohen, Y'hoshua the son of Nun and the leaders of the ancestral clans of the tribes of the people of Isra'el.
Berean Standard Bible
Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel
American Standard Version
Then came near the heads of fathers’housesof the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel;
World English Bible Messianic
Then the heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then came the principall fathers of the Leuites vnto Eleazar the Priest, and vnto Ioshua the sonne of Nun, and vnto the chiefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel,
Young's Literal Translation
And the heads of the fathers of the Levites draw nigh unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel,
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Commentary on Joshua 21 verses 1–8
1 ¶ Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
2 And they spake unto 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.
3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.
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 unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
Here is, I. The Levites' petition presented to this general convention of the states, now sitting at Shiloh, Jos 21:1, Jos 21:2. Observe, 1. They had not their lot assigned them till they made their claim. There is an inheritance provided for all the saints, that royal priesthood, but then they must petition for it. Ask, and it shall be given you. Joshua had quickened the rest of the tribes who were slack to put in their claims, but the Levites, it may be supposed, knew their duty and interest better than the rest, and were therefore forward in this matter, when it came to their turn, without being called upon. They build their claim upon a very good foundation, not their own merits nor services, but the divine precept: "The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities, commanded you to grant them, which implied a command to us to ask them." Note, The maintenance of ministers is not an arbitrary thing, left purely to the good-will of the people, who may let them starve if they please; no, as the God of Israel commanded that the Levites should be well provided for, so has the Lord Jesus, the King of the Christian church, ordained, and a perpetual ordinance it is that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel (Co1 9:14), and should live comfortably. 2. They did not make their claim till all the rest of the tribes were provided for, and then they did it immediately. There was some reason for it; every tribe must first know their own, else they would not know what they gave the Levites, and so it could not be such a reasonable service as it ought to be. But it is also an instance of their humility, modesty, and patience (and Levites should be examples of these and other virtues), that they were willing to be served last, and they fared never the worse for it. Let not God's ministers complain if at any time they find themselves postponed in men's thoughts and cares, but let them make sure of the favour of God and the honour that comes from him, and then they may well enough afford to bear the slights and neglects of men.
II. The Levites' petition granted immediately, without any dispute, the princes of Israel being perhaps ashamed that they needed to be called upon in this matter, and that the motion had not been made among themselves for the settling of the Levites. 1. The children of Israel are said to give the cities for the Levites. God had appointed how many they should be in all, forty-eight. It is probable that Joshua and the princes, upon consideration of the extent and value of the lot of each tribe as it was laid before them, had appointed how many cities should be taken out of each; and then the fathers of the several tribes themselves agreed which they should be, and therefore are said to give them, as an offering, to the Lord; so God had appointed. Num 35:8, Every one shall give of his cities to the Levites. Here God tried their generosity, and it was found to praise and honour, for it appears by the following catalogue that the cities they gave to the Levites were generally some of the best and most considerable in each tribe. And it is probable that they had an eye to the situation of them, taking care they should be so dispersed as that no part of the country should be too far distant from a Levites' city. 2. They gave them at the commandment of the Lord, that is, with an eye to the command and in obedience to it, which was it that sanctified the grant. They gave the number that God commanded, and it was well this matter was settled that the Levites might not ask more nor the Israelites offer less. They gave them also with their suburbs, or glebe-lands, belonging to them, so many cubits by measure from the walls of the city, as God had commanded (Num 35:4, Num 35:5), and did not go about to cut them short. 3. When the forty-eight cities were pitched upon, they were divided into four lots, as they lay next together, and then by lot were determined to the four several families of the tribe of Levi. When the Israelites had surrendered the cities into the hand of God, he would himself have the distributing of them among his servants. (1.) The family of Aaron, who were the only priests, had for their share the thirteen cities that were given by the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, Jos 21:4. God in wisdom ordered it thus, that though Jerusalem itself was not one of their cities, it being as yet in the possession of the Jebusites (and those generous tribes would not mock the Levites, who had another warfare to mind, with a city that must be recovered by the sword before it could be enjoyed), yet the cities that fell to their lot were those which lay next to Jerusalem, because that was to be, in process of time, the holy city, where their business would chiefly lie. (2.) The Kohathite-Levites (among whom were the posterity of Moses, though never distinguished from them) had the cities that lay in the lot of Dan, which lay next to Judah, and in that of Ephraim, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, which lay next to Benjamin. So those who descended from Aaron's father joined nearest to Aaron's sons. (3.) Gershon was the eldest son of Levi, and therefore, though the younger house of the Kohathites was preferred before his, yet his children had the precedency of the other family of Merari, Jos 21:6. (4.) The Merarites, the youngest house, had their lot last, and it lay furthest off, Jos 21:7. The rest of the sons of Jacob had a lot for every tribe only, but Levi, God's tribe, had a lot for each of its families; for there is a particular providence directing and attending the removals and settlements of ministers, and appointing where those shall fix who are to be the lights of the world.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.
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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON JOSHUA 25.4
Who will explain the diverse sites of the encampments, how this distribution must be retained in the resurrection for each priestly or levitical order of the saints, so that, just as the apostle says, nothing is done haphazardly in the resurrection, but everyone comes "in his own order, Christ first, then those who belong to Christ who have believed in his coming, when he will hand the kingdom over to our God and Father, when he will subject to him every principality and power"?On that occasion, without doubt, there will be some such observances of encampments and priestly distributions and ranks and signals of trumpets.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON JOSHUA 25.1
It was fitting that there be a drawing of lots even regarding the suburbs and cities so that perhaps the renowned division among the Levites might not seem perhaps indiscriminate and accidental. Therefore, the distribution by lot that took place among the sons of Israel was characterized by reason, by which someone was considered worthy of the first lot, and someone else the second, as we have already previously examined to the extent we were able. This was true in regard to both those who receive through Moses beyond the Jordan and those who receive from Jesus [Joshua] in the land of promise, where the first lot fell to Benjamin and afterwards to the rest, among whom Dan was the last. Even so it is necessary that there be some reason also in the order of priestly and levitical lots. Thus the first is drawn for someone, the second for someone else, and the third for another, through which these or those places are determined for each one.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 21:1 inaugurates the final, divinely orchestrated phase of land distribution in the Promised Land, detailing the formal approach of the Levitical leadership to Eleazar the High Priest, Joshua, and the heads of the other Israelite tribes. This pivotal moment initiates the process by which the Levites, uniquely consecrated for sacred service, would receive their designated cities and pasturelands scattered throughout Israel. The verse underscores God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling every aspect of His covenant promises and highlights the orderly administration of the newly settled nation, ensuring that even the non-territorial tribe received its divinely ordained provision.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 21:1 employs several literary devices to convey the gravity and formality of the occasion. The use of Formal Language throughout the verse, particularly in the precise naming of the participants ("heads of the fathers of the Levites," "Eleazar the priest," "Joshua the son of Nun," "heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel"), elevates the tone and underscores the solemnity of the proceedings. Repetition is evident in the phrase "heads of the fathers," which appears twice, emphasizing the patriarchal and organized leadership structure involved in both the request and its reception. This repetition highlights the meticulous adherence to established societal and divine order. Furthermore, the careful enumeration of the three distinct groups of authorities—the religious leader (Eleazar), the civil/military leader (Joshua), and the representatives of the people (tribal heads)—creates a powerful sense of Inclusivity and comprehensive national involvement. This reinforces that the allocation of the Levitical cities was a unified decision, not an arbitrary decree, lending immense gravity and legitimacy to the process and reflecting the divine precision in the fulfillment of promises.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:1 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and the meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises. It powerfully demonstrates that God's provision extends to every segment of His people, even those with unique callings that deviate from the conventional norms of societal inheritance. The Levites, set apart for spiritual service, did not receive a territorial inheritance, yet God commanded that they be provided for through cities strategically scattered among the other tribes. This arrangement not only ensured their sustenance but also positioned them to be spiritual guides, teachers, and administrators of justice throughout the nation, reinforcing the idea that spiritual ministry is a vital, supported function within God's community. It also highlights the essential interdependence of God's people, where each part contributes to the well-being of the whole, and the other tribes willingly participate in God's overarching plan by providing from their own inheritances. This act of communal provision underscores the unity and shared responsibility inherent in God's covenant relationship with Israel.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:1 offers a profound lesson in divine faithfulness and the intricate beauty of God's comprehensive plan for His people. Just as God meticulously ensured the Levites, with their distinct and consecrated calling, were provided for in a manner perfectly suited to their purpose, so too does He care for and equip each believer according to their specific purpose and gifting within His kingdom. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our "inheritance" or provision may not always manifest in the same way as others', but God's care is always perfectly tailored to enable us to fulfill our unique divine calling. It challenges us to cultivate a deep trust in God's often unconventional methods of provision and to recognize the profound importance of actively supporting those who are called to full-time ministry, thereby enabling them to focus wholeheartedly on their spiritual duties without undue worldly concerns. Furthermore, this passage powerfully underscores the principle of interdependence within the body of Christ, where we are called to share our resources, gifts, and burdens, supporting one another and recognizing that our individual blessings are often meant to facilitate the flourishing and spiritual health of the entire community.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the Levites not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes?
Answer: The Levites did not receive a contiguous territorial inheritance because God specifically designated them for a unique and sacred purpose: to serve as priests and ministers in the tabernacle (and later the temple). Their inheritance, as explicitly stated in Scripture, was to be the Lord Himself and the offerings of the people, as commanded in Deuteronomy 18:1-2. This distinct provision ensured they were not distracted by agricultural pursuits or territorial disputes, allowing them to fully dedicate themselves to their spiritual duties, teaching God's law, and mediating between God and the people. Instead of a single territory, they were given forty-eight cities scattered throughout the other tribes, along with their pasturelands, which strategically positioned them to serve and instruct the entire nation.
What was the significance of the Levites being scattered among the other tribes?
Answer: The scattering of the Levites among all the other tribes was profoundly significant for several reasons, demonstrating God's wisdom and foresight. First, it ensured that spiritual instruction, knowledge of God's law, and the administration of justice were accessible to all Israelites, not just those in a central location. The Levites served as teachers, judges, and spiritual guides, bringing the presence and commands of God to every corner of the land. Second, it reinforced the unity and interdependence of the twelve tribes; each tribe contributed from its own inheritance to support the Levites, fostering a deep sense of shared responsibility for the nation's spiritual health and the upkeep of divine service. Third, it symbolically represented the pervasive presence of God's covenant and His appointed ministers throughout the land, constantly reminding all Israelites of their obligations to the Lord and His statutes. This arrangement perfectly balanced their unique calling with their integration into the broader Israelite society, serving as a spiritual leaven for the entire nation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:1, deeply rooted in the Old Covenant's meticulous design, finds its ultimate fulfillment and richer meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Levites, set apart for priestly service, dependent on the offerings of the people, and without an earthly land inheritance, powerfully foreshadowed the perfect and ultimate High Priest, Jesus. He did not inherit an earthly kingdom in the conventional sense, but His inheritance is the spiritual kingdom of God, and He is sustained by the Father's will and purpose (John 4:34). Just as the Levites were scattered throughout Israel to bring the knowledge of God and mediate His presence, so too is Christ's church—comprised of believers who are now a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9)—scattered throughout the world to proclaim the good news and minister God's grace. Our "inheritance" as believers is not a physical land but the immeasurable spiritual riches found in Christ (Ephesians 1:11-14), and our provision for ministry comes directly from God Himself, enabling us to fulfill our calling as ambassadors of His kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20). The meticulous fulfillment of God's promise to the Levites points to the even greater faithfulness of God in providing His Son as the perfect sacrifice and our eternal inheritance, ensuring that every promise made to His people is fulfilled in Him, for "in Christ every one of God's promises is a 'Yes'" (2 Corinthians 1:20).