Joshua 21:17

KJV

And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,

KJV (with Strong's)

And out of the tribe {H4294} of Benjamin {H1144}, Gibeon {H1391} with her suburbs {H4054}, Geba {H1387} with her suburbs {H4054},

Complete Jewish Bible

Out of the tribe of Binyamin: Giv'on with its surrounding open land, Geva with its surrounding open land,

Berean Standard Bible

And from the tribe of Benjamin they gave them Gibeon, Geba,

American Standard Version

And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its suburbs, Geba with its suburbs,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:17 meticulously records the allocation of specific cities, Gibeon and Geba, along with their surrounding pasturelands, from the tribal territory of Benjamin to the priestly families of the Levites. This verse is a precise detail within the broader narrative of God's faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel, ensuring the Levites, who had no territorial inheritance of their own, were strategically distributed throughout the land to serve the spiritual needs of all the tribes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21 stands as the culmination of the land distribution narrative, following the initial conquest (Joshua 1-12) and the detailed division of territories among the tribes (Joshua 13-19). Specifically, chapter 21 details the fulfillment of the divine command given in [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Command for Levitical Cities") to provide forty-eight cities, complete with their "suburbs" (pasturelands), for the Levites. These cities were to be drawn from the inheritances of the other tribes, ensuring the Levites, who were set apart for sacred service, were supported and accessible across the nation. Joshua 21:17, therefore, is a specific entry within a comprehensive list, demonstrating the meticulous execution of God's plan and the completion of the land apportionment, as affirmed in [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Levites, descendants of Levi, were uniquely consecrated for service to the Lord, primarily ministering at the tabernacle and later the temple. Unlike the other tribes, they did not receive a contiguous territorial inheritance, as "the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance" ([Joshua 13:33](/joshua/13-33 "Joshua 13:33 - The Lord as Levi's Inheritance")). To sustain them and enable their widespread ministry, God commanded that they be given cities and adjacent pasturelands (Hebrew: *migrashim*) from each tribe's territory. This arrangement ensured their economic viability (through livestock grazing) and their accessibility to all Israelites for teaching the Law, administering justice, and performing priestly duties. Gibeon, mentioned in this verse, held particular historical significance, having famously deceived Joshua into a treaty ([Joshua 9:3-27](/joshua/9-3 "Joshua 9:3-27 - The Gibeonite Deception")) and later becoming a prominent high place for worship, as seen in [1 Kings 3:4](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4 - Solomon Sacrifices at Gibeon").
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within Joshua 21, powerfully underscores several key themes. First, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Provision**, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to detail in fulfilling His promises to Israel, including His specific and unique provision for the Levites, who were wholly dependent on Him ([Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20-24 - The Levites' Portion")). Second, it illustrates **Divine Order and Organization**, showcasing the careful planning and systematic execution involved in establishing Israel's national and spiritual life. The precise enumeration of cities reflects God's desire for structure and purpose in His people's existence. Third, the strategic dispersion of the Levites throughout the land emphasizes the **Accessibility of Spiritual Leadership and Instruction**. By placing the Levites in cities across all tribal territories, God ensured that His Law and priestly services were readily available to all, fostering a unified nation centered on His covenant and commands, as mandated in [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - Levites Teaching the Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrashim'_):** This term, often translated as "suburbs" or "pasturelands," refers specifically to the open land surrounding the Levitical cities, designated for their livestock. It was not merely undeveloped land but a legally defined and essential provision for the Levites' sustenance, as they did not own agricultural land. This provision was crucial for their livelihood, enabling them to focus on their spiritual duties without needing to engage in farming or other typical tribal occupations.
* **Gibeon (Hebrew, _Gib'on'_):** Meaning "hill city" or "belonging to a hill," Gibeon was a significant Hivite city within the territory of Benjamin. It is notable for its inhabitants' deceptive treaty with Joshua, which resulted in their becoming "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the congregation ([Joshua 9:21](/joshua/9-21 "Joshua 9:21 - Gibeonites Become Servants")). Later, it became a prominent high place where Solomon offered sacrifices and received wisdom from God ([1 Kings 3:4-5](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4-5 - Solomon at Gibeon")). Its allocation to the Levites underscores its strategic importance.
* **Geba (Hebrew, _Geba'_):** Meaning "hill," Geba was another city in Benjamin's territory, often mentioned in various historical accounts and conflicts, particularly in relation to the border between Judah and Benjamin. Its inclusion alongside Gibeon highlights the comprehensive nature of the Levitical city allocations within Benjamin's tribal lands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And out of the tribe of Benjamin":** This opening phrase precisely identifies the source of the cities being allocated. It signifies that these cities, Gibeon and Geba, were part of the territory previously assigned to the tribe of Benjamin, from which they were now designated for the Levites. This detail underscores the meticulous nature of the land division and the fulfillment of the divine command that Levitical cities be drawn from all tribal inheritances.
* **"Gibeon with her suburbs":** This specifies the first city, Gibeon, and includes the crucial provision of "her suburbs" (pasturelands). The mention of Gibeon, a city with a notable history in the conquest narrative, emphasizes that even strategically important or historically significant cities were subject to God's overarching plan for the Levites' support and distribution. The "suburbs" were vital for the Levites' economic well-being, providing grazing land for their flocks and herds, which were their primary source of sustenance.
* **"Geba with her suburbs":** This clause lists the second city, Geba, also accompanied by its essential "suburbs." The repetition of "with her suburbs" for each city reinforces the consistent and comprehensive nature of the provision for the Levites. It highlights that the allocation was not just a place to live, but also the necessary means for their livelihood, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their priestly and teaching responsibilities without the burden of agricultural labor.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 21:17 and the surrounding enumeration of cities is **Enumeration**. This detailed listing of cities and their associated provisions (like "suburbs") serves to emphasize the meticulousness and completeness of God's fulfillment of His promises. The repeated phrase "**with her suburbs**" acts as a form of **Repetition**, reinforcing the specific nature of the provision for the Levites—not just a city, but the essential surrounding pastureland for their sustenance. This repetition also contributes to the sense of divine order and the thoroughness of the land distribution. Furthermore, the inclusion of Gibeon, a city with a known history of deception and later a high place of worship, could be seen as **Irony** or **Foreshadowing**, as a place that once resisted God's people now becomes a center for His worship and instruction through the Levites.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:17, though a seemingly mundane detail in a list of cities, is profoundly theological. It speaks volumes about God's character as a faithful, orderly, and providing God. The meticulous allocation of cities, down to the "suburbs" for pasture, demonstrates His comprehensive care for His people, particularly those set apart for His service. It underscores the principle that those who serve the Lord are sustained by the Lord, often through the generosity and obedience of the wider community. This divine provision ensured that the spiritual leaders of Israel were not only cared for but also strategically positioned to teach, judge, and minister to all the tribes, fostering national unity under God's Law. This arrangement reflects God's desire for His truth and presence to be accessible to all His people, not confined to a single centralized location.

* [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Command for Levitical Cities")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-2 - The Levites' Inheritance")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise detail of Joshua 21:17 serves as a powerful reminder of God's meticulous nature and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His promises. Just as He meticulously provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement, so too does He care for every detail of our lives and His overarching plan. This verse encourages us to trust in God's comprehensive provision, knowing that He sees and cares for our practical needs, even the "suburbs" of our daily existence. Furthermore, the dispersion of the Levites throughout Israel highlights the importance of making spiritual truth and guidance accessible within our communities. It challenges us to consider how we, as the body of Christ, can support those called to full-time ministry, enabling them to focus on their divine calling without undue worldly burdens. It also reminds us of our collective responsibility to spread the knowledge of God and His Word, ensuring that spiritual nourishment is available to all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:17 encourage your trust in His care for your own practical needs?**
* **In what ways can we, as a community of faith, better support those who are called to full-time spiritual service today?**
* **How does the strategic dispersion of the Levites inspire us to make spiritual truth more accessible in our contemporary contexts?**
* **What "suburbs" or seemingly small details in your life might God be meticulously ordering for a greater purpose?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't the Levites receive a tribal inheritance like the other tribes?**

Answer: The Levites did not receive a contiguous territorial inheritance because the Lord Himself was declared to be their inheritance. As the tribe set apart for priestly and tabernacle/temple service, their primary role was to minister to God and teach His Law to the other tribes. This unique status meant they were to be supported by the tithes and offerings of the other Israelites, and in return, God commanded that they be given specific cities and their surrounding pasturelands (suburbs) from within the territories of the other tribes. This ensured their sustenance and allowed them to be distributed throughout the land, making spiritual instruction and service accessible to all. This arrangement is detailed in passages like [Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20-24 - The Levites' Portion") and [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-2 - The Levites' Inheritance").

**What exactly were "suburbs" (migrashim) in this context, and why were they important?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "suburbs" (Hebrew: *migrashim*) does not refer to residential outskirts as we understand the term today. Instead, it refers specifically to the common pasturelands and open areas immediately surrounding the Levitical cities. These lands were crucial for the Levites' livelihood because, without agricultural land, their primary means of sustenance came from raising livestock. The *migrashim* provided the necessary grazing areas for their cattle, sheep, and goats. This provision was essential for their economic well-being, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without needing to engage in farming or other typical tribal occupations. The meticulous mention of "suburbs" alongside each city, as seen in [Joshua 21:17](/joshua/21-17 "Joshua 21:17 - Gibeon and Geba for the Levites"), highlights the comprehensive nature of God's provision.

**Why were Gibeon and Geba specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Gibeon and Geba were two of the cities allocated from the territory of the tribe of Benjamin to the priestly families of the Levites (the sons of Aaron). Their specific mention in [Joshua 21:17](/joshua/21-17 "Joshua 21:17 - Gibeon and Geba for the Levites") is part of the meticulous enumeration of all 48 Levitical cities across Israel, as commanded by God. Gibeon, in particular, was a significant city, known for its strategic location and its earlier deception of Joshua ([Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Deception")), later becoming a prominent high place for worship before the Temple was built ([1 Kings 3:4](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4 - Solomon at Gibeon")). Geba was another important city in Benjamin's territory, often mentioned in historical and military contexts. Their inclusion here simply reflects their status as part of the total cities designated for the Levites, underscoring the comprehensive and precise fulfillment of God's instructions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The detailed provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:17, ensuring their support and widespread accessibility throughout Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Levitical priesthood, with its sacrifices and instruction, served as a shadow of the perfect and eternal high priesthood of Christ. Just as the Levites were God's appointed mediators and teachers for Israel, Jesus is the one true Mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")). His sacrifice on the cross was the once-for-all atonement that superseded all Levitical sacrifices ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, the dispersion of the Levitical cities aimed to make spiritual truth accessible to all Israel; this foreshadows the New Covenant reality where, through Christ, every believer becomes part of a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), empowered by the Holy Spirit to draw near to God directly and to share His truth globally. The meticulous provision for the Levites points to God's perfect provision for His people through Christ, who is our ultimate inheritance, our sustenance, and the one who makes God's presence and truth universally accessible, not confined to specific cities but dwelling within every believer ([John 14:23](/john/14-23 "John 14:23 - Dwelling in Believers")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 18:24

And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:

Joshua 18:25

Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

Joshua 9:3

¶ And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

1 Chronicles 6:60

And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families [were] thirteen cities.