Joshua 21:18

KJV

Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

Anathoth {H6068} with her suburbs {H4054}, and Almon {H5960} with her suburbs {H4054}; four {H702} cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Anatot with its surrounding open land and 'Almon with its surrounding open land - four cities.

Berean Standard Bible

Anathoth, and Almon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.

American Standard Version

Anathoth with its suburbs, and Almon with its suburbs; four cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:18 meticulously records the allocation of Anathoth and Almon, along with their surrounding pasturelands, as two of the four cities designated for the priestly family of Aaron from the tribe of Benjamin. This specific detail within the larger account of Israel's land distribution underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in providing for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement throughout the land to fulfill their vital spiritual and judicial roles among the tribes of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21 details the fulfillment of God's promise to provide dwelling places for the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a contiguous territorial inheritance. Instead, they were allotted 48 cities scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes, along with their common lands for pasture, as mandated in [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Cities for the Levites"). The chapter meticulously lists these cities by clan. Specifically, [Joshua 21:4-19](/joshua/21-4 "Joshua 21:4-19 - Cities for the Kohathite Priests") focuses on the cities given to the Kohathite families, particularly the descendants of Aaron (the priests), who received 13 cities. Verses 17 and 18 list the four cities allotted to them from the tribe of Benjamin: Gibeon, Geba (from [Joshua 21:17](/joshua/21-17 "Joshua 21:17 - Priestly Cities from Benjamin")), Anathoth, and Almon. This precise enumeration highlights the meticulous fulfillment of divine promises and the orderly establishment of Israelite society.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of cities to the Levites was a unique arrangement rooted in their special role within Israel. As the tribe set apart for priestly and temple service, they were not to be tied to agricultural land ownership like the other tribes. Instead, God provided for them through tithes and offerings, and by giving them specific cities with "suburbs" (Hebrew: _migrash_), which were designated common lands for their livestock and communal use. This ensured their economic sustenance without requiring them to engage in farming, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties. Their dispersion across the land also served a crucial purpose: it made spiritual instruction, the administration of justice, and sacrificial service accessible to all tribes, reinforcing the Levites' role as teachers of the Law and judges, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - The Role of Levi").
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 21:18, as part of the broader chapter, powerfully illustrates several key themes. First, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Provision**, demonstrating God's meticulous care and unwavering commitment to His covenant people, fulfilling His promises to provide for His servants, the Levites, as He had sworn. Second, the detailed account of land distribution, including these Levite cities, speaks to **Order and Structure** within God's plan for Israelite society. Every aspect, from tribal boundaries to priestly provision, was carefully planned and executed, reflecting divine wisdom and foresight. Finally, the strategic scattering of these cities across the land highlights the **Accessibility of Spiritual Leadership**, ensuring that the Levites, as spiritual guides and administrators of justice, were within reach of all tribes, thereby fostering national unity under God's Law and facilitating the spiritual well-being of the entire nation, as seen in the broader design of the Levites' role in [Numbers 35](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities of Refuge and Levite Cities").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anathoth (Hebrew, _‘Anathoth'_):** This city, located northeast of Jerusalem in the territory of Benjamin, holds significant historical and prophetic importance. It was one of the cities designated for the priests, indicating its priestly heritage. Most notably, Anathoth was the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 1:1](/jeremiah/1-1 "Jeremiah 1:1 - Jeremiah's Origins")), who faced persecution from its inhabitants ([Jeremiah 11:21](/jeremiah/11-21 "Jeremiah 11:21 - Persecution from Anathoth")). Its mention here grounds the narrative in a specific, historically verifiable location, emphasizing the tangible nature of God's land distribution.
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrash'_):** The KJV translation "suburbs" can be misleading in a modern context. The Hebrew term _migrash_ refers not to residential areas but to the common pastureland and open ground surrounding the walled city. These lands were specifically designated for the Levites' livestock and for communal use, ensuring their economic sustenance and ability to live and perform their duties without being tied to agricultural land ownership within a tribal territory. This provision was crucial for their livelihood and their ability to serve.
* **Four cities (Hebrew, _‘arim arba‘'_):** This phrase concludes the enumeration, summarizing the number of cities allotted from the tribe of Benjamin to the Kohathite priests. The emphasis on the precise number underscores the meticulous and orderly nature of the land distribution, reflecting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises down to the smallest detail. It highlights the completeness and exactitude of the divine provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Anathoth with her suburbs":** This clause identifies one specific city, Anathoth, and explicitly includes its associated pasturelands (_migrash_). This detail is crucial, as the _migrash_ was integral to the Levites' economic provision and distinct from the agricultural lands of other tribes. It signifies a complete and functional unit of settlement for the priestly family.
* **"and Almon with her suburbs":** Similarly, this clause names Almon (also known as Alemeth, [1 Chronicles 6:60](/1_chronicles/6-60 "1 Chronicles 6:60 - Alemeth")), another city from Benjamin, also allocated with its surrounding pasturelands. The repetition of "with her suburbs" reinforces the consistent and comprehensive nature of the provision for each Levite city, ensuring their self-sufficiency.
* **"four cities":** This concluding phrase serves as a summary statement for the cities listed from the tribe of Benjamin for the Aaronite priests. While only Anathoth and Almon are named in this specific verse, it refers back to the preceding verse ([Joshua 21:17](/joshua/21-17 "Joshua 21:17 - Cities from Benjamin for Priests")) which named Gibeon and Geba. This numerical summary confirms the completion of this particular allocation, highlighting the systematic and exhaustive nature of the land distribution process.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Enumeration** and **Catalogue** as primary literary devices, meticulously listing the cities allocated to the Levites. This precise listing is not merely a dry record but serves to emphasize the divine **Faithfulness** and **Order** in fulfilling God's promises. The repetition of "with her suburbs" across the listed cities uses **Parallelism** to underscore the consistent nature of the provision for each Levite settlement. Furthermore, the mention of Anathoth carries significant **Allusion** for a knowledgeable reader, foreshadowing its later prominence as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah, thereby connecting this historical allocation to future prophetic events and highlighting the enduring significance of these specific locations in Israel's spiritual history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:18, as part of the detailed account of Levite city allocation, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. It demonstrates that divine provision is not merely general but extends to specific, practical details, ensuring the well-being and functional capacity of those called to serve Him. The strategic dispersion of these priestly cities throughout Israel underscores the theological principle of accessibility to spiritual leadership and instruction, ensuring that the Law and divine counsel were within reach of all tribes. This arrangement reflects God's desire for His people to be continually nourished by His truth and guided by His appointed servants, fostering a nation grounded in righteousness and justice.

* [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Instructions for Levite Cities")
* [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - The Blessing of Moses on Levi")
* [Ezekiel 48:13-14](/ezekiel/48-13 "Ezekiel 48:13-14 - The Holy Portion for the Priests")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:18, though a seemingly minor geographical detail, invites profound reflection on God's character and our own responsibilities. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and unwavering faithfulness, fulfilling His promises down to the smallest detail. Just as He meticulously provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for ministry, so too does He provide for us today, equipping us for the callings He places on our lives. This verse challenges us to consider how we are stewarding the resources and positions God has given us, whether they are material provisions, spiritual gifts, or relational spheres of influence. Are we allowing ourselves to be strategically placed for His purposes, serving as "salt and light" within our communities, much like the Levites were scattered to bring spiritual truth and justice to all Israel? Our lives, like these ancient cities, are meant to be centers from which God's truth and grace can radiate, nourishing those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:18 encourage your faith in His faithfulness today?**
* **In what ways do you see yourself "strategically placed" by God in your current context, and how can you better fulfill your spiritual role there?**
* **What "suburbs" or surrounding spheres of influence has God given you, and how are you using them to extend His truth and grace?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Levites given cities instead of a tribal territory like the other tribes?**

Answer: The Levites were uniquely set apart by God for sacred service to Him, primarily in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Unlike the other tribes who received land for agricultural and residential purposes, the Levites were to be supported by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes, as detailed in [Numbers 18:21-24](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21-24 - The Levites' Portion"). Giving them cities scattered throughout Israel, along with common lands for their livestock (their "suburbs" or _migrash_), ensured their sustenance without tying them to agricultural labor. This arrangement allowed them to dedicate themselves fully to their priestly, teaching, and judicial duties, making spiritual instruction and the administration of justice accessible to all the tribes of Israel, fulfilling their crucial role as spiritual guides and guardians of the Law, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - The Blessing of Moses on Levi").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:18, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The Old Testament Levitical priesthood, though divinely instituted, was a shadow pointing to the perfect, eternal priesthood of Jesus, who is our great High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek ([Hebrews 7:11-28](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-28 - The Superior Priesthood of Christ")). Unlike the Levites who required cities and physical provision, Christ, through His once-for-all sacrifice, established a new covenant where believers are made a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), called to offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness. Just as the Levites were scattered throughout Israel to bring God's truth and justice, so too are believers in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, strategically placed in every corner of the world to be His witnesses ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). Our provision is not in cities and pasturelands, but in the boundless grace and power of Christ, enabling us to fulfill our priestly calling in a world desperately in need of the ultimate High Priest and the salvation He offers.

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

Jeremiah 1:1

¶ The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that [were] in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

Isaiah 10:30

Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.

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.

1 Kings 2:26

¶ And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou [art] worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.