TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
Complete Jewish Bible
The families of the descendants of K'hat, who were L'vi'im, that is, the rest of the descendants of K'hat, received the cities of their lot. Out of the tribe of Efrayim
American Standard Version
And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites, even the rest of the children of Kohath, they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
World English Bible Messianic
The families of the children of Kohath, the Levites, even the rest of the children of Kohath, had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But to the families of the children of Kohath of the Leuites, which were the rest of the children of Kohath (for the cities of their lot were out of the tribe of Ephraim)
Young's Literal Translation
And for the families of the sons of Kohath, the Levites, who are left of the sons of Kohath, even the cities of their lot are of the tribe of Ephraim;
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In the KJVVerse 6,402 of 31,102
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Commentary on Joshua 21 verses 9–42
9 ¶ And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name,
10 Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
11 And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.
12 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
13 Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,
14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
15 And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,
16 And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.
17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
18 Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
20 And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
21 For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.
23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,
24 Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.
25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
27 And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.
28 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
29 Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities.
30 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,
31 Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.
32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.
33 All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
34 And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,
35 Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities.
36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,
37 Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.
38 And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.
40 So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
42 These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.
We have here a particular account of the cities which were given to the children of Levi out of the several tribes, not only to be occupied and inhabited by them, as tenants to the several tribes in which they lay - no, their interest in them was not dependent and precarious, but to be owned and possessed by them as lords and proprietors, and as having the same title to them that the rest of the tribes had to their cities or lands, as appears by the law which preserved the house in the Levites' cities from being alienated any longer than till the year of jubilee, Lev 25:32, Lev 25:33. Yet it is probable that the Levites having only the cities and suburbs, while the land about pertained to the tribes in which they lay, those of that tribe, for the convenience of occupying that land, might commonly rent houses of the Levites, as they could spare them in their cities, and so live among them as their tenants. Several things may be observed in this account, besides what was observed in the law concerning it, Num. 35.
I. That the Levites were dispersed into all the tribes, and not suffered to live all together in any one part of the country. This would find them all with work, and employ them all for the good of others; for ministers, of all people, must neither be idle nor live to themselves or to one another only. Christ left his twelve disciples together in a body, but left orders that they should in due time disperse themselves, that they might preach the gospel to every creature. The mixing of the Levites thus with the other tribes would be an obligation upon them to walk circumspectly, and as became their sacred function, and to avoid every thing that might disgrace it. Had they lived all together, they would have been tempted to wink at one another's faults, and to excuse one another when they did amiss; but by this means they were made to see the eyes of all Israel upon them, and therefore saw it their concern to walk so as that their ministry might in nothing be blamed nor their high character suffer by their ill carriage.
II. That every tribe of Israel was adorned and enriched with its share of Levites' cities in proportion to its compass, even those that lay most remote. They were all God's people, and therefore they all had Levites among them. 1. To show kindness to, as God appointed them, Deu 12:19; Deu 14:29. They were God's receivers, to whom the people might give their grateful acknowledgments of God's goodness, as the occasion and disposition were. 2. To receive advice and instruction from; when they could not go up to the tabernacle, to consult those who attended there, they might go to a Levites' city, and be taught the good knowledge of the Lord. Thus God set up a candle in every room of his house, to give light to all his family; as those that attended the altar kept the charge of the Lord, to see that no divine appointment was neglected there, so those that were scattered in the country had their charge too, which was to see that no idolatrous superstitious usages were introduced at a distance and to watch for the souls of God's Israel. Thus did God graciously provide for the keeping up of religion among them, and that they might have the word nigh them; yet, blessed be God, we, under the gospel, have it yet nigher, not only Levites in every county, but Levites in every parish, whose office it is still to teach the people knowledge, and to go before them in the things of God.
III. That there were thirteen cities, and those some of the best, appointed for the priests, the sons of Aaron, Jos 21:19. Aaron left but two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, yet his family was now so much increased, and it was foreseen that it would in process of time grow so numerous, as to replenish all these cities, though a considerable number must of necessity be resident wherever the ark and the altar were. We read in both Testaments of such numbers of priests that we may suppose none of all the families of Israel that came out of Egypt increased afterwards so much as that of Aaron did; and the promise afterwards to the house of Aaron is, God shall increase you more and more, you and your children, Psa 115:12, Psa 115:14. He will raise up a seed to serve him.
IV. That some of the Levites' cities were afterwards famous upon other accounts. Hebron was the city in which David began his reign, and in Manhanaim, another Levites' city (Jos 21:38), he lay, and had his headquarters when he fled from Absalom. The first Israelite that ever wore the title of king (namely, Abimelech, the son of Gideon) reigned in Shechem, another Levites' city, Jos 21:21.
V. That the number of them in all was more than of most of the tribes, except Judah, though the tribe of Levi was one of the least of the tribes, to show how liberal God is, and his people should be, to his ministers; yet the disproportion will not appear so great as at first it seems, if we consider that the Levites had cities only with their suburbs to dwell in, but the rest of the tribes, besides their cities (and those perhaps were many more than are named in the account of their lot), had many unwalled towns and villages which they inhabited, besides country houses.
Upon the whole, it appears that effectual care was taken that the Levites should live both comfortably and usefully: and those, whether ministers or others, for whom Providence has done well, must look upon themselves as obliged thereby to do good, and, according as their capacity and opportunity are, to serve their generation.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–42. Public domain.
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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 21:20 meticulously records the allocation of specific cities to the families of the Kohathite Levites from the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. This verse is an integral part of the detailed account of God's faithfulness in providing for the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, received no territorial inheritance but were instead given cities scattered throughout Israel. This divine arrangement ensured their presence for spiritual service, instruction, and the administration of justice among all the tribes, powerfully underscoring God's meticulous order and the unwavering fulfillment of His promises to His people.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 21 serves as the climactic conclusion to the extensive land distribution narrative within the Book of Joshua, which began with the general allocation to the tribes in Joshua 13-19. Having detailed the inheritances for the twelve territorial tribes, this chapter meticulously records the fulfillment of God's specific command to provide cities for the Levites, who were uniquely set apart for sacred service and thus received no large territorial inheritance. This particular verse, Joshua 21:20, is embedded within a comprehensive list that enumerates the cities granted to each of the three main Levitical clans—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari—and specifies which tribes contributed those cities. The entire chapter culminates in a powerful and triumphant affirmation of God's absolute faithfulness in fulfilling every single promise made to Israel, leaving no promise unfulfilled, as declared in Joshua 21:43-45.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Levites, as direct descendants of Levi, held a distinct and consecrated role within ancient Israelite society, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. They were uniquely appointed for priestly and Tabernacle/Temple service, tasked with mediating between God and His people (Numbers 3:5-10). Consequently, unlike the other tribes, they were explicitly forbidden from receiving a territorial inheritance in Canaan; instead, "the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance" (Joshua 13:33). To ensure their sustenance, mobility, and ability to fulfill their vital roles as spiritual instructors, judges, and administrators of the Law across the entire land, God commanded that 48 cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, be given to them from the territories of the other tribes (Numbers 35:1-8). The allocation of these cities, often determined by the casting of lots, was a common practice in the ancient Near East, believed to be a means of discerning divine will. Ephraim, as one of the two prominent sons of Joseph, was a powerful and influential tribe, receiving a significant portion of land in the strategically important central hill country, making it a fitting source for Levitical cities.
Key Themes: Within the broader narrative of Joshua 21, this verse powerfully underscores several profound theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights Divine Faithfulness and Provision, demonstrating God's meticulous and unwavering care in fulfilling His promises to the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and purpose despite their unique inheritance status, affirming that the Lord Himself was their portion (Numbers 18:20). Secondly, it emphasizes Order and Organization, showcasing God's precise and systematic plan for the settlement of Israel and the careful, divinely guided execution of that plan by Joshua and the tribal leaders. The detailed listing of cities reflects a divinely orchestrated process, not a haphazard distribution. Thirdly, the strategic scattering of Levitical cities throughout the land underscores the theme of Spiritual Presence and Instruction. By placing the Levites among all the tribes, God ensured that spiritual guidance, the administration of justice, and the knowledge of His laws would be readily accessible to every Israelite, fostering a unified and God-centered nation, as they were to teach God's laws to Jacob and Israel (Deuteronomy 33:10).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Enumeration and Cataloging, as it is an integral part of a comprehensive list within Joshua 21 that systematically records the cities given to each Levitical clan. This meticulous listing emphasizes the divine order, precision, and the faithful fulfillment of God's commands. The Repetition of "children of Kohath" serves to underscore the specific identity of the recipients, ensuring absolute clarity and reinforcing the distinct lineage within the Levites, highlighting the particularity of this divine provision. While not explicitly a literary device, the underlying concept of the Divine Passive is strongly implied, as the phrase "had the cities of their lot" suggests that the cities were given to them by divine agency, through the casting of lots, rather than through their own acquisition or negotiation. This subtly but powerfully highlights God's sovereign hand in the entire distribution process.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:20, in its precise detailing of the Kohathite Levites' inheritance, profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous provision for those consecrated to His service. The Levites, without a land inheritance, found their portion in the Lord and were sustained by the offerings of the people, symbolizing a life consecrated entirely to God's service and a dependence on His divine care. Their strategic placement throughout Israel ensured that the knowledge of God's law and the practice of justice were accessible to all, fostering a unified nation centered on the Lord. This divine arrangement demonstrates that God's care extends to every detail of His people's lives and that His plan is one of order, purpose, and abundant provision for those who prioritize His kingdom above earthly gain.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of the Levites' inheritance in Joshua 21:20 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as God meticulously provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for spiritual influence, so too does He promise to provide for those who dedicate their lives to His service, though His provision may not always align with worldly expectations of wealth or territorial gain. This verse challenges us to consider our own "inheritance" – is it primarily earthly possessions, or is it the Lord Himself and the privilege of serving Him? We are called to be "salt and light" in our communities, strategically placed by God's providence to share His truth and embody His love, much like the Levites were scattered to bring God's presence and instruction to all Israel. Our trust in God's faithfulness should empower us to embrace our unique calling, knowing that His plan for our lives is always best, even when it involves unconventional paths of provision and purpose that prioritize spiritual impact over material accumulation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why didn't the Levites receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes?
Answer: The Levites did not receive a tribal land inheritance because the Lord Himself was declared to be their inheritance and portion, as explicitly stated in Numbers 18:20. They were uniquely set apart for sacred service to God, responsible for the Tabernacle and later Temple duties, teaching the Law, and administering justice throughout Israel. Their provision through cities scattered among the other tribes, along with tithes and offerings from the people, ensured their sustenance while allowing them to fulfill their unique spiritual role across all of Israel, making God's presence and instruction accessible to everyone.
What was the particular significance of the Kohathites, as mentioned in this verse, among the Levites?
Answer: The Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, alongside the Gershonites and Merarites. They held a particularly sacred and weighty responsibility within the Levitical service. Their unique duty was to carry the most holy articles of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and the Altars, whenever the Tabernacle was moved (Numbers 4:1-15). This made their specific placement and provision crucial for the spiritual health and mobility of the nation, as they were the custodians of the most sacred symbols of God's presence among His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 21:20, detailing the divine provision for the Kohathite Levites, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate provision and spiritual inheritance found in Jesus Christ. The Levites, without an earthly land inheritance, found their portion in the Lord and were sustained by the offerings of the people, symbolizing a life consecrated to God's service and dependence on His divine economy. Christ, our great High Priest, fulfills and transcends the entire Levitical system, for He is the ultimate "inheritance" for all who believe, far surpassing any earthly portion or material gain (Ephesians 1:11). Just as the Levites were scattered among the tribes to bring God's presence and teach His Law, so too are believers in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, strategically "scattered" throughout the world as the living body of Christ, to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16)—proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and embodying God's love. Our "lot" is no longer a physical city, but a spiritual dwelling in Christ, who has secured for us an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), fulfilling the sacrificial system the Levites served, and through Him, we receive not just cities, but eternal life and a place in God's eternal kingdom.