TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
Kivtzayim with its surrounding open land and Beit-Horon with its surrounding open land - four cities.
American Standard Version
and Kibzaim with its suburbs, and Beth-horon with its suburbs; four cities.
World English Bible Messianic
Kibzaim with its suburbs, and Beth Horon with its suburbs; four cities.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbes: foure cities.
Young's Literal Translation
and Kibzaim and its suburbs, and Beth-Horon and its suburbs--four cities.
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In the KJVVerse 6,404 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 21:22 meticulously records the allocation of two specific cities, Kibzaim and Bethhoron, along with their essential surrounding pasture lands, to the Kohathite clan of the Levites from the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. This verse serves as the concluding statement for a segment within the comprehensive register of the forty-eight cities designated for the Levites across the Promised Land, powerfully illustrating God's precise fulfillment of His covenant promises and His faithful provision for those consecrated entirely to His sacred service.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 21:22, while appearing as a straightforward enumeration, effectively employs several literary techniques that contribute to its overarching message. The most evident device is Enumeration, as the verse is part of an extensive and comprehensive list of cities, emphasizing the meticulous detail and thoroughness of the land distribution process. This detailed listing serves to underscore the divine Precision and Order inherent in God's fulfillment of His covenant promises, demonstrating that no aspect of His plan is overlooked in the establishment of Israel in the land. The repeated phrase "with her suburbs" functions as a form of Repetition or Formulaic Language, highlighting the consistent, comprehensive, and practical nature of the provision made for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance beyond mere dwelling places. While not a direct literary device, the entire chapter, including this verse, collectively functions as a powerful Testimony to God's unwavering faithfulness and the complete fulfillment of His covenant with Israel, serving as a concluding affirmation to the successful conquest and settlement of the Promised Land.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:22, as an integral part of the detailed record of Levitical cities, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous faithfulness and comprehensive provision for His people, particularly those consecrated to His sacred service. The strategic scattering of the Levites throughout the land, rather than granting them a consolidated territorial inheritance, was a divinely ordained strategy to ensure that spiritual instruction, priestly ministry, and the administration of justice were readily accessible to all tribes, thereby fostering national unity and steadfast adherence to the covenant. This unique arrangement underscores the enduring theological principle that those who dedicate their lives wholly to God's work are under His special, comprehensive care, and their sustenance is a communal responsibility within the believing community. This reflects the broader theological truth that God faithfully provides for His laborers in His vineyard. The precision of the record, extending even to the "suburbs" of each city, testifies unequivocally to God's unparalleled attention to every minute detail of His promises and His people's needs, demonstrating His perfect foresight and unwavering commitment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:22, though seemingly a dry and technical list of names and numbers, serves as a profound and powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous attention to every detail in fulfilling His promises. It teaches us that God's providential care extends to every aspect of our lives, even to the seemingly mundane practicalities of daily existence. Just as He precisely provided specific cities and essential pasture lands for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and enabling them to fully dedicate themselves to ministry, so too does He orchestrate the intricate details of our provision and calling. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in His comprehensive care, knowing that if He is faithful in such specifics, He will certainly be faithful in the larger, overarching promises of His Word. Furthermore, this passage highlights the enduring importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual ministry. The Levites were sustained by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes, a principle that resonates powerfully into the New Testament call for believers to financially and practically support those who labor in the Word and teaching (Galatians 6:6). This ensures that spiritual leaders are free to serve without undue worldly anxieties, enabling them to devote themselves fully to their calling. We are therefore called to be diligent and generous stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us, recognizing that they are not solely for our own benefit but are also intended for the advancement of His kingdom and the comprehensive support of His faithful servants.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were the Levites given cities scattered throughout the land instead of their own tribal territory?
Answer: The Levites were given cities scattered throughout the land, rather than a single continuous tribal territory, for several profound theological and practical reasons, all rooted in God's divine design. The primary theological reason, as explicitly stated in Numbers 18:20, was that "the Lord is their inheritance." This meant their portion was not earthly land but their direct, consecrated service to God in the tabernacle and, later, the temple. Practically, their dispersion ensured that priestly and teaching functions were readily accessible to all the tribes of Israel. As the custodians of the Law, spiritual instructors, and administrators of justice, their strategic presence in various regions facilitated the spiritual education, moral guidance, and religious unity of the entire nation. This strategic scattering allowed them to minister effectively, teach the statutes of the Lord, and maintain the purity of worship across the diverse geographical and tribal landscape of Israel, preventing the centralization of religious authority and promoting widespread spiritual health.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 21:22, with its meticulous detailing of cities and their "suburbs" for the Levites, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a physical land inheritance, but in the spiritual provision and dwelling of God's people in Christ Himself. The Levites, serving as intercessors, teachers, and administrators of God's Law, powerfully foreshadowed Christ, our great High Priest, who is not confined to a physical city or temple but ministers universally and eternally. Just as the Levites were strategically scattered throughout Israel to bring the knowledge of God and His Law to all the tribes, so too are believers in Christ, the "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), dispersed throughout the entire world as living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our true inheritance is not a piece of earthly land, but Christ Himself, in whom "we have obtained an inheritance" (Ephesians 1:11). The precise and comprehensive provision for the Levites, extending even to their essential "suburbs," points prophetically to God's holistic and unfailing care for His people, a care fully realized and eternally secured in Christ. He is our true dwelling place, our ultimate sustenance, and the One who empowers and enables us to minister His truth and grace to a world desperately in need, thereby fulfilling the Levitical mandate in a far greater, spiritual, and universal reality. His promise to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19) is the New Covenant echo of God's meticulous provision for His servants.