Joshua 21:22

And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.

And Kibzaim {H6911} with her suburbs {H4054}, and Bethhoron {H1032} with her suburbs {H4054}; four {H702} cities {H5892}.

Kivtzayim with its surrounding open land and Beit-Horon with its surrounding open land - four cities.

Kibzaim, and Beth-horon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.

and Kibzaim with its suburbs, and Beth-horon with its suburbs; four cities.

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 21:22 KJV

Joshua 21:22 is a specific verse within a larger passage detailing the allocation of cities to the tribe of Levi. This chapter meticulously records the fulfillment of God's instructions concerning the Levites' inheritance, ensuring they had dwelling places scattered throughout the land of Canaan.

Context

The book of Joshua describes the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel after their conquest under Joshua's leadership. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a continuous territorial inheritance; instead, the Lord Himself was their portion and inheritance, as stated in Numbers 18:20. Therefore, they were allotted 48 cities, along with their surrounding pasture lands, distributed among the territories of the other tribes. This strategic scattering ensured that the Levites, who served as priests, teachers, and guardians of the Law, could minister to all the Israelites.

Joshua 21:20-26 specifically lists the cities given to the sons of Kohath, one of the three main divisions of the Levites (along with Gershon and Merari). Verse 22, "And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities," concludes the list of cities assigned to the Kohathites from the tribe of Ephraim. The "four cities" refers to the two mentioned here (Kibzaim and Bethhoron) combined with the two listed in the preceding verse (Joshua 21:21 – Gezer and Gibeon), making a total of four from Ephraim's territory.

Meaning and Significance

Though a simple listing of names, this verse, like the entire chapter, carries profound significance. It underscores the precise and orderly fulfillment of God's promises and commands. The inclusion of "with her suburbs" (Hebrew: migrash) indicates that not only the city proper but also the surrounding pasture lands were allocated. These "suburbs" were crucial for the Levites' sustenance, providing grazing areas for their livestock, which were a vital part of their livelihood. This detail highlights God's comprehensive provision for those dedicated to His service.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: The meticulous detail in listing each city and its suburbs demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness in providing for His people and fulfilling every aspect of His covenant, even down to the specific dwelling places of the Levites. This echoes the broader theme of God's faithfulness in the conquest and distribution of the land.
  • Order and Precision: The systematic allocation of cities, tribe by tribe and clan by clan, reflects God's orderly nature and the careful planning involved in establishing Israel in the Promised Land.
  • Provision for Ministry: By scattering the Levitical cities throughout Israel, God ensured that spiritual instruction, priestly duties, and the administration of justice were accessible to all tribes, fostering the spiritual health and unity of the nation.

Practical Application

While Joshua 21:22 is a historical record, it offers timeless lessons:

  1. God's Attention to Detail: This verse reminds us that God is attentive to the smallest details of our lives and His plans. He is faithful in fulfilling His promises, no matter how specific or seemingly minor.
  2. Supporting Ministry: The provision for the Levites, including their cities and suburbs, underscores the importance of ensuring that those dedicated to spiritual service are adequately provided for. Just as the Levites were supported by the other tribes, believers today are called to support those who minister the Word (1 Corinthians 9:14).
  3. Stewardship: The careful allocation of land and resources for specific purposes encourages us to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, whether it be material possessions, time, or spiritual gifts.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 16:3

    And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.

  • Joshua 18:13

    And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which [is] Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that [lieth] on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.

  • Joshua 18:14

    And the border was drawn [thence], and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that [lieth] before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which [is] Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this [was] the west quarter.

  • Joshua 16:5

    ¶ And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was [thus]: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;

  • 1 Chronicles 6:68

    And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
← Back