Joshua 21:24

KJV

Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

Aijalon {H357} with her suburbs {H4054}, Gathrimmon {H1667} with her suburbs {H4054}; four {H702} cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Ayalon with its surrounding open land and Gat-Rimmon with its surrounding open land - four cities.

Berean Standard Bible

Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.

American Standard Version

Aijalon with its suburbs, Gath-rimmon with its suburbs; four cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:24 meticulously records the allocation of Aijalon and Gathrimmon, along with their surrounding pasture lands, to the Kohathite clan of the Levites from the territory of the tribe of Dan. This concise verse is part of a larger, comprehensive account detailing the fulfillment of God's promise to provide for the priestly tribe of Levi by distributing 48 cities, including six cities of refuge, throughout the tribal lands of Israel, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for spiritual instruction and national unity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21 stands as a pivotal chapter in the Book of Joshua, marking the culmination of the land distribution among the Israelite tribes. Following the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land by lot, this chapter specifically addresses the unique inheritance of the Levites. Unlike the other tribes who received contiguous territorial allotments, the Levites, whose inheritance was the Lord Himself, as stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance"), were to be given cities scattered throughout Israel. Joshua 21 systematically lists these 48 cities, organized by Levitical clan (Kohathites, Gershonites, Merarites) and then by the tribes from which they received their cities. Verse 24 is part of the section detailing the cities given to the Kohathites from the tribes of Dan, Manasseh (half-tribe), Ephraim, and Reuben, reinforcing the meticulous fulfillment of divine instruction found in earlier books like [Numbers 35](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities for the Levites and Cities of Refuge").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of cities to the Levites was a unique arrangement reflecting their distinct role in ancient Israelite society. As the priestly tribe, they were responsible for the tabernacle/temple service, teaching God's law, and administering justice. Their lack of a territorial inheritance meant God provided for them through tithes and offerings, and through these designated cities with their "suburbs" (Hebrew: *migrash*), which were common pasture lands essential for their livestock. This system ensured their livelihood without tying them to agricultural pursuits like the other tribes. The strategic scattering of these cities across all tribal territories was not arbitrary; it facilitated the Levites' accessibility to all Israelites, allowing them to fulfill their spiritual and judicial duties nationwide, thereby fostering national unity and spiritual health.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Joshua 21, powerfully underscores several key themes. First, it highlights **God's unwavering faithfulness** in fulfilling every detail of His covenant promises to Israel, as explicitly affirmed in [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - God's Faithfulness in Fulfilling Promises"). Second, it demonstrates **divine order and meticulous provision**, showcasing God's intricate care for His servants, ensuring their practical needs (pasture lands) were met alongside their spiritual responsibilities. Third, the strategic distribution of the Levites emphasizes **spiritual influence and accessibility**, ensuring that spiritual instruction and the knowledge of God's law were available throughout the land, preventing spiritual decline and promoting national cohesion, a principle echoed in the importance of teaching the Law found in [Deuteronomy 31:10-13](/deuteronomy/31-10-13 "Deuteronomy 31:10-13 - Reading the Law to All Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Aijalon (Hebrew, _ʼAyâlôwn'_):** From the root meaning "deer-field," Aijalon was a significant city located in the tribal territory of Dan, though it was also near the border of Benjamin and Ephraim. It is known for its valley, where the sun stood still at Joshua's command ([Joshua 10:12](/joshua/10-12 "Joshua 10:12 - Sun Stands Still at Aijalon")). Its allocation to the Levites signifies its importance as a strategic spiritual outpost within a key region.
* **Gathrimmon (Hebrew, _Gath-Rimmôwn'_):** Meaning "wine-press of (the) pomegranate," Gathrimmon was another city located in the territory of Dan, also assigned to the Kohathite Levites. While less frequently mentioned than Aijalon, its inclusion reinforces the systematic and comprehensive nature of the Levitical city distribution, ensuring that spiritual presence extended to various points within each tribal land.
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrâsh'_):** This term refers to the "open country whither flocks are driven from pasture," specifically the common pasture lands surrounding the walled city. These lands, typically 1,000 cubits (approx. 1,500 feet) from the city wall in every direction ([Numbers 35:4-5](/numbers/35-4-5 "Numbers 35:4-5 - Dimensions of Levitical Suburbs")), were designated for the Levites' cattle, flocks, and all their beasts, providing the necessary sustenance for their families as they did not possess agricultural land. This highlights God's meticulous provision for their livelihood.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Aijalon with her suburbs":** This phrase identifies one of the two cities explicitly named in the verse, Aijalon, and immediately clarifies that its accompanying pasture lands (*migrash*) are included in the allocation. This detail underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision for the Levites, ensuring not just a dwelling place but also the means for their livelihood through their livestock. The inclusion of "her suburbs" highlights the practical aspect of the divine command to provide for the Levites' sustenance.
* **"Gathrimmon with her suburbs":** Similarly, this clause names Gathrimmon and its associated pasture lands. The parallel structure with Aijalon emphasizes the consistent pattern of provision for all Levitical cities. Both cities were located in the territory of the tribe of Dan, indicating the specific tribal responsibility for providing for the Levites within their borders, as per the divine decree.
* **"four cities":** This concluding phrase provides a numerical summary, indicating that Aijalon and Gathrimmon represent two of a total of four cities given to the Kohathite Levites from the tribe of Dan. The other two cities, Eltekeh and Gibbethon, are mentioned in the preceding verse, [Joshua 21:23](/joshua/21-23 "Joshua 21:23 - Other Cities from Dan"). This numerical summation reinforces the meticulous accounting and fulfillment of the divine plan, demonstrating the precision with which the land was divided and the Levites were provided for.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 21:24, and indeed throughout much of Joshua 21, is **Enumeration**. The systematic listing of cities and their associated "suburbs" serves to meticulously document the fulfillment of God's commands regarding the Levites' inheritance. This detailed accounting reinforces the theme of **Fulfillment Motif**, demonstrating that every promise God made to Israel, including the provision for the Levites, "failed not ought of any good thing... all came to pass" ([Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - God's Faithfulness in Fulfilling Promises")). The repetition of "with her suburbs" across the various city allocations also functions as a form of **Anaphora** or **Parallelism**, emphasizing the consistent and comprehensive nature of the divine provision for their livelihood. This precise, almost legalistic, cataloging underscores the divine order and the reliability of God's word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:24, though a seemingly mundane list of names, is a profound testament to God's faithfulness and meticulous care for His people, particularly those set apart for His service. It illustrates the principle that God provides for those who serve Him, not just spiritually but also practically, ensuring their sustenance as they carry out their unique calling. The dispersion of the Levites throughout the land, facilitated by these cities, underscores a divine strategy for spiritual decentralization, ensuring that knowledge of God's law and access to spiritual guidance were widespread, preventing any single region from becoming spiritually isolated. This arrangement prefigures the New Testament concept of the church as a dispersed body, strategically placed to be salt and light in the world.

* [Numbers 35:1](/numbers/35-1-8 "Cities for the Levites and Cities of Refuge")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1](/deuteronomy/18-1-2 "The Priests' and Levites' Share")
* [Joshua 21:43](/joshua/21-43-45 "God Gives Israel Rest and Fulfills His Promises")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:24 invites us to marvel at the divine precision and faithfulness evident in God's dealings with Israel. It reminds us that God's promises are not vague aspirations but concrete commitments, fulfilled down to the smallest detail, such as providing pasture lands for the Levites' livestock. This level of divine care should inspire profound trust in God's provision for our own lives, assuring us that He is attentive to our needs as we seek to serve Him. Furthermore, the strategic placement of the Levites throughout Israel serves as a powerful model for the church today: believers are not meant to be isolated but are strategically placed within their communities, workplaces, and families to be agents of spiritual influence, teaching, and witness. Our "suburbs" are the spheres of influence God has given us, where we are called to live out our faith and share the truth of His Word, fostering spiritual health and unity in our contemporary contexts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:24 deepen your trust in His care for your own life and needs?**
* **In what "suburbs" or spheres of influence has God placed you, and how can you more intentionally fulfill your spiritual calling in those areas?**
* **What practical steps can you take to support those in your community who are dedicated to spiritual service and teaching, reflecting the ancient provision for the Levites?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Levites given cities and not a continuous tribal territory like the other tribes?**

Answer: The Levites did not receive a continuous tribal territory because "the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance," as stated in [Joshua 13:33](/joshua/13-33 "Joshua 13:33 - The Tribe of Levi's Inheritance"). Their primary role was spiritual service—caring for the Tabernacle/Temple, teaching God's law, and administering justice—rather than agricultural or territorial defense. By distributing them in 48 cities, including six cities of refuge, throughout all the other tribal lands, God ensured that spiritual instruction, guidance, and access to justice were available to all Israelites, fostering national unity and preventing spiritual decline. This strategic placement allowed them to fulfill their unique priestly and teaching functions across the entire nation.

**What is the significance of the term "suburbs" (migrash) in relation to the Levitical cities?**

Answer: The term "suburbs" (Hebrew: *migrash*) refers specifically to the common pasture lands surrounding the walled Levitical cities, not residential areas. These lands were crucial for the Levites' livelihood, as they did not own agricultural land. [Numbers 35:4-5](/numbers/35-4-5 "Numbers 35:4-5 - Dimensions of Levitical Suburbs") specifies that these pasture lands extended 1,000 cubits (approximately 1,500 feet) from the city wall in every direction. This detail highlights God's comprehensive and practical provision for the Levites, ensuring they had the necessary resources (for their livestock) to sustain themselves while dedicating their lives to spiritual service. It underscores God's attention to every detail of His covenant promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:24, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement throughout Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and His church. Just as the Levites were dispersed to bring the knowledge of God and His law to all tribes, so too is the church, the body of Christ, strategically scattered throughout the world to proclaim the gospel and embody the kingdom of God. Christ Himself is our true inheritance, far surpassing any earthly land or provision, as He is "all in all" ([Colossians 3:11](/colossians/3-11 "Colossians 3:11 - Christ is All in All")). The Levites' service, though vital, was a shadow of the perfect and complete High Priesthood of Jesus, who offered Himself once for all as the ultimate sacrifice ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Superior Priesthood")). Moreover, through Christ, all believers are now [a royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood"), called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness. The dispersion of the Levitical cities foreshadows the Great Commission, where believers are sent out into all the world, carrying the spiritual truth and life of Christ to every "suburb" and corner of the earth ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Our ultimate provision, like the Levites', comes not from land but from our relationship with the Lord, who sustains us for His purposes.

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 10:12

Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

1 Chronicles 6:69

And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:

Joshua 19:42

And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,