TRV
Translation
King James Version
And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
Complete Jewish Bible
Out of the tribe of Yissakhar: Kishyon with its surrounding open land, Dovrat with its surrounding open land,
American Standard Version
And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,
World English Bible Messianic
Out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,
Geneva Bible (1599)
And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbes, Dabereh with her suburbes,
Young's Literal Translation
And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon and its suburbs, Dabarath and its suburbs,
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In the KJVVerse 6,410 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 21:28, a seemingly brief and administrative verse, meticulously records the allocation of two specific cities, Kishon and Dabareh, along with their surrounding pasturelands ("suburbs"), from the territory of the tribe of Issachar to the Gershonite families of the Levites. This detail is part of a larger divine mandate, ensuring that the Levites, who received no tribal land inheritance, were strategically dispersed throughout Israel to fulfill their priestly and teaching duties, thereby illustrating God's precise provision and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 21 stands as the culmination of the land distribution narrative in the book of Joshua. Following the detailed accounts of territorial allotments to the twelve tribes (Joshua 13-19) and the establishment of cities of refuge (Joshua 20), this chapter specifically addresses the unique inheritance of the Levites. Unlike the other tribes who received contiguous territories, the Levites were to be given forty-eight cities scattered throughout the tribal lands, along with their surrounding pasturelands. Joshua 21:28 is one such entry within a comprehensive list (Joshua 21:27-33) detailing the cities assigned to the Gershonite clan from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh (east of Jordan). This meticulous cataloging underscores the fulfillment of God's earlier commands concerning the Levites' provision, as outlined in Numbers 35:1-8. The entire chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling every promise He made to Israel regarding the land, culminating in the declaration in Joshua 21:43-45.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting is the immediate aftermath of the conquest of Canaan, as Israel transitions from a nomadic people to a settled nation. Culturally, the Levites held a unique position within ancient Israelite society, dedicated entirely to the service of God in the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). They had no territorial inheritance because "the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance" (Joshua 13:33). To support their livelihood and enable their ministry, God commanded that they be given cities and "suburbs" (pasturelands) by the other tribes. This arrangement ensured that the Levites, functioning as spiritual instructors, judges, and guardians of the Law, were accessible to all Israelites across the land, fostering spiritual unity and adherence to the covenant. The "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrashim) were crucial, providing essential grazing land for their livestock and communal space, signifying a complete and practical provision beyond just a dwelling place.
Key Themes: The allocation of cities to the Levites, as exemplified in Joshua 21:28, highlights several profound themes. Firstly, Divine Provision and Faithfulness is paramount; God meticulously provides for His servants, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, just as He promised to give Israel the land (Joshua 21:45). Secondly, the detailed listing reflects Divine Order and Organization within the nascent Israelite nation, showcasing God's systematic wisdom in establishing a structured society. This order ensured both the physical sustenance of the Levites and the spiritual well-being of the entire community. Finally, it underscores The Central Role of the Levites in Israel's spiritual life. By scattering them throughout the tribes, God ensured that spiritual instruction, sacrificial rites, and judicial guidance were readily available to all, reinforcing their unique function as mediators of the Law and guardians of the covenant, vital for maintaining Israel's distinct identity as God's chosen people.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 21:28, though part of a detailed administrative list, employs several subtle yet significant literary devices. The most prominent is Cataloging or Listing, as the entire chapter systematically enumerates the cities given to each Levitical clan from various tribes. This meticulous listing serves to emphasize the completeness, precision, and exactness of God's fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel. The Repetition of the phrase "with her suburbs" (מִגְרָשִׁים, migrashim) alongside each city is also highly significant. This consistent phrasing underscores the comprehensive nature of the divine provision for the Levites, ensuring not just dwellings but also the necessary means of sustenance for their livelihood. This repetition transforms what might otherwise be a dry administrative record into a powerful testament to God's thoroughness and attention to detail in caring for His chosen servants. Furthermore, the very act of naming specific, tangible cities like Kishon and Dabareh serves as a form of Verisimilitude, lending an air of historical accuracy and concrete reality to the narrative of the land distribution, reinforcing the truthfulness and reliability of God's covenant fulfillment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:28, as a microcosm of the entire chapter, profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous provision for His people. It demonstrates that God's promises are not vague generalities but specific, detailed commitments that He brings to pass with precision. The scattering of the Levites, supported by the other tribes, underscores the principle of mutual dependence and communal responsibility within the covenant community, where each part contributes to the flourishing of the whole. Theologically, it prefigures the New Testament concept of the Church as a body with diverse members, each supported and sustained for the common good and the fulfillment of God's mission. The Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance, compensated by God's direct provision through the other tribes, also highlights the truth that true spiritual service often requires a relinquishing of worldly security in favor of divine sustenance, trusting in God as one's ultimate inheritance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:28 might appear as a mere ancient administrative detail, yet it carries profound spiritual weight for contemporary believers. It is a powerful testament to God's character: His meticulous attention to detail, His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, and His comprehensive provision for those dedicated to His service. Just as God ensured the Levites were sustained to fulfill their spiritual duties, He continues to provide for and equip those He calls to ministry today. This verse challenges us to consider how we, as the modern spiritual "tribes," support those who dedicate their lives to teaching, pastoring, and serving the body of Christ. It also reminds us that God's plans are orderly and purposeful, even in what seems like the mundane. We are called to trust in His detailed providence, knowing that if He cares for the "suburbs" of ancient cities, He certainly cares for the intricacies of our lives and the needs of His Church.
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 contiguous tribal land inheritance because they were set apart for the exclusive service of the Lord. As Numbers 18:20 states, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel." Their inheritance was the Lord Himself, and their livelihood was to be supported by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes, as well as the cities and pasturelands provided to them. This arrangement ensured their full dedication to their priestly and teaching duties, preventing them from being distracted by agricultural or territorial concerns. This unique provision is detailed in Numbers 35 and fulfilled in Joshua 21.
What was the purpose of the 'suburbs' mentioned with these cities?
Answer: The term "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrashim) refers to the common lands or pasturelands surrounding the Levitical cities. These areas, typically extending 1,000 cubits (about 1,500 feet) from the city walls, were not for building additional houses but were designated for the Levites' livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) and for communal use. Since the Levites did not receive agricultural land for farming, these pasturelands were essential for their economic sustenance and livelihood. The inclusion of "suburbs" alongside each city, as seen in Joshua 21:28, signifies God's comprehensive and practical provision for His servants, ensuring they had all they needed to live and fulfill their sacred duties without being a burden on the other tribes.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 21:28, detailing the provision of cities and "suburbs" for the Levites, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the nature of the New Covenant community. The Levites, scattered throughout Israel, served as mediators, teachers, and guardians of God's law, pointing to the need for access to God. Jesus, however, is the ultimate and perfect High Priest, who, through His single, eternal sacrifice, has provided direct access to God for all believers (Hebrews 7:27 and Hebrews 10:19-22). No longer are specific cities or a designated tribe required to mediate God's presence; instead, through Christ, believers become a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The meticulous provision for the Levites foreshadows God's even greater provision in Christ, who is our ultimate inheritance and sustenance (Colossians 2:9-10). Just as the tribes supported the Levites, the Church, as the body of Christ, is called to support and equip all believers for ministry, recognizing that every member has a role in building up the kingdom, sustained by the inexhaustible riches found in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:11-16).