Joshua 21:30

KJV

And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,

KJV (with Strong's)

And out of the tribe {H4294} of Asher {H836}, Mishal {H4861} with her suburbs {H4054}, Abdon {H5658} with her suburbs {H4054},

Complete Jewish Bible

Out of the tribe of Asher: Mishal with its surrounding open land, 'Avdon with its surrounding open land,

Berean Standard Bible

From the tribe of Asher they were given Mishal, Abdon,

American Standard Version

And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its suburbs, Abdon with its suburbs,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:30 meticulously records the allocation of two cities, Mishal and Abdon, along with their surrounding pasturelands, from the tribal territory of Asher to the Gershonite clan of the Levites. This verse is part of a comprehensive divine distribution of forty-eight cities throughout the Promised Land, ensuring the Levites, who received no tribal land inheritance, were strategically dispersed among the Israelite tribes to fulfill their sacred duties as spiritual instructors, guardians of the Law, and caretakers of the Tabernacle. It underscores God's faithfulness in providing for His consecrated servants and the meticulous order of His covenantal promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21:30 is situated within a highly detailed and climactic chapter of the Book of Joshua, which meticulously lists the forty-eight cities allocated to the Levites from the various Israelite tribes. This chapter serves as the culmination of the land distribution narrative, following the initial tribal allotments in [Joshua 13-19](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13-19 - Division of the Land") and the establishment of the [cities of refuge in Joshua 20](/joshua/20 "Joshua 20 - Cities of Refuge"). The precise enumeration of cities, including Mishal and Abdon, emphasizes the fulfillment of God's ancient commands (e.g., [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Levite Cities Commanded")) and the meticulous nature of His covenantal faithfulness. The chapter concludes with a powerful declaration of God's complete fulfillment of all His promises to Israel ([Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God Fulfills His Promises")), making these seemingly mundane lists vital evidence of divine precision and reliability.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Levites, as the priestly tribe, were uniquely consecrated to the Lord and, unlike the other eleven tribes, did not receive a continuous territorial inheritance in Canaan. Instead, the Lord Himself was their inheritance ([Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance")). To sustain them and enable their widespread ministry, God commanded that they be given cities with surrounding pasturelands (Hebrew: *migrash*) from within the territories of the other tribes. These "suburbs" were not residential areas in the modern sense but communal grazing lands for their livestock, essential for their livelihood. The strategic scattering of Levite cities, including Mishal and Abdon in the northern territory of Asher, ensured that spiritual instruction, legal arbitration, and the presence of those dedicated to the Tabernacle service were accessible throughout the entire Israelite nation, fostering religious unity and adherence to the Mosaic Law across diverse geographical regions.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Joshua and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Provision and Faithfulness**. God, who promised to settle Israel in the land, meticulously provided for His dedicated servants, the Levites, even without a land inheritance, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people and those who serve Him ([Numbers 18:21-24](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21-24 - Levites' Portion")). Secondly, the detailed listing highlights **Divine Order and Organization**. The precise allocation of cities reflects God's sovereign hand in establishing Israel's national and religious life, ensuring every detail, from land boundaries to the support of the priesthood, was meticulously arranged according to His perfect plan. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Levitical Service and Presence**. By distributing the Levites across all tribal territories, God ensured that spiritual guidance, the teaching of the Law, and the practical administration of the covenant were embedded within every community, fostering a nation grounded in divine truth and worship ([Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - Levites Teach the Law")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrash'_):** The King James Version's translation "suburbs" for the Hebrew term *migrash* (מִגְרָשׁ) can be misleading to a modern reader. It does not refer to residential areas outside a city, but specifically to the open, communal pasturelands or common grounds surrounding a walled city. These areas were designated for the Levites' livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) and for general communal use, extending for a specified distance (typically 1,000 cubits or 2,000 cubits in some directions, as per [Numbers 35:4-5](/numbers/35-4 "Numbers 35:4-5 - Dimensions of Levite Pasturelands")). The inclusion of "with her suburbs" for Mishal and Abdon emphasizes that the Levites received not just the city structures but also the vital economic and practical resources necessary for their sustenance and the maintenance of their families and flocks, enabling them to focus on their spiritual duties.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And out of the tribe of Asher":** This clause specifies the source of these two cities. Asher was one of the northern tribes of Israel, whose territory stretched along the Mediterranean coast and into the fertile plains of Galilee. The allocation of cities from Asher's territory to the Levites demonstrates the widespread distribution of the priestly tribe, ensuring their presence and spiritual influence reached even the northernmost parts of the Promised Land, far from the central sanctuary.
* **"Mishal with her suburbs":** Mishal (also called Mashal in [1 Chronicles 6:74](/1_chronicles/6-74 "1 Chronicles 6:74 - Mashal in Chronicles")) was a specific city located within the tribal territory of Asher. Its designation "with her suburbs" indicates that the Levites received not only the walled city itself for dwelling but also the surrounding pasturelands (*migrash*) for their livestock and communal use, providing them with the necessary economic base for their livelihood.
* **"Abdon with her suburbs":** Abdon was another city within Asher's territory, similarly allocated to the Levites. Like Mishal, it came with its accompanying pasturelands. The specific naming of these two cities, alongside others in the chapter, highlights the precise and meticulous nature of the land distribution, emphasizing that every detail of God's promise and command regarding the Levites' provision was fulfilled.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 21:30, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Catalogue** or **List**. The meticulous enumeration of cities and their associated pasturelands serves to document and confirm the complete fulfillment of God's commands regarding the Levites' inheritance. This detailed listing provides irrefutable evidence of God's faithfulness and Israel's obedience in establishing the divinely ordained structure of their nation. Additionally, the **Repetition** of the phrase "with her suburbs" (or similar phrasing throughout the chapter) underscores the comprehensive nature of the Levites' provision, emphasizing that their allocation included not just dwelling places but also the necessary means of sustenance. This repetition also contributes to the sense of thoroughness and divine order that permeates the entire chapter. The chapter as a whole functions as a **Fulfillment Narrative**, demonstrating how God's promises, articulated in earlier books like Numbers, are brought to fruition in the conquest and settlement of Canaan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:30, as part of the detailed record of Levite cities, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous faithfulness and comprehensive provision for His people and His appointed servants. It showcases a divine order that undergirds the entire nation of Israel, ensuring that spiritual leadership and the knowledge of God's Law were accessible throughout the land. The Levites, though without a tribal land inheritance, were sustained directly by God's command through the other tribes, highlighting a principle of mutual dependence and communal support within the covenant community. This arrangement ensured that those dedicated to spiritual service could focus on their calling, while the entire nation benefited from their presence and instruction, fostering a society rooted in divine truth and worship.

* [Numbers 35:2-8](/numbers/35-2 "Numbers 35:2-8 - Command for Levite Cities")
* [Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20-24 - God is the Levites' Inheritance")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Promises Fulfilled")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly dry list of cities in Joshua 21:30 carries profound implications for our understanding of God's character and our role as His people today. It reveals a God who is not only grand in His sweeping plans but also meticulous in His attention to every detail, ensuring the practical needs of His servants are met so they can fulfill their sacred calling. Just as the tribes were commanded to provide for the Levites, there is a timeless principle of supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service and teaching within the church, enabling them to focus on their divine mandate without undue worldly distraction. Furthermore, the strategic scattering of the Levites throughout Israel emphasizes the importance of the presence of God's Word and spiritual guidance within every community. For us, this means that the church is called to be a visible, active, and accessible presence in its surrounding communities, bringing the light of the Gospel and the truth of God's Word to all, fostering discipleship and spiritual growth wherever people live. It encourages us to trust in God's comprehensive provision for all our needs as we faithfully serve Him, knowing He oversees even the "suburbs" of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the Levites challenge my understanding of His care for my own life and calling?**
* **In what ways can I, or my community, better support those who are dedicated to full-time spiritual service today?**
* **How can my local church more effectively embody the "scattered presence" of spiritual guidance and truth within its surrounding community?**
* **What "details" in my life or service might seem insignificant but are, in fact, part of God's larger, meticulous plan?**

### FAQ

**Why are these detailed lists of cities, like those in Joshua 21:30, included in the Bible?**

Answer: These detailed lists are far from mere historical records; they serve several crucial theological purposes. Firstly, they provide tangible proof of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, specifically His pledge to give them the land of Canaan and to provide for the Levites. The meticulousness of the record underscores the divine order and precision in the establishment of the nation. Secondly, the distribution of Levite cities throughout all tribal territories highlights the strategic importance of spiritual leadership and the accessibility of God's Law to every segment of Israelite society. It demonstrates God's desire for His people to be continually discipled and guided. Finally, these lists confirm the legitimacy and authority of the Levites' role, showing that their provision and placement were divinely ordained, not merely human arrangements. They are a testament to God's comprehensive plan for His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 21:30 details the provision for the Old Testament Levites, it powerfully foreshadows the comprehensive provision and ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The Levites, though scattered throughout Israel, served as mediators, teachers, and caretakers of the Tabernacle, pointing to the need for God's presence and instruction among His people. This finds its ultimate reality in Christ, who is the true and perfect mediator ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")), the embodiment of God's Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), and the very presence of God among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as the Levites had no earthly inheritance but the Lord himself ([Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance")), believers in Christ find their ultimate inheritance not in land or material possessions, but in Christ Himself ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")) and the spiritual blessings He bestows. Furthermore, the scattering of the Levites across Israel to bring spiritual guidance prefigures the Great Commission, where Christ sends His disciples, the church, into all the world ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")) to be His witnesses ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You Will Be My Witnesses")), making God's truth and presence known to every nation, tribe, and tongue, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan.

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

1 Chronicles 6:74

And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,

1 Chronicles 6:75

And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:

Joshua 19:25

And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,

Joshua 19:28

And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, [even] unto great Zidon;