Joshua 21:31

KJV

Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

Helkath {H2520} with her suburbs {H4054}, and Rehob {H7340} with her suburbs {H4054}; four {H702} cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Helkat with its surrounding open land and Rechov with its surrounding open land - four cities.

Berean Standard Bible

Helkath, and Rehob—four cities, together with their pasturelands.

American Standard Version

Helkath with its suburbs, and Rehob with its suburbs; four cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:31 meticulously records two of the four cities, Helkath and Rehob, along with their surrounding pasturelands, that were allotted to the Geshonite families of the Levites from the territory of the tribe of Asher. This verse is part of a larger, detailed account in Joshua 21, which chronicles the precise fulfillment of God's covenant promise to provide the Levites with 48 cities scattered throughout Israel, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for spiritual instruction and service across all twelve tribes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21:31 is situated within the climactic section of the book of Joshua, specifically in chapter 21, which details the allocation of cities to the Levites. Following the division of the land among the other Israelite tribes (chapters 13-19), chapter 20 describes the cities of refuge. Chapter 21 then meticulously lists the 48 cities, with their accompanying pasturelands, assigned to the three main Levitical clans: the Kohathites, the Gershonites (Geshonites), and the Merarites. This verse specifically concludes the list for the Gershonites, identifying Helkath and Rehob as two of their four cities received from the tribe of Asher. The entire chapter serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as explicitly stated in [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Faithfulness in Fulfilling His Promises").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Unlike the other tribes who received a contiguous territorial inheritance, the Levites were consecrated for priestly and temple service and thus were not given a large land portion. Instead, as stipulated in [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Instructions for Levitical Cities"), they were to receive cities scattered throughout the land, along with "suburbs" (Hebrew: _migrash_), which were common lands for their livestock and sustenance. This unique arrangement ensured that the Levites, as the spiritual instructors and administrators of God's law, were geographically accessible to all tribes, facilitating the nation's spiritual health and unity. The specific cities mentioned, Helkath and Rehob, would have been strategically located within the territory of Asher, allowing the Levites to minister to that tribe while being sustained by the surrounding pasturelands. This provision underscores God's meticulous care for those dedicated to His service, a principle echoed in later biblical teaching regarding the support of ministers, such as in [1 Corinthians 9:14](/1_corinthians/9-14 "1 Corinthians 9:14 - Support for Gospel Ministers").
* **Key Themes:** This seemingly administrative verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, down to the precise details of land distribution and provision for His people, as foretold in [Deuteronomy 12:10-11](/deuteronomy/12-10 "Deuteronomy 12:10-11 - Rest in the Land"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Order and Provision**, revealing His structured and intentional establishment of Israel as a nation, ensuring that even those without a traditional land inheritance were fully provided for. The meticulous listing of cities reflects divine wisdom in governance. Lastly, it underscores the **Centrality of Spiritual Service** by scattering the Levites throughout the land. Cities like Helkath and Rehob, though perhaps minor in political stature, became vital centers for spiritual instruction, judicial administration, and the maintenance of the tabernacle (and later, temple) worship, ensuring that God's law and presence were accessible to all of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrash'_):** This term is crucial for understanding the Levitical provision. It does not refer to residential areas outside the city walls in the modern sense, but specifically to the common lands, pasturelands, and fields surrounding the Levitical cities, extending typically 1,000 cubits (about 1,500 feet) from the city wall, with an additional 2,000 cubits for fields and vineyards (Numbers 35:4-5). These _migrash_ were essential for the Levites' cattle and for their general sustenance, as they did not engage in farming their own tribal land. The inclusion of "with her suburbs" emphasizes the complete and practical provision made for these cities and their inhabitants, ensuring their livelihood while they fulfilled their sacred duties.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Helkath with her suburbs":** Helkath was one of the cities designated for the Gershonite Levites. The phrase "with her suburbs" indicates that the city itself, along with the surrounding pasturelands (migrash), was given to the Levites. This was not merely a residential dwelling but a complete provision for their living, including space for their livestock. Helkath was located in the territory of Asher, from which it was taken and given to the Levites.
* **"and Rehob with her suburbs":** Similar to Helkath, Rehob was another city, also located in the territory of Asher, that was allocated to the Gershonite Levites. The repetition of "with her suburbs" reinforces the comprehensive nature of the provision, ensuring that the Levites had the necessary resources for their livelihood and the performance of their duties. This highlights the systematic and thorough nature of the land distribution.
* **"four cities":** This concluding phrase summarizes the total number of cities received by the Gershonite Levites from the tribe of Asher. While only Helkath and Rehob are explicitly named in this specific verse, the "four cities" confirms that the list within this section of Joshua 21 is complete for this particular tribal allocation to the Gershonites. It underscores the precision and accountability of the divine arrangement.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 21:31, though seemingly a simple record, employs several literary devices that underscore its theological significance. The most prominent is **Enumeration**, as the verse is part of a meticulous list of cities, highlighting the divine order and precision in fulfilling God's promises. This detailed accounting serves as a **Fulfillment Narrative**, demonstrating that every word of God's covenant with Israel regarding their inheritance was brought to pass. The repetition of "with her suburbs" acts as **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the comprehensive nature of the provision for the Levites, not just a place to live but also the means of their sustenance. Finally, the entire chapter, including this verse, functions as a form of **Legal Documentation**, providing a precise and verifiable record of the land distribution, thereby validating Israel's claim to the land and the divine authority behind its organization.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:31, as a fragment of a larger divine blueprint, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous faithfulness and sovereign provision for His people. The precise allocation of cities to the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement throughout the land, underscores that God's promises are not vague generalities but specific, detailed commitments that He unfailingly brings to fruition. This divine order and provision for those dedicated to His service reveal a God who cares for the practical needs of His ministers and ensures the spiritual well-being of His entire community. It highlights the principle that God's kingdom operates on principles of order, justice, and generous provision for those who serve Him, establishing a model for how a community dedicated to God should manage its resources and support its spiritual leaders.

* [Numbers 35:6-8](/numbers/35-6 "Numbers 35:6-8 - Levitical Cities and Cities of Refuge")
* [Deuteronomy 10:8-9](/deuteronomy/10-8 "Deuteronomy 10:8-9 - The Levites' Unique Inheritance")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises to Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:31, though a seemingly dry list of names and numbers, serves as a profound reminder of God's character: His faithfulness, His orderliness, and His meticulous provision. Just as He precisely provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for spiritual influence across all of Israel, so too does God care for the practical needs of His people today. This verse encourages us to trust in His detailed provision in our own lives, knowing that if He is faithful in such minute details of ancient history, He is certainly attentive to our present needs. It also subtly highlights the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service and instruction, recognizing their vital role in the spiritual health of the community. Furthermore, it prompts us to consider how we, as God's people, can embody His order and intentionality in our own lives and communities, stewarding our resources and talents for His glory and the good of others, ensuring that spiritual truth is accessible and nurtured wherever we are.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:31 encourage your trust in His provision for your own life and calling today?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or as a community, practically support those who are dedicated to spiritual service and instruction, mirroring God's provision for the Levites?**
* **What does the precise and orderly nature of God's land distribution in Joshua 21 teach us about the importance of order and intentionality in our own spiritual and practical lives?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Levites given cities instead of a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes?**

Answer: The Levites were set apart by God for a unique purpose: to serve as priests, teachers of the Law, and ministers of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). Unlike the other tribes, their inheritance was the Lord Himself, as stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance") and [Deuteronomy 10:9](/deuteronomy/10-9 "Deuteronomy 10:9 - The Levites' Portion"). Therefore, instead of a contiguous land territory, they were given 48 cities scattered throughout all the other tribal lands, along with their surrounding pasturelands (suburbs). This strategic distribution allowed them to fulfill their spiritual duties by being accessible to all the tribes, providing spiritual instruction, administering justice, and maintaining the religious life of the nation. It ensured that spiritual leadership and knowledge of God's law were dispersed throughout Israel, rather than concentrated in one area.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:31, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement as spiritual guides, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Levites, though vital, were a shadow of the true and perfect High Priest, Jesus, who is our ultimate inheritance and provision. He is not merely given cities or land, but [He is the one in whom we have our inheritance](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ"). As the Good Shepherd, Christ perfectly provides for His people, not just physically but spiritually, offering eternal rest and a dwelling place in Him that surpasses any earthly city or suburb. Furthermore, just as the Levites were scattered throughout Israel to bring God's law and presence, so too does Christ commission His followers, the church, to go into all the world, [making disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission"), and being His witnesses [to the ends of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth"). Through Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a tabernacle or temple, nor to specific cities, but dwells within believers, making them living temples and agents of His spiritual instruction and provision in every corner of the globe, fulfilling the promise that [God's dwelling place is now among humanity](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People").

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

Judges 18:21

So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.

Judges 1:31

Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:

1 Chronicles 6:75

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