Joshua 21:32

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.

And out of the tribe {H4294} of Naphtali {H5321}, Kedesh {H6943} in Galilee {H1551} with her suburbs {H4054}, to be a city {H5892} of refuge {H4733} for the slayer {H7523}; and Hammothdor {H2576} with her suburbs {H4054}, and Kartan {H7178} with her suburbs {H4054}; three {H7969} cities {H5892}.

Out of the tribe of Naftali: Kedesh in the Galil with its surrounding open land, the city of refuge for the killer; Hammot-Dor with its surrounding open land; and Kartan with its surrounding open land - three cities.

And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands.

And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Hammoth-dor with its suburbs, and Kartan with its suburbs; three cities.

Commentary

Joshua 21:32 is part of a crucial chapter detailing the allocation of cities to the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel. This particular verse specifies three cities from the territory of the tribe of Naphtali that were given to the Levites: Kedesh in Galilee, Hammothdor, and Kartan. Significantly, Kedesh is designated as one of the six cities of refuge.

Context

The book of Joshua chronicles Israel's conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. After the land was divided among the twelve tribes, special provisions were made for the tribe of Levi, who received no territorial inheritance because the Lord Himself was their inheritance (Numbers 18:20). Instead, they were granted 48 cities scattered throughout the other tribal territories, along with surrounding pasturelands. Among these, six were set apart as cities of refuge, a system established by God's law to offer protection to individuals who had accidentally caused another's death, shielding them from the "avenger of blood" until a fair trial could be held.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Provision: This verse, like the entire chapter, highlights God's meticulous planning in ensuring that the Levites, who served the spiritual needs of the nation, were well-provided for and strategically positioned throughout Israel. It underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people.
  • Justice and Mercy: The designation of Kedesh as a city of refuge exemplifies God's perfect balance of justice and mercy. While bloodshed demanded accountability, the system provided a compassionate safeguard for those guilty of unintentional homicide, preventing arbitrary vengeance and ensuring due process (Deuteronomy 19:4-6).
  • Levitical Service: The distribution of Levitical cities meant that spiritual guidance and priestly service were accessible to all tribes, reinforcing the spiritual unity of the nation under God.

Linguistic Insights

The name Kedesh (קֶדֶשׁ) literally means "holy" or "sanctuary." This etymology is highly fitting for a city designated as a place of refuge, a sanctuary where one could find safety from immediate harm. The Hebrew term for "slayer" (רֹצֵחַ, rotzeach) generally refers to one who kills, whether intentionally (murderer) or unintentionally. The city of refuge system was specifically designed to distinguish between these two, providing asylum only for the latter.

Practical Application

Joshua 21:32 reminds us of God's intricate care for His people and His commitment to both justice and mercy. In a broader sense, it speaks to the human need for refuge and protection. For believers today, God Himself is our ultimate refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Just as the cities of refuge offered a haven from vengeance, so Christ offers a spiritual sanctuary and forgiveness for those who seek Him, providing escape from the condemnation of sin and the pursuit of spiritual adversaries (Hebrews 6:18). This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect provision and His compassionate heart, which always seeks to balance righteousness with grace.

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 20:7

    ¶ And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:76

    And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.

  • Joshua 19:35

    And the fenced cities [are] Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,

  • Joshua 19:37

    And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,