TRV
Translation
King James Version
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
Complete Jewish Bible
All the cities of the Gershuni according to their families were thirteen cities with their surrounding open land.
Berean Standard Bible
In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans.
American Standard Version
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
World English Bible Messianic
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Al the cities of the Gershonites according to their families, were thirteene cities with their suburbes.
Young's Literal Translation
all the cities of the Gershonite, for their families, are thirteen cities and their suburbs.
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 6,415 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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.
Copy as
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Joshua 21:33 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Joshua 21:33 provides a meticulous record within the larger account of land distribution to the tribes of Israel, specifically detailing the allocation of dwelling places to the Gershonites, one of the three principal Levitical families. This verse precisely states that thirteen cities, along with their essential pasturelands, were designated for them, thereby underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness, His meticulous provision, and the divinely ordained, orderly establishment of the Levites' presence as spiritual guides and teachers throughout the Promised Land.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 21 serves as the climactic fulfillment of God's command to provide dwelling places for the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, received no contiguous territorial inheritance. This chapter meticulously follows the comprehensive division of the land among the other eleven tribes (found in Joshua 13-19) and the establishment of the Cities of Refuge. The specific enumeration of cities for each Levitical clan—the Kohathites (Joshua 21:4-26), Gershonites (Joshua 21:27-33), and Merarites (Joshua 21:34-40)—highlights the systematic, comprehensive, and divinely orchestrated nature of God's provision. Verse 33, therefore, is not merely an administrative detail but a vital component of this exhaustive list, confirming that every Levitical family received its due according to divine instruction and their familial lineage, culminating in the overarching declaration of God's perfect faithfulness in fulfilling all His promises to Israel, as powerfully affirmed in Joshua 21:43-45.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Levites occupied a profoundly unique and sacred position in ancient Israelite society, set apart for exclusive service to the Lord at the tabernacle and, subsequently, the temple. Their multifaceted role encompassed teaching the Mosaic law, serving as judges in disputes, and meticulously maintaining the purity and integrity of Israel's worship. Due to their consecrated status, they were not granted a contiguous tribal territory but rather received specific cities scattered strategically among the other tribes, a provision explicitly commanded by God in Numbers 35:1-8. This dispersion was not arbitrary but a deliberate strategy to ensure that spiritual instruction, oversight, and the administration of justice were readily accessible throughout the entire nation. The "suburbs" mentioned in the verse (Hebrew: migrash) are critically important to understanding their provision; these were not residential extensions but designated, uncultivated pasturelands surrounding the cities, essential for their livestock and overall sustenance, as the Levites were not primarily agriculturalists but depended on tithes and offerings. This unique arrangement profoundly reflects God's detailed and compassionate care for those consecrated to His service, ensuring their livelihood while simultaneously enabling their vital spiritual mission.
Key Themes: Though seemingly a dry administrative detail, Joshua 21:33 profoundly reinforces several pivotal theological themes. Firstly, it powerfully underscores Divine Provision and Unwavering Faithfulness. The God who promised to settle Israel securely in the land meticulously provided for every single tribe, including the Levites, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His attention to every detail of their well-being. Secondly, the verse highlights the Order and Structure of God's Kingdom. The precise enumeration and distribution of cities reflect a divine order that permeated and governed all aspects of Israel's national, social, and spiritual life, ensuring that every part of the community was cared for and contributed harmoniously to the whole. This divine blueprint for societal organization is evident throughout the Pentateuch, particularly in the detailed instructions for the tabernacle and the tribal encampments. Finally, the strategic placement of the Gershonites, like all other Levites, throughout the land emphasizes the Indispensable Importance of Spiritual Presence and Instruction. Their dispersion facilitated their crucial role as spiritual guides, teachers, and guardians of the law, ensuring that the knowledge of God's law and His ways permeated all twelve tribes, thereby fulfilling the divine mandate articulated in Deuteronomy 33:10, which states that the Levites "teach Jacob your statutes and Israel your law."
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 21:33, consistent with the entire chapter, prominently employs Enumeration and Precision. The detailed listing of cities for each Levitical family, down to the exact number of thirteen for the Gershonites, serves to powerfully demonstrate the meticulous fulfillment of God's promises and the complete, orderly establishment of Israel in the land. This Precision in numbers and descriptions lends an undeniable air of historical accuracy and divine order to the narrative, reinforcing the absolute reliability of God's word and His sovereign control over every detail. Furthermore, the repetitive structure of listing cities "with their suburbs" throughout the chapter creates a strong sense of Emphasis on the comprehensive and practical nature of God's provision, ensuring that the Levites were fully equipped for their unique and vital role. The passage also subtly uses Symbolism, where the scattered Levitical cities, acting as centers of spiritual instruction and justice, symbolize the pervasive and accessible presence of God's law and divine truth throughout the entire nation, permeating every tribal territory.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:33, though a specific administrative detail, resonates with profound theological truths about God's character and His intricate relationship with His covenant people. It reveals a God who is not only faithful to His grand, overarching covenant promises but also meticulously attentive to the smallest, most practical details of His people's lives and needs. The precise allocation of thirteen cities and their accompanying pasturelands for the Gershonites exemplifies God's comprehensive and practical provision for those dedicated to His service, ensuring their sustenance and enabling their spiritual mission without distraction. This divine order establishes a foundational framework for the spiritual health and well-being of the entire nation, demonstrating that God's plan for Israel encompassed both their physical settlement in the land and their essential spiritual instruction. The strategic dispersion of the Levites, facilitated by these cities, underscores the enduring importance of spiritual leadership and the accessibility of God's truth being deeply integrated throughout the community, a principle that profoundly transcends the Old Testament and finds its ultimate echoes and fulfillment in the New.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane details of Joshua 21:33 offer profoundly rich ground for reflection on the character of God and its implications for our own lives. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our God is a God of impeccable order, divine precision, and abundant, comprehensive provision. Just as He meticulously planned for the Levites, ensuring their physical needs were met so they could fully concentrate on their spiritual duties, so too does He care for every intricate detail of our lives. We are profoundly encouraged to place our trust in His sovereign and benevolent care, knowing with certainty that He oversees our circumstances, our unique callings, and our every need with perfect wisdom, unwavering faithfulness, and boundless love. For those called to full-time vocational ministry, this passage stands as a powerful affirmation that God is the ultimate provider, and He will faithfully sustain those who dedicate themselves to serving Him. For all believers, it highlights the enduring importance of spiritual leadership and the accessibility of God's truth within the community of faith. We are called, as the body of Christ, to value, support, and honor those who teach and uphold God's word, recognizing their vital and indispensable role in the spiritual health and growth of the church, much like the Levites were strategically placed throughout ancient Israel. This passage also prompts us to deeply consider how we, as the dispersed people of God today, can be vibrant centers of spiritual influence and truth in our own "cities" and "suburbs," radiating the light of Christ and His truth to every corner of our communities and beyond.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the Levites not receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes?
Answer: The Levites did not receive a specific territorial inheritance because the Lord Himself was declared to be their inheritance (Numbers 18:20). Instead of land, they were uniquely set apart for sacred service to God at the tabernacle and later the temple, responsible for teaching God's law, performing priestly duties, and meticulously maintaining the purity of worship. Their sustenance came from the tithes and offerings of the other tribes, and they were given specific cities scattered throughout all the tribal territories, along with surrounding pasturelands (as comprehensively detailed in Joshua 21). This unique arrangement ensured their complete dedication to spiritual duties without the distraction of agricultural labor or territorial defense, while also strategically placing spiritual leaders and teachers throughout the entire nation.
What is the significance of the "suburbs" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: The term "suburbs" in Joshua 21:33 (Hebrew: migrâsh) holds a distinct meaning from its modern English usage. It refers specifically to the common pasturelands, open fields, and uncultivated spaces immediately surrounding the Levitical cities. These lands were absolutely crucial for the Levites' livelihood, as they were used for grazing their livestock, which provided a vital source of food and income. This provision, meticulously detailed in Numbers 35:2-5, ensured that the Levites, who were divinely exempted from cultivating land, possessed the necessary economic means to sustain themselves and their families while faithfully fulfilling their consecrated service to God and the nation. It powerfully highlights God's comprehensive, practical, and compassionate provision for His servants.
How does this detailed list of cities relate to God's character?
Answer: The meticulous detail in Joshua 21, including the precise number of thirteen cities allocated to the Gershonites in verse 33, reveals several profound aspects of God's character. Firstly, it undeniably demonstrates His unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling every promise He made to Israel, including the specific provision for the Levites. Secondly, it highlights His inherent orderliness and divine precision, showing that God operates with intentionality, exactitude, and perfect wisdom, leaving no detail to chance in His unfolding plan. Finally, it profoundly underscores His providential care for His people, particularly those consecrated to His service. God ensures that their every need is met, allowing them to focus wholeheartedly on their divine calling, which in turn benefits the entire community by making spiritual instruction and the knowledge of His law widely accessible throughout the land. This divine precision speaks volumes about God's complete sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The detailed provision for the Gershonites and other Levites in Joshua 21:33, while deeply rooted in Old Testament covenantal arrangements, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper spiritual meaning in Jesus Christ. The Levites, uniquely set apart for sacred service, without a land inheritance but sustained by God's direct provision and strategically scattered among the tribes, powerfully prefigure the New Testament reality of God's people. Christ Himself is our ultimate and supreme inheritance, far surpassing any earthly possession or territorial allotment, as gloriously declared in Colossians 1:12. He is the true and superior High Priest, fulfilling and eternally superseding the Levitical priesthood through His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 7). Just as the Levites were dispersed throughout Israel to teach, minister, and uphold the law, Christ commissioned His disciples to go into all the world, making disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them (Matthew 28:19-20). The church, as the new Israel, is now a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9), called to be God's dispersed and transformative presence in the world, not bound by a physical land but united and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our "cities and suburbs" are the diverse places where we live, work, and minister, empowered by God's ongoing provision to declare His excellencies and bring His saving truth to every corner of society, just as the Levites were strategically placed to ensure spiritual instruction and divine presence throughout ancient Israel.