Joshua 21:34

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

And unto the families {H4940} of the children {H1121} of Merari {H4847}, the rest {H3498} of the Levites {H3881}, out of the tribe {H4294} of Zebulun {H2074}, Jokneam {H3362} with her suburbs {H4054}, and Kartah {H7177} with her suburbs {H4054},

Complete Jewish Bible

To the families of the descendants of M'rari, the rest of the L'vi'im, out of the tribe of Z'vulun: Yokne'am with its surrounding open land, Kartah with its surrounding open land,

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given:

American Standard Version

And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs, and Kartah with its suburbs,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:34 meticulously records the allocation of specific cities to the Levitical families, particularly the children of Merari, within the tribal territory of Zebulun. This verse, part of a comprehensive list detailing the forty-eight cities designated for the Levites throughout Israel, underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, His meticulous order in the land distribution, and His strategic provision for the spiritual well-being of His people by ensuring the presence of His appointed ministers across all tribes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21 provides a detailed account of the fulfillment of God's command to Moses regarding the Levitical cities, as recorded in [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Cities for the Levites"). Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a continuous territorial inheritance because "the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance" ([Joshua 13:33](/joshua/13-33 "Joshua 13:33 - The Levites' Inheritance")). Instead, they were granted forty-eight cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes. This chapter systematically lists these cities by Levitical division (Kohathites, Gershonites, Merarites) and by the tribes from which the cities were taken. Joshua 21:34 specifically addresses the Merarite families, indicating their settlement within the land allotted to the tribe of Zebulun. The chapter culminates in [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises"), affirming God's complete faithfulness in giving Israel all the land He promised.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Levites held a unique position in ancient Israelite society, serving as priests, teachers of the Law, judges, and guardians of the Tabernacle/Temple. Their lack of a tribal land inheritance was compensated by their divine provision through tithes and offerings from the other tribes, and by these designated cities. The term "suburbs" (Hebrew: *migrash*) refers not to residential areas as in modern usage, but to the common pasturelands surrounding the cities, crucial for sustaining the Levites' livestock. This arrangement ensured that the Levites, who were responsible for maintaining the spiritual life of the nation, were strategically dispersed among all the tribes. This dispersion facilitated access to spiritual instruction, legal arbitration based on God's Law, and the practical support for the Tabernacle/Temple service, thereby preventing any single tribe from becoming spiritually isolated. The specific cities of Jokneam and Kartah, located within Zebulun, highlight the integration of the spiritual leadership into the fabric of daily tribal life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of Joshua 21, powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Order and Provision**, showcasing God's meticulous planning and faithful care for His people, down to the precise allocation of cities for those dedicated to His service. This reflects the orderly nature of God's kingdom and His commitment to providing for those who serve Him, as seen in [Numbers 35:2](/numbers/35-2 "Numbers 35:2 - Command for Levite Cities"). Secondly, it highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy and Promise**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in bringing to pass what He had sworn to the patriarchs and commanded through Moses. The entire book of Joshua, and especially this chapter, serves as a testament to God's reliability, culminating in the declaration that "not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass" ([Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment")). Thirdly, the scattering of the Levite cities emphasizes the **Spiritual Presence and Accessibility** throughout Israel, ensuring that spiritual instruction, worship leadership, and legal counsel were readily available to all tribes, fostering national unity under God's Law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Merari (Hebrew, _mᵉrāri_):** Merari was one of the three sons of Levi (along with Gershon and Kohath), whose descendants formed distinct divisions within the Levitical tribe. The Merarites were primarily responsible for the heavier, structural components of the Tabernacle—the frames, bars, pillars, and bases ([Numbers 3:36](/numbers/3-36 "Numbers 3:36 - Duties of the Merarites")). In the later Temple, they continued to serve in various capacities related to its maintenance and administration. Their mention here specifies which branch of the Levites received these particular cities, indicating a precise and organized distribution system.
* **Zebulun (Hebrew, _zᵉḇūlūn_):** Zebulun was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's tenth son. Their territory was located in the northern part of Canaan, bordering Asher and Naphtali, extending towards the Sea of Galilee. The allocation of cities to the Merarite Levites "out of the tribe of Zebulun" signifies the integration of the spiritual leadership within the geographic and social fabric of this particular tribe, ensuring that the Levites could fulfill their duties of teaching and service among them.
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrāš_):** This term is crucial for understanding the Levites' economic provision. Unlike the modern connotation of residential outskirts, *migrash* refers specifically to the common pasturelands surrounding the Levitical cities. These lands were designated for their livestock (cattle, sheep, goats), allowing them to sustain themselves economically without engaging in extensive agriculture, which was the primary livelihood of the other tribes. This detail highlights God's practical and comprehensive provision for the Levites, enabling them to focus on their spiritual responsibilities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites":** This phrase identifies the specific recipients of these cities. The "children of Merari" are one of the three main divisions of the Levites, distinct from the Kohathites and Gershonites who had already received their allocations. "The rest of the Levites" indicates that this verse is concluding the distribution to the Merarite branch, completing the overall assignment of cities to the entire tribe of Levi.
* **"out of the tribe of Zebulun":** This specifies the geographical source of the cities. The tribe of Zebulun, having received its own territorial inheritance, was now required to cede certain cities from its allotted land to the Merarite Levites. This demonstrates the inter-tribal cooperation and the fulfillment of the divine command for the Levites to be scattered among all the tribes.
* **"Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs":** These are the two specific cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands (*migrash*), that were given to the Merarite families from Zebulun's territory. The explicit mention of "her suburbs" emphasizes the full provision for the Levites, including the necessary means for their livelihood (livestock) alongside their dwelling places. Jokneam was a strategic city, often mentioned in relation to its location near the Carmel mountain range, while Kartah is less frequently mentioned but equally important in this precise allocation.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 21:34, as part of a larger **Cataloging** or **List**, exemplifies the meticulous nature of the biblical text in recording the fulfillment of divine commands. The entire chapter is a detailed roster, emphasizing God's precise and orderly execution of His promises. The **Repetition** of the phrase "with her suburbs" throughout the chapter, including in this verse, serves to underscore the comprehensive nature of the provision for the Levites, ensuring they had not only dwelling places but also the means to sustain themselves. This detailed account also functions as a form of **Legal Documentation**, serving as a permanent record of the land distribution and the Levites' unique inheritance, validating Israel's claim to the land and the divine order established within it. The sheer **Precision** and specificity of names and locations highlight the historical accuracy and divine oversight of the entire process.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:34, though a seemingly mundane detail in a list of cities, profoundly illustrates God's faithfulness, order, and comprehensive provision for His people and for those dedicated to His service. It shows that God's promises are not vague generalities but are fulfilled with meticulous attention to detail, down to specific cities and their pasturelands. This divine arrangement ensured that the Levites, who represented God's spiritual presence and taught His Law, were accessible to all tribes, thereby fostering spiritual unity and knowledge of God throughout the land. The scattering of the Levites was not a punishment but a strategic blessing, ensuring that every corner of Israel had access to spiritual instruction and leadership, reinforcing the idea that God desires His truth to permeate all aspects of His people's lives.

* [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Command for Levite Cities")
* [Joshua 13:33](/joshua/13-33 "Joshua 13:33 - The Levites' Inheritance")
* [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "God's Promises Fulfilled")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:34, while detailing an ancient land distribution, offers timeless principles for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, not chaos, and that His plans are executed with meticulous precision, down to the smallest detail. This should inspire confidence in His sovereignty over our lives, knowing that He oversees every aspect of our existence and has a purpose for our placement. Just as the tribes provided for the Levites, there is a clear biblical principle of supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service and teaching within the community of faith, enabling them to focus on their divine calling without undue worldly distraction. Furthermore, the scattering of the Levites among all tribes highlights the importance of spiritual presence and accessibility in every sphere of society. Believers are called to be salt and light, influencing their communities and workplaces with the truth of God's Word, ensuring that spiritual wisdom and guidance are not confined to specific institutions but are available wherever people live and work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in providing for the Levites encourage your trust in His provision for your own life?**
* **In what ways can you, as a believer, embody the "spiritual presence" in your own community, similar to how the Levites were scattered among the tribes?**
* **What is your role in supporting those who are dedicated to spiritual service and teaching in your local church or broader Christian community?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't the Levites receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes?**

Answer: The Levites did not receive a continuous territorial inheritance because their inheritance was the Lord Himself. As stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Levites' Inheritance"), "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel." Their unique role was to serve God directly in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, ministering to Him and teaching His Law to the people. Instead of land, they were provided for by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes, and by forty-eight cities scattered throughout Israel, along with their surrounding pasturelands (suburbs), ensuring they could live among the people they served. This arrangement allowed them to focus entirely on their spiritual duties without the burden of agricultural labor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:34, ensuring their presence and spiritual service among all the tribes, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The Levitical priesthood, with its sacrifices and mediatorial role, was a shadow pointing to the perfect and eternal High Priesthood of Jesus. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose single sacrifice on the cross accomplished what the countless Levitical sacrifices could not ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, just as the Levites were scattered to bring God's presence and instruction to all Israel, Christ, through His Spirit, indwells all believers, making every Christian a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" ([1_peter/2-9](/1-peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). The New Covenant church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is now dispersed throughout the world, not confined to specific cities or territories, to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the pattern of divine provision and the strategic placement of spiritual ministers in the Old Testament foreshadows the universal, Spirit-empowered mission of the church to be Christ's presence and witness to the ends of the earth.

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 6:77

Unto the rest of the children of Merari [were given] out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:

Joshua 19:11

And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that [is] before Jokneam;

Joshua 12:22

The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;

Joshua 21:7

The children of Merari by their families [had] out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.

Joshua 19:15

And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.