TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
Dimnah with its surrounding open land and Nahalal with its surrounding open land - four cities. {
Berean Standard Bible
From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal—four cities, together with their pasturelands.
World English Bible Messianic
Dimnah with its suburbs, and Nahalal with its suburbs; four cities.
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In the KJVVerse 6,417 of 31,102
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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.
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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.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 21:35, a seemingly concise verse, meticulously lists two of the four cities—Dimnah and Nahalal, each "with her suburbs"—allocated to the Merarite clan of the Levites from the tribe of Zebulun. This specific enumeration, part of a broader chapter detailing the distribution of forty-eight Levitical cities throughout Israel, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises and His precise provision for those dedicated to His sacred service, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement among all the tribes for spiritual oversight.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 21:35, though brief, employs several literary devices to convey its significance. The primary device is Enumeration, as the verse is part of a detailed list of cities. This meticulous listing emphasizes the divine order and the thoroughness with which God's promises were fulfilled, leaving no detail overlooked. The Repetition of the phrase "with her suburbs" highlights the importance of these pasturelands for the Levites' livelihood and underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision, ensuring their full support. The Conciseness of the concluding phrase "four cities" serves as a summary, providing clarity and confirming the exact number of cities for this particular allocation, reinforcing the precision of the divine administration. Together, these devices contribute to the overall impression of divine precision, faithfulness, and the orderly establishment of Israelite society.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:35, as a fragment of a larger divine blueprint, speaks volumes about God's character and His relationship with His people. It profoundly illustrates His meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling every detail of His covenant promises, even those that seem mundane or administrative. The precise allocation of cities and their essential "suburbs" for the Levites demonstrates God's deep care for those consecrated to His service, ensuring their sustenance and enabling their spiritual ministry throughout the nation. This act of provision underscores the principle that God equips those He calls, and that the spiritual well-being of a community is intrinsically linked to the support provided for those who minister God's word. It teaches us that God's order extends to every aspect of life, and His provision is always comprehensive, reflecting His perfect wisdom and love.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though Joshua 21:35 might appear as a mere historical record of ancient city names, it carries profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and His meticulous provision for His people, particularly those dedicated to His service. Just as God precisely allocated cities and essential pasturelands for the Levites, He promises to care for and sustain those who commit their lives to His work, whether in full-time ministry or through their daily vocations. This should encourage us to trust in His provision and to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to His purposes, knowing He will meet our needs. Furthermore, the Levites' dependence on the support of the other tribes highlights the vital principle of interdependence within the Body of Christ. We are called to support and empower those who labor in spiritual ministry, recognizing that their effectiveness is often tied to the practical and prayerful backing of the wider community of faith. This verse challenges us to consider our role in stewarding resources—both material and spiritual—for the advancement of God's kingdom and the flourishing of His servants.
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 consolidated tribal land inheritance because their inheritance was the Lord Himself, as explicitly stated in Deuteronomy 10:9 and Numbers 18:20. They were set apart for priestly and spiritual service, dedicated to ministering in the Tabernacle/Temple, teaching God's Law, and serving as judges. To fulfill this role effectively, God commanded that they be distributed among all the tribes, living in forty-eight designated cities with their surrounding pasturelands. This arrangement allowed them to be accessible to all Israelites, ensuring spiritual instruction and oversight were available throughout the nation, rather than being confined to one geographical area.
What is the significance of "suburbs" (migrash) in this context?
Answer: The term "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrash) is highly significant. It refers not just to the immediate outskirts of a city but to the surrounding common lands, pastures, and open spaces specifically designated for the Levites' cattle and for communal use. Since the Levites did not engage in agricultural farming of their own fields like the other tribes, these migrash lands were essential for their sustenance. They provided vital grazing areas for their livestock, which were a primary source of their livelihood alongside the tithes and offerings they received. The repeated inclusion of "with her suburbs" in the text highlights God's comprehensive and practical provision, ensuring the Levites had the necessary resources to live and perform their sacred duties without being burdened by the need to cultivate land for food.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:35, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement throughout Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. The Levites, as a priestly tribe, foreshadowed Christ, our Great High Priest, who mediates between God and humanity, not through a physical inheritance but through His eternal sacrifice and intercession (Hebrews 4:14 and Hebrews 7:24-25). Their scattered presence throughout the land, bringing the knowledge of God to all tribes, points to Christ's universal ministry and the global reach of His gospel, transcending geographical and tribal boundaries. While the Levites' inheritance was the Lord in a symbolic sense, believers in Christ find their true and eternal inheritance in Him, receiving spiritual blessings far surpassing any earthly land (Ephesians 1:11). The divine care for the Levites' physical needs, enabling their spiritual service, prefigures God's even greater care for those who are "in Christ," empowering them as a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9) to proclaim His excellencies and serve His kingdom. Thus, this seemingly administrative detail in Joshua ultimately directs our gaze to the comprehensive and perfect provision of God in Jesus, who is both our ultimate inheritance and the one who fully equips us for His service.