Joshua 21:37

KJV

Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

Kedemoth {H6932} with her suburbs, and Mephaath {H4158} with her suburbs; four {H702} cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

K'demot with its surrounding open land and Mefa'at with its surrounding open land - four cities.}

Berean Standard Bible

Kedemoth, and Mephaath—four cities, together with their pasturelands.

American Standard Version

Kedemoth with its suburbs, and Mephaath with its suburbs; four cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:37 is a precise entry within the meticulous record of land distribution to the Levites, specifically detailing the allocation of Kedemoth and Mephaath, along with their surrounding pasturelands, to the Merarite clan. This verse underscores God's faithful and detailed provision for His priestly tribe, ensuring their widespread presence throughout the land of Israel, thereby facilitating spiritual instruction and the administration of justice among all the tribes. It serves as a testament to the fulfillment of divine promises and the meticulous order of God's covenant relationship with His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:**
Joshua 21:37 is situated within a highly detailed and climactic chapter that records the fulfillment of God's promise to provide dwelling places for the Levites. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance, as "the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance" [Joshua 13:33](/joshua/13-33 "Joshua 13:33 - The Lord as Inheritance"). This chapter meticulously lists the 48 cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, that were designated from the territories of the other Israelite tribes. The preceding verses in [Joshua 21](/joshua/21 "Joshua 21 - Levitical Cities") detail the cities given to the Kohathites and Gershonites, leading up to the Merarites, of whom Kedemoth and Mephaath are a part. The chapter culminates in a powerful declaration of God's faithfulness in fulfilling all His promises to Israel [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Faithfulness in Giving the Land").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:**
The allocation of cities to the Levites was a crucial aspect of Israel's post-conquest settlement. Historically, the Levites were set apart for sacred service, responsible for the Tabernacle/Temple, teaching the Law, and administering justice. Their distribution throughout the land, rather than being concentrated in one tribal area, ensured that spiritual instruction and access to God's ordinances were available to all Israelites. Culturally, these "suburbs" (Hebrew: *migrashim*) were essential pasturelands for the Levites' livestock, providing for their sustenance as they did not engage in agriculture like the other tribes. Furthermore, Kedemoth is significant as one of the [cities of refuge](/joshua/20-8 "Joshua 20:8 - Cities of Refuge East of Jordan") east of the Jordan, providing asylum for those who accidentally committed manslaughter, underscoring the legal and judicial functions of the Levites within these allocated cities.

* **Key Themes:**
This specific enumeration of cities, including Kedemoth and Mephaath, powerfully reinforces several overarching themes in the book of Joshua and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Order and Provision**, showcasing God's meticulous planning and unwavering commitment to fulfilling every detail of His covenant promises, even down to the specific dwelling places for His priestly tribe. This meticulousness underscores the reliability of God's word and His care for His people's practical needs [Deuteronomy 12:11-12](/deuteronomy/12-11 "Deuteronomy 12:11-12 - God's Chosen Place for Worship"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Levitical Role and Presence** as central to Israel's spiritual health. By distributing the Levites among all tribes, God ensured a consistent spiritual and judicial presence, facilitating the teaching of the Law and the maintenance of justice throughout the land, thereby preventing spiritual decay and promoting national unity under God's statutes [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Provision for the Levites"). The very act of land distribution, including these Levitical cities, serves as a testament to God's **Covenant Faithfulness** in bringing Israel into the promised land and establishing them according to His divine design [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrashim'_):** This term refers to the common pasture lands or open spaces surrounding the walled cities. It signifies the practical provision for the Levites, who, while not agriculturalists, often owned livestock. The inclusion of "suburbs" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's provision, ensuring not just a dwelling place but also the means for livelihood, aligning with the Levites' unique economic status within Israel.
* **Four cities (Hebrew, _arba' 'arim'_):** This precise numerical designation highlights the meticulous nature of the record and the fulfillment of God's command. It reinforces the theme of divine order and the exactitude with which God's promises were realized. For the Merarites, a total of twelve cities were allotted, with these four coming from the territory of Reuben, demonstrating a systematic and equitable distribution across the tribes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Kedemoth with her suburbs":** Kedemoth was a city located in the territory of Reuben, east of the Jordan River. Its inclusion signifies a specific dwelling place allocated to the Merarite clan of the Levites. The phrase "with her suburbs" (or "pasturelands") indicates that the provision extended beyond the city walls to the surrounding open areas, vital for the Levites' sustenance through their livestock.
* **"and Mephaath with her suburbs":** Mephaath, also in the territory of Reuben, is similarly designated with its surrounding pasturelands. The repetition of "with her suburbs" underscores the consistent and comprehensive nature of the provision for each Levitical city, emphasizing the practical and detailed care God exercised for His chosen tribe.
* **"four cities":** This concluding phrase summarizes the total count of cities listed in this specific segment of the allocation from Reuben's territory to the Merarites. While only Kedemoth and Mephaath are explicitly named in this verse, the "four cities" refers to the preceding enumeration (which would include Bezer and Jahazah from [Joshua 21:36](/joshua/21-36 "Joshua 21:36 - Bezer and Jahazah")) from Reuben's portion. This numerical summary reinforces the meticulous record-keeping and the complete fulfillment of the divine mandate for Levitical dwelling.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 21:37, while seemingly a simple listing, employs several literary techniques that contribute to its overall message. The most prominent is **Enumeration** or **Cataloging**, as the verse is part of a larger, meticulous list of cities allocated to the Levites. This detailed listing emphasizes the completeness and precision of God's fulfillment of His promises. The **Repetition** of the phrase "with her suburbs" for both Kedemoth and Mephaath serves to underscore the consistency and comprehensive nature of God's provision, ensuring that each city came with the necessary surrounding lands for livelihood. Furthermore, the verse, as part of the broader chapter, functions as a powerful **Testimony** to God's faithfulness and the establishment of divine order in the promised land, demonstrating that "not one word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass" [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - God's Promises Fulfilled").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:37, though a specific detail in a long list, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care, faithfulness, and the establishment of divine order. It reveals a God who is not vague in His promises but precise in their fulfillment, providing for every need of His people, especially those dedicated to His service. The distribution of the Levites across the land through these cities ensured the accessibility of spiritual instruction, justice, and the presence of God's law among all tribes, highlighting the importance of spiritual leadership and the dissemination of divine truth. This systematic provision reflects God's desire for His people to live in covenant faithfulness, with His presence and teachings permeating every aspect of their national life.

* [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "The Command for Levitical Cities")
* [Deuteronomy 12:11-12](/deuteronomy/12-11 "God's Chosen Place and Provision")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "God's Faithfulness and Fulfillment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Joshua 21:37 might seem like a dry historical record of land allocation, it carries profound spiritual truths for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's incredible attention to detail and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling every promise He makes. Just as He meticulously provided for the Levites' specific needs—not just a city, but also the surrounding pasturelands—He cares for the intricate details of our lives. This verse encourages us to trust in God's faithful provision, knowing that if He was so precise in the ancient covenant, He is equally, if not more, attentive to the needs of His children today. It also highlights the enduring principle of accessible spiritual leadership and instruction within communities. The Levites were strategically placed to teach and guide; similarly, God calls and equips individuals today to serve and nourish His church, emphasizing the importance of spiritual formation and guidance being readily available within our faith communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:37 encourage your trust in His provision for your own life?**
* **In what ways can we, like the Levites, be "distributed" in our communities to offer spiritual guidance and embody God's truth?**
* **What specific "suburbs" (practical needs or details) in your life do you need to trust God to provide for, knowing His comprehensive care?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Levites given cities with "suburbs" instead of tribal land like the other Israelites?**

Answer: The Levites were set apart for the Lord's service, primarily ministering in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) and teaching God's Law throughout Israel. Unlike the other tribes who received a territorial inheritance for agriculture and settlement, the Lord Himself was the Levites' inheritance [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance"). However, they still needed places to live and means of sustenance. Therefore, God commanded that 48 cities, along with their "suburbs" (Hebrew: *migrashim*), which were common pasturelands, be allocated to them from the territories of the other tribes [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Cities for the Levites"). These pasturelands were crucial for their livestock, providing a practical means of livelihood since they did not engage in farming. This arrangement ensured their economic stability while allowing them to fulfill their unique spiritual and judicial roles by being dispersed among all the tribes, making spiritual instruction and justice accessible to everyone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 21:37, with its meticulous detail of God's provision for the Levites, finds profound fulfillment in Christ. The Old Testament system, including the Levitical priesthood and their scattered presence, foreshadowed the ultimate and perfect provision found in Jesus. Just as the Levites were God's chosen mediators and teachers, Christ is our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who mediates a superior covenant [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Superior Covenant"). The meticulous allocation of cities and their suburbs for the Levites demonstrates God's comprehensive care for His people, a care fully realized in Christ, who provides not only spiritual sustenance but also eternal dwelling places for His followers [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - My Father's House"). Furthermore, the Levites' dispersion throughout Israel ensured access to God's law and spiritual guidance; similarly, through Christ, the Holy Spirit is poured out on all believers, making God's presence and truth universally accessible, fulfilling the promise of a new covenant where God's law is written on hearts [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 10:16](/hebrews/10-16 "Hebrews 10:16 - Law on Their Hearts"). The order and provision seen in Joshua 21:37 ultimately point to Christ as the one who establishes perfect order, provides perfectly for His church, and is Himself the true inheritance of all who believe, far surpassing any earthly allocation of land or resources [Colossians 2:9-10](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9-10 - Fullness of Deity in Christ").

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.