Joshua 21:38

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

And out of the tribe {H4294} of Gad {H1410}, Ramoth {H7433} in Gilead {H1568} with her suburbs {H4054}, to be a city {H5892} of refuge {H4733} for the slayer {H7523}; and Mahanaim {H4266} with her suburbs {H4054},

Complete Jewish Bible

Out of the tribe of Gad: Ramot in Gil'ad with its surrounding open land, the city of refuge for the killer; Machanayim with its surrounding open land;

Berean Standard Bible

And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim,

American Standard Version

And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Mahanaim with its suburbs,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:38 meticulously records the allocation of two cities from the territory of the tribe of Gad to the Levites: Ramoth in Gilead and Mahanaim. Ramoth is specifically designated as one of the six cities of refuge, a crucial provision for asylum for those who unintentionally caused another's death. This verse underscores God's precise order and faithful provision for His people, ensuring both the functional distribution of the land and the spiritual accessibility of the Levites throughout Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21:38 is situated within a critical section of the book of Joshua (chapters 20-21) that details the final phase of the land distribution among the twelve tribes of Israel following the conquest of Canaan. Having secured the land, the meticulous division ensures that every tribe receives its inheritance according to God's promise. Uniquely, the tribe of Levi, dedicated to priestly and spiritual service, did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, as the Lord Himself was declared their inheritance ([Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Levites' Inheritance")). Instead, they were allotted 48 cities scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes, along with their surrounding pasturelands. This strategic placement allowed the Levites to fulfill their role as spiritual instructors and judicial arbiters, making God's law and presence accessible to all Israelites. Within these 48 cities, six were specifically designated as cities of refuge, a vital provision for justice and mercy, first outlined in [Numbers 35](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities of Refuge and Levite Cities")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of cities of refuge emerged from ancient Near Eastern legal traditions concerning homicide, but with a unique divine overlay. In societies without a centralized police force, the "blood avenger" (goel haddam) had the right and duty to pursue and execute anyone who killed a family member. The cities of refuge provided a legal and merciful alternative for those who committed unintentional homicide, distinguishing it from premeditated murder. This system prevented cycles of retaliatory violence while still upholding the sanctity of human life. Ramoth in Gilead, located east of the Jordan River, was one of three such cities on that side, making refuge accessible to the Transjordanian tribes. The Levites, as the priestly tribe, were responsible for teaching the Mosaic Law, officiating at the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), and often serving in judicial capacities. Their dispersion throughout Israel ensured that religious instruction, legal counsel, and spiritual oversight were readily available to all Israelites, fostering national unity under God's covenant.
* **Key Themes:** The allocation in Joshua 21:38 contributes to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Order and Provision**, demonstrating God's meticulous planning and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, ensuring that every tribe, including the Levites, was cared for according to His precise design. The detailed listing of cities underscores His sovereignty over the land and His people. Secondly, the designation of Ramoth as a city of refuge powerfully illustrates God's balanced character of **Justice and Mercy**. While upholding the sanctity of life and demanding accountability for unintentional killing, God also provides a pathway for protection and due process, preventing immediate retribution by a blood avenger and offering a chance for a fair trial. This reflects a profound compassion within the divine legal framework, as further elaborated in [Deuteronomy 19:4-6](/deuteronomy/19-4 "Deuteronomy 19:4-6 - Law for Cities of Refuge")). Finally, the strategic scattering of Levite cities throughout Israel, including Ramoth and Mahanaim, reinforces the theme of the **Accessibility of Spiritual Guidance**. By placing the Levites among all the tribes, God ensured that His law, His worship, and His presence were not confined to a single central location but were readily available to all His people, reinforcing the importance of His covenant in their daily lives and national identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ramoth in Gilead (Hebrew: רָמֹת גִּלְעָד, _Ramot Gil'ad_):** The name "Ramoth" means "heights" or "high places," indicating its elevated geographical position. "Gilead" refers to the fertile, mountainous region east of the Jordan River. This city was strategically important due to its location and became a significant site in later Israelite history, often contested due to its strategic value (e.g., [1 Kings 22](/1_kings/22 "1 Kings 22 - Ahab's Death at Ramoth-Gilead")). Its designation as a city of refuge in the Transjordanian territory ensured that those living on the eastern side of the Jordan had immediate access to asylum.
* **Mahanaim (Hebrew: מַחֲנַיִם, _Maḥanayim_):** This name translates to "two camps" or "two companies." Mahanaim holds significant historical and spiritual weight, most famously associated with Jacob's encounter with angels after parting ways with Laban, where he declared, "This is God's camp!" ([Genesis 32:1-2](/genesis/32-1 "Genesis 32:1-2 - Jacob's Encounter at Mahanaim")). Later, it served as a temporary capital for Ish-bosheth during his rivalry with David ([2 Samuel 2:8](/2_samuel/2-8 "2 Samuel 2:8 - Ish-bosheth's Reign in Mahanaim")) and as David's refuge during Absalom's rebellion ([2 Samuel 17:24](/2_samuel/17-24 "2 Samuel 17:24 - David Flees to Mahanaim")). Its inclusion among the Levite cities highlights the sacred and historical continuity God maintained within the land.
* **City of Refuge (Hebrew: עָרֵי מִקְלָט, _'arei miqlaṭ_):** This phrase literally means "cities of asylum" or "cities of shelter." The term "miklat" (מִקְלָט) itself conveys the idea of a place of reception, refuge, or haven. These cities were divinely ordained institutions, distinct from pagan sanctuaries, providing a legal and merciful provision for those who accidentally caused a death, protecting them from immediate retribution by a blood avenger until a fair trial could be held at the city gate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And out of the tribe of Gad":** This clause precisely identifies the source of the allocated cities. It emphasizes the meticulous nature of the land distribution, where specific cities were designated from particular tribal territories to fulfill the Levites' unique needs and role. This detail underscores the divine order and the comprehensive fulfillment of God's promises.
* **"Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer;":** This specifies the first city, Ramoth in Gilead, along with its surrounding pasturelands ("suburbs" refers to the common land for livestock). The crucial designation "a city of refuge for the slayer" highlights its primary function. This provision was for those who caused death unintentionally, not for premeditated murderers. It reflects God's justice in requiring accountability for life, balanced with His mercy in providing asylum and due process.
* **"and Mahanaim with her suburbs,":** This clause introduces the second city allocated from Gad's territory to the Levites. Like Ramoth, Mahanaim was given with its surrounding pasturelands. While not explicitly designated as a city of refuge in this verse, its inclusion as a Levite city meant it served as a center for spiritual instruction, legal counsel, and the administration of God's law, contributing to the overall spiritual well-being of the region.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Cataloging**, as it systematically lists the cities allocated to the Levites from various tribes. This detailed listing serves to emphasize the completeness and precision of God's fulfillment of His promises regarding the land distribution. The phrase "with her suburbs" is an example of **Metonymy**, where "suburbs" stands for the surrounding pasturelands and open spaces necessary for the Levites' livestock and livelihood. The designation of Ramoth as a "city of refuge" carries significant **Symbolism**, representing God's intricate balance of justice and mercy, a divine provision for protection and due process within a legal framework that valued human life. The repetition of the phrase "with her suburbs" across the various city allocations throughout Joshua 21 emphasizes the consistent and thorough nature of God's provision for the Levites.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:38, though a seemingly administrative detail, profoundly illustrates God's character and His covenant faithfulness. It reveals a God of meticulous order, who not only provides for His people but does so with precision and foresight, ensuring every aspect of their communal and spiritual life is sustained. The careful distribution of cities, especially the strategic placement of Levite cities and cities of refuge, speaks volumes about God's commitment to both justice and mercy. He is a God who demands accountability for sin and the sanctity of life, yet also provides avenues for grace, protection, and reconciliation. The Levites' dispersion throughout the land underscores the principle that spiritual truth and guidance should be accessible to all, not confined to a single elite or location, fostering a nation steeped in God's law and presence. This ancient provision foreshadows a greater spiritual reality, where God Himself is the ultimate refuge for those who flee to Him.

* [Numbers 35:9-15](/numbers/35-9 "Numbers 35:9-15 - Laws for Cities of Refuge")
* [Deuteronomy 4:41-43](/deuteronomy/4-41 "Deuteronomy 4:41-43 - Designation of Cities of Refuge")
* [Psalm 91:2](/psalm/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - God as My Refuge and Fortress")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of land distribution and the establishment of cities of refuge in Joshua 21:38 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order and intention, who meticulously plans and provides for His people, even in the seemingly mundane details of life. This should inspire confidence in His sovereign care for our own lives, knowing that He oversees every aspect with purpose and precision. Furthermore, the dual nature of the city of refuge—upholding justice while extending mercy—serves as a powerful model for our own interactions. We are called to embody God's character by pursuing justice for the vulnerable and extending mercy to those who err, reflecting the balance of His divine attributes in a world that often prioritizes one over the other. Just as the Levites were strategically placed to make spiritual guidance accessible, we, as the body of Christ, are called to be dispersed throughout society, making the truth of God's Word and the grace of the Gospel accessible to all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's provision for the Levites and the cities of refuge challenge our understanding of divine care in our own lives?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, embody the principles of justice and mercy, reflecting God's character in a world that often lacks both?**
* **Considering the Levites' role in making spiritual guidance accessible, how are we called to ensure the accessibility of God's truth and grace in our communities today?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of the cities of refuge?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the cities of refuge was to provide a legal and merciful sanctuary for individuals who had unintentionally caused the death of another person. In ancient Israel, a "blood avenger" (a close relative of the deceased) had the right and duty to pursue and execute the killer. The cities of refuge served as a safe haven where the unintentional slayer could flee to escape immediate retribution. Once there, they would stand trial before the elders at the city gate. If found innocent of premeditated murder, they would remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. This system, detailed in [Numbers 35:9-34](/numbers/35-9 "Numbers 35:9-34 - Laws for Cities of Refuge"), distinguished between accidental homicide and willful murder, ensuring that justice was served while preventing cycles of retaliatory violence and providing due process.

**Why did the tribe of Levi not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes?**

Answer: The tribe of Levi did not receive a territorial inheritance because they were set apart by God for sacred service. The Lord Himself declared that He was their inheritance ([Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Levites' Inheritance")). Their role was to serve in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), to teach God's law, and to mediate between God and the people. Instead of a single tribal territory, they were given 48 cities, including the six cities of refuge, scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes. This strategic dispersion allowed them to be accessible to all Israelites, ensuring that spiritual instruction, priestly duties, and the administration of justice were available across the entire nation, fostering a unified spiritual identity centered on God's covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ancient provision of the cities of refuge, including Ramoth in Gilead, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as the cities of refuge offered a safe haven from the avenger of blood for those guilty of unintentional killing, Christ offers ultimate refuge from the righteous judgment of God for all who, through sin, stand condemned. He is our true and eternal "city of refuge," providing asylum for every soul who flees to Him in faith. The Levites, scattered throughout Israel, served as mediators and instructors of God's law; Christ, our Great High Priest, perfectly fulfills this mediatorial role, interceding for us before the Father ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")). His sacrifice on the cross perfectly balanced divine justice—paying the penalty for sin—with boundless mercy, offering forgiveness and new life to all who believe ([Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-26 - Justification by Faith")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through Him, we find not just temporary physical protection, but eternal spiritual security and reconciliation with God, a refuge that transcends all earthly boundaries and endures forever ([Hebrews 6:18-20](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18-20 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")).

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

Genesis 32:2

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This [is] God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

1 Kings 22:3

And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead [is] ours, and we [be] still, [and] take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

Deuteronomy 4:43

[Namely], Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

Joshua 20:8

And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.

2 Samuel 17:24

Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

1 Chronicles 6:80

And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

2 Samuel 19:32

Now Barzillai was a very aged man, [even] fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he [was] a very great man.