Joshua 21:4

KJV

And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, [which were] of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the lot {H1486} came out {H3318} for the families {H4940} of the Kohathites {H6956}: and the children {H1121} of Aaron {H175} the priest {H3548}, which were of the Levites {H3881}, had by lot {H1486} out of the tribe {H4294} of Judah {H3063}, and out of the tribe {H4294} of Simeon {H8099}, and out of the tribe {H4294} of Benjamin {H1144}, thirteen {H7969}{H6240} cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The lot came out for the families of the K'hati. The descendants of Aharon the cohen, who were of the L'vi'im, received by lot thirteen cities from the tribes of Y'hudah, Shim'on and Binyamin.

Berean Standard Bible

The first lot came out for the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.

American Standard Version

And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:4 meticulously details the initial allocation of cities to the Kohathite families, specifically the priestly descendants of Aaron, within the broader distribution of the promised land to the Levites. This verse records that these particular Levites received thirteen cities by lot from the territories of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, underscoring God's precise fulfillment of His covenant promises and the divine order established for Israel's spiritual administration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21:4 is part of a comprehensive chapter that records the fulfillment of God's command to provide dwelling places for the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, received no contiguous territorial inheritance. The preceding verses (Joshua 21:1-3) set the stage, describing how the heads of the Levitical families approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal leaders at Shiloh, reminding them of the Lord's command through Moses concerning their cities. The subsequent verses (Joshua 21:5-8) continue to detail the allocation of cities to the other Levitical clans—the rest of the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites—each receiving a specific number of cities from designated tribes. This meticulous listing throughout the chapter emphasizes the divine precision and faithfulness in the land's distribution, ensuring that the Levites, though landless in the traditional sense, were strategically placed throughout Israel to fulfill their spiritual duties. The entire chapter serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling all His promises, echoing the themes found throughout [Joshua](/joshua/21 "Joshua 21 - Cities for the Levites").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of cities to the Levites was a unique provision rooted in ancient Near Eastern practices of dedicating a portion of the population to religious service, yet distinctively shaped by Israel's covenant with Yahweh. Unlike other tribes who received large tracts of land for agricultural sustenance, the Levites were set apart for sacred service, their inheritance being the Lord Himself, as stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' inheritance"). This meant they would be supported by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes. The method of "casting lots" (Hebrew: _goral_) was a common and accepted practice in ancient Israel for discerning God's will and ensuring impartiality in significant decisions, as seen in the division of the entire land (e.g., [Joshua 14:2](/joshua/14-2 "Joshua 14:2 - Land Divided by Lot")). The specific mention of the "children of Aaron the priest" highlights their distinct and elevated role within the Levites, as they alone were consecrated for priestly duties at the tabernacle, later the temple. Their placement within the territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, which included Jerusalem (later the capital) and Bethlehem (David's birthplace), ensured their presence in key areas of Israelite life and future history.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 21:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment of Promise**. God had promised Moses that the Levites would receive cities (e.g., [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Cities for the Levites")), and this chapter meticulously records that promise's precise execution. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Order and Sovereignty**. The use of the lot emphasizes that the distribution was not arbitrary but divinely ordained, demonstrating God's meticulous governance over His people and their land. Thirdly, the specific mention of the "children of Aaron" underscores the **Centrality of Priesthood and Worship** in Israelite life. Their strategic placement throughout the tribes ensured that spiritual instruction, sacrificial worship, and judicial guidance were accessible to all, fostering national unity under God's law. This arrangement reflects God's desire for a holy people guided by His truth, as seen in the broader narrative of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Law and Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lot (Hebrew, _goral'_):** The term "lot" refers to a method of divination or decision-making used in ancient Israel, believed to reveal God's will. It involved casting stones, sticks, or other objects, with the outcome interpreted as divinely directed. In the context of land distribution, as seen throughout Joshua, casting lots ensured impartiality and underscored the belief that the land's allocation was not merely human arrangement but a sovereign act of God. It removed human bias and affirmed divine oversight in the fulfillment of His promises.
* **Kohathites (Hebrew, _qehathi'_):** The Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the tribe of Levi, descended from Kohath, Levi's second son (Numbers 3:17-20). Their specific responsibility was the care and transport of the most sacred articles of the tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and the Altars (Numbers 3:31). Within the Kohathites, the "children of Aaron" (Aaron himself being a descendant of Kohath) were the only ones consecrated to serve as priests. This verse specifically distinguishes the priestly Kohathites from the rest of the Kohathites, who had different duties and received a different allocation of cities.
* **Children of Aaron the priest (Hebrew, _b'nei Aharon hak-kohen'_):** This phrase specifically identifies the lineage of Aaron, Moses' brother, who was consecrated as the first high priest. All subsequent priests in Israel were required to be direct descendants of Aaron. Their designation as "the priest" emphasizes their unique and indispensable role in Israel's worship, mediating between God and the people through sacrifices and rituals. Their receiving thirteen cities, a relatively large number for a single group of Levites, highlights their numerical size and the importance of their widespread presence for the spiritual health of the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites:"** This opening clause establishes the method of distribution—by lot, signifying divine direction—and identifies the primary recipients: the Kohathite families. It sets the stage for the specific details of their inheritance.
* **"and the children of Aaron the priest, [which were] of the Levites,"** This clause further refines the identification of the recipients, specifying that within the Kohathites, it was the direct descendants of Aaron, who held the priestly office, that were the focus of this particular allocation. This highlights their unique status and sacred responsibilities among the Levites.
* **"had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin,"** This part of the verse details the specific tribal territories from which these priestly Kohathites received their cities. The repetition of "by lot" reinforces the divine, impartial nature of the distribution. These three tribes formed a significant bloc in the southern part of Israel, indicating a strategic placement of priests in key areas.
* **"thirteen cities."** This final phrase provides the precise number of cities allocated to the priestly Kohathites. The exact figure emphasizes the meticulous fulfillment of God's command and the detailed administration of the land's division, ensuring that the priests had adequate dwelling places to fulfill their duties.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 21:4, like much of the book, employs **Meticulous Detail** and **Precision** in its enumeration of cities and tribes. This literary choice serves to underscore the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises exactly as foretold, leaving no room for doubt regarding the divine orchestration of events. The repeated mention of "by lot" throughout the chapter, including in this verse, functions as a powerful form of **Emphasis** on **Divine Sovereignty** and impartiality. It portrays God as the ultimate allocator of the land, removing human bias and affirming His direct involvement in the establishment of Israel. Furthermore, the specific identification of the "children of Aaron the priest" within the broader "families of the Kohathites" uses **Specification** to highlight the unique and central role of the priesthood in Israel's spiritual life, distinguishing their allocation from that of other Levitical clans.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:4 is a powerful testament to God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. The precise allocation of cities to the Levites, especially the priestly line of Aaron, demonstrates that God provides for those consecrated to His service, even when their inheritance differs from the norm. This arrangement ensured that spiritual instruction and oversight were dispersed throughout the nation, fostering a unified people grounded in God's law. It illustrates God's divine order and His commitment to establishing a society where worship and obedience were central, not peripheral. The Levites, though without a traditional land inheritance, found their security and provision in the Lord Himself, serving as a living reminder to all Israel that true blessing comes from dependence on God.

* [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Command to Provide Levitical Cities"): God's explicit command to Moses to provide cities for the Levites, fulfilled in Joshua 21.
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-2 - The Levites' Inheritance"): Reinforces that the Levites' inheritance is the Lord, and they were to live off the offerings and tithes of Israel.
* [Joshua 14:2](/joshua/14-2 "Joshua 14:2 - Land Divided by Lot"): Shows the consistent use of casting lots as a method for land distribution, emphasizing divine guidance.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:4, while detailing an ancient land distribution, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and unwavering faithfulness. Just as He meticulously provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for ministry, so too does He care for and position His people today. We are called to serve Him in various capacities, and our "provision" may not always look like that of others, but God's faithfulness to meet our needs and equip us for our calling is constant. This verse challenges us to trust in God's sovereign plan for our lives, recognizing that our circumstances, even those that seem unconventional, are often part of His purposeful design to use us for His glory and the spiritual benefit of those around us. It encourages us to embrace our unique roles within the body of Christ, knowing that our "inheritance" is ultimately found in Him, and He will sustain us as we serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the Levites in Joshua 21:4 encourage your trust in His provision for your own life and ministry?**
* **In what ways might God be strategically "placing" you in your current community or profession to serve His purposes, much like the Levites were scattered among the tribes?**
* **What does the use of "the lot" in this verse teach us about seeking God's will and trusting His sovereignty, even when the path ahead is uncertain?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Levites, especially the children of Aaron, given cities scattered among the tribes instead of their own contiguous territory?**

Answer: The Levites were uniquely set apart for sacred service to the Lord, and their "inheritance" was the Lord Himself, not a land portion like the other tribes (Numbers 18:20). Scattering them among all the tribes ensured that spiritual instruction, priestly service, and judicial wisdom were accessible throughout the entire nation. This strategic placement allowed them to fulfill their role as spiritual guides, teachers of the Law, and administrators of justice, fostering a unified and God-centered society across all tribal territories. It also prevented them from becoming an isolated, self-serving entity and instead integrated them into the fabric of Israelite life, making them dependent on the tithes and offerings of the other tribes for their sustenance (Deuteronomy 18:1-2).

**What was the significance of the "lot" in determining the cities for the Levites?**

Answer: The casting of lots (Hebrew: _goral_) was a common method in ancient Israel for making important decisions and discerning God's will, as seen in the division of the entire land (Joshua 14:2). It was not considered a game of chance but a solemn procedure believed to reveal divine direction and ensure impartiality. In the context of the Levites' cities, using the lot underscored that their allocation was not based on human preference or political maneuvering but was divinely ordained. This reinforced God's sovereignty over the land and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises with precision and justice, ensuring that the distribution was beyond reproach and truly God's design.

**Who were the Kohathites, and why were the "children of Aaron" specifically mentioned within them?**

Answer: The Kohathites were one of the three major divisions of the tribe of Levi, descended from Kohath, Levi's second son (Numbers 3:17-20). Their primary responsibility was the care and transport of the most sacred components of the Tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 3:31). Within the Kohathite lineage, Aaron, Moses' brother, was chosen by God to be the first High Priest, and his descendants were exclusively designated for the priesthood. Joshua 21:4 specifically distinguishes the "children of Aaron the priest" because they held the most sacred duties of mediating between God and Israel through sacrifices and rituals. Their allocation of thirteen cities from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin highlights their numerical significance and the importance of their widespread presence for the spiritual well-being of the nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 21:4, with its meticulous account of the Levites' provision and strategic placement, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The priestly "children of Aaron" foreshadowed the ultimate and perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, who did not receive an earthly inheritance but offered Himself as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") for the sins of the world. Just as the Levites were sustained by the offerings of the people, Christ, our [great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), perfectly fulfilled all sacrificial requirements, providing eternal sustenance for His people. The scattering of the Levites among the tribes to provide spiritual guidance prefigures the mission of the New Testament church, which, as the body of Christ, is scattered throughout the world not for a physical inheritance, but to be "salt and light" and to proclaim the Gospel (Matthew 5:13-16). Our true inheritance is not in earthly cities but in Christ Himself, who has secured for us a [heavenly inheritance](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable") that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. God's faithfulness in providing for the Levites by lot is a testament to His sovereign plan, which ultimately culminates in His provision of salvation and eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ, the one through whom all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20).

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 6:54

¶ Now these [are] their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.

1 Chronicles 6:60

And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families [were] thirteen cities.

Joshua 21:8

And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Joshua 21:19

All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, [were] thirteen cities with their suburbs.

Joshua 24:33

And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill [that pertained to] Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.