Joshua 21:41

All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel [were] forty and eight cities with their suburbs.

All the cities {H5892} of the Levites {H3881} within {H8432} the possession {H272} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} were forty {H705} and eight {H8083} cities {H5892} with their suburbs {H4054}.

All the cities of the L'vi'im, forty-eight cities with their surrounding open land, are to be in among the lands possessed by the people of Isra'el -

For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites.

All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.

Commentary

Joshua 21:41 concludes a detailed section describing the allocation of cities to the Levites, confirming the precise number of settlements designated for this priestly tribe.

Context

Following the conquest of Canaan, the book of Joshua meticulously records the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a contiguous territorial inheritance because the Lord Himself was their inheritance, as promised in passages like Numbers 18:20. Instead, they were dispersed among all the other tribes to serve as spiritual instructors, judges, and guardians of the Tabernacle/Temple. This specific chapter, Joshua 21, details the fulfillment of God's command given in Numbers 35:7, which stipulated that 48 cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands ("suburbs"), should be given to the Levites. This verse serves as a summary statement, confirming the completion of this crucial part of the land distribution.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: This verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The detailed provision for the Levites, precisely as commanded centuries earlier through Moses, demonstrates that God fulfills every word He speaks. This theme is powerfully reinforced in the subsequent verses, such as Joshua 21:45, which declares that "not ought failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."
  • The Levites' Unique Role: The distribution of the Levites across the land highlights their vital function. By living among all the tribes, they could effectively teach the Law, administer justice, and maintain the spiritual health of the nation, ensuring accessibility to religious instruction and service.
  • Order and Organization: The precise accounting of the cities reflects the divine order and meticulous planning involved in the establishment of Israel as a nation under God's covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The term "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrash) refers to the open lands surrounding the cities, designated for pasture for their livestock. These were not merely residential areas but essential grazing grounds, emphasizing the practical provision for the Levites' sustenance alongside their spiritual duties. The specificity of "forty and eight cities" is a direct fulfillment of the Mosaic law, indicating a precise and divinely ordained number.

Practical Application

Joshua 21:41, though historical, offers timeless principles. It reminds us of God's meticulous care and faithfulness in keeping His promises, even in the smallest details. For believers today, it encourages trust in God's provision and highlights the importance of supporting those who minister God's Word. Just as the Levites were provided for so they could focus on their spiritual duties, so too should we value and support those dedicated to teaching and serving in the church, ensuring their ability to fulfill their calling. This verse also serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans are always perfectly executed, giving us confidence in His past actions and future promises, including the completion of His work in us.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 49:7 (2 votes)

    Cursed [be] their anger, for [it was] fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

  • Numbers 35:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho, saying,

  • Numbers 35:8 (2 votes)

    And the cities which ye shall give [shall be] of the possession of the children of Israel: from [them that have] many ye shall give many; but from [them that have] few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.

  • Deuteronomy 33:10 (2 votes)

    They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.