Joshua 21:6

KJV

And the children of Gershon [had] by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Gershon {H1648} had by lot {H1486} out of the families {H4940} of the tribe {H4294} of Issachar {H3485}, and out of the tribe {H4294} of Asher {H836}, and out of the tribe {H4294} of Naphtali {H5321}, and out of the half {H2677} tribe {H4294} of Manasseh {H4519} in Bashan {H1316}, thirteen {H7969}{H6240} cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The descendants of Gershon received by lot thirteen cities from the families of the tribes of Yissakhar, Asher, Naftali and the half-tribe of M'nasheh in Bashan.

Berean Standard Bible

The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

American Standard Version

And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:6 meticulously records the divine allocation of thirteen cities to the Gershonite clan of the Levites, drawn from the territories of the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. This verse is an integral part of Joshua chapter 21, which details the distribution of cities among all three Levitical families, underscoring God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises by providing for His designated spiritual leaders through a divinely guided process of casting lots.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21:6 is situated within the broader narrative of the division of the Promised Land among the Israelite tribes, following the successful military campaigns detailed in the earlier chapters of Joshua. Chapters 13-19 describe the territorial allocations to the twelve tribes, while Joshua 20 focuses on the establishment of the Cities of Refuge. Chapter 21, culminating this extensive land distribution, shifts focus to the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a contiguous territorial inheritance. This chapter meticulously lists the 48 cities, along with their pasturelands, that were designated for the Levites, fulfilling the divine command given in [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities for the Levites"). Specifically, Joshua 21:6 details the portion for the Gershonites, following the Kohathites (Joshua 21:4-5) and preceding the Merarites (Joshua 21:7-8), ensuring a complete record of God's provision for His priestly tribe.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of cities to the Levites was a direct fulfillment of God's instructions given through Moses (e.g., [Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18 "Numbers 18 - Duties of Priests and Levites") and [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities for the Levites")). Historically, the Levites were set apart for service to the Lord, having no tribal land inheritance, as "the Lord Himself was their inheritance" ([Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance")). Culturally, the practice of casting lots was a recognized method in ancient Israel for making important decisions or dividing property, believed to be under divine direction rather than mere chance. This method, explicitly mentioned as "by lot" in Joshua 21:6, underscored the belief that God was sovereignly guiding the distribution, ensuring fairness and demonstrating His meticulous care. The specific tribes mentioned (Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half-Manasseh in Bashan) indicate the geographical spread of the Gershonites, primarily in the northern and eastern regions of the newly acquired land.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 21:6, along with the entire chapter, powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, as the distribution of cities "by lot" signifies God's direct involvement and meticulous planning, ensuring that His will, not human preference, determined the outcome (cf. [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")). Secondly, it demonstrates **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God meticulously fulfills His promises to provide for the Levites and establish His people in the land, just as He swore to Abraham. Thirdly, the strategic scattering of the Levites among all tribes emphasizes the theme of **Spiritual Accessibility and Discipleship**. By living within the tribal territories, the Levites, responsible for teaching God's law and administering justice ([Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - Levites Teaching God's Ordinances")), ensured that spiritual instruction and guidance were readily available to all Israelites. Finally, it underscores the **Unity and Interdependence of the Tribes**, as each tribe contributed cities and pasturelands, demonstrating their shared responsibility in supporting the Levitical ministry and the spiritual well-being of the entire nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gershon (Hebrew, _Gershon_):** Gershon was the eldest son of Levi (Genesis 46:11), and his descendants formed one of the three major Levitical clans (alongside Kohath and Merari). Their specific duties in the Tabernacle service involved carrying the curtains, coverings, and other lighter components of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:25-26). The mention of the "children of Gershon" here specifies which branch of the Levites received these thirteen cities, indicating the precise and organized nature of God's provision for each Levitical family according to their designated roles and numbers.
* **by lot (Hebrew, גּוֹרָל, _goral_):** This term refers to a pebble or small stone used in casting lots, a common ancient practice for making decisions or dividing property. In the biblical context, particularly in the division of the land, casting lots was not seen as a random gamble but as a divinely guided process. It was believed that the outcome of the lot revealed God's sovereign will and design (Proverbs 16:33). Its repeated use in Joshua 21 reinforces the theological truth that the land distribution, including the Levitical cities, was not a human arrangement but a divine orchestration, ensuring impartiality and demonstrating God's hand in fulfilling His promises.
* **thirteen cities (English, _thirteen cities_):** This specific number is significant. The total of 48 Levitical cities (Numbers 35:7) was divided among the three clans: 13 for the Kohathites (Joshua 21:4-5), 13 for the Gershonites (Joshua 21:6), and 12 for the Merarites (Joshua 21:7-8), plus 10 more for the priestly Kohathites. The precision of "thirteen cities" for the Gershonites highlights the meticulousness of God's plan and the exact fulfillment of the commands given through Moses, demonstrating divine order and complete provision for His servants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Gershon [had] by lot":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine authority behind the allocation. The Gershonites did not choose their cities or negotiate for them; their inheritance was determined by a process understood to reveal God's sovereign will. This underscores God's active involvement in the details of Israel's settlement and His faithful provision for those set apart for His service.
* **"out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan":** This clause provides the specific geographical and tribal sources for the Gershonites' cities. These tribes primarily occupied the northern and eastern regions of Canaan, including Bashan, east of the Jordan River. This strategic distribution meant that the Gershonites, with their specific Levitical duties, would be dispersed among these particular areas, ensuring spiritual presence and instruction across a significant portion of the land.
* **"thirteen cities":** This numerical detail confirms the precise fulfillment of God's command regarding the Levitical cities. The exact count emphasizes the orderly and complete nature of God's provision. It also indicates the scale of the Gershonites' responsibility and influence within these northern and eastern territories, as they would serve as spiritual guides and teachers in these thirteen distinct urban centers.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its message of divine order and fulfillment. **Enumeration** and **Cataloging** are prominent throughout Joshua 21, as the chapter systematically lists the cities allocated to each Levitical clan. This detailed listing emphasizes the meticulousness of God's plan and the comprehensive nature of its execution. The **Repetition** of phrases like "by lot" (or similar expressions of divine determination) reinforces the theme of God's sovereign hand guiding the entire process, preventing any notion of random chance or human manipulation. Furthermore, the **Fulfillment Motif** is central; the entire chapter, including Joshua 21:6, serves as a literary demonstration that God has faithfully kept every promise He made to Israel, particularly regarding the land and the provision for the Levites. The **Geographical Specificity** in naming the contributing tribes and the region of "Bashan" adds a layer of realism and historical grounding, making the divine promises tangible and demonstrating their actualization in the physical landscape of Canaan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:6, in its meticulous detail, speaks volumes about God's character and His relationship with His people. It highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating His commitment to providing for those He has set apart for His service. The precise allocation of cities, determined by lot, underscores God's sovereignty and His meticulous care in orchestrating the details of His divine plan. This passage reminds us that God is a God of order and provision, ensuring that His people, both those who serve and those who are served, are adequately sustained and guided. The dispersion of the Levites also illustrates God's desire for spiritual instruction and guidance to be accessible throughout the nation, fostering a deep connection between the people and His law.

* [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "The Command for Levitical Cities")
* [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "The Lord Directs the Lot")
* [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Levites Teaching God's Ordinances")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly administrative details of Joshua 21:6 hold profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as God meticulously provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement for ministry, so too does He care for and guide the lives of His servants and His church. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when the path ahead seems determined by "lot" or circumstances beyond our control, knowing that His hand is ultimately guiding all outcomes for our good and His glory. It also calls us to reflect on our role in supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual leadership and teaching within our communities, recognizing that their provision is a shared responsibility of the body of Christ. Furthermore, the dispersion of the Levites reminds us of the importance of making God's truth accessible to all, prompting us to consider how we can share the Gospel and disciple others in our own spheres of influence, ensuring that spiritual guidance is not confined but widely available.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the Levites encourage your trust in His care for your own life and calling?**
* **In what ways can you actively support and honor those who serve in spiritual leadership today, mirroring the tribes' support for the Levites?**
* **How can you contribute to making God's truth and guidance more accessible within your community or sphere of influence, reflecting the Levites' dispersed ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't the Levites receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes?**

Answer: The Levites were set apart for sacred service to the Lord, specifically for the Tabernacle and later Temple duties, teaching the law, and administering justice. Unlike the other tribes, their inheritance was not a piece of land but the Lord Himself, as stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Levites' Inheritance"): "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any part among them: I am your part and your inheritance among the children of Israel." This unique arrangement emphasized their spiritual calling over material possessions, ensuring their full dedication to God's service.

**What was the purpose of scattering the Levites among all the tribes?**

Answer: The strategic dispersion of the Levites throughout all the tribes served multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it ensured that spiritual instruction, the administration of God's law, and judicial counsel were readily accessible to every part of the nation ([Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - Levites Teaching God's Ordinances")). Secondly, it fostered national unity by creating spiritual anchors in diverse regions, promoting a shared understanding of God's covenant. Thirdly, it prevented the Levites from becoming an isolated, politically powerful land-owning tribe, maintaining their distinct role as servants of God and the people.

**What does "by lot" signify in this context?**

Answer: In the context of the land distribution, the phrase "by lot" (Hebrew: _goral_) signifies divine guidance and sovereignty. It was not a random gamble but a method believed to reveal God's direct will. As [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot") states, "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD." This practice ensured impartiality, prevented disputes, and powerfully demonstrated that the allocation of cities, including those for the Gershonites, was a divinely orchestrated fulfillment of God's promises, not a human arrangement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Gershonite Levites in Joshua 21:6, and indeed for all the Levites, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate provision and spiritual inheritance found in Jesus Christ. Just as the Levites had no earthly inheritance but the Lord Himself, so too believers in Christ find their true inheritance not in material possessions or earthly territories, but in Christ Himself and the spiritual blessings He bestows ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, who, unlike the Levitical priests, offered a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The scattering of the Levites among the tribes to teach and guide points to the New Covenant reality where all believers are made a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), commissioned to go into all the world, making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The divine precision in providing for the Levites assures us that God, who is faithful in every detail, will also supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")), as He is our ultimate and eternal inheritance.

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

Joshua 21:27

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.

Joshua 21:33

All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families [were] thirteen cities with their suburbs.

1 Chronicles 6:71

Unto the sons of Gershom [were given] out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:

1 Chronicles 6:76

And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.

1 Chronicles 6:62

And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

Numbers 3:21

Of Gershon [was] the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these [are] the families of the Gershonites.

Numbers 3:22

Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, [even] those that were numbered of them [were] seven thousand and five hundred.