Joshua 21:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} gave {H5414} by lot {H1486} unto the Levites {H3881} these cities {H5892} with their suburbs {H4054}, as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} by the hand {H3027} of Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Isra'el gave by lot to the L'vi'im these cities with the surrounding open land, as ADONAI had ordered through Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible

So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these cities, together with their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 21:8 describes the meticulous and divinely ordained process by which the children of Israel allocated cities and their surrounding pasturelands to the Levites. This distribution, carried out "by lot," underscored God's sovereign hand in the settlement of the Promised Land and emphasized the nation's faithful obedience to the specific commands given by the LORD through Moses. It highlights the unique provision for the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, received no territorial inheritance for agriculture but were instead strategically placed throughout Israel to fulfill their sacred duties as priests, teachers, and guardians of God's law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 21:8 is situated within the concluding chapters of the book of Joshua, specifically in a section (Joshua 21:1-45) that details the fulfillment of God's promises regarding the division of the land and the establishment of Israel's tribal boundaries. Following the conquest of Canaan and the initial allocation of territories to the other tribes (Joshua 13-19), this chapter focuses entirely on the Levites, who were set apart for sacred service and thus did not receive a conventional land inheritance. The preceding verses (Joshua 21:1-7) record the Levites approaching Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal heads to remind them of God's command concerning their cities. This verse, therefore, marks a pivotal moment of action, demonstrating the Israelites' diligent execution of God's will, leading directly into the detailed lists of cities given to the three Levitical clans. The entire chapter culminates in a powerful affirmation of God's faithfulness in fulfilling every promise He made to Israel ([Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allocation of cities "by lot" was a common practice in the ancient Near East for making important decisions, but in Israel, it carried profound theological significance. It was understood as a means by which God's will was revealed, removing human bias and affirming divine sovereignty over the land distribution. The Levites, as a non-landed tribe, held a unique position. Their role was to serve the LORD in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), teach the Law, and minister to the people. Their cities, strategically scattered among all the other tribes, ensured their accessibility to the entire nation. This arrangement facilitated their pastoral and educational functions, allowing them to provide spiritual guidance, administer justice, and maintain the purity of worship throughout Israel. The "suburbs" (pasturelands) were essential for their livelihood, providing for their livestock without requiring them to engage in agricultural labor, thus freeing them for their dedicated service.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several foundational themes within Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. First, **Divine Command and Obedience** is paramount; the repeated phrase "as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses" highlights Israel's meticulous adherence to God's specific instructions, particularly those found in [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Numbers 35:1-8 - Command for Levite Cities") and [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-2 - The Levites' Inheritance"). This obedience is a recurring motif in Joshua, emphasizing Israel's faithfulness in settling the land. Second, the **Unique Provision for the Levites** showcases God's care for those dedicated to His service, ensuring their sustenance and enabling their spiritual functions without the burden of land cultivation. Their scattered presence also facilitated the spiritual education and oversight of the entire nation. Finally, this act serves as a profound demonstration of **God's Faithfulness** to His covenant promises. Not only did He give Israel the land, but He also provided the precise structure for their spiritual life within it, fulfilling every detail of His word, as affirmed in [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lot (Hebrew, _goral'_):** This term refers to the casting of lots, a method used in ancient Israel for making important decisions, particularly regarding land distribution (cf. [Numbers 26:55](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55 - Inheritance by Lot")). While seemingly random, the practice was understood as a means by which God's sovereign will was revealed and enacted, removing human partiality or manipulation. In the context of the Levite cities, it affirmed that their allocation was not merely a human administrative decision but a divine appointment, underscoring God's meticulous oversight of His people and their spiritual infrastructure.
* **Suburbs (Hebrew, _migrash'_):** This word denotes the open land or pasture surrounding the Levitical cities, specifically designated for their livestock. Crucially, these "suburbs" were not for cultivation, reinforcing the Levites' distinct role as non-agricultural, non-landed servants of the LORD. The provision of these pasturelands was essential for their livelihood, ensuring they could sustain themselves and their families without diverting their focus from their sacred duties. It highlights God's comprehensive provision for those set apart for His service.
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tzavah'_):** This verb signifies a strong, authoritative directive or injunction. Its use here emphasizes that the distribution of the Levite cities was not a suggestion or a convenience, but a direct, non-negotiable order from the LORD Himself, delivered "by the hand of Moses" (cf. [Numbers 35:2](/numbers/35-2 "Numbers 35:2 - Command for Levite Cities")). This highlights the divine origin and binding nature of the instructions, underscoring Israel's obedience as a testament to their covenant faithfulness and God's absolute authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel gave by lot":** This clause emphasizes the collective action and obedience of the entire Israelite community, represented by their leaders. The phrase "by lot" signifies that the allocation was not based on human preference or strategic advantage, but on a process believed to reveal God's divine will, thereby affirming His ultimate sovereignty over the land and its distribution. It highlights a moment of national unity in fulfilling a divine mandate.
* **"unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs":** This specifies the recipients and the precise nature of their inheritance. Unlike the other tribes who received contiguous territorial allotments for agriculture, the Levites received forty-eight distinct cities, each accompanied by its surrounding pasturelands (suburbs). This unique provision underscored their distinct role as a non-landed, consecrated tribe, ensuring their sustenance while freeing them from agricultural labor to focus on their spiritual duties. The scattered nature of these cities also enabled the Levites to minister to all tribes across the nation.
* **"as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses":** This concluding phrase is a crucial theological anchor, underscoring the divine origin and authority of the entire process. It explicitly links the current action to the specific instructions given by God to Moses, particularly in [Numbers 35](/numbers/35 "Numbers 35 - Cities for the Levites and Cities of Refuge"). This serves as a powerful affirmation of Israel's faithfulness in meticulously obeying God's covenant stipulations and highlights God's own faithfulness in bringing His plans to fruition. It reinforces the theme of divine fulfillment that permeates the book of Joshua.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Fulfillment Narrative**, as Joshua 21:8 serves as a direct testament to the completion of God's commands given through Moses in the Pentateuch, particularly regarding the Levites' inheritance. This reinforces the overarching theme of God's faithfulness and Israel's obedience throughout the book of Joshua. The phrase "as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses" functions as a **Leitwort** or **key recurring phrase** within Joshua, appearing frequently (e.g., [Joshua 11:15](/joshua/11-15 "Joshua 11:15 - Moses' Command Fulfilled"), [Joshua 14:2](/joshua/14-2 "Joshua 14:2 - Land Divided by Lot")). Its repetition emphasizes the divine authority behind the actions and Israel's consistent adherence to God's will. Furthermore, the use of the **lot** itself is a form of **Symbolism**, representing divine sovereignty and the removal of human bias in the allocation process, ensuring that the outcome was perceived as God's own doing rather than a human decision. This highlights the **Theological Purpose** of the narrative, which is to demonstrate that God is true to His word and that obedience leads to blessing and order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 21:8 stands as a powerful testament to God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It illustrates divine sovereignty in the details of human affairs, demonstrating that even the distribution of land was under God's precise control, guided by His revealed will. The unique provision for the Levites underscores the principle that those dedicated to sacred service are sustained by God's provision, often in ways distinct from worldly patterns. This arrangement also highlights the importance of spiritual leadership being accessible throughout the community, ensuring that God's law and presence were central to the life of every tribe. The verse's emphasis on obedience to God's specific commands, delivered through Moses, serves as a timeless reminder that faithfulness to divine instruction is foundational to experiencing God's blessings and seeing His purposes fulfilled.

* [Numbers 35:1-8](/numbers/35-1 "Command for Levite Cities")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "The Levites' Inheritance")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "God Fulfills All His Promises")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 21:8 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us of God's faithful provision and the importance of our obedience. Just as God meticulously provided for the Levites, who were set apart for His service, we can trust that He will care for those who dedicate their lives to His kingdom purposes. This provision may not always align with worldly expectations, but it is always sufficient for His call. The Israelites' diligent adherence to God's command, even in the complex task of land distribution, challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we meticulously obeying God's revealed will in His Word? Do we trust His sovereign hand in the details of our lives, even when circumstances seem to be "by lot"? Furthermore, the strategic placement of the Levites' cities ensured that spiritual leadership and teaching were accessible throughout Israel, demonstrating God's desire for the spiritual well-being of His people. This encourages us to consider our own roles within the body of Christ, recognizing that God has a specific plan and purpose for each of us, strategically placing us to serve and influence those around us for His glory. Our obedience and trust in His provision enable us to participate in His larger, perfect design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently trusting God for provision, especially when it looks different from conventional expectations?**
* **How does the Israelites' meticulous obedience to God's command inspire you to more diligently study and apply God's Word in your daily life?**
* **Considering the Levites' strategic placement, how might God be strategically positioning you to serve and influence others for His kingdom?**
* **What does this verse teach you about God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises, even in the smallest details?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Levites not receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes?**

Answer: The Levites did not receive a territorial land inheritance in the same way as the other tribes because their inheritance was the LORD Himself. [Deuteronomy 18:1-2](/deuteronomy/18-1 "Deuteronomy 18:1-2 - The Levites' Inheritance") explicitly states that they "shall have no inheritance among their brethren; the LORD is their inheritance, as He has said to them." Their unique calling was to serve as priests, teachers, and guardians of God's law, ministering in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This sacred service was considered their full-time occupation, freeing them from agricultural labor. Instead of a contiguous territory, God commanded that they be given forty-eight cities with their surrounding pasturelands, strategically scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes. This arrangement ensured their sustenance while also making them accessible to all Israelites for spiritual guidance and instruction.

**What was the significance of distributing the cities "by lot"?**

Answer: The distribution of the cities "by lot" (Hebrew: _goral_) was a method deeply significant in ancient Israel, understood as a means by which God's divine will was revealed and enacted. While seemingly random, it removed human bias, favoritism, and potential disputes over desirable locations, ensuring that the allocation was ultimately from God. This practice is seen throughout the land distribution in Joshua (e.g., [Joshua 14:2](/joshua/14-2 "Joshua 14:2 - Land Divided by Lot")). For the Levite cities, it underscored that their placement was not merely a human administrative decision but a precise divine appointment, demonstrating God's meticulous sovereignty over every detail of Israel's settlement and the establishment of its spiritual infrastructure. It affirmed that the provision for His servants was entirely by His design and grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 21:8, with its emphasis on divine command, meticulous provision for the Levites, and the fulfillment of God's promises, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The Levites, set apart for sacred service and sustained by God's provision rather than a worldly inheritance, foreshadow the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the Levitical priesthood. Unlike the Levitical priests who inherited a temporary service, Jesus' priesthood is eternal, "not of a fleshy commandment but of the power of an endless life" ([Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). He is the true "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) whose single, perfect sacrifice fulfills all the Old Testament sacrificial laws and the Levites' mediatorial role. Furthermore, the meticulous fulfillment of God's command to Moses in Joshua 21:8 points to Christ, who did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). His life, death, and resurrection perfectly accomplished every divine command and promise, establishing a new covenant where believers become a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), no longer needing a scattered tribe for spiritual access, but having direct access to God through Him. Just as God provided for the Levites, He provides for His church, the body of Christ, enabling them to carry out His mission in the world, trusting in His inexhaustible spiritual and material provision.

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 21:3

And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

Numbers 33:54

And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: [and] to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's [inheritance] shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.

Proverbs 16:33

¶ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.

Joshua 18:6

Ye shall therefore describe the land [into] seven parts, and bring [the description] hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.

Proverbs 18:18

¶ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

Numbers 35:3

And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.

Numbers 32:2

The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,