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Joshua 21

BSB·45 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Now the familyאֲב֣וֹת’ă·ḇō·wṯ — H1 — Full Word Study → headsרָאשֵׁי֙rā·šê — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → of the Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֔םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → approachedוַֽיִּגְּשׁ֗וּway·yig·gə·šū — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → Eleazarאֶלְעָזָר֙’el·‘ā·zār — God is my helpH499 — Full Word Study → the priestהַכֹּהֵ֔ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → sonבִּן־bin- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Nunנ֑וּןnūn — Fish, perpetuityH5126 — Full Word Study →, andוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the headsרָאשֵׁ֛יrā·šê — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → of the other tribes of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → 2at Shilohבְּשִׁלֹ֗הbə·ši·lōh — A place of restH7887 — Full Word Study → in the landבְּאֶ֤רֶץbə·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Canaanכְּנַ֙עַן֙kə·na·‘an — Canaan; the promised land; merchant activityH3667 — Full Word Study → and saidוַיְדַבְּר֨וּway·ḏab·bə·rū — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → to themאֲלֵיהֶ֜ם’ă·lê·hem — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, “The LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → commandedצִוָּ֣הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → throughבְיַד־ḇə·yaḏ- — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → that we be givenלָֽתֶת־lā·ṯeṯ- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → in which to liveלָשָׁ֑בֶתlā·šā·ḇeṯ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study →, together with pasturelandsוּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֖ןū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study → for our livestockלִבְהֶמְתֵּֽנוּ׃liḇ·hem·tê·nū — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →.” 3So byאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the commandפִּ֣יpî — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the Israelitesבְנֵי־ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → gaveוַיִּתְּנ֨וּway·yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the Levitesלַלְוִיִּ֛םlal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → theseהָאֵ֖לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶעָרִ֥יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃miḡ·rə·šê·hen — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study → out of their own inheritanceמִנַּחֲלָתָ֖םmin·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study →: 4The first lot came outוַיֵּצֵ֥אway·yê·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → for the Kohathiteהַקְּהָתִ֑יhaq·qə·hā·ṯî — descendant of KohathH6956 — Full Word Study → clansלְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣תlə·miš·pə·ḥōṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study →. The Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֗םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → who were descendantsלִבְנֵי֩liḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַהֲרֹ֨ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → the priestהַכֹּהֵ֜ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → receivedוַיְהִ֡יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → thirteenשְׁלֹ֥שׁšə·lōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → by lotבַּגּוֹרָ֔לbag·gō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → from the tribesמִמַּטֵּ֣הmim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְ֠הוּדָהyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →, Simeonהַשִּׁמְעֹנִ֜יhaš·šim·‘ō·nî — God has heardH8099 — Full Word Study →, and Benjaminבִנְיָמִן֙ḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study →. 5The remainingהַנּוֹתָרִ֗יםhan·nō·w·ṯā·rîm — to remain, be left over, excelH3498 — Full Word Study → descendantsוְלִבְנֵ֨יwə·liḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Kohathקְהָ֜תqə·hāṯ — Assembly, congregationH6955 — Full Word Study → received tenעָֽשֶׂר׃ס‘ā·śer — The number ten; a complete group or setH6235 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֥ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → by lotבַּגּוֹרָ֖לbag·gō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → from the tribesמַטֵּֽה־maṭ·ṭêh- — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Ephraimאֶ֠פְרַיִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study →, Danדָ֞ןḏān — He judgedH1835 — Full Word Study →, andוּמֵחֲצִ֨יū·mê·ḥă·ṣî — half, middle, midstH2677 — Full Word Study → the half-tribeמַטֵּ֧הmaṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Manassehמְנַשֶּׁ֛הmə·naš·šeh — God has made me forgetH4519 — Full Word Study →. 6The descendantsוְלִבְנֵ֣יwə·liḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Gershonגֵרְשׁ֗וֹןḡê·rə·šō·wn — Expulsion; exilingH1648 — Full Word Study → received thirteenשְׁלֹ֥שׁšə·lōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → by lotבַּגּוֹרָ֔לbag·gō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → from the tribesמַטֵּֽה־maṭ·ṭêh- — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Issacharיִשָּׂשכָ֣רyiś·śā·š·ḵār — He hears; God's rewardH3485 — Full Word Study →, Asherאָ֠שֵׁר’ā·šêr — Happy, BlessedH836 — Full Word Study →, Naphtaliנַפְתָּלִ֜יnap̄·tā·lî — My wrestlingH5321 — Full Word Study →, and the half-tribeוּ֠מֵחֲצִיū·mê·ḥă·ṣî — half, middle, midstH2677 — Full Word Study → of Manassehמְנַשֶּׁ֤הmə·naš·šeh — God has made me forgetH4519 — Full Word Study → in Bashanבַבָּשָׁן֙ḇab·bā·šān — Fertile region east of JordanH1316 — Full Word Study →. 7And the descendants of Merariמְרָרִ֜יmə·rā·rî — Bitterness, bitterH4847 — Full Word Study → received twelveשְׁתֵּ֥יםšə·têm — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → from the tribesמִמַּטֵּ֨הmim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Reubenרְאוּבֵ֤ןrə·’ū·ḇên — Behold, a sonH7205 — Full Word Study →, Gadגָד֙ḡāḏ — Fortune, luckH1410 — Full Word Study →, and Zebulunזְבוּלֻ֔ןzə·ḇū·lun — Dwelling, Exalted AbodeH2074 — Full Word Study →. 8So the Israelitesבְנֵֽי־ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → allottedוַיִּתְּנ֤וּway·yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to the Levitesלַלְוִיִּ֔םlal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → theseהָאֵ֖לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶעָרִ֥יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together with their pasturelandsמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ןmiḡ·rə·šê·hen — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →, asכַּאֲשֶׁ֨רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had commandedצִוָּ֧הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → throughבְּיַד־bə·yaḏ- — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֖הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →. 9From the tribesמִמַּטֵּה֙mim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Simeonשִׁמְע֑וֹןšim·‘ō·wn — God has heardH8095 — Full Word Study →, they designatedוַֽיִּתְּנ֗וּway·yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → theseהָאֵ֔לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶֽעָרִ֣יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → by nameבְּשֵֽׁם׃bə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → 10to the descendantsלִבְנֵ֣יliḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַהֲרֹ֔ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → from the Kohathiteהַקְּהָתִ֖יhaq·qə·hā·ṯî — descendant of KohathH6956 — Full Word Study → clansמִמִּשְׁפְּח֥וֹתmim·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study → of the Levitesמִבְּנֵ֣יmib·bə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the firstרִיאשֹׁנָֽה׃rî·šō·nāh — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study → lotהַגּוֹרָ֖לhag·gō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → fellהָיָ֥הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to them: 11They gaveוַיִּתְּנ֨וּway·yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → them Kiriath-arbaאַרְבַּ֨ע’ar·ba‘ — Kiriath-arba, the City of FourH7153 — Full Word Study → (that isהִ֥יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study →, Hebronחֶבְר֖וֹןḥeḇ·rō·wn — Hebron, a significant ancient city in JudahH2275 — Full Word Study →), with its surroundingסְבִיבֹתֶֽיהָ׃sə·ḇî·ḇō·ṯe·hā — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study → pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֖הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →, in the hill countryבְּהַ֣רbə·har — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֑הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. (Arba was the fatherאֲבִ֧י’ă·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study → of Anakהָֽעֲנ֛וֹקhā·‘ă·nō·wq — Long-necked giantH6061 — Full Word Study →.) 12But they had givenנָֽתְנ֛וּnā·ṯə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the fieldsשְׂדֵ֥הśə·ḏêh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → and villagesחֲצֵרֶ֑יהָḥă·ṣê·re·hā — Enclosed courtyard or village settlementH2691 — Full Word Study → around the cityהָעִ֖ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → to Calebלְכָלֵ֥בlə·ḵā·lêḇ — Whole heart, devotionH3612 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Jephunnehיְפֻנֶּ֖הyə·p̄un·neh — He will be preparedH3312 — Full Word Study → as his possessionבַּאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃סba·’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw — A permanent possession or inherited propertyH272 — Full Word Study →. 13So to the descendantsוְלִבְנֵ֣י׀wə·liḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַהֲרֹ֣ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → the priestהַכֹּהֵ֗ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → they gaveנָֽתְנוּ֙nā·ṯə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → these cities, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →: Hebronחֶבְר֖וֹןḥeḇ·rō·wn — Hebron, a significant ancient city in JudahH2275 — Full Word Study →, a cityעִיר֙‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of refugeמִקְלַ֣טmiq·laṭ — A place of refuge or asylum; shelter from dangerH4733 — Full Word Study → for the manslayerהָרֹצֵ֔חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study →, Libnahלִבְנָ֖הliḇ·nāh — White or frankincenseH3841 — Full Word Study →, 14Jattirיַתִּר֙yat·tir — A Levitical cityH3492 — Full Word Study →, Eshtemoaאֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ’eš·tə·mō·a‘ — A Levitical cityH851 — Full Word Study →, 15Holonחֹלֹן֙ḥō·lōn — A city in JudahH2473 — Full Word Study →, Debirדְּבִ֖רdə·ḇir — Debir; a city and an Amorite kingH1688 — Full Word Study →, 16Ainעַ֣יִן‘a·yin — Spring or fountainH5871 — Full Word Study →, Juttahיֻטָּה֙yuṭ·ṭāh — A Levitical cityH3194 — Full Word Study →, and Beth-shemeshשֶׁ֖מֶשׁše·meš — Beth-shemesh, house of the sun, a Levitical cityH1053 — Full Word Study →nineתֵּ֔שַׁעtê·ša‘ — The number nine; completion before divine perfectionH8672 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֣ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → fromמֵאֵ֕תmê·’êṯ — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → theseהָאֵֽלֶּה׃פhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → twoשְׁנֵ֥יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → tribesהַשְּׁבָטִ֖יםhaš·šə·ḇā·ṭîm — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 17And from the tribeוּמִמַּטֵּ֣הū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Benjamin they gaveבִנְיָמִ֔ןḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study → themאֶת־’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → Gibeonגִּבְע֖וֹןgiḇ·‘ō·wn — Hill city of BenjaminH1391 — Full Word Study →, Gebaגֶּ֖בַעge·ḇa‘ — Hill or high placeH1387 — Full Word Study →, 18Anathothעֲנָתוֹת֙‘ă·nā·ṯō·wṯ — City of priestsH6068 — Full Word Study →, and Almonעַלְמ֖וֹן‘al·mō·wn — Hidden, concealedH5960 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 19In allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, thirteenשְׁלֹשׁ־šə·lōš- — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together with their pasturelandsוּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃סū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →, were given to the priests, the descendantsבְנֵֽי־ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַהֲרֹ֖ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →. 20The remainingהַנּוֹתָרִ֖יםhan·nō·w·ṯā·rîm — to remain, be left over, excelH3498 — Full Word Study → Kohathiteקְהָ֑תqə·hāṯ — Assembly, congregationH6955 — Full Word Study → clansוּלְמִשְׁפְּח֤וֹתū·lə·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study → of the Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֔םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → were allottedגֽוֹרָלָ֔םḡō·w·rā·lām — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → these citiesעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →: 21From the tribe of Ephraim they were givenוַיִּתְּנ֨וּway·yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → Shechemשְׁכֶ֥םšə·ḵem — Shoulder; a cityH7927 — Full Word Study → in the hill countryבְּהַ֣רbə·har — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → of Ephraimאֶפְרָ֑יִם’ep̄·rā·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → (a cityעִ֨יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of refugeמִקְלַ֧טmiq·laṭ — A place of refuge or asylum; shelter from dangerH4733 — Full Word Study → for the manslayerהָרֹצֵ֛חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study →), Gezerגֶּ֖זֶרge·zer — A fortified city in CanaanH1507 — Full Word Study →, 22Kibzaimקִבְצַ֙יִם֙qiḇ·ṣa·yim — A Levitical cityH6911 — Full Word Study →, and Beth-horonחוֹרֹ֖ןḥō·w·rōn — Beth-horon, a town in the hill country of EphraimH1032 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃ס’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 23From the tribeוּמִמַּ֨טֵּה־ū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh- — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Dan they were given Eltekeאֶלְתְּקֵ֖א’el·tə·qê — God is my strengthH514 — Full Word Study →, Gibbethonגִּבְּת֖וֹןgib·bə·ṯō·wn — A Levitical city in DanH1405 — Full Word Study →, 24Aijalonאַיָּלוֹן֙’ay·yā·lō·wn — Deer; StagH357 — Full Word Study →, and Gath-rimmonרִמּ֖וֹןrim·mō·wn — Gath-rimmon, a Levitical city in DanH1667 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃ס’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 25And from the half-tribeוּמִֽמַּחֲצִית֙ū·mim·ma·ḥă·ṣîṯ — half; middle; midpointH4276 — Full Word Study → of Manasseh they were given Taanachתַּעְנַךְ֙ta‘·naḵ — A Canaanite cityH8590 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → Gath-rimmonרִמּ֖וֹןrim·mō·wn — Gath-rimmon, a Levitical city in DanH1667 — Full Word Study →twoשְׁתָּֽיִם׃šə·tā·yim — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 26In allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, tenעֶ֖שֶׂר‘e·śer — The number ten; a complete group or setH6235 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֥ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together with their pasturelandsוּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ןū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →, were given to the rest of the Kohathiteקְהָ֖תqə·hāṯ — Assembly, congregationH6955 — Full Word Study → clansלְמִשְׁפְּח֥וֹתlə·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study →. 27This is what the Levite clansמִמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֣תmim·miš·pə·ḥōṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study → of the Gershonites were given: From the half-tribeמֵחֲצִ֞יmê·ḥă·ṣî — half, middle, midstH2677 — Full Word Study → of Manassehמְנַשֶּׁ֗הmə·naš·šeh — God has made me forgetH4519 — Full Word Study → they were given Golanגָּלוֹןgå̄·lōn — Refuge city in BashanH1474 — Full Word Study → in Bashanבַּבָּשָׁן֙bab·bā·šān — Fertile region east of JordanH1316 — Full Word Study →, a cityעִיר֙‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of refugeמִקְלַ֣טmiq·laṭ — A place of refuge or asylum; shelter from dangerH4733 — Full Word Study → for the manslayerהָרֹצֵ֔חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study →, and Beeshterahבְּעֶשְׁתְּרָ֖הbə·‘eš·tə·rāh — House of PastureH1203 — Full Word Study →twoשְׁתָּֽיִם׃סšə·tā·yim — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 28From the tribeוּמִמַּטֵּ֣הū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Issachar they were given Kishionקִשְׁי֖וֹןqiš·yō·wn — A Levitical cityH7191 — Full Word Study →, Daberathדָּֽבְרַ֖תdā·ḇə·raṯ — Daberath, a Levitical cityH1705 — Full Word Study →, 29Jarmuthיַרְמוּת֙yar·mūṯ — A city in JudahH3412 — Full Word Study →, and En-gannimגַּנִּ֖יםgan·nîm — En-gannim, a city of springs or gardensH5873 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃ס’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 30From the tribeוּמִמַּטֵּ֣הū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Asher they were givenאָשֵׁ֔ר’ā·šêr — Happy, BlessedH836 — Full Word Study → Mishalמִשְׁאָ֖לmiš·’āl — refuge, deliveranceH4861 — Full Word Study →, Abdonעַבְדּ֖וֹן‘aḇ·dō·wn — servant or bondservantH5658 — Full Word Study →, 31Helkathחֶלְקָת֙ḥel·qāṯ — A levitical cityH2520 — Full Word Study →, and Rehobרְחֹ֖בrə·ḥōḇ — Wide or broadH7340 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃ס’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 32And from the tribeוּמִמַּטֵּ֨הū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Naphtali they were given Kedeshקֶ֨דֶשׁqe·ḏeš — Holy place, sanctuaryH6943 — Full Word Study → in Galileeבַּגָּלִ֤ילbag·gā·lîl — Circle, region in northern IsraelH1551 — Full Word Study → (a cityעִ֣יר׀‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of refugeמִקְלַ֣טmiq·laṭ — A place of refuge or asylum; shelter from dangerH4733 — Full Word Study → for the manslayerהָֽרֹצֵ֗חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study →), Hammoth-dorדֹּאר֙dōr — Hammath-dor, a Levitical city in NaphtaliH2576 — Full Word Study →, and Kartanקַרְתָּ֖ןqar·tān — A Levitical cityH7178 — Full Word Study →threeשָׁלֹֽשׁ׃šā·lōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 33In allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, thirteenשְׁלֹשׁ־šə·lōš- — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → citiesעִ֖יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withעָרֵ֥י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsוּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃סū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →, were given to the Gershonite clansלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑םlə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study →. 34This is what the Merarite clanוּלְמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹתū·lə·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study → (the rest ofהַנּוֹתָרִים֒han·nō·w·ṯā·rîm — to remain, be left over, excelH3498 — Full Word Study → the Levites) were givenהַלְוִיִּ֣םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study →: 35From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnahדִּמְנָה֙dim·nāh — A Levitical cityH1829 — Full Word Study →, and Nahalalנַהֲלָ֖לna·hă·lāl — Pleasant pastureH5096 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 36From the tribeוּמִמַּטֵּ֣הū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Reuben they were given Bezerבֶּ֖צֶרbe·ṣer — A city of refugeH1221 — Full Word Study →, Jahazיַ֖הְצָהyah·ṣāh — He sees or God seesH3096 — Full Word Study →, 37Kedemothקְדֵמוֹת֙qə·ḏê·mō·wṯ — Eastern townH6932 — Full Word Study →, and Mephaathמֵיפָ֖עַתmê·p̄ā·‘aṯ — A Levitical cityH4158 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃ס’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 38And from the tribeוּמִמַּטֵּה־ū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh- — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Gad they were given Ramothרָמֹ֥תrā·mōṯ — Ramoth-Gilead, a Levitical city of refugeH7433 — Full Word Study → in Gileadבַּגִּלְעָ֖דbag·gil·‘āḏ — Rocky, hilly regionH1568 — Full Word Study →, a cityעִיר֙‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of refugeמִקְלַ֣טmiq·laṭ — A place of refuge or asylum; shelter from dangerH4733 — Full Word Study → for the manslayerהָרֹצֵ֔חַhā·rō·ṣê·aḥ — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study →, Mahanaimמַחֲנַ֖יִםma·ḥă·na·yim — Two campsH4266 — Full Word Study →, 39Heshbonחֶשְׁבּוֹן֙ḥeš·bō·wn — Heshbon, a cityH2809 — Full Word Study →, and Jazerיַעְזֵ֖רya‘·zêr — God helpsH3270 — Full Word Study →fourאַרְבַּֽע׃’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → in allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, together withוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָmiḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →. 40In allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, twelveשְׁתֵּ֥יםšə·têm — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֖ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → wereוַיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → allottedגּוֹרָלָ֔םgō·w·rā·lām — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → to the clansלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔םlə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study → of Merariמְרָרִי֙mə·rā·rî — Bitterness, bitterH4847 — Full Word Study →, the remainingהַנּוֹתָרִ֖יםhan·nō·w·ṯā·rîm — to remain, be left over, excelH3498 — Full Word Study → Leviteהַלְוִיִּ֑םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → clansמִמִּשְׁפְּח֣וֹתmim·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ — Family, clan, household groupH4940 — Full Word Study →. 41For the Levites, thenהַלְוִיִּ֔םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study →, there were forty-eightאַרְבָּעִ֥ים’ar·bā·‘îm — the number forty; a period of testing or judgmentH705 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → in allכֹּ֚לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, together with their pasturelandsוּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →, withinבְּת֖וֹךְbə·ṯō·wḵ — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → the territoryאֲחֻזַּ֣ת’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ — A permanent possession or inherited propertyH272 — Full Word Study → of the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 42Eachהֶעָרִ֣יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of theseהָאֵ֔לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → citiesעִ֔יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → hadתִּֽהְיֶ֙ינָה֙tih·ye·nāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → its own surroundingסְבִיבֹתֶ֑יהָsə·ḇî·ḇō·ṯe·hā — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study → pasturelandsוּמִגְרָשֶׁ֖יהָū·miḡ·rā·še·hā — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study →; this was trueכֵּ֖ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → for allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → theהָאֵֽלֶּה׃סhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶעָרִ֥יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 43Thus the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → gaveוַיִּתֵּ֤ןway·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → Israelלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לlə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the landהָאָ֔רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → He had swornנִשְׁבַּ֖עniš·ba‘ — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → to giveלָתֵ֣תlā·ṯêṯ — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → their fathersלַאֲבוֹתָ֑םla·’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām — H1 — Full Word Study →, and they took possession of itוַיִּרָשׁ֖וּהָway·yi·rā·šū·hā — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study → and settledוַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּway·yê·šə·ḇū — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in it. 44And the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → gave them restוַיָּ֨נַחway·yā·naḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → on every sideמִסָּבִ֔יבmis·sā·ḇîḇ — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study →, just asכְּכֹ֥לkə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → He had swornנִשְׁבַּ֖עniš·ba‘ — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → to their fathersלַאֲבוֹתָ֑םla·’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām — H1 — Full Word Study →. Noneוְלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → of their enemiesאֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם’ō·yə·ḇê·hem — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → could standעָ֨מַד‘ā·maḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → against themבִּפְנֵיהֶם֙bip̄·nê·hem — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, for the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → deliveredנָתַ֥ןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → allמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → their enemiesאֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם’ō·yə·ḇê·hem — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → into their handבְּיָדָֽם׃bə·yā·ḏām — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 45Not oneלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → of allמִכֹּל֙mik·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the LORD’sיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → goodהַטּ֔וֹבhaṭ·ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → promisesדָּבָ֔רdā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → had failedנָפַ֣לnā·p̄al — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →; everythingהַכֹּ֖לhak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → was fulfilledבָּֽא׃פbā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Joshua 21
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Joshua 21 records the fulfillment of a promise made centuries earlier through Moses: the Levites, who served as priests and worship leaders but received no territorial inheritance, would be given cities distributed throughout all the tribes of Israel. This chapter meticulously documents how 48 cities with surrounding pastures were allocated by lot to the three main Levitical families—the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—ensuring that spiritual leadership and worship could flourish among God's people. The chapter concludes with a triumphant affirmation that the Lord had kept His word completely, giving Israel all the promised land and rest from their enemies.

Verses 1-3: The Request and Authorization

The Levitical leaders approach Joshua, Eleazar the high priest, and the tribal heads at Shiloh to remind them of the LORD's command through Moses. Their petition is rooted in God's direct instruction, not personal entitlement. The Levites had no agricultural inheritance because the Lord Himself was their inheritance (Numbers 18:20), yet they needed cities and surrounding pasture lands to live and care for their livestock. The remarkable fact here is Israel's willing obedience: they granted these cities voluntarily, recognizing that providing for the Lord's ministers was a sacred responsibility. This teaches us that supporting those called to spiritual ministry is not grudging but a privilege and blessing.

Verses 4-7: The Lot System and Distribution

The allocation proceeds by sacred lot—a method showing God's sovereign guidance—among the three Levitical families. The Kohathites (especially Aaron's descendants, the priests) received 13 cities; the remaining Kohathites received 10 cities; the Gershonites received 13 cities; and the Merarites received 12 cities. Crucially, these cities were distributed throughout all twelve tribes, strategically positioned to serve the entire nation. This wasn't random geography—God ensured that spiritual leadership and Levitical service would be woven into the fabric of Israel's national life, reminding all people of their covenant relationship with the Lord.

Verses 8-19: The Kohathite Cities, Including Cities of Refuge

Three of the Levitical cities held special status as cities of refuge (verses 11, 13, 21)—safe havens for those who committed accidental manslaughter. Hebron, prominently mentioned here, was a significant city associated with Abraham and granted to Caleb as a personal possession, yet its city proper went to the Levitical priests. This demonstrates how civic, spiritual, and judicial functions overlapped in Israel's theocratic order. The priests and Levites served not merely in ritual but in the practical administration of justice and mercy.

Verses 20-40: Distribution Among Remaining Levitical Families

The detailed listing of Gershonite and Merarite cities (verses 20-40) shows meticulous record-keeping. Each family received their appointed number, with three additional cities of refuge strategically placed: Shechem (verse 21), Golan (verse 27), and Ramoth in Gilead (verse 38). These locations served the eastern and western tribes effectively. Though the enumeration may seem lengthy, it underscores that God's promises are exact, verified, and completely fulfilled—not one city short of what was promised.

Verses 41-45: Fulfillment and Rest

The chapter culminates in doxology: 48 cities total; the Lord gave all promised land; Israel dwelt in safety; enemies were defeated; and not one word failed of God's promise (verse 45). This is the confidence of faith—God's commitments are absolutely reliable. After wilderness wandering and conquest warfare, Israel finally enjoys the rest God covenanted to their fathers.

Application for Today

While we no longer have literal cities of refuge or Levitical priests, the principle remains: God's promises are trustworthy and His provision for those who serve Him is complete. Like the Levites, those called to spiritual service deserve the Church's generous support. More profoundly, Jesus is our ultimate high priest and our city of refuge; in Him, all God's promises find their yes and amen. We can rest in His faithful completion of redemption's plan.

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