Joshua 21: The Cities of the Levites
Introduction
Joshua 21 details how the Levites were assigned cities within the territories of the other tribes of Israel. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a large, contiguous land inheritance because their role was to serve as priests and religious leaders. Instead, they were given 48 cities scattered across Israel, fulfilling God’s promise and ensuring their integration among the people.
Background Context
The Levites were descendants of Levi, one of Jacob’s sons. God had set them apart to serve in the Tabernacle (and later in the Temple). They were responsible for sacrificial offerings, teaching the Law, maintaining worship, and acting as intermediaries between God and the Israelites. Since they had no tribal land inheritance like the others (Numbers 18:20-24), God provided for them by commanding that they be given cities among the other tribes.
Breakdown of Joshua 21
This chapter can be divided into four sections:
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Verses 1-8: The Levites request cities, and the Israelites respond.
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Verses 9-42: The allocation of 48 cities among the three Levite clans.
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Verse 43-45: A summary of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
Verse-by-Verse Analysis
1. The Levites’ Request (Verses 1-3)
"Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel." (Joshua 21:1, ESV)
The Levites approach Eleazar the high priest, Joshua the leader, and the tribal heads to request their allotted cities. This was not a demand, but rather a reminder of what God had already commanded in Numbers 35:1-8, where He instructed Moses to designate cities for them.
🔹 Key Lesson:
The Levites did not claim the land as their right but humbly petitioned their leaders, showing an example of how we should approach God with faith in His promises.
2. The Cities Allotted to the Levites (Verses 4-42)
These verses list the 48 cities, categorized by the three main Levite clans:
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Kohathites (descendants of Kohath, including the priests)
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Gershonites (descendants of Gershon)
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Merarites (descendants of Merari)
Each clan received cities distributed among different tribes.
A. The Kohathites (Verses 4-5, 9-26)
"And the lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities." (Joshua 21:4)
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Aaron’s descendants (priests) received 13 cities in Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. This placed them near Jerusalem, the future site of the Temple.
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The non-priestly Kohathites received 10 cities in Ephraim, Dan, and Manasseh.
🔹 Spiritual Significance:
The priestly cities were close to the central place of worship, emphasizing the importance of their spiritual duty.
B. The Gershonites (Verses 6-7, 27-33)
The Gershonites received 13 cities from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh.
🔹 Significance:
These cities were mostly in the northern regions, ensuring spiritual leadership was spread across Israel.
C. The Merarites (Verses 8, 34-42)
The Merarites were assigned 12 cities from Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
🔹 Significance:
Their cities were mainly in the east of the Jordan River and central Israel. This ensured every region had spiritual influence.
3. The Cities of Refuge (Verses 13, 21, 27, 32, 38)
Among the 48 Levite cities, six were designated as cities of refuge, where someone who had accidentally killed another person could flee for safety:
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Kedesh (Naphtali)
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Shechem (Ephraim)
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Hebron (Judah)
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Bezer (Reuben)
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Ramoth-Gilead (Gad)
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Golan (Manasseh)
🔹 Theological Significance:
The cities of refuge symbolize Christ as our refuge, where sinners can flee for mercy and protection.
4. The Faithfulness of God (Verses 43-45)
"Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there." (Joshua 21:43, ESV)
This section serves as a powerful conclusion, emphasizing:
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God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by giving their descendants the land (Genesis 12:7).
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Not one of God’s promises failed (v. 45), reinforcing that He is trustworthy.
🔹 Application:
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God is faithful to His Word (2 Corinthians 1:20).
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If He kept His promises to Israel, He will keep His promises to us today.
Practical Lessons from Joshua 21
1. God Provides for Those Who Serve Him
The Levites, though they had no inheritance, were given cities to live in. This reflects Matthew 6:33, where Jesus says:
“Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”
2. The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
By placing Levites across Israel, God ensured spiritual guidance was available everywhere. Today, churches should have leaders in every community to guide and disciple believers.
3. God Keeps His Promises
Verse 45 is a powerful reminder that God never fails. Just as He fulfilled His word to Israel, He will fulfill His promises to you.
4. Jesus as Our Refuge
The cities of refuge foreshadow Jesus, who provides safety, mercy, and salvation for those who run to Him (Hebrews 6:18).
Conclusion
Joshua 21 is not just a list of cities; it highlights God’s provision, faithfulness, and the importance of spiritual leadership. The Levites' role and their scattered placement ensured that all Israel had access to teaching and worship, much like today’s churches should be present throughout the world.
Ultimately, this chapter reminds us that God’s promises never fail, and He always provides for those who trust in Him.
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