Joshua 21 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Joshua 21 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Cities for the Levites: Chapter 21 of the book of Joshua describes the allocation of 48 cities to the Levites. These cities are scattered throughout Israel, and they provide the Levites with a place to live and serve. The cities for the Levites are a reminder of God's provision for his people. They are also a reminder that the Levites are a special group of people who are set apart to serve God.

Chapter 21 of Joshua details the allocation of cities to the Levites, a tribe dedicated to the service of God and the tabernacle.

Key Events:

The Levite Request: Representatives from the Levite families approach Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of the other tribes. They remind them of God's command through Moses to grant the Levites cities to live in and pasturelands for their livestock (Numbers 35:1-8).
Land Allocation: Joshua, following God's instructions, oversees the distribution of 48 cities with their surrounding pasturelands to the Levites. These cities are taken from the territories already assigned to the other tribes.
Distribution by Clan: The cities are allocated among the three Levite families (Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites) according to their clans.
- The Gershonites receive 13 cities.
- The Kohathites receive 10 cities, including Hebron, a city of refuge.
- The Merarites receive 12 cities.
Six Cities of Refuge: Among the Levite cities are the six cities of refuge previously designated by Moses (Numbers 35:9-34). These cities offer protection to anyone who accidentally killed someone.
Fulfillment of God's Promise: The chapter concludes by emphasizing that God fulfilled all the promises He made to Israel. They now possessed the land, enjoyed peace, and had seen their enemies defeated.

Significance:

Obedience to God: The chapter highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. Both the Israelites and the Levites receive their inheritance as promised because they followed God's instructions.
Provision for the Levites: The allocation of cities ensures the Levites' well-being and allows them to focus on their religious duties without the burden of farming or defending their territory.
Justice and Mercy: The establishment of cities of refuge demonstrates God's concern for justice and mercy, providing a safe haven for those who unintentionally committed a crime.
Theme of Rest: The chapter contributes to the overall theme of rest and inheritance in the book of Joshua. After years of wandering and conquest, the Israelites, including the Levites, finally settle in the Promised Land.

Chapter 21 serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, provision, and justice. It also emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities towards those who serve God and uphold His laws.

Joshua 21 bible study ai commentary

This chapter meticulously details the fulfillment of God's promise to provide for the tribe of Levi, who were not given a tribal territory but were instead allotted cities with pasturelands throughout the other tribes. This distribution highlights the Levites' unique role as spiritual guides and teachers dispersed among the people. The chapter culminates in a powerful declaration of God's absolute faithfulness, affirming that every promise He made to Israel concerning the land, rest, and victory had been completely fulfilled.

Joshua 21 context

The allocation of Levitical cities occurs after the tribal territories have been distributed (Joshua 13-19). The Levites, as the priestly tribe, were consecrated for sanctuary service. They had no nachalah (נַחֲלָה - territorial inheritance) because the LORD Himself was their portion. This chapter fulfills the divine command given to Moses in Numbers 35. The strategic scattering of Levites ensured that every part of Israel had direct access to individuals dedicated to teaching God's Law, administering justice, and maintaining spiritual integrity throughout the nation. Their cities also served vital functions, with six of them designated as Cities of Refuge. This system established a unified religious and legal framework for the new nation.

Joshua 21:1-3

Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their pasturelands for our livestock.” So the people of Israel gave the Levites out of their inheritance, at the command of the LORD, these cities and their pasturelands.

In-depth-analysis

The Levites proactively claim their promise, approaching the leadership trinity: Eleazar (High Priest), Joshua (Civil Leader), and the tribal elders. This shows a proper, orderly process.
Their claim is not based on entitlement but on God's direct command ("The LORD commanded through Moses"). They appeal to divine authority, which is immediately honored.
Shiloh is the religious and political center of Israel at this time, where the Tabernacle is located (Josh 18:1).
Pasturelands (migrash): This term is crucial. It doesn't just mean a garden; it refers to the common lands surrounding the city used for grazing livestock and other purposes. This provided the Levites with a means of economic support.
The cities are given "out of their inheritance," signifying a willing contribution from every tribe. This action demonstrates national unity and obedience to God's command.

Bible references

Numbers 35:2: "Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in..." (The specific command being fulfilled).
Deuteronomy 18:1-2: "The Levitical priests... shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel... the LORD is their inheritance..." (The theological basis for their unique status).
Genesis 49:7: "I will... scatter them in Israel." (Jacob's prophecy, originally a curse for Levi's violence, is transformed by God into a blessing of spiritual influence).

Cross references

Deu 10:9 (no portion); Num 18:20 (LORD is their inheritance); 1 Chr 6:1-81 (parallel account); Josh 14:1-2 (inheritance by lot).

Joshua 21:4-8

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. And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities...

In-depth-analysis

This section provides a summary of the allotment, which the subsequent verses detail.
The Lot (goral): Casting the lot was a sacred practice used to discern God's will and prevent human dispute or partiality (Prov 16:33).
The allocation is systematic, first addressing the priestly line of Aaron, who were a branch of the Kohathites. They receive cities primarily in the south, near what would become Jerusalem, the future center of worship.
The three main Levitical clans are covered:
1. Kohathites: Descendants of Aaron (priests) and the remaining Kohathites. They were responsible for the most holy items of the tabernacle (Num 4:4-15).
2. Gershonites: Responsible for the tabernacle's coverings and hangings (Num 4:24-26).
3. Merarites: Responsible for the structural components of the tabernacle (Num 4:31-32).

Bible references

Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." (The principle behind the sacred lot).
1 Chronicles 6:54, 60-61, 66: This chapter provides a parallel, though slightly different, list of the same city distributions.
Numbers 3:27-37: Details the specific duties of each of the Levitical clans during the wilderness journey.

Cross references

Jos 18:10 (lot before the Lord); Num 26:55 (land divided by lot); Act 1:26 (casting lots for Matthias); Lev 16:8 (lot for the goats).

Joshua 21:9-19

They gave from the tribe of the people of Judah and the tribe of the people of Simeon these cities that are mentioned by name, which were for the descendants of Aaron... Thirteen cities with their pasturelands.

In-depth-analysis

This section details the 13 cities for the Aaronic priests.
Hebron: Notably, Hebron is listed first. It was a City of Refuge (v. 13) and was originally given to Caleb (Josh 14:13). The text clarifies in Josh 21:12 that Caleb retained the surrounding fields and villages, but the city itself was given to the priests. This shows a nuanced sharing of the land.
Location: The cities are within the territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. This strategically places the priesthood near the future religious and political capital, Jerusalem (on the border of Judah and Benjamin).
The list totals 13 cities, matching the summary in verse 4.

Bible references

Joshua 20:7: "So they set apart Kedesh... Shechem... and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron)..." (Hebron designated as a City of Refuge).
Luke 1:39-40: Mary goes to "a town in the hill country of Judah" to visit Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, a priest. This demonstrates the continued residency of priests in this region centuries later.
1 Chronicles 6:57-59: "To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron..." (A parallel list confirming the cities for the priests).

Cross references

Jos 15:54 (Hebron); Jdg 1:10 (Judah attacks Hebron); 2 Sa 5:1-5 (David's capital in Hebron); Neh 11:25-36 (post-exilic resettlement in these areas).

Joshua 21:20-42

And the clans of the Kohathites who remained... And the Gershonites... And to the clans of the Merarites... All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasturelands.

In-depth-analysis

Verses 20-26 (Remaining Kohathites): They receive 10 cities from Ephraim, Dan, and the western half-tribe of Manasseh, including the City of Refuge, Shechem.
Verses 27-33 (Gershonites): They receive 13 cities from the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali, including two Cities of Refuge, Golan and Kedesh.
Verses 34-40 (Merarites): They receive 12 cities from Zebulun, Reuben, and Gad, including two Cities of Refuge, Bezer and Ramoth-gilead.
Verses 41-42 (Summary): The grand total of 48 cities is reiterated, fulfilling the command of Numbers 35:7. Each city came with its vital pastureland (migrash). The repetition emphasizes the precision and completeness of the fulfillment. The dispersal ensures no Israelite was far from a source of religious instruction, justice, and sanctuary.

Bible references

Numbers 35:6-7: "...you shall give forty-eight cities... six of which you shall designate as cities of refuge..." (The specific command of 48 cities, including 6 of refuge).
1 Chronicles 6:61-81: A parallel, confirming account of the city distribution to the remaining Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites.
Deuteronomy 4:41-43: Moses sets aside Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan as Cities of Refuge east of the Jordan, which are confirmed here.

Cross references

Mal 2:7 (priest's lips guard knowledge); Deut 33:10 (they shall teach your rules); 2 Chr 17:7-9 (Jehoshaphat sends Levites to teach).Polemics: The lists in Joshua 21 and 1 Chronicles 6 contain variations in city names and, in some cases, different cities are listed. This is not seen as a contradiction but reflects: 1) Different names for the same location over time. 2) Possible textual transmission errors over centuries. 3) The reality that some cities may have been exchanged or renamed between the time of Joshua and the writing of Chronicles. The core substance—the number of cities and the contributing tribes—remains consistent.

Joshua 21:43-45

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. And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

In-depth-analysis

This is the theological climax of the first major section of Joshua (the conquest and division of the land). It is a powerful, threefold declaration of God's perfect faithfulness.
v. 43 (Promise of Land): God fulfilled His oath to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). The land was given. Israel's part was to possess it.
v. 44 (Promise of Rest): The rest (nuach) refers to the cessation of the large-scale, national warfare of conquest. God had subdued their enemies. This contrasts with the troubles in Judges, which resulted from Israel's subsequent disobedience, not God's failure.
v. 45 (Promise of Every Word): The most sweeping statement. Not a single "word" (dabar - meaning word, thing, promise) from God had failed. This is an emphatic testimony to God's reliability and sovereignty. The fulfillment is total.

Bible references

Genesis 15:18-21: "To your offspring I give this land..." (The foundational land promise to Abram).
1 Kings 8:56: "Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise..." (Solomon, at the Temple dedication, echoes this exact sentiment, confirming its truth).
Hebrews 4:8-10: "...if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on... there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God..." (The New Testament interprets Joshua's rest as real but temporary, a foreshadowing of the ultimate spiritual rest found in Christ).
2 Corinthians 1:20: "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him [Christ]." (The ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises is in the person and work of Jesus Christ).

Cross references

Jos 23:14 (Joshua's farewell speech affirms this); Exd 33:14 (promise of rest); Deu 12:10 (promise of rest and a place to worship); Heb 11:13 (the patriarchs died in faith, not having received the promises).Polemics: Critics often point to the book of Judges as a contradiction to this claim of "rest." However, the biblical text presents a consistent theology: God fulfilled His part by defeating Israel's enemies and giving them the land. Israel's failure to drive out the remaining inhabitants (Judg 1:27-36) and their subsequent idolatry was a failure of obedience, leading to a loss of the experiential reality of that rest. The promise was not revoked; its enjoyment was forfeited by Israel's unfaithfulness.

Joshua chapter 21 analysis

Curse into Blessing: The "scattering" of Levi prophesied by Jacob in Genesis 49:7, which was a punitive judgment for his violence at Shechem, is sovereignly repurposed by God into a blessed calling. The Levites' dispersal throughout Israel becomes the mechanism for maintaining national spiritual health.
God as Inheritance: The core theological reality for the Levites is that they have no land because "the LORD is their inheritance" (Num 18:20). Their provision, purpose, and identity are found directly in God Himself. This prefigures the New Covenant reality where believers' inheritance is not earthly but spiritual and eternal in Christ (Eph 1:11, 1 Pet 1:4).
National Unity in Obedience: The fact that all twelve tribes contribute cities demonstrates a unified, nationwide act of obedience to God's law. It reinforces the ideal of Israel as one people under one God, with each tribe bearing responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the whole.
The Theological Heartbeat (vv. 43-45): These final verses serve as a seal upon the entire narrative of conquest and settlement. They are a definitive statement about the character of God: He is a promise-keeper. His word is certain, His power is sufficient, and His faithfulness is absolute. This conclusion sets the stage for the next section of Joshua, where the responsibility shifts to Israel to live faithfully in the land God has provided.

Joshua 21 summary

The chapter records the fulfillment of God's promise to allot 48 cities with pasturelands to the Levites, scattered strategically throughout the territories of the twelve tribes. This distribution provided for the priestly tribe and ensured spiritual and legal guidance for the entire nation. It concludes with a resounding affirmation of God's complete faithfulness, declaring that every single promise He made to Israel regarding the land and rest came to pass without fail.

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Joshua chapter 21 kjv

¹ Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
² And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.
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.
⁴ And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
⁵ And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
⁶ 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.
⁷ The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
⁸ 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.
⁹ And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name.
¹⁰ Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
¹¹ And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.
¹² But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
¹³ Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,
¹⁴ And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
¹⁵ And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,
¹⁶ And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.
¹⁷ And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
¹⁸ Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
¹⁹ All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
²⁰ And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
²¹ For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
²² And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.
²³ And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,
²⁴ Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.
²⁵ And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
²⁶ All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
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.
²⁸ And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
²⁹ Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities.
³⁰ And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,
³¹ Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.
³² And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.
³³ All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
³⁴ And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,
³⁵ Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities.
³⁶ And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,
³⁷ Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.
³⁸ And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
³⁹ Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.
⁴⁰ So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
⁴¹ All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
⁴² These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.
⁴³ And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
⁴⁴ And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
⁴⁵ There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Joshua chapter 21 nkjv

¹ Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel.
² And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, "The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for our livestock."
³ So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their common-lands:
⁴ Now the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. And the children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot from the tribe of Judah, from the tribe of Simeon, and from the tribe of Benjamin.
⁵ The rest of the children of Kohath had ten cities by lot from the families of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh.
⁶ And the children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot from the families of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
⁷ The children of Merari according to their families had twelve cities from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun.
⁸ And the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses.
⁹ So they gave from the tribe of the children of Judah and from the tribe of the children of Simeon these cities which are designated by name,
¹⁰ which were for the children of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for the lot was theirs first.
¹¹ And they gave them Kirjath Arba (Arba was the father of Anak), which is Hebron, in the mountains of Judah, with the common-land surrounding it.
¹² But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.
¹³ Thus to the children of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with its common-land (a city of refuge for the slayer), Libnah with its common-land,
¹⁴ Jattir with its common-land, Eshtemoa with its common-land,
¹⁵ Holon with its common-land, Debir with its common-land,
¹⁶ Ain with its common-land, Juttah with its common-land, and Beth Shemesh with its common-land: nine cities from those two tribes;
¹⁷ and from the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its common-land, Geba with its common-land,
¹⁸ Anathoth with its common-land, and Almon with its common-land: four cities.
¹⁹ All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their common-lands.
²⁰ And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites, the rest of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot from the tribe of Ephraim.
²¹ For they gave them Shechem with its common-land in the mountains of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the slayer), Gezer with its common-land,
²² Kibzaim with its common-land, and Beth Horon with its common-land: four cities;
²³ and from the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with its common-land, Gibbethon with its common-land,
²⁴ Aijalon with its common-land, and Gath Rimmon with its common-land: four cities;
²⁵ and from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with its common-land and Gath Rimmon with its common-land: two cities.
²⁶ All the ten cities with their common-lands were for the rest of the families of the children of Kohath.
²⁷ Also to the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, from the other half-tribe of Manasseh, they gave Golan in Bashan with its common-land (a city of refuge for the slayer), and Be Eshterah with its common-land: two cities;
²⁸ and from the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its common-land, Daberath with its common-land,
²⁹ Jarmuth with its common-land, and En Gannim with its common-land: four cities;
³⁰ and from the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its common-land, Abdon with its common-land,
³¹ Helkath with its common-land, and Rehob with its common-land: four cities;
³² and from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its common-land (a city of refuge for the slayer), Hammoth Dor with its common-land, and Kartan with its common-land: three cities.
³³ All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their common-lands.
³⁴ And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its common-land, Kartah with its common-land,
³⁵ Dimnah with its common-land, and Nahalal with its common-land: four cities;
³⁶ and from the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its common-land, Jahaz with its common-land,
³⁷ Kedemoth with its common-land, and Mephaath with its common-land: four cities;
³⁸ and from the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its common-land (a city of refuge for the slayer), Mahanaim with its common-land,
³⁹ Heshbon with its common-land, and Jazer with its common-land: four cities in all.
⁴⁰ So all the cities for the children of Merari according to their families, the rest of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
⁴¹ All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their common-lands.
⁴² Every one of these cities had its common-land surrounding it; thus were all these cities.
⁴³ So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.
⁴⁴ The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
⁴⁵ Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

Joshua chapter 21 niv

¹ Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribal families of Israel
² at Shiloh in Canaan and said to them, "The LORD commanded through Moses that you give us towns to live in, with pasturelands for our livestock."
³ So, as the LORD had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own inheritance:
⁴ The first lot came out for the Kohathites, according to their clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest were allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.
⁵ The rest of Kohath's descendants were allotted ten towns from the clans of the tribes of Ephraim, Dan and half of Manasseh.
⁶ The descendants of Gershon were allotted thirteen towns from the clans of the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
⁷ The descendants of Merari, according to their clans, received twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun.
⁸ So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these towns and their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.
⁹ From the tribes of Judah and Simeon they allotted the following towns by name
¹⁰ (these towns were assigned to the descendants of Aaron who were from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them):
¹¹ They gave them Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), with its surrounding pastureland, in the hill country of Judah. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)
¹² But the fields and villages around the city they had given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.
¹³ So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron (a city of refuge for one accused of murder), Libnah,
¹⁴ Jattir, Eshtemoa,
¹⁵ Holon, Debir,
¹⁶ Ain, Juttah and Beth Shemesh, together with their pasturelands?nine towns from these two tribes.
¹⁷ And from the tribe of Benjamin they gave them: Gibeon, Geba,
¹⁸ Anathoth and Almon, together with their pasturelands?four towns.
¹⁹ The total number of towns for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, came to thirteen, together with their pasturelands.
²⁰ The rest of the Kohathite clans of the Levites were allotted towns from the tribe of Ephraim:
²¹ In the hill country of Ephraim they were given Shechem (a city of refuge for one accused of murder) and Gezer,
²² Kibzaim and Beth Horon, together with their pasturelands?four towns.
²³ Also from the tribe of Dan they received: Eltekeh, Gibbethon,
²⁴ Aijalon and Gath Rimmon, together with their pasturelands?four towns.
²⁵ From half the tribe of Manasseh they received: Taanach and Gath Rimmon, together with their pasturelands?two towns.
²⁶ All these ten towns and their pasturelands were given to the rest of the Kohathite clans.
²⁷ The Levite clans of the Gershonites were given: from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan (a city of refuge for one accused of murder) and Be Eshterah, together with their pasturelands?two towns;
²⁸ from the tribe of Issachar, Kishion, Daberath,
²⁹ Jarmuth and En Gannim, together with their pasturelands?four towns;
³⁰ from the tribe of Asher, Mishal, Abdon,
³¹ Helkath and Rehob, together with their pasturelands?four towns;
³² from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for one accused of murder), Hammoth Dor and Kartan, together with their pasturelands?three towns.
³³ The total number of towns of the Gershonite clans came to thirteen, together with their pasturelands.
³⁴ The Merarite clans (the rest of the Levites) were given: from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam, Kartah,
³⁵ Dimnah and Nahalal, together with their pasturelands?four towns;
³⁶ from the tribe of Reuben, Bezer, Jahaz,
³⁷ Kedemoth and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands?four towns;
³⁸ from the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead (a city of refuge for one accused of murder), Mahanaim,
³⁹ Heshbon and Jazer, together with their pasturelands?four towns in all.
⁴⁰ The total number of towns allotted to the Merarite clans, who were the rest of the Levites, came to twelve.
⁴¹ The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands.
⁴² Each of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it; this was true for all these towns.
⁴³ So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.
⁴⁴ The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hands.
⁴⁵ Not one of all the LORD's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

Joshua chapter 21 esv

¹ Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel.
² And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, "The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock."
³ So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance.
⁴ 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.
⁵ And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
⁶ The Gershonites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
⁷ The Merarites according to their clans received from the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
⁸ These cities and their pasturelands the people of Israel gave by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.
⁹ Out of the tribe of the people of Judah and the tribe of the people of Simeon they gave the following cities mentioned by name,
¹⁰ which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the clans of the Kohathites who belonged to the people of Levi; since the lot fell to them first.
¹¹ They gave them Kiriath-arba (Arba being the father of Anak), that is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, along with the pasturelands around it.
¹² But the fields of the city and its villages had been given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.
¹³ And to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands, Libnah with its pasturelands,
¹⁴ Jattir with its pasturelands, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands,
¹⁵ Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands,
¹⁶ Ain with its pasturelands, Juttah with its pasturelands, Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands ? nine cities out of these two tribes;
¹⁷ then out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its pasturelands, Geba with its pasturelands,
¹⁸ Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almon with its pasturelands ? four cities.
¹⁹ The cities of the descendants of Aaron, the priests, were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.
²⁰ As to the rest of the Kohathites belonging to the Kohathite clans of the Levites, the cities allotted to them were out of the tribe of Ephraim.
²¹ To them were given Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands,
²² Kibzaim with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands ? four cities;
²³ and out of the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its pasturelands, Gibbethon with its pasturelands,
²⁴ Aijalon with its pasturelands, Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands ? four cities;
²⁵ and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its pasturelands, and Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands ? two cities.
²⁶ The cities of the clans of the rest of the Kohathites were ten in all with their pasturelands.
²⁷ And to the Gershonites, one of the clans of the Levites, were given out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah with its pasturelands ? two cities;
²⁸ and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands,
²⁹ Jarmuth with its pasturelands, En-gannim with its pasturelands ? four cities;
³⁰ and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands,
³¹ Helkath with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands ? four cities;
³² and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammoth-dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands ? three cities.
³³ The cities of the several clans of the Gershonites were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.
³⁴ And to the rest of the Levites, the Merarite clans, were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands,
³⁵ Dimnah with its pasturelands, Nahalal with its pasturelands ? four cities;
³⁶ and out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its pasturelands, Jahaz with its pasturelands,
³⁷ Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands ? four cities;
³⁸ and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim with its pasturelands,
³⁹ Heshbon with its pasturelands, Jazer with its pasturelands ? four cities in all.
⁴⁰ As for the cities of the several Merarite clans, that is, the remainder of the clans of the Levites, those allotted to them were in all twelve cities.
⁴¹ The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands.
⁴² These cities each had its pasturelands around it. So it was with all these cities.
⁴³ 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.
⁴⁴ And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands.
⁴⁵ Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

Joshua chapter 21 nlt

¹ Then the leaders of the tribe of Levi came to consult with Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the other tribes of Israel.
² They came to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us towns to live in and pasturelands for our livestock."
³ So by the command of the LORD the people of Israel gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own grants of land.
⁴ The descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, were allotted thirteen towns that were originally assigned to the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
⁵ The other families of the Kohathite clan were allotted ten towns from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
⁶ The clan of Gershon was allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
⁷ The clan of Merari was allotted twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
⁸ So the Israelites obeyed the LORD's command to Moses and assigned these towns and pasturelands to the Levites by casting sacred lots.
⁹ The Israelites gave the following towns from the tribes of Judah and Simeon
¹⁰ to the descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, since the sacred lot fell to them first:
¹¹ Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, along with its surrounding pasturelands. (Arba was an ancestor of Anak.)
¹² But the open fields beyond the town and the surrounding villages were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.
¹³ The following towns with their pasturelands were given to the descendants of Aaron the priest: Hebron (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Libnah,
¹⁴ Jattir, Eshtemoa,
¹⁵ Holon, Debir,
¹⁶ Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh ? nine towns from these two tribes.
¹⁷ From the tribe of Benjamin the priests were given the following towns with their pasturelands: Gibeon, Geba,
¹⁸ Anathoth, and Almon ? four towns.
¹⁹ So in all, thirteen towns with their pasturelands were given to the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
²⁰ The rest of the Kohathite clan from the tribe of Levi was allotted the following towns and pasturelands from the tribe of Ephraim:
²¹ Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Gezer,
²² Kibzaim, and Beth-horon ? four towns.
²³ The following towns and pasturelands were allotted to the priests from the tribe of Dan: Eltekeh, Gibbethon,
²⁴ Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon ? four towns.
²⁵ The half-tribe of Manasseh allotted the following towns with their pasturelands to the priests: Taanach and Gath-rimmon ? two towns.
²⁶ So in all, ten towns with their pasturelands were given to the rest of the Kohathite clan.
²⁷ The descendants of Gershon, another clan within the tribe of Levi, received the following towns with their pasturelands from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone) and Be-eshterah ? two towns.
²⁸ From the tribe of Issachar they received the following towns with their pasturelands: Kishion, Daberath,
²⁹ Jarmuth, and En-gannim ? four towns.
³⁰ From the tribe of Asher they received the following towns with their pasturelands: Mishal, Abdon,
³¹ Helkath, and Rehob ? four towns.
³² From the tribe of Naphtali they received the following towns with their pasturelands: Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan ? three towns.
³³ So in all, thirteen towns with their pasturelands were allotted to the clan of Gershon.
³⁴ The rest of the Levites ? the Merari clan ? were given the following towns with their pasturelands from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,
³⁵ Dimnah, and Nahalal ? four towns.
³⁶ From the tribe of Reuben they received the following towns with their pasturelands: Bezer, Jahaz,
³⁷ Kedemoth, and Mephaath ? four towns.
³⁸ From the tribe of Gad they received the following towns with their pasturelands: Ramoth in Gilead (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Mahanaim,
³⁹ Heshbon, and Jazer ? four towns.
⁴⁰ So in all, twelve towns were allotted to the clan of Merari.
⁴¹ The total number of towns and pasturelands within Israelite territory given to the Levites came to forty-eight.
⁴² Every one of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it.
⁴³ So the LORD gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.
⁴⁴ And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD helped them conquer all their enemies.
⁴⁵ Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.