Joshua 21 15

Joshua 21:15 kjv

And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,

Joshua 21:15 nkjv

Holon with its common-land, Debir with its common-land,

Joshua 21:15 niv

Holon, Debir,

Joshua 21:15 esv

Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands,

Joshua 21:15 nlt

Holon, Debir,

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 15 Meaning

Joshua 21:15 is part of the record detailing the allocation of specific cities and their surrounding pasture lands to the families of the Kohathite Levites, descended from Aaron. This particular verse specifies the cities of Holon and Debir, along with their common lands for livestock, as part of the inheritance given to the descendants of Aaron the priest. It signifies the meticulous fulfillment of God's command regarding the Levites' dwelling places and means of sustenance, establishing them among the tribes to perform their divinely ordained spiritual duties throughout Israel.

Joshua 21 15 Context

Joshua chapter 21 records the ultimate fulfillment of a divine promise and command: the assignment of specific cities and their associated pasture lands to the various families of the Levites throughout the promised land. This division was crucial because the Levites did not receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes (Deut 10:9). Instead, their inheritance was the Lᴏʀᴅ Himself, and their provision came through tithes and offerings from the other tribes, complemented by forty-eight strategically located cities and their surrounding lands (Num 35:1-8). The chapter systematically lists these cities for the Kohathites (including the Aaronites), Gershonites, and Merarites. Verse 15, specifically listing Holon and Debir with their pasture lands, belongs to the section dealing with the cities given to the descendants of Aaron (the priestly line of the Kohathites) from the territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, ensuring the spiritual leaders were accessible across the land for teaching, judgment, and the administration of the Tabernacle service. This act underscored God's faithfulness in bringing all His promises to fruition (Josh 21:43-45) and established the framework for Israel's worship and communal life.

Joshua 21 15 Word analysis

• and Holon (וְחֹלוֹן֙, v’ḥolôn):

  • Word: "Holon" is a specific city name. Its root meaning is uncertain but possibly relates to "sand" or "circling."
  • Significance: It was located in the hill country of Judah (Josh 15:51) and was one of the priestly cities given to the sons of Aaron. Its inclusion confirms the meticulous allocation process outlined by God. While a place named Holon is mentioned in Jer 48:21 related to Moab, this is distinct.

• with its pasture lands, (וּמִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, u-migrâshæhā):

  • Word: Derived from migrash (מִגְרָשׁ), meaning "common land," "pasture," "suburb," or "open space." The suffix "-hā" (הָ) means "its" (feminine singular). The "u-" (וּ) is a conjunctive "and."
  • Significance: These were designated lands around the Levitical cities, specifically for their livestock. According to Numbers 35:4-5, these lands extended 1,000 cubits from the city wall. This provision was crucial for the Levites' sustenance, as they did not cultivate their own tribal land. It highlights the practicality and thoroughness of God's provision for His servants. It also shows that the "cities" were not merely residential areas but also supported the economic and daily needs of their inhabitants, particularly those serving God.

• and Debir (וְדְבִ֥ר, v’ḏəvîr):

  • Word: "Debir" is another significant city name, meaning "sanctuary," "oracle," or "innermost part" (referring to the most holy place in the temple/tabernacle). It was also known as Kirjath-Sepher (Josh 15:15), meaning "city of books" or "city of the scribe," implying it was a center of learning or documentation.
  • Significance: Located in the hill country of Judah (Josh 15:49), Debir was initially a strong Canaanite stronghold, conquered by Othniel, Caleb's nephew (Josh 15:15-17; Judg 1:11-13). Its name, possibly meaning "sanctuary," could foreshadow its future role as a place for the priests and Levites, embodying the "city of God" for those who ministered to Him. Its former name, "City of Books," might suggest a center of knowledge, fitting for a place where the teachers of Israel would reside.

• with its pasture lands. (וּמִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ, u-migrâshæhā):

  • Word: Same as above, emphasizing the complete provision.
  • Significance: Reiteration reinforces that the allocation included not just the urban dwelling but the essential support system necessary for the Levites to live and perform their duties effectively, showcasing God's holistic provision for their needs.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "and Holon with its pasture lands, and Debir with its pasture lands":
    • Significance: The repetition of "with its pasture lands" is a rhetorical device highlighting the completeness and sufficiency of the provision. It emphasizes that the Levites received a sustainable way of life, not merely houses, allowing them to fully dedicate themselves to their spiritual duties without being burdened by the need to acquire sustenance. This careful designation also ensured the Levites, who were meant to teach and administer God's law, were dispersed among the tribes, making divine instruction and arbitration accessible across Israel. It is a testament to God's faithful adherence to His covenant with Levi and His detailed planning for His people's spiritual well-being.

Joshua 21 15 Bonus section

The specific mentioning of Debir (formerly Kirjath-Sepher, "City of Books") is noteworthy. It is speculated that this name indicated Debir was a significant intellectual or scribal center in pre-Israelite Canaan. Its transformation into a Levitical city for the Aaronite priests could symbolize the transfer of knowledge and spiritual authority from Canaanite culture to the priests who would teach God's Law to Israel. This reappropriation by divine command signifies a victory not just military but also ideological, asserting God's sovereignty over all wisdom and truth. The conquest of such a city, described with detail in Judges 1, and its subsequent assignment to the Levites, speaks to the depth of Israel's re-ordering of the land according to God's covenant purpose.

Joshua 21 15 Commentary

Joshua 21:15 is a concise verse yet profoundly significant. It continues the meticulous catalog of cities designated for the Levitical families, here specifically for the priestly Kohathites. The inclusion of "Holon with its pasture lands, and Debir with its pasture lands" demonstrates the comprehensive nature of God's provision. The emphasis on "pasture lands" highlights the practical aspect of this divine arrangement, ensuring the Levites had a means to sustain their livelihood through livestock, rather than through agricultural inheritance like other tribes. This distinct form of inheritance allowed them to fulfill their unique role as spiritual guides and caretakers of the Tabernacle/Temple, free from the labor of cultivating land. The detailed accounting throughout Joshua 21 reinforces God's unfailing faithfulness to His promises made to Moses concerning Levi (Num 35) and His commitment to establishing a fully ordered society for Israel's well-being and His glory. This structure, scattering the Levites among all the tribes, was key to maintaining a decentralized spiritual authority and making the Law of God accessible to everyone in Israel, promoting national unity under divine instruction rather than tribal factionalism.