Joshua 21 18

Joshua 21:18 kjv

Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.

Joshua 21:18 nkjv

Anathoth with its common-land, and Almon with its common-land: four cities.

Joshua 21:18 niv

Anathoth and Almon, together with their pasturelands?four towns.

Joshua 21:18 esv

Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almon with its pasturelands ? four cities.

Joshua 21:18 nlt

Anathoth, and Almon ? four towns.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 18 Meaning

Joshua 21:18 specifies two cities, Anathoth and Almon, along with their surrounding pasturelands, which were allocated to the descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Benjamin. This verse is part of a larger divine command fulfilled in Joshua 21, detailing the distribution of a total of forty-eight cities throughout Israel to the Levites, the priestly tribe who did not receive an tribal land inheritance. It signifies God's faithfulness in providing for His servants and the meticulous, orderly establishment of Israel's national and religious infrastructure.

Joshua 21 18 Context

Joshua 21 is a pivotal chapter marking the culmination of the land distribution among the Israelite tribes following their conquest of Canaan. After each tribe received its designated inheritance, the Levites, who were set apart for sacred service and had no territorial inheritance of their own (Num 18:20-24), were assigned 48 cities, including 6 cities of refuge, scattered throughout the land (Num 35:1-8). Joshua 21:18 is specifically part of the list of cities granted to the Kohathite branch of the Levites (descendants of Aaron), from the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, completing their quota of four cities from that tribal allocation (the previous two, Gibeon and Geba, being listed in verse 17). Historically and culturally, land ownership was central to identity and livelihood in the ancient Near East. The precise allocation of cities, even to those without direct land inheritance, demonstrated God's meticulous care, ensuring the Levites' sustenance and their ability to fulfill their divinely appointed roles as spiritual instructors and arbiters of the law among all the tribes. This distribution also validated the completion of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan.

Joshua 21 18 Word analysis

• Anathoth (עֲנָתֹות, ‘Anathot):

  • Meaning: The name likely derives from the Canaanite goddess Anath or means "answers/respondents."
  • Significance: Historically significant as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1:1). Its mention here roots the narrative of Jeremiah firmly in the history established in Joshua.
  • Location: Situated in the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, indicating the dispersal of the Levitical priestly families throughout the tribes for their service.
  • Implication: Despite the potential pagan etymology of its name, the city became an integral part of Israel's divinely ordered inheritance, demonstrating God's reclaiming of the land for His purposes.

• with her suburbs (וּמִגְרָשֶׁהָ, u-migrasheha):

  • From the Hebrew word migrash (מִגְרָשׁ).
  • Meaning: Refers to the pastureland and common ground surrounding the city.
  • Significance: As commanded in Numbers 35:4-5, these lands were to be specifically measured—1,000 cubits out from the city wall, extending an additional 2,000 cubits beyond that for pasture.
  • Provision: This inclusion was vital, ensuring that the Levites, who received no territorial inheritance for farming, had land to graze their livestock, thus securing their economic self-sufficiency. It underscores God's holistic provision for His consecrated servants.

• Almon (עַלְמֹון, ‘Almon):

  • Meaning: "Hiding place" or "concealed."
  • Alternative Name: Often identified with "Alemeth" found in 1 Chronicles 6:60, reflecting typical variations in ancient spellings.
  • Location: Another city situated within the territory of Benjamin assigned to the Aaronite Levites.
  • Importance: Its inclusion confirms the careful execution of the divine instructions for the Levitical cities, ensuring the Levites had presence across various tribal regions.

• four cities (אַרְבַּע עָרִים, ‘arba‘ ‘arim):

  • Numerical Precision: This phrase summarizes the cities mentioned in verses 17 and 18, namely Gibeon, Geba (from verse 17), Anathoth, and Almon (from verse 18).
  • Significance: Highlights the meticulous nature of the land division process. It signifies the completion of the allocation to the Kohathites from Benjamin, bringing the total to the commanded number, emphasizing accuracy and faithfulness in executing God's will.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "And Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs": This phrase directly describes two specific geographical locations allocated to the priestly family of Aaron. The repetitive "with her suburbs" underscores the essential inclusion of the surrounding agricultural lands necessary for the Levites' sustenance, demonstrating a divinely designed system of economic support. This phrase represents the practical execution of a promise detailed previously in the Pentateuch, illustrating how abstract divine commands become concrete reality in the lives of the Israelites.
  • "four cities": This final numerical summary for this sub-list emphasizes divine order and precise fulfillment. It encapsulates God's faithfulness in providing exact instructions and Israel's obedience in meticulously adhering to them. It confirms that the designated quota of cities for this particular group of Levites from Benjamin's territory has been met, ensuring their presence among all tribes for religious and legal service, reinforcing unity under God's law.

Joshua 21 18 Bonus section

• Polemical Dimension: The structured and precise allocation of land to the Levites, determined by divine decree, presents a distinct contrast to the often arbitrary or power-based land distributions found in other ancient Near Eastern societies. While priests in other cultures might accrue large land holdings through political influence or conquest, the Levitical allocation was set by God, tied to service rather than territorial power, and contingent on the tithes and offerings of the other tribes. This highlighted their unique role as dependent on God and the faithfulness of the entire community, implicitly challenging any pagan priesthood's claim to self-sufficiency or earthly might.
• Significance of Anathoth: Beyond being Jeremiah's birthplace, Anathoth suffered various fates throughout Israel's history (e.g., Isa 10:30 refers to its flight during an invasion). Its continuous mention confirms its historical longevity and integration into the fabric of Israel's national and religious narrative. The divine allocation to a city that would later face challenges or house a persecuted prophet illustrates that God's plan unfolds even amidst historical turmoil.
• Pattern of Divine Provision: The careful provision of "suburbs" or pasturelands with each Levitical city establishes a profound theological principle: God’s care for His servants is comprehensive, addressing not only their spiritual duties but also their physical necessities. This served as a tangible example to the other tribes of God's generous hand and encouraged their faithfulness in providing tithes and offerings that ultimately sustained the Levites.

Joshua 21 18 Commentary

Joshua 21:18, while seemingly a simple list, is a profound statement about divine faithfulness and order. It forms part of the completion of the land allocation in Canaan, marking God's meticulous fulfillment of His promises to Abraham and to Israel. The provision of Anathoth and Almon, with their crucial surrounding pasturelands, ensured that the Levites, set apart for sacred service, were physically and economically supported throughout the twelve tribes. This dispersion of the Levites meant that spiritual instruction and oversight were available across the nation, preventing centralizing of religious authority that might be tempted to exert secular power, and rather emphasizing dependence on God's provision through His people. The verse quietly reaffirms that God is sovereign over all territory, even over cities bearing names possibly connected to pagan deities, transforming them into dwelling places for His devoted servants. This systematic arrangement ensured that every part of Israel received access to the Law and the sacred ministries, building a cohesive theocratic society. For instance, just as these cities were specifically allocated to meet the needs of the Levites, God continues to precisely order and provide for those consecrated to His service in various ways (e.g., in Luke 10:7, "the laborer is worthy of his wages").