Joshua 21 21

Joshua 21:21 kjv

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,

Joshua 21:21 nkjv

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,

Joshua 21:21 niv

In the hill country of Ephraim they were given Shechem (a city of refuge for one accused of murder) and Gezer,

Joshua 21:21 esv

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,

Joshua 21:21 nlt

Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Gezer,

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 21 Meaning

The verse describes the specific cities allotted to a segment of the Levites, the Kohathite clan, by the tribe of Ephraim, as part of God's command for the division of the land. It names Shechem, situated in the hill country of Ephraim, identifying it as one of the cities of refuge. Alongside Shechem, the verse mentions Gezer, with both cities designated along with their surrounding pasturelands (common-lands). This meticulous detail underscores the divine provision for the Levites who had no tribal land inheritance, ensuring their sustenance and their ability to fulfill their ministry throughout Israel.

Joshua 21 21 Context

Joshua chapter 21 provides a detailed record of the fulfillment of God's command concerning the provision for the tribe of Levi, which had no land inheritance of its own. Unlike the other tribes, whose inheritance was designated territorial land, the Levites received forty-eight specific cities, along with their surrounding common-lands, spread throughout the territories of the other tribes of Israel. This strategic distribution ensured that the Levites, responsible for teaching the Law and maintaining the Tabernacle/Temple services, would be accessible to all parts of the nation. Within this chapter, verse 21 specifically addresses the cities given to the Kohathite clan, one of the three major Levitical families, from the highly significant tribe of Ephraim. The naming of Shechem as a "city of refuge" highlights another layer of divine provision for justice and mercy within the newly settled land. This arrangement reflects the order, justice, and faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to Israel.

Joshua 21 21 Word analysis

• They gave them: Hebrew va-yittĕnū lāhem (וַיִּתְּנוּ לָהֶם).
  • Va-yittĕnū: From the root natan (נָתַן), meaning "to give." The Piel perfect form with the waw-conversive indicates an action in the past, literally "and they gave."
  • Lāhem: "to them." Refers specifically to the Kohathite Levites, as established in the preceding verses (Josh 21:20).
  • Significance: This phrase highlights the fulfillment of a communal duty. The tribes gave the cities, rather than the Levites taking them, signifying obedience to divine command and a shared responsibility within the covenant.
• Shechem: Hebrew Shekhem (שְׁכֶם).
  • Meaning: Literally "shoulder" or "ridge."
  • Significance: An ancient and deeply significant city, historically tied to pivotal moments in Israelite history. Abraham built his first altar in Canaan here (Gen 12:6-7), Jacob purchased land and settled near it (Gen 33:18-20), and Joshua later gathered all Israel at Shechem for a profound covenant renewal ceremony (Josh 24:1-28). Its strategic location in the central hill country made it a political and religious hub.
• with its common-lands: Hebrew u-migrashéhā (וּמִגְרָשֶׁהָ).
  • Migrash: Pastureland, common land, open space adjoining a city.
  • Significance: These were essential for the sustenance of the Levites and their livestock, ensuring their economic viability despite having no tribal land inheritance. Num 35:4-5 specifies the precise dimensions for these pasturelands.
• in the hill country of Ephraim: Hebrew bə-har 'Efrayim (בְּהַר אֶפְרָיִם).
  • Har 'Efrayim: The mountainous region that formed the heartland of the tribe of Ephraim's territory.
  • Significance: This detail precisely locates Shechem within the designated tribal boundaries, demonstrating the orderly and accurate fulfillment of the land distribution. Ephraim was a prominent and influential tribe.
• a city of refuge: Hebrew 'îr miqlaṭ (עִיר מִקְלָט).
  • ʻîr: City, town.
  • miqlāṭ: From the verb qalaṭ, "to gather," "to receive," signifying a place of asylum or refuge.
  • Significance: One of six specially designated cities throughout Israel (three on each side of the Jordan) that provided protection and legal recourse for individuals who had unintentionally killed someone, preventing immediate blood vengeance by the "avenger of blood" until a formal trial could take place (Num 35; Deut 19; Josh 20). This institution highlights God's commitment to both justice and mercy.
• Gezer: Hebrew wə-Gezer (וְגֶזֶר).
  • Meaning: Possibly "section" or "cliff."
  • Significance: A strategic Canaanite royal city located on the border between Ephraim and the coastal plain, important for trade routes and military control. While listed as allotted here, Ephraim did not fully dispossess the Canaanites from Gezer (Josh 16:10; Jdg 1:29) until later in Israel's history (1 Ki 9:16). Its inclusion in the Levitical list reflects God's complete provision for the Levites and His ultimate claim over the land, even where Israel’s initial obedience was partial.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "They gave them Shechem, with its common-lands... a city of refuge, with its common-lands; and Gezer with its common-lands.": This precise enumeration emphasizes the divine order in the land's distribution and God's faithfulness to His promises. The repeated inclusion of "with its common-lands" underscores the comprehensive provision made for the Levites, demonstrating that not only habitable space but also necessary livelihood support was divinely ordained. This detailed record reinforces the fulfillment of all the Lord's promises (Josh 21:43-45).

Joshua 21 21 Bonus section

• Kohathite Allocation: The Kohathites, as direct descendants of Levi, had the specific duty of carrying the sacred articles of the Tabernacle and later serving within the Temple. Their allocation of cities, particularly those centrally located like Shechem within Ephraim's territory, facilitated their ability to minister to the broader population. Their prominent role is seen in Num 3:31, outlining their responsibility for the Ark, the table, the menorah, and the altars.
• Divine Faithfulness Fulfilled: This verse, within the larger context of Joshua 21, is a powerful testimony to God's unfailing faithfulness. Joshua 21:43-45 explicitly states that the Lord gave Israel "all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers" and that "not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel." This verse exemplifies the minute detail of that fulfillment.
• Polemic against Pagan Practices: By establishing a structured system of justice through cities of refuge and allotting specific cities to the Levites, Israel stood in stark contrast to surrounding Canaanite practices, which often involved arbitrary tribal revenge or pagan ritual sacrifices for sin. The system upheld divine justice, mercy, and order, demonstrating God's holiness.

Joshua 21 21 Commentary

Joshua 21:21 illustrates God's meticulous care in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, especially concerning the Levites, who were set apart for sacred service without a tribal land inheritance. The allotment of Shechem, a city steeped in patriarchal and national history, as both a Levitical city and a city of refuge, emphasizes the convergence of spiritual, legal, and historical significance. It served as a spiritual center, a place of safety and justice, and a point of ministry for the Kohathite Levites. The inclusion of Gezer, a strategic city that presented an ongoing challenge for Ephraim to fully possess, highlights that God’s plan was declared complete, even where human obedience might falter in full conquest. This verse, therefore, represents a tangible manifestation of divine provision, justice, and order, underscoring that God perfectly provided for His ministers and His people's societal welfare, reflecting His faithfulness to every detail of His word.