Joshua 21 22

Joshua 21:22 kjv

And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.

Joshua 21:22 nkjv

Kibzaim with its common-land, and Beth Horon with its common-land: four cities;

Joshua 21:22 niv

Kibzaim and Beth Horon, together with their pasturelands?four towns.

Joshua 21:22 esv

Kibzaim with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands ? four cities;

Joshua 21:22 nlt

Kibzaim, and Beth-horon ? four towns.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 22 Meaning

Joshua chapter 21 verse 22, as provided: "And Kasi and Gibea with their suburbs, nine cities; Juttah and Beth-shemesh with their suburbs, two cities," outlines a specific part of the meticulous distribution of cities to the Kohathite Levites, specifically the descendants of Aaron (the priests), throughout the promised land of Canaan. This verse serves as a summary or a specific itemization, affirming the designated habitation for the priestly class who received no tribal land inheritance but were spread among the tribes. The "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrash) refer to the surrounding pasture lands designated for their livestock and dwellings, ensuring their sustenance and ability to serve.

Joshua 21 22 Context

Joshua chapter 21 provides a detailed record of the fulfillment of God's command regarding the inheritance of the Levites, given through Moses in Numbers 35. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites received no large tribal territory because the Lord Himself was their inheritance (Num 18:20). Instead, they were allotted 48 cities spread throughout the territories of the other Israelite tribes, along with pasture lands for their animals. These cities served multiple purposes: they provided homes for the Levites who were responsible for teaching God's law, judging disputes, and performing tabernacle (later temple) service; and six of these cities were designated as cities of refuge for unintentional manslayers. The cities were allocated by lot among the three major Levitical clans: Kohathites (divided into Aaronites and other Kohathites), Gershonites, and Merarites. The verse in question focuses specifically on cities allotted to the priestly lineage, the sons of Aaron (Kohathites), confirming their habitation among God's people.

Joshua 21 22 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew waw (וּ), a conjunction indicating continuation or addition, connecting this verse to the ongoing enumeration of cities.
• Kasi (כָּסִ֑י Kāsi): This name is not found in standard Masoretic Text versions of Joshua 21 or other common biblical lists of priestly cities. If present in a specific text, its exact identification is uncertain. However, within this context, it refers to a specific town or settlement given to the priests. Its presence here signifies meticulous recording of every designated location.
• and Gibea (גִּבְעָה Gibʿāh): While "Geba" (גֶּבַע) is typically listed as a priestly city in Josh 21:17 (from the tribe of Benjamin), "Gibea" means "hill." There were multiple locations named Gibea in ancient Israel, often interchangeable with Geba in some contexts. Its mention here would designate a specific high place allotted to the Levitical priests. Its commonality underscores its strategic or topographical significance.
• with their suburbs: Hebrew וּמִגְרָשֶׁ֑יהָ (u-miḡrāšêhā), from מִגְרָשׁ (migrāš). This term refers to the common pasture lands or open areas immediately surrounding the walled city. As per Numbers 35:2-5, these lands were specifically measured and designated for the Levites for their livestock and expansion, ensuring their ability to sustain themselves without holding agricultural land. This detail highlights divine provision and adherence to Mosaic law.
• nine cities: Hebrew תֵּשַׁע עָרִ֑ים (tēšaʿ ʿārîm). This number likely refers to a grouping of cities designated for the sons of Aaron previously mentioned (or implied as grouped with Kasi and Gibea in this particular rendering). In the Masoretic Text (Josh 21:13-16), nine cities (Hebron, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah, Beth-shemesh) are explicitly listed for the Aaronites from the tribes of Judah and Simeon, emphasizing precision in fulfilling the required 13 cities.
• Juttah (יֻטָּה Yuṭṭāh): A specific city located in the hill country of Judah (Josh 15:55). It is explicitly listed as one of the priestly cities for the sons of Aaron in Joshua 21:16, alongside Beth-shemesh.
• and Beth-shemesh (בֵּית־שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ Bêth Šemeš): Meaning "house of the sun" (possibly referring to a former pagan cultic site), this city in Judah (Josh 15:10) was also given to the Kohathite priests (Josh 21:16). Its name's potential pagan connotation prior to Israelite control makes its designation as a priestly city significant – signifying God's cleansing and reclaiming of the land for His holy purposes.
• two cities: Hebrew שְׁתֵּי עָרִֽים (štê ʿārîm). This number clearly refers to Juttah and Beth-shemesh, which are indeed two distinct cities allocated to the priests. This meticulous accounting reinforces the accuracy and completeness of God's land distribution and provision.

Joshua 21 22 Bonus section

The seemingly redundant counting (listing cities then summing them) throughout Joshua 21 emphasizes the divine precision and commitment to the Mosaic Law (Num 35:7). This was not a loose apportionment but a meticulously fulfilled command, demonstrating God's complete control and faithfulness over the entire land distribution process. The placement of the Levitical cities also highlights a crucial spiritual principle: the priests, by their scattered presence, were to serve as spiritual beacons and centers of worship and instruction throughout the nation. They had no central land inheritance to protect, but rather their livelihood was intrinsically linked to the spiritual health and obedience of the other tribes through tithes and offerings (Num 18:21-24), fostering interdependency within the covenant community.

Joshua 21 22 Commentary

This specific rendering of Joshua 21:22, even with the less common "Kasi," serves as a testament to God's precise and faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises, specifically regarding the unique inheritance of the Levites. These scattered cities demonstrate the divine wisdom in integrating the spiritual leaders (the priests) throughout all tribal lands. This allowed them to function as instructors of the law and examples of godliness, ensuring access to religious and legal guidance for all Israelites. The inclusion of "suburbs" signifies a holistic provision that covered both dwelling and sustenance. The explicit numerical counts – "nine cities" and "two cities" – underscore the divinely ordered and carefully executed nature of the land allocation. It is a precise divine economy at play, establishing God's order and commitment to every detail of His covenant with Israel.