Joshua 21 27

Joshua 21:27 kjv

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.

Joshua 21:27 nkjv

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;

Joshua 21:27 niv

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;

Joshua 21:27 esv

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;

Joshua 21:27 nlt

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.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 27 Meaning

Joshua 21:27 describes part of the allocation of cities to the Kohathite clan of the Levites, specifically two cities granted from the territory of the tribe of Manasseh. In some textual traditions, including the specific phrasing provided, these cities are identified as Gath-rimmon with its surrounding pasturelands, repeated to signify the two cities allotted from Manasseh. This verse is part of a larger record detailing God's fulfillment of His promise to provide for the Levites, who received no tribal inheritance of land, by assigning them cities throughout the territories of the other Israelite tribes.

Joshua 21 27 Context

Joshua chapter 21 concludes the detailed account of the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Having received their inheritances, the tribes now fulfill God's command to provide cities for the Levites. The Levites, as God's designated priestly tribe, did not receive a continuous tribal territory like the other tribes but were to live scattered among all of Israel, serving the Lord in various capacities related to the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) and teaching God's law. This chapter specifically lists 48 Levitical cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, designated for the three main Levite clans: Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites, with certain cities also serving as cities of refuge. Joshua 21:27, particularly concerns the second group of Kohathites who received cities from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 21 27 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction, connecting this allocation with the previous ones in the chapter, signifying a continuation of the process of distributing Levitical cities.
• out of (מִן - min): A preposition indicating origin or source, specifying that the cities are provided from within the allocated territory of the specified tribe.
• the tribe of Manasseh (מִטֵּה מְנַשֶּׁה - mittēh Mənašše): Manasseh was one of the two half-tribes descended from Joseph. Their territory was split between both sides of the Jordan River. The portion referred to here is west of the Jordan. Providing cities from each tribe's allotment emphasizes the shared responsibility of all Israel to support the Levites.
• Gath-rimmon (גַּת־רִמּוֹן - Gat-Rimmon): The name means "winepress of the pomegranate."
  • Textual Variance: This is a key point of textual criticism for Joshua 21:27. Many modern English translations (ESV, NIV, NASB, NET) and a majority of scholarly interpretations read "Taanach" (תַּעְנָךְ - Taʿănāk) and "Ibleam" (יִבְלְעָם - Yiblĕʿām) instead of "Gath-rimmon" (twice). The 1 Chronicles 6:70-71 parallel passage (which lists cities given to the Kohathites from Manasseh) lists "Aner" and "Bileam" (variants of Taanach and Ibleam respectively). Gath-rimmon, in other passages, is consistently assigned to the tribe of Dan (Josh 21:24), and sometimes also mentioned in Ephraim's territory (Josh 21:25 - note: Josh 21:25 usually says Gezer). The repetition of "Gath-rimmon" in the provided text for Manasseh is highly likely a scribal error (a dittography or repetition of a previous phrase, or an error in copying an archaic textual tradition) in some ancient manuscripts, replacing the intended second city from Manasseh (Ibleam).
  • Significance: If interpreted as Gath-rimmon (from the given text), it implies a city known for agriculture and produce, reflecting the natural bounty of the land from which the Levites were sustained. However, its specific location, often identified in the fertile plain of Philistia or the Shephelah, makes its assignment to Manasseh's highland territory west of the Jordan problematic. This textual issue underscores the importance of consulting multiple manuscript traditions and parallel texts.
• with her suburbs (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁהָ - v'et-migrashehā): Refers to the "pasturelands," "common lands," or "outskirts" surrounding the walled city.
  • Significance: These adjacent lands were crucial. Num 35:2-5 specifies these suburbs were to extend 1,000 cubits (approx. 1,500 feet or 450 meters) from the city wall, and then 2,000 cubits for pasture and property. These areas were designated for the Levites' livestock and farming, providing sustenance. This shows God's precise provision, not just for shelter but also for economic livelihood for those dedicated to His service, ensuring their material needs were met as they fulfilled their spiritual duties.
• and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs (וְאֶת־גַּת־רִמּוֹן וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁהָ - v'et-Gat-Rimmon v'et-migrashehā): The second instance, mirroring the first.
  • Significance: As discussed, this repetition is unusual and likely a textual variant, indicating two cities were to be allotted, but due to error, "Gath-rimmon" was duplicated instead of the distinct second city (which scholars generally agree was Ibleam). It highlights the quantity ("two cities") without providing the expected distinct names in this specific manuscript tradition.
• two cities (עָרִים שְׁתַּיִם - ʿārîm shtayim): This final phrase explicitly states the number of cities allotted from Manasseh for the Kohathite Levites. This numerical summary is consistent throughout the lists in Joshua 21.

Joshua 21 27 Bonus section

• The Kohathites' Role: The Kohathites, to whom these cities were allotted, had a unique and sacred responsibility among the Levites: they were tasked with carrying the holiest articles of the Tabernacle—the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, the menorah—during Israel's wilderness wanderings. After settlement, their duties included overseeing the sacred vessels and service within the sanctuary, serving alongside the priests (descendants of Aaron, a Kohathite). The strategic placement of their cities, like Taanach and Ibleam (the corrected reading), often near significant trade routes or military outposts in Manasseh's territory, may reflect their role in overseeing aspects of worship and teaching even in these potentially volatile frontier areas.
• Significance of Pasturelands: The explicit mention of "suburbs" or "pasturelands" (מִגְרָשִׁים - migrashim) highlights God's holistic provision for the Levites. Their work was spiritual, but their lives required physical sustenance. These lands ensured they had a stable economic base, allowing them to fully dedicate themselves to their spiritual duties without being a burden on the people, thus reinforcing the principle that those who serve God's people faithfully should be adequately cared for (1 Cor 9:13-14).
• Divine Order and Provision: The entire distribution of land, including these Levitical cities, serves as a testament to God's desire for an ordered and functional society. Every tribe had its place, and God ensured His special servants, the Levites, were integrated into this national fabric, allowing them to influence all segments of Israel with the knowledge of God and His law, reflecting His perfect order.

Joshua 21 27 Commentary

Joshua 21:27, though brief and subject to a significant textual variant, is highly illustrative of several profound theological principles. First, it underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His promises (Josh 21:45); He had vowed to settle Israel and to provide for the Levites, and these precise city allocations demonstrate His faithfulness. Second, it highlights the importance of obedience to divine command. The other tribes, having received their inheritance, were now required to sacrifice a portion of their land for the Levites' sustenance, demonstrating communal responsibility towards those serving God. This structured provision for the Levites, who were uniquely "separated to the Lord," ensured that the spiritual infrastructure of Israel was maintained, and God's law and presence could be ministered throughout the land. The meticulous naming of cities and their pasturelands signifies a divinely ordered society where provision and worship were intrinsically linked. Even the textual challenges in the verse itself can remind us of the divine hand guiding the preservation of scripture, and the diligent work required to understand it fully.