Joshua 21 29

Joshua 21:29 kjv

Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities.

Joshua 21:29 nkjv

Jarmuth with its common-land, and En Gannim with its common-land: four cities;

Joshua 21:29 niv

Jarmuth and En Gannim, together with their pasturelands?four towns;

Joshua 21:29 esv

Jarmuth with its pasturelands, En-gannim with its pasturelands ? four cities;

Joshua 21:29 nlt

Jarmuth, and En-gannim ? four towns.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 29 Meaning

Joshua 21:29 specifies two of the thirteen cities with their adjacent pasturelands allotted from the tribe of Issachar to the Gershonite clan of the Levites: Jarmuth and En-gannim. This verse is part of a detailed record demonstrating God's meticulous fulfillment of His promises to provide for the Levites and settle Israel in the land. It signifies God's divine order, faithfulness in providing for those dedicated to His service, and the strategic positioning of the Levites throughout Israel for spiritual instruction.

Joshua 21 29 Context

Joshua chapter 21 provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the fulfillment of God's command concerning the allocation of specific cities with their associated pasturelands to the tribe of Levi. This distribution was crucial because, unlike the other eleven tribes, Levi did not receive a consolidated tribal land inheritance. Instead, they were allotted cities scattered among all the tribes of Israel, as explicitly mandated in Numbers 35:1-8 and Leviticus 25:32-34. This arrangement allowed the Levites—who were dedicated to priestly duties, teaching God's law, and serving as judges—to reside among all the Israelites, ensuring spiritual leadership and instruction were accessible throughout the land. Joshua 21 systematically lists these 48 cities, grouping them by the Levitical clans (Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites) and the tribes from which their cities were taken. Verse 29 is part of the enumeration of the 13 cities given to the Gershonites (Josh 21:27-33), specifically listing two from the territory of Issachar. This meticulous record underscores God's faithfulness in upholding every promise made to Israel and establishing His divine order for the nascent nation, positioning spiritual teachers at the heart of every tribal territory.

Joshua 21 29 Word analysis

• Jarmuth (יַרְמוּת - Yarmuth):

  • This is a place name, meaning "height" or "elevation."
  • The city's name reflects its geographical location. While another Jarmuth existed in Judah, this specific Jarmuth is distinguished by its allocation within the territory of Issachar to the Gershonite Levites.
  • It represents one specific location where God's priestly tribe was to dwell, fulfilling the detailed plan.

• with its pasturelands (מִגְרָשֶׁיהָ - migrâshehā):

  • The term "migrashim" (plural of migrash) refers to the common lands or pasturelands immediately surrounding the Levitical cities.
  • These lands were vital as they provided space for the Levites' cattle and other livestock, serving as their economic support. Since Levites did not cultivate agricultural land, these pasturelands were critical for their sustenance, ensuring they could focus on their sacred duties.
  • The specific dimensions (usually 1,000 cubits or 1,500 feet from the city wall, as per Num 35:4) underscore the meticulous detail of God's provision and the divine legal framework.
  • These lands were perpetually designated for the Levites and could not be sold (Lev 25:34), signifying their eternal provision and distinct status.

• En-gannim (עֵין גַּנִּים - ʿEn Gannim):

  • Another place name, meaning "fountain of gardens" or "spring of gardens."
  • The name suggests a well-watered and fertile area, which would have been conducive to supporting the "pasturelands" concept.
  • This city, like Jarmuth, represents a tangible fulfillment of God's promise to provide homes for the Levites, ensuring they were strategically located throughout Israel to fulfill their religious and administrative functions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Jarmuth with its pasturelands, En-gannim with its pasturelands":
  • This repeated phrase highlights the specific inclusion of not just the city itself, but the vital adjacent pasturelands. This redundancy emphasizes the crucial economic provision made for the Levites, who had no territorial inheritance for farming.
  • The enumeration here underscores the precise and thorough nature of the land distribution, reflecting God's perfect order and attention to every detail in fulfilling His promises.
  • It also serves as a legal-administrative record, confirming that every specific location designated by God had indeed been granted, testifying to the literal fulfillment of His word.

Joshua 21 29 Bonus section

The consistent phrasing "with its pasturelands" throughout Joshua 21 emphasizes the Levitical dependence on their flocks for livelihood, distinct from the agricultural reliance of other tribes. This distinct economic model for the Levites was integral to their unique role, allowing them freedom from traditional farming and empowering their ministry as teachers and priests. The accuracy and detail in listing these cities across centuries suggest divine preservation of this record and underline the historicity of God's fulfillment of His Word. This historical act of distributing cities and providing for God's ministers in ancient Israel foreshadows New Testament principles of supporting those who labor in the Gospel, acknowledging that spiritual workers deserve their provisions, as articulated in passages like 1 Corinthians 9.

Joshua 21 29 Commentary

Joshua 21:29 is a precise detail within a meticulously compiled list, illustrating God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises. It is not merely a geographic cataloging but a profound theological statement. The inclusion of "Jarmuth with its pasturelands" and "En-gannim with its pasturelands" demonstrates divine provision in action. God had promised to sustain the Levites, who would have no territorial inheritance like the other tribes (Num 18:20). Their scattered residence in cities across Israel was critical for teaching God's Law and maintaining the national spiritual life. The adjacent pasturelands ensured their material needs were met, allowing them to focus entirely on their sacred duties without needing to engage in agriculture. This setup embodies God's care for those dedicated to His service, assuring them that their physical sustenance would not be neglected. It contrasts sharply with self-serving human systems, demonstrating God's just and orderly way of supporting His chosen ministers, affirming His meticulous involvement in the smallest details of His people's lives and their societal structure.