Joshua 21 31

Joshua 21:31 kjv

Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.

Joshua 21:31 nkjv

Helkath with its common-land, and Rehob with its common-land: four cities;

Joshua 21:31 niv

Helkath and Rehob, together with their pasturelands?four towns;

Joshua 21:31 esv

Helkath with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands ? four cities;

Joshua 21:31 nlt

Helkath, and Rehob ? four towns.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 31 Meaning

Joshua 21:31 lists "Helkath and Rehob with their pasturelands, four cities." This verse concludes the description of the cities given to the Gershonite clan of the Levites from the territory of the tribe of Asher. It indicates two specific cities, Helkath and Rehob, which, along with their associated grazing grounds, form part of a total of four cities designated for the Gershonites from Asher's allocation. This precise distribution of cities fulfills God's explicit commands concerning the inheritance of the Levites, who did not receive a tribal land portion but were provided for by scattered cities throughout Israel, ensuring their religious and instructional presence among all tribes.

Joshua 21 31 Context

Joshua chapter 21 meticulously records the allocation of forty-eight cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, to the tribe of Levi from the inheritances of the other eleven tribes of Israel. This distribution was a direct fulfillment of God's command given through Moses (Num 35:1-8). The chapter highlights the faithful execution of God's detailed instructions and serves as a powerful testament to His covenant promises being entirely fulfilled (Josh 21:43-45). The Levites, being set apart for service in the tabernacle/temple, did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, their dispersal throughout the land, facilitated by these cities, enabled them to fulfill their duties as teachers of the Law and spiritual guides to all the tribes of Israel. Within this chapter, verses 27-33 specify the cities given to the Gershonites, one of the three major Levitical families. Verse 31 specifically concludes the listing of four cities from the territory of Asher assigned to the Gershonites, encompassing the two cities named here and two named in the preceding verse (v.30). This demonstrates the precise and orderly fulfillment of God's design for the new nation.

Joshua 21 31 Word analysis

• Helkath (חֶלְקָת - Chełqath): A city allotted to the Gershonite Levites from the tribe of Asher. The name possibly means "portion" or "smooth field." Its inclusion underscores the precise execution of the divine land allocation, where specific cities, irrespective of size or prominence, were designated according to God's plan. It confirms the fulfillment of God's promises in every detail.
• and Rehob (וְרְחוֹב - və·Rə·ḥō·wḇ): Another city from the tribe of Asher's territory, assigned to the Gershonites. The name means "broad place" or "street," suggesting its geography or urban layout. The mention of specific names highlights the concreteness and tangibility of God's faithful provision for His chosen servants, preventing any vagueness in the land distribution.
• with their pasturelands (וּמִגְרָשֶׁיהָ - ū·miḡ·rā·šeh·hā): The Hebrew term migrāšîm refers to the open lands, common pastures, or suburbs surrounding a city. These areas, specified as extending for a certain distance (e.g., Num 35:4-5), were crucial for the Levites' livelihood, enabling them to sustain their livestock. This detail emphasizes God's comprehensive provision, ensuring that their daily needs were met, even though they lacked agricultural lands. It showcases a divinely ordered society that provided for its spiritual leaders without them being burdened by territorial responsibilities.
• four cities (עָרִים אַרְבַּע - ā·rîm ’ar·ba‘):
  • cities (ā·rîm): Denotes established urban settlements, indicating that the Levites were integrated into existing population centers. This strategic placement allowed them to minister, teach, and administrate justice across the whole nation rather than being confined to one geographical area, aligning with the concept of their spiritual oversight.
  • four (’ar·ba‘): This numerical detail signifies the exact fulfillment of the tally. In the context of Joshua 21:30-31, "four cities" refers to the sum of Mishal and Abdon mentioned in verse 30 (two cities) and Helkath and Rehob mentioned in verse 31 (two cities). Thus, the phrase serves as a summation of the group of cities allotted from the tribe of Asher to the Gershonite Levites. This meticulous counting underscores the divine precision and order in the land distribution, emphasizing God's perfect adherence to His own instructions. It contrasts sharply with the potential chaos of a human-devised land division, serving as a subtle polemic against disorderly or arbitrary allocations common in ancient Near Eastern conquest narratives.

Joshua 21 31 Bonus section

The careful listing of specific city names and their distribution reflects not only a legal document but also a profound theological statement. It attests to the historical reality and divine providence behind the land allocation, contrasting with fictional narratives. Archaeological endeavors in Israel have often correlated with these biblical city lists, lending further credence to the historical reliability of Joshua's account. The very dispersion of the Levites throughout Israel through these cities fulfilled an ancient, initially negative prophecy from Jacob regarding Levi being "scattered" (Gen 49:7), turning it into a divine blessing for service and a means for Israel to remain grounded in the Law. This also highlights God's strategic wisdom in creating a unified yet dispersed spiritual leadership, vital for the nation's spiritual health. The concept of "pasturelands" was particularly significant for nomadic or semi-nomadic priestly groups in the Ancient Near East, indicating God's adaptation of a familiar provision model for His distinct covenant purposes.

Joshua 21 31 Commentary

Joshua 21:31 is a micro-testimony to God's macro-faithfulness. It illustrates the meticulous fulfillment of divine covenant promises, specifically concerning the Levites' provision within the promised land. By specifying cities like Helkath and Rehob with their pasturelands, God demonstrated His precise care, ensuring that those set apart for His service were fully sustained. The mention of "four cities" summarizes the exact portion from Asher to the Gershonites, highlighting God's ordered and complete delivery on every detail of His word. This structure also placed spiritual instruction and judicial guidance among all the tribes, contrasting with centralized pagan priesthoods tied to specific localized deities. It reminds believers that God's plans are exhaustive and trustworthy, down to the last detail of providing for His people and enabling their ministry.