Joshua 21 32

Joshua 21:32 kjv

And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.

Joshua 21:32 nkjv

and from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its common-land (a city of refuge for the slayer), Hammoth Dor with its common-land, and Kartan with its common-land: three cities.

Joshua 21:32 niv

from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for one accused of murder), Hammoth Dor and Kartan, together with their pasturelands?three towns.

Joshua 21:32 esv

and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammoth-dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands ? three cities.

Joshua 21:32 nlt

From the tribe of Naphtali they received the following towns with their pasturelands: Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan ? three towns.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 32 Meaning

Joshua 21:32 describes the allocation of specific cities from the territory of the tribe of Issachar to the descendants of Gershon, a family within the tribe of Levi. These cities were Kedeshi, Hamoth-dor, and Kartan, each provided with its surrounding common-lands. This verse demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to provide dwelling places for the Levites throughout the land of Israel, enabling them to serve the nation as spiritual instructors and guardians of God's Law.

Joshua 21 32 Context

Joshua chapter 21 concludes the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel, focusing specifically on the provision for the tribe of Levi. Since the Levites, as God's chosen ministers, were not to receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes (Num 18:20), God commanded that they be given forty-eight cities from among all the tribal inheritances. These cities, along with their pasturelands (common-lands), were distributed strategically across all twelve tribes, ensuring the Levites were scattered throughout the nation. Joshua 21:27-39 details the cities given to the Gershonite families of Levites from the territories of Zebulun, Asher, Issachar (verse 32 specifically), and Naphtali. This meticulous distribution served several purposes: it confirmed God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises (Josh 21:43-45), demonstrated the unity and cooperation of the tribes in providing for God's ministers, and ensured that the Levites, as custodians and teachers of the Law, were accessible to all Israelites, upholding spiritual instruction and justice across the land. The chapter highlights the precision and fulfillment of divine commands.

Word Analysis

• And out of the tribe of Issachar: This specifies the source of the allocated cities. The Hebrew term for "tribe" (shevet - שֵׁבֶט) can also mean a staff or scepter, representing a subdivision of people under an authority, a designated and distinct governmental unit. Issachar was known for having "understanding of the times" (1 Chr 12:32), suggesting a tribe discerning in its affairs.
• out of the tribe: The phrase emphasizes the careful, tribe-by-tribe enumeration, demonstrating the detailed execution of God's command. This geographic distribution was crucial for the Levites' role.
• Kedeshi with its common-lands:
  • Kedeshi (קֶדֶשׁ, Qedesh) means "holy" or "sanctuary." This city's name fittingly signifies its purpose when designated for the Levites, who were themselves dedicated to holy service. Its proximity to other tribes and its name underscore its spiritual function. Kedeshi (often transliterated Kedesh) could also serve as a city of refuge (though this one from Issachar is not one of the six designated cities of refuge from Joshua 20).
  • common-lands (מִגְרָשֵׁהָ, migrasheha): These are the open lands or pasturelands surrounding the cities, crucial for sustaining the Levites' livestock. This provision was essential as the Levites had no territorial inheritance; their livelihood depended on the generosity and obedience of the other tribes, ensuring their distinct religious role was maintained without being burdened by agricultural duties of large tracts of land.
• and Hamoth-dor with its common-lands: Specific city name assigned to the Gershonites, ensuring their dwellings were strategically scattered. The "common-lands" attached to it highlight the uniform provision.
• and Kartan with its common-lands: Another distinct city from Issachar. The repetition of "with its common-lands" reinforces the completeness and consistency of the provision.
• three cities: This numerical detail reflects the precise adherence to the divine command and the organized nature of the land distribution.
• to the children of Gershon: (בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן, Bene Gershon). This identifies the specific family branch of the Levites who received these cities. The Gershonites were responsible for the care of the Tabernacle's curtains, coverings, and associated ropes and pegs (Num 3:25-26), a specific lineage of service which continued as they spread through Israel to serve spiritual needs.
• their cities: This final phrase confirms the definitive ownership and permanent assignment of these urban areas and their surrounding pastures to the Gershonites. It distinguishes these cities as places of residence specifically for this Levitical clan.

Words-group Analysis

• "out of the tribe of Issachar... three cities": This segment highlights the meticulous divine planning and execution in allocating cities. Each tribe contributed cities according to a set divine pattern, ensuring balanced distribution of Levitical presence across all of Israel.
• "Kedeshi with its common-lands, and Hamoth-dor with its common-lands, and Kartan with its common-lands": The repeated mention of "common-lands" is significant. It underscores the practical provision for the Levites' livelihood—pasture for their cattle—since they received no agricultural inheritance. It symbolizes the other tribes' support for those dedicated to sacred service, enabling them to focus on their religious and educational duties.
• "to the children of Gershon, their cities": This grouping emphasizes the direct lineage receiving the inheritance and the clear designation of these cities as their specific dwelling places. It reinforces the familial and perpetual nature of the Levitical service, established and sustained by God's faithfulness and the compliance of Israel.

Joshua 21 32 Bonus section

The systematic listing of these cities throughout Joshua 21 reinforces the biblical principle of meticulous fulfillment of divine commands. Each city mentioned, though perhaps seemingly insignificant individually, collectively forms part of God's grand design for Israel. The specific cities given to the Gershonites from Issachar were positioned strategically, facilitating the Levites' duty to instruct, arbitrate, and ensure the people adhered to God's commandments across all tribal territories. This detailed provision anticipates and contrasts with periods when Israel later neglected their responsibilities to the Levites, leading to spiritual decline, as seen in books like Nehemiah, where Levites abandoned temple service to work in fields because their provision was withheld. The divine order established in Joshua serves as a perpetual reminder of God's perfect system and Israel's role in maintaining it.

Joshua 21 32 Commentary

Joshua 21:32 is a precise detail within a larger divine plan, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. The provision of cities, including their vital common-lands, for the Gershonite Levites from the tribe of Issachar is not merely a record of geographical allocation but a profound theological statement. It underscores that God, who had no land of His own in Canaan, made careful arrangements for those dedicated to His service, affirming their sustained livelihood. Furthermore, the strategic dispersion of Levitical cities across all tribes, as evidenced here, ensured that centers of religious instruction, legal arbitration, and the preservation of God's Law were accessible to every part of the nation. This systematic arrangement fulfilled an ancient prophecy regarding Levi's "scattering" (Gen 49:7), transforming it from a potential curse into a divine blessing, positioning them as spiritual guides and upholders of justice for all Israel. It reveals a God of order, provision, and meticulous adherence to His own word, inviting His people to respond in obedience and trust. This also illustrates a principle: those who dedicate themselves to God's service are to be sustained by the community they serve.