Joshua 21:33 kjv
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
Joshua 21:33 nkjv
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their common-lands.
Joshua 21:33 niv
The total number of towns of the Gershonite clans came to thirteen, together with their pasturelands.
Joshua 21:33 esv
The cities of the several clans of the Gershonites were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.
Joshua 21:33 nlt
So in all, thirteen towns with their pasturelands were allotted to the clan of Gershon.
Joshua 21 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 35:1-8 | "The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab... appoint for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge... four cities... six cities..." | Command for Levitical/Refuge cities |
| Josh 21:2-3 | "And they spoke to them at Shiloh... ‘The Lord commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in...’" | Reminder of divine command for cities |
| Josh 21:27-32 | (List of individual Gershonite cities from Manasseh, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali) | Enumeration of the cities summarized in v.33 |
| Josh 21:41 | "All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasturelands." | Overall summary of all Levitical cities |
| Num 18:20-24 | "‘You shall have no inheritance in their land... I am your portion...’" | Levites' lack of land inheritance; God's provision |
| Deut 10:8-9 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi... Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers..." | Confirmation of Levitical unique status |
| Josh 21:43-45 | "Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give... Not one word of all the good promises... had failed." | God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises |
| Deut 7:9 | "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant..." | God's unwavering faithfulness |
| 1 Kings 8:56 | "Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel... Not one word has failed..." | Echoes of God's complete fulfillment |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | Principle of divine order and meticulous planning |
| Luke 10:7 | "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages." | Principle of support for those serving God |
| Heb 7:11-12 | (Discussion of change in priesthood and law) | Contrast with the lasting Melchizedekian priesthood |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches." | Principle of providing for spiritual leaders |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens... fellow citizens with the saints..." | Spiritual inheritance and identity in Christ |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..." | Spiritual parallel: Priesthood for believers |
| Rev 21:10-14 | (Description of the New Jerusalem and its twelve foundations) | God's ultimate and perfect provision/structure for His people |
| Heb 11:8-10 | (Abraham looking for a city with foundations whose architect is God) | God as the ultimate provider and designer |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | General principle of God's abundant provision |
| Matt 6:26 | "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." | God's care and provision extends to all |
| 1 Chron 6:60-61 | "From the tribe of Benjamin: Geba... All their cities were thirteen cities for their families." | Parallel listing of Kohathite (Aaronite) cities for reference (1 Chron parallels Joshua's lists) |
| Isa 66:21 | "'And I will take some of them for priests and for Levites,' says the Lord." | Future role of Levites, even in eschatological setting |
Joshua 21 verses
Joshua 21 33 Meaning
Joshua 21:33 summarizes the completed allocation of cities to the Gershonite clan of the Levites, detailing that they received thirteen cities and their pasturelands across various tribal territories. This verse marks the conclusion of their specific inheritance within the larger distribution of Levitical cities in Israel. It underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His promise to provide for the Levites, who received no tribal land inheritance, and highlights the orderly establishment of His people in the Promised Land.
Joshua 21 33 Context
Joshua chapter 21 details the fulfillment of God's command regarding the provision of cities for the tribe of Levi, who were set apart for priestly and temple service and received no territorial inheritance like the other tribes (Num 18:20-24). Following the general land distribution among the twelve tribes, the Levites approach Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal heads at Shiloh (v. 1-2) to remind them of the divine mandate to give them cities with their pasturelands (Num 35:1-8). The chapter meticulously lists the forty-eight cities, divided among the three Levitical clans—Kohath, Gershon, and Merari—and then specifies which cities were designated as Cities of Refuge. Joshua 21:33 specifically concludes the enumeration of the thirteen cities designated for the Gershonites (vv. 27-32), confirming that the mandate concerning their provision was precisely fulfilled according to their genealogical divisions. This entire chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the orderly establishment of His people in the Promised Land.
Joshua 21 33 Word analysis
- All (כָּל־): Hebrew kol. Denotes totality and completeness. Emphasizes that every single city allotted to the Gershonites, as divinely commanded, was indeed assigned. There were no omissions or partial fulfillments.
- the cities (הֶעָרִים): Hebrew he'arim. Refers to the walled habitations or towns. These were not merely fields but established dwelling places, signifying proper settlement and security.
- for the Gershonites (לַגֵּרְשׁוֹנִי): Hebrew la-Gershoni. Specifically indicates the beneficiaries. The Gershonites were one of the three primary clans of the Levites, descended from Levi's son Gershon (Gen 46:11; Num 3:17-26). Their specific service in the Tabernacle involved carrying the coverings, curtains, and cords.
- according to (לְ): Hebrew le-. Implies in accordance with, in proportion to, or belonging to. Signifies precise adherence to a predetermined standard or division.
- their families (מִשְׁפְּחֹתָם): Hebrew mishpekhotam. Refers to their respective family groups or clans within the larger Gershonite division. This highlights the genealogical precision of the land and city distribution, showing that God's plan was highly ordered and respected kinship lines.
- were (הָיוּ): Hebrew hayu. A verb indicating existence or state of being. Conveys a completed fact – these cities were indeed established as such.
- thirteen (שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה): Hebrew shelōsh 'eśrēh. A precise numerical designation. This number matches the sum of cities explicitly listed for the Gershonites from the tribes of Manasseh (2), Issachar (4), Asher (4), and Naphtali (3) in Josh 21:27-32, underscoring the accuracy and fulfillment of the divine instruction.
- cities (עָרִים): Hebrew arim. Reiteration of 'cities,' serving as the main count.
- with their suburbs (וּמִגְרָשֵׁיהֶם): Hebrew u-migrasheichem. Refers to the pasturelands or common lands immediately surrounding the cities. These areas were crucial for the Levites, who owned no agricultural land. They provided space for their livestock and essential sustenance, illustrating God's complete provision for all their needs.
Word-group analysis:
- "All the cities for the Gershonites according to their families": This phrase emphasizes the completeness and systematic nature of the allocation. It signifies that the divine command was thoroughly carried out, covering every city intended for this specific Levitical clan, meticulously organized by their genealogical divisions. This highlights divine order and Israel's obedience (at this point).
- "were thirteen cities with their suburbs": This precise quantification confirms the faithful execution of God's instructions regarding the number and nature of the dwelling places for the Gershonites. The inclusion of "suburbs" points to the practical sufficiency of God's provision, encompassing not just habitation but also the necessary means for the Levites' livelihood.
Joshua 21 33 Bonus section
- Theology of Divine Order: The meticulous detail in the allocation of cities in Joshua 21, and specifically for the Gershonites in verse 33, illustrates a core biblical principle: God is a God of order, not chaos (1 Cor 14:33). This orderly distribution reflects the systematic establishment of His kingdom on earth, where every part of society, including those set apart for worship, has its designated place and provision.
- Levitical Presence and Unity: By distributing the Levites, including the Gershonites, throughout the various tribes, these cities served as centers of religious instruction and judgment. They were living reminders of God's law and presence among all the tribes, fostering unity and preventing tribal isolation. This scattering, while seemingly counter-intuitive to a central land inheritance, was strategic for Israel's spiritual well-being.
- Contrast with Human Failure: While Joshua 21:33 speaks to God's faithfulness in provision and Israel's obedience in land distribution at this stage, subsequent books like Judges reveal how often this divine ideal was compromised. The failure to fully dispossess all inhabitants from their allocated lands often led to issues within the Levitical cities too, impacting their function and the Levites' faithfulness. This highlights that while God is always faithful, human adherence to His covenant is critical for the full realization of His blessings.
Joshua 21 33 Commentary
Joshua 21:33 stands as a declarative statement of a promise fulfilled. It is not merely an inventory count but a theological affirmation of God's fidelity. Having established specific criteria for the Levitical cities in Numbers 35, and having systematically detailed their assignment through various tribes, this verse concludes the Gershonites' portion of that allocation. The precision of "thirteen cities" (matching the preceding detailed enumeration) emphasizes that God's covenant promises are fulfilled meticulously, without a single detail missed. This provided for those devoted to spiritual service, ensuring their sustained livelihood and enabling their widespread influence throughout Israel, reminding the people of God's law and presence. It represents a significant step in the establishment of God's ordained structure for Israel as a holy nation, living under divine order.