Joshua 21 37

Joshua 21:37 kjv

Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.

Joshua 21:37 nkjv

Kedemoth with its common-land, and Mephaath with its common-land: four cities;

Joshua 21:37 niv

Kedemoth and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands?four towns;

Joshua 21:37 esv

Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands ? four cities;

Joshua 21:37 nlt

Kedemoth, and Mephaath ? four towns.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 37 Meaning

Joshua 21:37 details the allocation of two specific cities, Kedemoth and Mephaath, along with their associated pasture lands, to the families of the Merarite Levites. This verse concludes the list of cities assigned from the tribe of Reuben, stating that these contributions, in total with previously mentioned cities, constituted "four cities" for the Merarites from Reuben. It emphasizes the meticulous fulfillment of God's instructions regarding the tribal inheritances and the provision for the Levitical priesthood.

Joshua 21 37 Context

Joshua chapter 21 meticulously records the fulfillment of God's command concerning the provision of dwelling places for the Levites within the promised land. Though the Levites were not allotted a tribal territory like the other tribes (Deut 10:9), God ordained that they receive 48 cities, each with accompanying pasture lands, spread throughout all the tribal inheritances (Num 35:2-8). This distribution was vital as the Levites, who ministered to the Lord and taught His Law, needed to reside among all the tribes to perform their sacred duties.

Verse 37 specifically continues the enumeration of these Levitical cities. Following the completion of allocating cities to the Kohathite and Gershonite branches, Joshua 21:34-42 details the cities given to the Merarite branch of the Levites. Verse 37 lists two more of these cities, Kedemoth and Mephaath, from the tribe of Reuben. The summation "four cities" at the end of the verse concludes the Merarites' allocation from Reuben, implying the inclusion of two previously mentioned cities (Bezer and Jahaz, which complete the list to four according to other biblical texts like 1 Chron 6:78-79 and some textual traditions for Josh 21:36). The broader context of Joshua chapter 21, and indeed the entire book of Joshua, highlights the unwavering faithfulness of God in bringing His promises to fruition.

Joshua 21 37 Word analysis

• Kedemoth (קְדֵמוֹת - Qedemoth):
  • Meaning: "eastern," "ancient places," or "beginnings."
  • Significance: An ancient city in Reuben's territory east of the Jordan. Its inclusion shows that even lands across the Jordan, which were settled by specific tribes, were part of the detailed divine plan for Levitical distribution.
  • Original Context: Mentioned in Deut 2:26 as a wilderness region.
• also (וְגַם - vegam):
  • Meaning: "and also," "moreover."
  • Significance: A simple conjunction that emphasizes the continuation of the list, indicating these cities are added to the ones already mentioned as part of the total.
• with her suburbs (וּמִגְרָשֶׁהָ - u'migrasheha):
  • Meaning: "and her pasture lands" or "outskirts."
  • Migrash (מִגְרָשׁ): Refers to the common land surrounding the city, specified in Numbers 35:2-3 to be for the Levites' cattle and general communal use.
  • Significance: This phrase is consistently added to each city given to the Levites. It highlights the completeness and practicality of God's provision for their livelihoods, not just their dwelling. It demonstrates careful planning for their practical needs.
• and Mephaath (וּמֵפַעַת - u'Mefa'at):
  • Meaning: "splendor," "height," or "appearance."
  • Significance: Another specific town allocated to the Merarite Levites from Reuben, emphasizing the detailed geographical enumeration within the land partition.
  • Original Context: Mentioned again as a city given to the Levites in 1 Chronicles 6:79.
• four cities (אַרְבַּע עָרִים - arba' arim):
  • Meaning: "four cities."
  • Arba' (אַרְבַּע): "four."
  • Arim (עָרִים): "cities."
  • Significance: This precise numerical summation is crucial. While only Kedemoth and Mephaath are explicitly named in Joshua 21:37, the "four cities" implicitly includes two other cities given from Reuben to the Merarites (likely Bezer and Jahaz, found in other lists like 1 Chronicles 6:78-79 and some textual traditions for Joshua 21:36). This numerical precision underscores the meticulous nature of the divine command and its complete fulfillment. It demonstrates God's perfect administrative order and commitment to every detail of His covenant.

Joshua 21 37 Bonus section

The consistent mention of "suburbs" (מִגְרָשׁ - migrash) alongside each Levitical city in Joshua 21 emphasizes a crucial detail often overlooked: God's provision was holistic and practical. These "pasture lands" were not just empty spaces; they were vital for the Levites' livelihood, allowing them to keep cattle and support their families (Num 35:2-3). This shows the Lord's foresight in meeting both the spiritual needs (the Levites' presence for teaching) and the material needs of His consecrated servants.

Furthermore, within the overall framework of Levitical cities, a select few were designated as "Cities of Refuge" (Josh 20:7-8). Though Joshua 21:37 explicitly names Kedemoth, it is significant to note that Kedemoth itself was one of these Cities of Refuge for involuntary manslaughter. This adds another layer of divine planning, ensuring both the support of the Levites and the provision of justice and protection for the Israelites in one structured system. This underscores that God's plan is multifaceted, addressing various needs of His people simultaneously. The inclusion of such intricate details affirms the Bible's historical accuracy and its testimony to God's all-encompassing governance.

Joshua 21 37 Commentary

Joshua 21:37, while seemingly a dry list of ancient place names, carries profound theological weight within the overarching narrative of God's faithfulness. This verse concludes the specific allocation of cities to the Merarite Levites from the tribe of Reuben, reiterating the total of "four cities" with their necessary suburbs. Its significance lies not in the cities themselves as much as in what their specific listing represents: God's meticulous and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises.

Firstly, it underscores the fulfillment of prophecy and covenant. God had commanded Moses concerning the Levitical cities, detailing their number and nature (Num 35). Joshua 21 demonstrates that every detail, down to the last city and its suburbs, was precisely accounted for and fulfilled. This passage serves as a powerful witness to the divine veracity of God's Word—what He promises, He performs without fail or omission (Josh 21:45).

Secondly, it reveals God's order and divine provision. The systematic division of land and the specific placement of the Levites highlight God's wisdom in administering His people. The Levites, responsible for the tabernacle service and teaching the Law, needed to be disbursed among all tribes, and God providentially ensured their housing and livelihood through these cities and their pasture lands. This careful provision ensures His servants could fulfill their sacred duties.

Thirdly, the numerical accuracy, even with slight textual variations across versions, highlights the perfection of God's plan. The sum of "four cities" testifies to an exact and complete assignment. In a fallen world marked by chaos and imperfection, this divine precision in detailing even municipal allocations reminds believers of the meticulous care of a sovereign God who oversees every aspect of His creation and covenant relationship. It teaches us that God cares about the smallest details and that His plan is exhaustive.

In practice, this verse can serve as a reminder:

• To trust in God's faithfulness: If God meticulously fulfilled the allocation of these ancient cities, He will certainly fulfill His promises to us.
• To appreciate divine order: God's works are always structured and purposeful, inspiring believers to seek order and purpose in their lives and ministries.
• To recognize God's provision: Just as God provided fully for the Levites' needs, He ensures His people are provided for, often in ways that serve His greater purposes.