Joshua 21 4

Joshua 21:4 kjv

And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.

Joshua 21:4 nkjv

Now the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. And the children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot from the tribe of Judah, from the tribe of Simeon, and from the tribe of Benjamin.

Joshua 21:4 niv

The first lot came out for the Kohathites, according to their clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest were allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.

Joshua 21:4 esv

The lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities.

Joshua 21:4 nlt

The descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, were allotted thirteen towns that were originally assigned to the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 4 Meaning

Joshua 21:4 describes the outcome of the divinely ordained allocation of cities for the Kohathite families among the Levites. Specifically, it highlights that the descendants of Aaron, who were priests and belonged to the Kohathite clan, received thirteen cities by lot from the tribal territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. This verse emphasizes the meticulous fulfillment of God's command regarding the provision for the priestly class, ensuring their dwelling places amidst the tribes of Israel as part of their service.

Joshua 21 4 Context

Joshua chapter 21 details the fulfillment of God's command in Numbers 35 regarding the allocation of cities and pasturelands to the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a continuous tribal land inheritance. After the land of Canaan had been conquered and divided among the nine and a half tribes, attention turned to providing for the Levites. This verse falls within the specific listing of the Kohathite Levites' cities, differentiating between the priestly (Aaronite) branch and the non-priestly Kohathites. It marks the meticulous culmination of the land distribution, emphasizing divine order and faithfulness in keeping promises to all twelve tribes, including Levi in their unique service role. Historically, this allocation was crucial for establishing the religious and administrative infrastructure of Israel throughout the promised land, ensuring that those dedicated to sacred service had dwelling places dispersed among all the people.

Joshua 21 4 Word analysis

• And the lot came out: (וַיֵּצֵא֙ הַגּוֹרָל֙, wayyeṣe’ haggrorāl)

  • Lot (גּוֹרָל, goral): This refers to the casting of lots, a method used in ancient Israel to discern the divine will or to make important decisions when human judgment was insufficient (cf. Prov 16:33; Acts 1:26). It was not seen as random chance but as a means by which God's sovereignty was exercised in practical matters, signifying divine approval and ultimate control over the land distribution process.
  • Came out: Implies a definitive, determined outcome, not merely a suggestion. It signifies divine declaration.

• for the families of the Kohathites:

  • Kohathites (קְהָתִי, qehati): One of the three major divisions of the Levites (along with Gershon and Merari), descendants of Kohath, Levi's second son. They had the highly responsible task of carrying the Tabernacle's most sacred articles (e.g., Ark of the Covenant, table of showbread, menorah, altars) when Israel was on the move. Their allocated cities ensured their proximity to the people they served, allowing for priestly and Levitical service across the nation.

• and the children of Aaron the priest:

  • Children of Aaron (בְּנֵ֣י אַֽהֲרֹ֗ן הַכֹּהֵן֙, bene Ahărōn hakkōhēn): This specifies a particular subgroup within the Kohathites. Only direct descendants of Aaron served as priests. This clarifies that these 13 cities were specifically for the priestly family responsible for leading cultic worship and mediating between God and Israel, underscoring their unique, divinely ordained role (cf. Num 3:10; 18:7). This was a sacred and hereditary office.

• which were of the Levites:

  • Clarifies the tribal affiliation. While the term "priest" generally indicated an Aaronite, this phrase re-emphasizes their lineage from the tribe of Levi, distinguishing them from potential non-Levitical priests. All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests.

• had by lot:

  • Reiterates the method of distribution, underscoring divine authorization and fairness. It's a key motif throughout the land distribution narrative in Joshua.

• out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin:

  • Lists the specific tribes from which these first cities were allocated. These tribes were generally located in the southern parts of Canaan. This geographic detail illustrates the dispersion of the Aaronite priests strategically among the key southern tribal areas, allowing for their ministerial accessibility throughout Israel (cf. 1 Chr 6:54-60 for a more detailed list of cities).

• thirteen cities:

  • Thirteen: A precise number, indicative of the meticulous fulfillment of the divine plan. This exact count is later confirmed in Josh 21:19 and 1 Chr 6:60. It also represents a significant portion of the total cities allocated to the entire Kohathite clan (which was 23 cities total - 13 for Aaronites, 10 for other Kohathites).

Joshua 21 4 Bonus section

The seemingly administrative detail of cities for the Kohathites, especially the Aaronites, goes beyond mere logistics. It establishes the theological principle that divine blessing comes through obedience and the fulfillment of roles within God's covenant structure. The dispersal of the Levites, especially the priests, throughout the land, instead of in one concentrated territory, served several critical purposes: it prevented the formation of a separate political power base for the priestly caste; it enabled religious instruction, legal arbitration, and ritual purification services to be accessible to all tribes, reinforcing national unity under one God and one law; and it symbolized the ongoing presence of God's servants amidst His people. The "thirteen cities" specifically for the priests highlight the unique provision for the mediation of sacrifice and worship, demonstrating the importance of the priestly office in the spiritual life of early Israel, a pattern that points towards the universal access to God made possible through the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Joshua 21 4 Commentary

Joshua 21:4 is not just an administrative record but a theological statement about God's meticulous faithfulness and order. The verse reveals several key aspects: Firstly, the emphasis on the "lot" signifies that the land distribution was not by human design or negotiation but by divine decree. This assured Israel that their inheritance was truly from the Lord, guaranteeing its legitimacy and permanence. Secondly, the specific mention of the "Kohathites" and particularly the "children of Aaron the priest" highlights God's special provision for those dedicated to His service. These priests, who handled the holiest components of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, required established dwelling places to fulfill their sacred duties throughout the nation. Their distribution among Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin demonstrates a strategic scattering rather than concentration, ensuring accessibility of priestly functions and spiritual guidance across these crucial regions. The precise number "thirteen cities" underscores the exactitude of God's promises; not a single detail was left unfulfilled from the Levitical directives given in Numbers. This precision acts as a profound assurance that every good word spoken by the Lord concerning His people will ultimately be brought to pass (Josh 21:45), fostering faith in God's reliability for His church. This verse implicitly assures us that God provides for those consecrated to His service and establishes an orderly structure for their ministry within His people.