Joshua 21 42

Joshua 21:42 kjv

These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.

Joshua 21:42 nkjv

Every one of these cities had its common-land surrounding it; thus were all these cities.

Joshua 21:42 niv

Each of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it; this was true for all these towns.

Joshua 21:42 esv

These cities each had its pasturelands around it. So it was with all these cities.

Joshua 21:42 nlt

Every one of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 42 Meaning

Joshua 21:42 concisely affirms that every single city allotted to the Levites was accompanied by its designated surrounding pasturelands, underscoring the universal and consistent nature of this provision. It serves as a declarative summary, emphasizing the meticulous fulfillment of God's detailed instructions concerning the Levites' dwellings and means of sustenance across the whole land.

Joshua 21 42 Context

Joshua chapter 21 concludes the detailed account of the land distribution among the Israelite tribes, which began in chapter 13. Specifically, chapters 20 and 21 focus on the provision of cities for the Levites (who had no tribal land inheritance) and the cities of refuge. Following God's explicit commands given in Numbers 35, the Levites were to receive 48 cities spread throughout the territories of the other tribes, ensuring their presence among all the people for spiritual instruction and service. Verse 42 serves as a conclusive statement to the exhaustive list of these cities, asserting that each city received by the Levites, irrespective of its location or the tribe it came from, was indeed complete with its requisite pasturelands. This emphasizes the precision and totality of the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, confirming that all aspects of His detailed instructions were flawlessly executed. Historically, this allocation marked the final act in securing Israel's promised land, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

Joshua 21 42 Word analysis

• Every one of these cities (לְכָל הֶעָרִים הָאֵלֶּה - lekol he'arim ha'elleh):
  • לְכָל (lekol): "To all," "for every." This prepositional phrase emphasizes the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the preceding account. It means no city allotted to the Levites was an exception. It denotes universality, signifying God's precise fulfillment of every detail.
  • הֶעָרִים (he'arim): "The cities." Refers specifically to the 48 cities detailed earlier in the chapter that were allocated to the Levites, confirming they were actual, existing settlements.
  • הָאֵלֶּה (ha'elleh): "These." Points directly back to the enumerated cities, leaving no room for ambiguity about which cities are being referenced.
• had its surrounding pasturelands (הָיוּ מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶן סְבִיבֹתֵיהֶן - hayu migresheyhen sevivothehen):
  • הָיוּ (hayu): "Were," "existed." A verb indicating possession or presence.
  • מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶן (migresheyhen): "Their pasturelands" (from מִגְרָשׁ - migrash). The term refers to the open grazing areas or common lands designated around a city for livestock. This provision was critical for the Levites' sustenance, as they received no tribal land for farming but depended on tithes, offerings, and their livestock (Num 35:2-3; Lev 25:32-34). It highlights God's practical care for their daily needs.
  • סְבִיבֹתֵיהֶן (sevivothehen): "Around them," "their surroundings." This denotes a defined perimeter around each city. Numbers 35:4-5 specifies these areas as extending 1,000 cubits out from the city walls. This indicates precise boundaries for the pasturelands, reflecting divine order and avoiding potential disputes.
• the same was true (כֵּן - ken):
  • כֵּן (ken): "Thus," "so," "just so," "in like manner." This is an emphatic affirmation, acting as a concluding summary and reinforcement. It unequivocally declares that what was just stated (about the pasturelands) was consistently true for every single city without exception. It reiterates the divine meticulousness and fidelity.
• for all these cities (לְכָל הֶעָרִים אֵלֶּה - lekol he'arim 'elleh):
  • This is a near-repetition of the initial phrase, serving as a powerful rhetorical device. It reinforces the universal application and completeness of the fulfillment. The redundancy highlights the absolute accuracy and comprehensiveness of God's provision. It is a definitive concluding statement of assurance regarding the meticulousness of the divine arrangement.

Joshua 21 42 Bonus section

The precise allocation of Levitical cities and their pasturelands, as summarized in this verse, stands in stark contrast to the often haphazard and unplanned settlements characteristic of pagan cultures. This ordered structure reflects the character of God as a God of order and not of confusion (1 Cor 14:33). The Levites, distributed among all tribes, served as spiritual guides and teachers, and their designated pasturelands ensured they had the resources to maintain themselves in a manner befitting their calling. This setup allowed for continuous religious instruction and the administration of justice throughout the land, fulfilling God's desire for His presence and laws to be disseminated among His people. The inclusion of even "pasturelands" speaks to the exhaustive nature of God's blessings and how no detail is too small for His perfect plan. This verse serves as a concluding witness to the overarching theme of the book: God does everything He says He will do, down to the minutest detail, a testament to His unshakeable character and promises.

Joshua 21 42 Commentary

Joshua 21:42 is a powerful statement of God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous attention to detail in fulfilling His promises. After chapters detailing the complex and diverse allocations of land to each tribe, and then the specific cities for the Levites, this verse provides a succinct and emphatic summary. It confirms that the divine command given to Moses in Numbers 35 regarding the Levites' cities and their crucial pasturelands was completely and precisely carried out. The inclusion of pasturelands was not a trivial detail; it was essential for the livelihood of the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, did not receive an agricultural inheritance. This provision ensured their capacity to serve the Lord fully without being burdened by secular concerns for survival. The verse reiterates the completeness ("every one") and consistency ("the same was true for all") of this fulfillment, demonstrating that no aspect of God's word went unheeded or partially accomplished. It reinforces the core theme of the book of Joshua: God is true to His covenant, and His people experience His blessings when they walk in obedience to His word. This divine provision underscores God's care for His servants, ensuring their practical needs are met so they can focus on their spiritual duties, a principle still relevant for those serving Him today.