Joshua 21 5

Joshua 21:5 kjv

And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.

Joshua 21:5 nkjv

The rest of the children of Kohath had ten cities by lot from the families of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 21:5 niv

The rest of Kohath's descendants were allotted ten towns from the clans of the tribes of Ephraim, Dan and half of Manasseh.

Joshua 21:5 esv

And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.

Joshua 21:5 nlt

The other families of the Kohathite clan were allotted ten towns from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 5 Meaning

Joshua 21:5 states that the non-Aaronite descendants of Kohath, one of the three main branches of the Levites, received ten cities by lot. These cities were allocated from the tribal territories of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This verse details a specific portion of God's provision for the Levites, ensuring their dwelling places and means of service were justly distributed throughout the land of Israel after its conquest.

Joshua 21 5 Context

Joshua 21:5 is part of a detailed account in the Book of Joshua concerning the fulfillment of God's commands regarding the distribution of the land of Canaan. Following the military conquest and the initial tribal land assignments, chapter 21 addresses the specific allocation of cities to the Levites. The Levites, unique among the tribes, did not receive a consolidated territorial inheritance because "the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance" (Josh 18:7) and the Lord Himself was their portion (Num 18:20). Instead, they were dispersed among all the tribes to fulfill their priestly, educational, and judicial roles across Israel.

This verse focuses on the non-Aaronite Kohathites, who were distinct from the Aaronic priests (also Kohathites, but whose 13 cities were already detailed in Josh 21:4). Their allocation of ten cities from specific tribes (Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) underscores the orderly and precise nature of the land distribution, supervised by Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal heads. The use of "by lot" highlights the divine approval and involvement in every aspect of the settlement, assuring the people that this was God's decreed will. This chapter also serves as a strong testimony to God's faithfulness in fulfilling all His promises to Israel.

Joshua 21 5 Word analysis

• And the rest (`וּלְבְנֵ֣י`, u'l'v'nei): This introductory phrase specifically refers to the non-Aaronic families among the descendants of Kohath. It distinguishes them from the priests (Aaronites) mentioned in the preceding verse, who also belonged to the Kohathite lineage. This highlights an internal division and distinct allocation within the Kohathite clan, underscoring their diverse duties and specific cities.
• of the children of Kohath (`הַקְּהָתִ֗י`, haqqəhāṯî): "Kohath" (from Qehath in Hebrew) was one of the three sons of Levi, alongside Gershon and Merari. His descendants, the Kohathites, were divinely assigned the significant duty of carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and other holy furnishings of the Tabernacle during Israel's journeys. Their placement among the tribes ensured a holy presence throughout Israel.
• from the families (`מִשְׁפְּחוֹת`, mishpəḥōṯ): This term emphasizes clan units and genealogical divisions within a larger tribe. It denotes that the allocation was precise, down to the specific lineage groups. This detail demonstrates God's ordered provision, ensuring fairness and specific identification for each segment of the Levites.
• of the tribe of Ephraim (`אֶפְרַ֕יִם`, ʾEphraim): Ephraim was a prominent northern tribe, a son of Joseph, signifying strength and fruitfulness. Their participation in providing cities for the Levites highlights their integral role in supporting God's appointed ministers within their populous territory.
• and from the tribe of Dan (`וּמִשֵּׁ֥בֶט דָּ֖ן`, ūmiššḗveṭ Dān): Dan, another significant tribe (a son of Jacob), contributed cities. Although later history reveals issues within Dan's territory and its eventual migration, their inclusion here shows their initial participation in the shared responsibility of providing for the Levites.
• and from the half-tribe of Manasseh (`וּמֵחֲצִ֣י שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה`, ūmēḥăṣî šḗveṭ Mənaššeh): Manasseh, like Ephraim, was a son of Joseph. The specification "half-tribe" indicates that only a part of their land, specifically the half on the west of the Jordan (as the other half settled east of Jordan), provided these cities. This distinction reinforces the careful division of land and resources across all tribal boundaries.
• had by lot (`בַּגּוֹרָֽל`, bǎggōrā́l): This method of "casting lots" was a deeply significant practice in ancient Israel, understood as a means for divine revelation or decision-making. It emphasized that the distribution of these cities was not arbitrary or human-negotiated, but directly determined by God's sovereign will, ensuring justice and eliminating dispute. It signified God's direct involvement in His people's affairs.
• ten cities (`עָרִ֖ים עֶשֶׂר`, ʿārîm ʿéśer): A precise number. This specific count contributed to the overall 48 Levitical cities spread across Israel. The exact number underscores the meticulous planning and execution of God's directives. It signifies the tangible provision given for the Levites to dwell among the tribes and fulfill their ministry.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the rest of the children of Kohath": This phrase differentiates the non-priestly Kohathites from the priestly Kohathites (Aaronites) previously mentioned. It highlights that while both groups belonged to the same lineage, their specific divine assignments and city allocations were distinct, demonstrating a structured and segmented plan for Levitical settlement.
• "from the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and from the tribe of Dan, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh": This specifies the precise tribal sources of the cities. It showcases the inter-tribal responsibility for the upkeep and dwelling places of the Levites. It reinforces the idea that the entire nation of Israel was united in its support for the Levitical ministry, as opposed to Levites being isolated. This dispersal among diverse tribes also meant that Levitical teaching and judicial services were accessible to all.
• "had by lot ten cities": This segment encapsulates God's precise and just distribution method. The term "by lot" confirms divine authorization, ensuring impartiality and removing any human manipulation from the critical process of settling the land. The specified number "ten cities" underlines the exact fulfillment of the divine blueprint for Levite provision.

Joshua 21 5 Bonus section

The careful designation of cities for the Levites, as seen in Joshua 21, ensures they are not without provision, yet remain without a personal territorial inheritance like the other tribes. This paradoxically signifies their "better portion" – the Lord Himself is their inheritance (Num 18:20; Deut 18:1-2). This principle foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ. The scattering of the Levites across the land made them centers of worship, law, and learning for all Israel. It prevented any single tribal entity from having sole claim over divine teaching or judicial interpretation. The very tribes providing the cities, like Ephraim and Manasseh (sons of Joseph, signifying fruitfulness and abundance) and Dan (initially strong), underscores that even prominent and vital tribes contributed to the support of God's designated ministers, reflecting a communal responsibility. This highlights the interdependency within God's people, where each part contributes to the flourishing of the whole, particularly concerning spiritual nourishment.

Joshua 21 5 Commentary

Joshua 21:5 is a concise yet profound verse illustrating God's faithfulness, meticulous planning, and the essential role of the Levites in ancient Israel. It confirms the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to provide for His ministers, ensuring the Levites had a settled place among their brethren, despite not receiving a tribal land inheritance. Their dispersion, dictated "by lot" and across specific tribes like Ephraim, Dan, and Manasseh, was strategic. This scattering enabled them to serve as teachers of the Law, spiritual guides, and judicial figures throughout the land, keeping God's statutes alive among all the tribes. The precision of "ten cities" emphasizes divine order and justice, confirming that every detail of God's plan for Israel's settlement was executed according to His sovereign will.

This demonstrates how God ensures the support of those dedicated to His service, not through independent wealth or political power, but through the faithful provision of the wider community. It also underscores that true spiritual leaders are to be "in the midst" of the people, not set apart in exclusive enclaves, facilitating accessible spiritual guidance and upholding righteousness.