Joshua 21 8

Joshua 21:8 kjv

And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Joshua 21:8 nkjv

And the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses.

Joshua 21:8 niv

So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these towns and their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

Joshua 21:8 esv

These cities and their pasturelands the people of Israel gave by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

Joshua 21:8 nlt

So the Israelites obeyed the LORD's command to Moses and assigned these towns and pasturelands to the Levites by casting sacred lots.

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 8 Meaning

Joshua 21:8 describes a key aspect of the divinely ordained allocation of cities for the Levites within the promised land of Canaan. It specifies that the first portion of these Levitical cities was designated "by lot" from the territories of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. The phrase "which are called by names" emphasizes the meticulous and specific designation of these particular cities, ensuring a precise fulfillment of God's plan for the Levitical families, even though they did not receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes. This verse highlights divine sovereignty in the distribution and God's faithfulness in providing for His priestly tribe.

Joshua 21 8 Context

Joshua 21 is a pivotal chapter marking the completion of the land distribution among the twelve tribes of Israel after the conquest of Canaan. Having allocated distinct territorial inheritances to ten tribes and two half-tribes (Manasseh and Ephraim), the narrative shifts to address the Levites. As specified in earlier Mosaic law (e.g., Numbers 35:1-8), the tribe of Levi, being dedicated to the priestly and religious service of the LORD, was not to receive a consolidated territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, forty-eight cities with their surrounding pasturelands were to be provided for them, spread throughout the other tribes' territories. This arrangement ensured the Levites were accessible to all Israel, enabling them to fulfill their duties of teaching the Law, maintaining the tabernacle/temple service, and administering justice.

Joshua 21:8 specifically concerns the first group of Levitical clans mentioned in verse 5, the descendants of Aaron (part of the Kohathites), to whom cities were allocated from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. Historically, this distribution underlines the fulfillment of God's ancient promises and commands regarding His chosen people and the precise, divinely orchestrated manner in which the land of Canaan was apportioned. It also served as an indirect polemic against human claims of absolute dominion over land, emphasizing instead that land belonged to God and was distributed by His decree. This order reinforced the theological truth that true blessing came from adhering to God's instructions, rather than from human ambition or power struggles common among other ancient Near Eastern peoples.

Joshua 21 8 Word analysis

• And: Connects this verse to the preceding statements, indicating continuity in the land allocation process.
• by lot: (Hebrew: b'goral / בַּגּוֹרָל) Refers to the sacred casting of lots. This method was not a matter of chance, but a divine means of discerning God's will and purpose. It indicated that the outcome was solely determined by the Lord, ensuring fairness and preventing tribal disputes.
• were these cities given: Implies divine agency behind the allocation. While humans (Joshua and Eleazar) executed the process, the ultimate decision and distribution were from God.
• from the tribe of the children of Judah: Judah had the largest land inheritance, and thus contributed the most cities to the Levites. This tribal name specifically identifies the source of these first cities.
• and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon: Simeon's inheritance was actually situated within the larger territory of Judah (Joshua 19:1-9), demonstrating the intricate and specific nature of the division. Their cities contributed to the Levitical allocation.
• and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin: Benjamin's territory was strategically located between Judah and Ephraim, providing additional cities. The inclusion of these three specific southern tribes reflects the initial group of cities for the Kohathite priests.
• which are called by names: (Hebrew: bashshemot / בַּשֵּׁמוֹת) This phrase emphasizes the specificity and distinct enumeration of the cities. It implies these were not just a quantity of unnamed settlements, but precisely designated and identified locations. It foreshadows the detailed listing of cities that follows in verses 9-19 for the priestly Kohathites and later for the other Levite clans. This exactitude underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises and orderly provision.

Joshua 21 8 Bonus section

The specific cities given to the Levites, spread throughout the land, highlight their unique role as "living lessons" or "salt and light" to the nation. While they did not have a large tribal land to manage, their very presence in the various tribal territories ensured that the instruction of God's law and the practice of pure worship were continually accessible to all Israelites. This geographical dispersion reflects a divine wisdom, positioning the spiritual leaders strategically among the people rather than sequestering them in one centralized location. It was a visible demonstration that their inheritance was the LORD Himself (Num 18:20), and their sustenance came from the offerings and tithes of the people, fostering a direct dependency on God's provision through the obedience of His people. The "called by names" detail foreshadows the exhaustive nature of God's commands and promises, signifying His care for specific, tangible details in fulfilling His word. This divine precision in land distribution stood in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and power-driven territorial claims of the pagan nations surrounding Israel, showcasing the unique covenant relationship between the LORD and His people.

Joshua 21 8 Commentary

Joshua 21:8 succinctly describes a key part of the Levitical city allocation, an essential element of Israel's settled existence in the promised land. The primary method, "by lot," underscores the principle that the land and its division were ultimately under God's sovereign hand, removing any human bias or contention from the process. This act was a direct fulfillment of the detailed commands given by God through Moses, emphasizing His faithfulness in providing for His people and especially for those set apart for His service. The specific mention of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin indicates the territories from which the cities for the priestly family of Aaron (a Kohathite branch of Levi) were drawn. The meticulous detail, reinforced by "which are called by names," highlights that God's plan was precise, ensuring every designated city was accurately given, allowing the Levites to be strategically distributed throughout the land to serve all Israel as teachers, judges, and guardians of God's law. This arrangement was critical for the spiritual well-being of the nation.