Joshua 21 9

Joshua 21:9 kjv

And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name.

Joshua 21:9 nkjv

So they gave from the tribe of the children of Judah and from the tribe of the children of Simeon these cities which are designated by name,

Joshua 21:9 niv

From the tribes of Judah and Simeon they allotted the following towns by name

Joshua 21:9 esv

Out of the tribe of the people of Judah and the tribe of the people of Simeon they gave the following cities mentioned by name,

Joshua 21:9 nlt

The Israelites gave the following towns from the tribes of Judah and Simeon

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 9 Meaning

Joshua 21:9 records the start of the meticulous distribution of cities from specific tribes for the Levites. This particular verse specifies that cities were given from the territories of the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Simeon. These cities, explicitly named in subsequent verses, were allocated as an inheritance for certain Levitical families, in fulfillment of God's detailed commands.

Joshua 21 9 Context

Joshua chapter 21 concludes the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Having detailed the inheritance for each tribe in previous chapters, this chapter focuses specifically on the cities designated for the Levites. God had commanded Moses (Num 35) that the landless tribe of Levi was to receive 48 cities, scattered among all the other tribes, along with surrounding common-lands for their livestock. This dispersion enabled them to fulfill their priestly and teaching duties throughout Israel. Verse 9 is the beginning of the list of cities designated for the Kohathite Levites who were descendants of Aaron (the priests), the first of four groups of Levites to receive their allotments, indicating their prominent role. Historically, this event signifies the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenant promises and His established order for the worship and spiritual life of Israel, countering any idea of chaotic or self-serving land distribution.

Joshua 21 9 Word analysis

• And they gave (וַיִּתְּנוּ - va·yit·te·nu):

  • Word: "And they gave." The verb is natan (נתן), meaning "to give, put, set, place."
  • Significance: It signifies an action of distribution or allocation rather than acquisition by force. It points to a formal and divinely-ordained process. The plural "they" refers to the collective body authorized for the land division – Joshua, Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the tribal families (Josh 14:1, 19:51), acting under divine direction. This highlights an orderly process of divine gifting and human administration.

• out of the tribe (מִמַּטֵּה - mim·maṭ·ṭeh):

  • Word: Mim is a preposition meaning "from, out of." Maṭṭeh (מַטֶּה) means "rod, staff," and by extension, "tribe."
  • Significance: This emphasizes that these cities were not additional lands, but specific existing settlements taken from the portions already allocated to other tribes. This underscores the shared responsibility of all tribes to support the Levites.

• of the children of Judah (בְנֵי יְהוּדָה - və·nê Yə·hū·ḏāh):

  • Word: Bəney (בְּנֵי) means "sons of" or "children of." Yəhūḏāh (יְהוּדָה) is Judah.
  • Significance: Judah was the largest and most prominent tribe, receiving a significant initial land allotment (Josh 15). Giving cities from their portion demonstrates their leadership and their readiness to obey the divine command, supporting the Levitical priesthood. Their pre-eminence among the tribes (Gen 49:8-10) is subtly reflected here as they are listed first among those contributing cities.

• and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon (וּמִמַּטֵּה בְנֵי שִׁמְעוֹן - ū·mim·maṭ·ṭeh bə·nê Šim·‘ōn):

  • Word: Ū is "and." Šim·‘ōn (שִׁמְעוֹן) is Simeon.
  • Significance: This is a crucial detail because Simeon's tribal inheritance was unique; it was situated within the territory of Judah (Josh 19:1, 9). The inclusion of Simeon here, even though their land was absorbed into Judah's larger portion due to its abundance, signifies the meticulous detail of the record and also their participation in supporting the Levites as distinct (though land-integrated) tribal entities. It subtly refers to the prophetic word that Simeon would be divided (Gen 49:5-7), partially fulfilled by their absorption into Judah.

• these cities (הֶעָרִים הָאֵלֶּה - he·‘ā·rîm hā·’êl·leh):

  • Word: He‘ārim (הֶעָרִים) is "the cities." Hā’êl·leh (הָאֵלֶּה) means "these."
  • Significance: Points forward to the specific enumeration of the cities that follows in verses 10-19. The use of "these" indicates a precise, predefined list, emphasizing God's detailed plan rather than a general allocation.

• which are mentioned by name (אֲשֶׁר נִקְּבוּ בְשֵׁמוֹת - ’ă·šer niq·qə·ḇū bə·šê·mōwṯ):

  • Word: ’Ăšer (אֲשֶׁר) means "which, that." Niqqəḇu (נִקְּבוּ) is a Niphal verb from naqav (נקב), meaning "to specify, designate, pierce, enumerate." Bəšēmōwṯ (בְּשֵׁמוֹת) means "by names" or "by specific designation."
  • Significance: This phrase powerfully conveys the precise and unalterable nature of the divine command and its execution. It emphasizes that these cities were individually chosen and appointed by God's decree, not arbitrarily or conveniently grouped. This precision underscores God's meticulous care for His covenant people and His divine arrangements for worship and governance.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And they gave out of the tribe of...": Highlights the structured, divinely-guided process of land distribution. It's an act of official designation, not merely taking. This is the fulfillment of God's prior command to give Levites specific cities, demonstrating divine faithfulness and Israel's obedience.
  • "children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon": Juxtaposing these two tribes for the first batch of cities highlights Judah's preeminence and Simeon's unique position (absorbed into Judah's territory). It ensures that all tribes, directly or indirectly, participated in supporting the priesthood. This distribution method reflects God's wisdom in placing teachers of the Law throughout the land, enabling spiritual influence across all regions.
  • "these cities which are mentioned by name": This phrase accentuates the exactitude and specificity of God's plan. It’s a testament to the fact that God’s promises are detailed and His execution perfect. Nothing is left to chance; the specific towns for His ministers are chosen and listed, testifying to a God of order and meticulous provision.

Joshua 21 9 Bonus section

The system of Levitical cities not only provided for the Levites but also ensured that centers of spiritual teaching, law, and justice were distributed throughout the nascent Israelite nation. This was vital for national unity under God's Law and for preventing any tribe from becoming religiously isolated. These cities also functioned as places for the storing of offerings and tithes that supported the Levites, acting as a network of spiritual and administrative hubs. The mention of cities "mentioned by name" prefigures how God operates with divine precision, even down to the minute details of the land's apportionment.

Joshua 21 9 Commentary

Joshua 21:9 serves as the solemn introduction to the enumeration of cities allocated to the Aaronic priests (a subset of the Kohathite Levites), the spiritual leaders of Israel. This verse opens the final segment of land distribution in Joshua, emphasizing the sacred and orderly fulfillment of God's commands regarding the Levites' sustenance and dispersion throughout the land. By specifying cities from Judah and Simeon, it underscores several divine principles: first, God's faithfulness to His detailed promises, especially regarding the Levites' unique status (having God as their inheritance instead of land, Num 18:20); second, the shared responsibility of all tribes to support God's ministers; and third, God's wisdom in dispersing the priests and Levites, the teachers of the Law (Deut 33:10), amongst His people. The inclusion of Simeon within Judah's portion also highlights the precise execution of earlier prophetic words regarding tribal fates (Gen 49). The meticulous phrase "mentioned by name" points to the divine specificity, not random assignment, demonstrating God's sovereign control and precise provision for His covenant people.