Joshua 21
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CHAPTER 21
Towns for the Levites (21:1–45)
(1 Chronicles 6:54–80)
1–3 One tribe, the Levites, still remained to receive what the Lord had promised them. They had not been promised an inheritance of land, but they had been promised forty-eight towns, each surrounded by a small amount of pasture land (see Numbers 35:1–5 and comment).
4–8 The towns were assigned by lot to each of the three Levite branches—the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites—the descendants of Levi’s three sons (Exodus 6:16). The first lot fell to the Kohathites, because Aaron the high priest had been a descendant of Kohath (Exodus 6:18,20), and because all future priests would be chosen from Aaron’s line. The descendants of Aaron were allotted thirteen towns in the territories of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin (verse 4)—the three territories closest to Jerusalem, the eventual site of God’s temple. The Lord, who controlled the lots, placed His priests near His future temple; at the time, only the Lord knew where the temple would be located.
9–19 These verses list the towns of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin that were to be given to the descendants of Aaron. Notice that Hebron, Caleb’s city, was designated both a city for Levites and a city of refuge (verses 11–13). God had commanded that six of the Levites’ forty-eight cities should be cities of refuge (see Numbers 35:6–15 and comment).
20–40 These verses list the remaining towns given to the Levites from the various tribes on both sides of the Jordan River.
41–42 The total number of the Levites’ towns with pasture land was forty-eight, in accordance with the Lord’s command (Numbers 35:7). The Levites would thus be established throughout all of Israel. They would be readily available to teach God’s law, to help settle disputes, and to encourage the people in their faith. The dispersion of the Levites was God’s provision for helping the Israelites maintain their faith as they settled in their new land. They had entered by faith; they had triumphed by faith; and now they were to dwell by faith. And the Levites would help them do so.
43–45 In this way God fulfilled His covenant promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 15:18–21). Though the full occupation of Canaan remained incomplete, the Israelites were now securely established throughout the land. And the Lord gave them rest (verse 44)—rest from insecurity, fear, and major fighting (see Deuteronomy 12:8–14 and comment). The Lord had been faithful. Not one of all His promises had failed (verse 45).