Joshua 21:37-45

37 and Heshbon, and Jazer; four cities, with their suburbs.

38 And (out) of the lineage of Reuben, beyond (the) Jordan, against Jericho (And from the tribe of Reuben, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, near Jericho), he gave the city of refuge, Bezer in the wilderness of Mizar, and Jahazah,

39 and Kedemoth, and Mephaath; four cities, with their suburbs.

40 (So) All the cities given to the sons of Merari, by their families and kindreds, were twelve (cities).

41 And so all the cities of (the) Levites, in the midst of [the] possession(s) of the sons of Israel, were eight and forty (cities), with their suburbs;

42 and all (these) cities were parted by families. (and all these cities were divided up among the families.)

43 And the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore himself to give to their fathers, and they had it in possession, and dwelled therein (and lived there).

44 And peace was given of the Lord into all nations about; and none of [the] enemies were hardy to withstand the sons of Israel, but all men were driven into their lordship. (And the Lord gave them peace with all the nations about; and none of their enemies was fool-hardy enough to stand against the Israelites, indeed, the Lord brought all these people under their rule.)

45 Forsooth neither one word, that he promised himself to give to Israel, was void, but all his words were fulfilled in works. (And so not one thing that the Lord had promised to give Israel was left void, or undone, but rather, all of his words were fulfilled with deeds.)

Joshua 21:37-45 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 21

This chapter contains the address of the Levites to the court, to have the cities and suburbs given them according to the command of God by Moses, Jos 21:1,2; the grant of them by lot out of the several tribes, Jos 21:3-8; the particular cities out of the tribes of Judah and Simeon are mentioned by name, Jos 21:9-16; then those out of the tribe of Benjamin, Jos 21:17-19; next those out of the tribe of Ephraim, Jos 21:20-22; afterwards those out of the tribe of Dan, Jos 21:23-26; then those out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Jos 21:27; and out of the tribe of Issachar, Jos 21:28,29; and out of the tribe of Asher, Jos 21:30,31; and of Naphtali, Jos 21:32,33; and of Zebulun, Jos 21:34,35; and of Reuben, Jos 21:36,37; and of Gad, Jos 21:38-40; which in all made forty eight, Jos 21:41,42; and the chapter is concluded with observing, that God gave Israel all the land of Canaan, and rest in it, according to his promise, very faithfully and punctually, Jos 21:43-45.