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Joshua 21

45 verses

TL;DR

Joshua 21 records the distribution of cities to the Levites by lot, fulfilling the LORD’s command, and summarizes the Israelites’ conquest and possession of Canaan.

Summary

The chapter opens with the heads of the Levitical families and the Israelite tribes meeting at Shiloh to discuss the allocation of cities to the Levites, as commanded by Moses. By lot, the Levites—divided into the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites—receive a total of 48 cities with suburbs, each assigned from specific Israelite tribes. The text lists the names and tribal origins of each city, noting special cities of refuge such as Hebron, Shechem, and Golan. After enumerating all allocations, the chapter summarizes the overall conquest: Israel occupies the promised land, experiences divine protection, and all covenant promises are fulfilled. The narrative closes with a declaration of the LORD’s faithfulness to the house of Israel.

Outline
  1. Distribution of cities to the Levites by lot
  2. Listing of each city and its tribal source
  3. Conclusion of conquest and fulfillment of the covenant
Themes
Divine allotment of landInheritances and tribal identityCities of refuge and divine justiceFulfillment of covenant promises
Keywords
LeviKohathGershonMeraricities of refugeCanaaninheritancelottribessuburbs
People
EleazarJoshuaLeviKohathAaronCalebJethunnehthe families of the children of Israel
Places
ShilohCanaanHebronLibnahJattirEshtemoaHolonDebirAinJuttahBethshemeshGibeonGebaAnathothAlmonShechemGezerKibzaimBethhoronEltekehGibbethonAijalonGathrimmonTanachGolanBashanKishonDabarehJarmuthEngannimMishalAbdonHelkathRehobKedeshHammothdorKartanJokneamKartahDimnahNahalalBezerJahazahKedemothMephaathRamothHeshbonJazerZebulunReubenGadZebulunGideonGibeonGazaJezreel
Things
cities of refugesuburbslotinheritanceLand of Canaan
Key Verses
  • Joshua 21:1: Introduction of the meeting to distribute cities
  • Joshua 21:4: First allocation of cities to the Kohathites
  • Joshua 21:10: Designation of Hebron as a city of refuge
  • Joshua 21:43: Summary of Israel’s possession of the land
  • Joshua 21:45: Fulfillment of the LORD’s promises
Questions
  • What does the process of allotting cities by lot reveal about Israel’s view of divine sovereignty?
  • How do the cities of refuge function within the broader social and legal system described here?
  • In what ways does Joshua 21 emphasize the fulfillment of covenant promises, and how might this have shaped Israelite identity?
Sentiment

positive
the chapter depicts successful fulfillment of God’s promises and peaceful settlement