Joshua 21
Overview
21:1 Eight and forty cities given by lot, out of the other tribes, unto the Levites;
21:43 God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise. Verse 1 the heads Joshua 19:51; Exodus 6:14, 6:25 Eleazar Joshua 14:1, 17:4; Numbers 34:17-29 Reciprocal Genesis 47:22 - for the priests; 49:7 - I will divide; Leviticus 25:32 - the cities; Numbers 3:17 - General; Nehemiah 11:36 - And of; Ezekiel 48:10 - for the priests Verse 2 Shiloh Joshua 18:1 The Lord Numbers 35:2-8; Ezekiel 48:9-18; Matthew 10:10; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17, 5:18 Reciprocal Joshua 14:4 - save cities Verse 3 unto the Levites Genesis 49:7; Deuteronomy 33:8-10; 1 Chronicles 6:54-81 Reciprocal Numbers 35:6 - six cities for refuge; 35:7 - General; 35:8 - possession; Joshua 21:8 - by lot Verse 4 the children Joshua 21:8-19, 24:33; 1 Chronicles 6:54-60 the tribeThese tribes furnished more habitation to the Levites, in proportion, than any of the other tribes, because they possessed a more extensive inheritance, agreeably to what Moses had commanded - Numbers 35:8. It is worthy of remark, that the principal part of this tribe, whose business was to minister at the sanctuary, which sanctuary was afterwards established at Jerusalem, had their appointment nearest to that city; so that they were always within reach of the sacred work which God had appointed them.Reciprocal Joshua 21:10 - General; 1 Chronicles 6:61 - left Verse 5 Joshua 21:20-26; Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16-25; Numbers 3:27; 1 Chronicles 6:18, 6:19, 6:61, 6:66-70 Reciprocal 6:54 - of the families Verse 6 Joshua 21:27-33; Exodus 6:16, 6:17; Numbers 3:21, 3:22; 1 Chronicles 6:62, 6:71-76
Verse 7 Joshua 21:34-40; Exodus 6:19; Numbers 3:20; 1 Chronicles 6:63, 6:77-81 Reciprocal 6:47 - Merari Verse 8 by lot Joshua 21:3, 18:6; Numbers 33:54, 35:3; Proverbs 16:33, 18:18 as the Lord Numbers 32:2 Reciprocal Joshua 21:4 - the children Verse 9 these cities Joshua 21:13-18; 1 Chronicles 6:65 mentionedHeb. calledReciprocal 2 Chronicles 31:15 - the cities; Luke 1:39 - into Verse 10 Joshua 21:4; Exodus 6:18, 6:20-26; Numbers 3:2-4, 3:19, 3:27, 4:2
Verse 11 And they 1 Chronicles 6:55 the city of Arbaor, Kirjath-arba, Joshua 15:13, 15:14, 15:54; Genesis 23:2, 35:27; Judges 1:10 is Hebron 2 Samuel 2:1-3, 5:1-5, 15:7 in the hill Joshua 20:7-9; Luke 1:39 Reciprocal Numbers 35:3 - General; Joshua 10:6 - mountains; 14:13 - gave unto; Judges 1:20 - they gave; 2 Samuel 2:3 - the cities Verse 12 Joshua 14:13-15; 1 Chronicles 6:55-57 Reciprocal Judges 1:20 - they gave; 2 Samuel 2:3 - the cities Verse 13 they gave 1 Chronicles 6:56 Hebron Joshua 15:54 a city 20:7; Numbers 35:6 Libnah Joshua 10:29, 15:42; 1 Chronicles 6:57; Isaiah 37:8 Reciprocal Numbers 13:22 - Hebron; Joshua 10:36 - Hebron; 21:9 - these cities; 2 Kings 8:22 - Libnah; 2 Chronicles 21:10 - Libnah; Luke 1:39 - city Verse 14 JattirJattir or Jether, according to Eusebius, was situated in the district of Daroma, or the southern part of Judah, 20 miles (south) from Eleutheropolis, towards the city of Malatha. Joshua 15:48; 1 Samuel 30:27, 30:28 EshtemoaEusebius says Eshtemoa, or Esthema, was a great city in the south of Judah, and in the district of Eleutheropolis, north of that city. Joshua 15:50, EshtemohReciprocal 1 Chronicles 6:57 - Libnah Verse 15 Holon Joshua 15:51; 1 Chronicles 6:58, HilenDebir Joshua 12:13, 15:49 Reciprocal 10:38 - Debir Verse 16 Ain Joshua 15:42; 1 Chronicles 6:59, AshanJuttahEusebius says Juttah was a great town 18 miles south from Eleutheropolis. Joshua 15:55 Bethshemesh 15:10; 1 Samuel 6:9, 6:12; 1 Chronicles 6:59 Reciprocal Joshua 19:22 - Bethshemesh; 19:41 - Irshemesh; 2 Kings 14:11 - Bethshemesh; 1 Chronicles 6:60 - thirteen cities; 2 Chronicles 25:21 - Bethshemesh Verse 17 Gibeon Joshua 9:3, 18:25; 1 Chronicles 6:60 Geba Joshua 18:24, GabaReciprocal 1 Samuel 13:3 - Geba; 1 Kings 15:22 - Geba; 2 Kings 23:8 - Geba; Nehemiah 12:29 - Geba; Isaiah 10:29 - Geba; Jeremiah 1:1 - in Anathoth; 37:12 - the land; Zechariah 14:10 - from Geba Verse 18 AnathothAnathoth was situated about three miles northward from Jerusalem according to Eusebius and Jerome - in Jeremiah 1:19
or twenty furlongs, according to Josephus. Ant. I. x. c. 7 sec. 3. 1 Kings 2:26; Isaiah 10:30; Jeremiah 1:1 Almon 1 Chronicles 6:60, AlemethReciprocal 2 Samuel 16:5 - Bahurim; Ezra 2:23 - Anathoth; Nehemiah 11:32 - Anathoth; Jeremiah 32:7 - Anathoth; 37:12 - the land Verse 19 Reciprocal Jeremiah 32:7 - Anathoth Verse 20 Joshua 21:5; 1 Chronicles 6:66 Reciprocal 6:61 - left; 2 Chronicles 11:14 - suburbs Verse 21 Shechem Joshua 20:7; Genesis 33:19; Judges 9:1; 1 Kings 12:1 Gezer Joshua 16:10; 1 Kings 9:15-17; 1 Chronicles 6:67 Reciprocal Numbers 35:6 - six cities for refuge; Joshua 10:33 - Gezer; 17:7 - Shechem Verse 22 Bethhoron Joshua 16:3, 16:5, 18:13, 18:14; 1 Chronicles 6:68 Reciprocal Joshua 10:10 - Bethhoron; 1 Kings 9:17 - Bethhoron Verse 23 Eltekeh Joshua 19:44, 19:45 GibbethonProbably the Gabatha mentioned by Eusebius and Jerome, as situated in the south of Judah, 12 miles from Eleutheropolis, where the prophet Habakkuk's sepulchre was shown.Reciprocal 1 Kings 15:27 - Gibbethon; 16:15 - And the people were encamped Verse 24 Aijalon Joshua 10:12, 19:42, Ajalon, 1 Chronicles 6:69 GathrimmonGathrimmon is said by Jerome to be a great town 10 miles from Diospolis, or Lydda, towards Eleutheropolis.Reciprocal Joshua 19:45 - Gathrimmon Verse 25 Aner 1 Chronicles 6:70. Either the cities had at this time different names, or afterwards their names were changed; or the Levites, being by some means dispossessed of the cities first assigned them, received others from their brethren. A careful examination of the marginal references will discover other variations of this kind, which may be accounted for in the same manner.Tanach Joshua 17:11; Judges 5:19 Reciprocal 1:27 - Taanach; 1 Chronicles 6:69 - Gathrimmon Verse 26 Reciprocal 1 Chronicles 6:61 - ten cities Verse 27 And unto Joshua 21:6 Golan 20:8; Deuteronomy 1:4, 4:43; 1 Chronicles 6:71 BeeshterahIt is very probable that Beesh-terah is a contraction of baith ashtaroth, "the house of Ashtaroth," and the same as Ashtaroth, which is the reading in 6:71.Reciprocal Numbers 35:6 - six cities for refuge; 1 Chronicles 6:62 - Gershom Verse 28 Dabareh Joshua 19:12; 1 Chronicles 6:72, 6:73
Verse 29 JarmuthThis seems to be the same city with Remeth, Joshua 10:19, 10:21, and Ramoth, 1 Chronicles 6:73, mentioned with Engannim. Joshua 10:3, 10:23, 12:11 Reciprocal 19:21 - Engannim; 1 Chronicles 6:72 - Daberath Verse 30 Mishal Joshua 19:25-28, Misheal, 1 Chronicles 6:74, 6:75, MashalReciprocal Joshua 19:26 - Misheal Verse 31 RehobSee note on Numbers 13:21. Judges 1:31, 18:21; 1 Chronicles 6:75 Reciprocal Joshua 2:1 - harlot's house; 19:30 - Rehob Verse 32 Kedesh Joshua 19:37, 20:7; 1 Chronicles 6:76 HammothdorSupposed by many to be the same as Tiberias; so called from the hot-baths, as the word Chammoth may denote, in its vicinity. Joshua 19:35, HammathKartanSupposed to be the same as Kirjathaim. 1 Chronicles 6:76 Reciprocal Numbers 35:6 - six cities for refuge; Joshua 12:22 - Kedesh; Judges 4:6 - Kedeshnaphtali; 1 Chronicles 6:72 - Kedesh; Matthew 4:15 - Galilee; Mark 3:7 - Galilee Verse 34 And unto Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 6:77 Jokneam Joshua 12:22, 19:11, 19:15 Reciprocal 1 Chronicles 6:47 - Merari; 6:63 - Merari Verse 35 DimnahThis and the following verse are wholly omitted by the Masora, and many Hebrew Bibles which are esteemed very highly; though, without them, neither the twelve cities of the Merarites in particular - Joshua 21:40
nor the forty-eight Levitical cities in general - 21:41
nor the six cities of refuge, can be made up. But these two verses, are thus absolutely necessary for the truth and consistency of this chapter, are happily preserved in no less than 149 manuscripts collated by Dr. Kennicott, and upwards of 40 collated by De Rossi. 21:35 Reciprocal 19:15 - Kattath; 1 Chronicles 6:77 - Rimmon Verse 36 Bezer Joshua 20:8; Deuteronomy 4:43; 1 Chronicles 6:78, 6:79 Jahazah Joshua 13:18; Numbers 21:23; 1 Chronicles 6:78, JahzahReciprocal Numbers 35:6 - six cities for refuge; Jeremiah 48:21 - Jahazah; 48:24 - Bozrah Verse 37 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 2:26 - Kedemoth; Joshua 13:18 - Jahaza; 1 Chronicles 6:78 - Jahzah; Jeremiah 48:21 - Jahazah Verse 38 Ramoth Joshua 20:8; 1 Kings 22:3; 1 Chronicles 6:80 Mahanaim Genesis 32:2; 2 Samuel 17:24, 19:32 Reciprocal Numbers 35:6 - six cities for refuge; Deuteronomy 4:43 - Ramoth; Joshua 13:26 - Mahanaim; 1 Kings 4:13 - Ramothgilead; 2 Kings 8:28 - Ramothgilead; Hosea 6:8 - Gilead Verse 39 Heshbon Joshua 13:17, 13:21; Numbers 21:26-30, 32:37; 1 Chronicles 6:81 Jazer Numbers 32:1, 32:3, 32:35, Jaazer, Isaiah 16:8, 16:9; Jeremiah 48:32 Reciprocal 1 Chronicles 6:80 - Ramoth; 26:31 - Jazer Verse 40 Reciprocal Joshua 21:35 - Dimnah Verse 41 within Genesis 49:7; Numbers 35:1-8; Deuteronomy 33:10 fortyAt the last census, the tribe of Levi amounted only to 23,000 - Numbers 26:62
and it is thought by some that forty-eight cities was too great a proportion for this tribe. But it should be considered, that cities in ancient times were little more than villages.Reciprocal Joshua 21:35 - Dimnah; 1 Chronicles 6:64 - the children Verse 42 Reciprocal 1 Chronicles 6:64 - the children Verse 43 Genesis 12:7, 13:15, 15:13-21, 26:3, 26:4, 28:4, 28:13, 28:14; Exodus 3:8, 23:27-31; Psalm 44:3, 106:42-45 Reciprocal Joshua 22:4 - given rest; 23:9 - For the Lord; 23:14 - not one thing; 1 Kings 8:34 - which thou gavest; 1 Chronicles 17:21 - by driving; 2 Chronicles 6:25 - which thou; Nehemiah 9:8 - hast performed; 9:24 - So the; Psalm 44:2 - drive out; 105:44 - gave; Jeremiah 32:22 - which Verse 44 Joshua 1:15, 11:23, 22:4, 22:9; Deuteronomy 7:22-24, 31:3-5; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Exodus 23:31 - deliver the; 33:14 - rest; Deuteronomy 2:33 - the Lord; Joshua 2:24 - Truly the Lord; 11:8 - the Lord; 23:1 - the Lord; 23:9 - For the Lord; 1 Samuel 26:8 - God; 2 Samuel 7:1 - the Lord; 1 Kings 8:56 - hath given rest; 2 Chronicles 13:16 - God delivered; Psalm 47:3 - subdue; Acts 9:31 - the churches Verse 45 Joshua 23:14, 23:15; Numbers 23:19; 1 Kings 8:56; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Titus 1:2; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Genesis 10:19 - And the; 35:12 - the land; 35:22 - Now the sons; Joshua 2:24 - Truly the Lord; 3:10 - drive out from; 11:23 - And the land; 24:13 - And I; 1 Kings 8:15 - hath; Nehemiah 9:24 - So the; Psalm 78:55 - cast; 136:21 - General; Isaiah 42:9 - the former; 48:3 - and I; Ezekiel 48:29 - General