Joshua 21:21
Joshua 21:21 in Multiple Translations
they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer,
For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
And they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in the hill-country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with its suburbs,
And they gave them Shechem with its grass-lands in the hill-country of Ephraim, the town where the taker of life might be safe, and Gezer with its grass-lands;
Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a sanctuary town for those who accidentally committed murder), Gezer,
They gaue them the citie of refuge for the slaier, Shechem with her suburbes in mount Ephraim, and Gezer with her suburbes,
and they give to them the city of refuge [for] the man-slayer, Shechem and its suburbs, in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Gezer and its suburbs,
They gave them Shechem with its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Gezer with its pasture lands,
For they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with its suburbs,
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Sichem one of the cities of refuge, with the suburbs thereof in mount Ephraim, and Cater,
Those cities were Shechem (which was one of the cities to which people could run/escape to be safe/protected), Gezer,
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 21:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 21:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּתְּנ֨וּ
לָ/הֶ֜ם
אֶת
עִ֨יר
מִקְלַ֧ט
הָ/רֹצֵ֛חַ
אֶת
שְׁכֶ֥ם
וְ/אֶת
מִגְרָשֶׁ֖/הָ
בְּ/הַ֣ר
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
וְ/אֶת
גֶּ֖זֶר
וְ/אֶת
מִגְרָשֶֽׁ/הָ
וַ/יִּתְּנ֨וּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לָ/הֶ֜ם
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
עִ֨יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fs
מִקְלַ֧ט
miqlâṭ
H4733
refuge
N-ms
הָ/רֹצֵ֛חַ
râtsach
H7523
to murder
Art | V-Qal
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שְׁכֶ֥ם
Shᵉkem
H7927
Shechem
N-proper
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִגְרָשֶׁ֖/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
pasture
N-mp | Suff
בְּ/הַ֣ר
har
H2022
mountain
Prep | N-ms
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
ʼEphrayim
H669
Ephraim
N-proper
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
גֶּ֖זֶר
Gezer
H1507
Gezer
N-proper
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִגְרָשֶֽׁ/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
pasture
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 21:21
וַ/יִּתְּנ֨וּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ/הֶ֜ם
""
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עִ֨יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מִקְלַ֧ט
miqlâṭ
H4733
"refuge"
N-ms
A refuge or asylum is a safe place to go for protection, like a shelter from harm. In the Bible, God is often called a refuge, as seen in Psalm 46. It is a place of safety and security.
Definition: refuge, asylum
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: refuge. See also: Numbers 35:6; Numbers 35:32; 1 Chronicles 6:52.
הָ/רֹצֵ֛חַ
râtsach
H7523
"to murder"
Art | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to murder or kill someone, like Cain killing Abel in Genesis. It emphasizes the intentional act of taking a human life. This word is about premeditated killing.
Definition: 1) to murder, slay, kill 1a)(Qal) to murder, slay 1a1) premeditated 1a2) accidental 1a3) as avenger 1a4) slayer (intentional) (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be slain 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to murder, assassinate 1c2) murderer, assassin (participle) (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be killed
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er). See also: Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 22:26; Psalms 62:4.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שְׁכֶ֥ם
Shᵉkem
H7927
"Shechem"
N-proper
Shechem refers to a city in Palestine and a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 33:19. He was the son of Hamor, a Hivite chieftain. The city was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19; son of: Hamor (H2544) § Shechem = "back" or "shoulder" 1) son of Hamor, the chieftain of the Hivites at Shechem at the time of Jacob's arrival 2) a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Shechem. See also: Genesis 12:6; Judges 9:6; Psalms 60:8.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִגְרָשֶׁ֖/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
"pasture"
N-mp | Suff
A pasture or open land, often the area around a building or the margin of the sea. This term describes a common or shared space in the Bible.
Definition: common, common land, open land, suburb
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cast out, suburb. See also: Leviticus 25:34; Joshua 21:37; Ezekiel 48:17.
בְּ/הַ֣ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Prep | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
ʼEphrayim
H669
"Ephraim"
N-proper
Ephraim means doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son and the tribe that descended from him. The tribe of Ephraim was a significant part of Israel's history. Ephraim is also the name of a region in the Bible.
Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
גֶּ֖זֶר
Gezer
H1507
"Gezer"
N-proper
Gezer is a place in the Bible, a city in Palestine near Ephraim. The name Gezer means portion, and it was a special city for the Levites. It is mentioned in the books of Joshua and Kings.
Definition: Gazer or Gezer = "portion" a Levitical city on the border of Ephraim Also named: gov (גֹּב "Gob" H1359)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Gazer, Gezer. See also: Joshua 10:33; 1 Kings 9:15; 1 Chronicles 20:4.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִגְרָשֶֽׁ/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
"pasture"
N-mp | Suff
A pasture or open land, often the area around a building or the margin of the sea. This term describes a common or shared space in the Bible.
Definition: common, common land, open land, suburb
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cast out, suburb. See also: Leviticus 25:34; Joshua 21:37; Ezekiel 48:17.
Study Notes — Joshua 21:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
19In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
20The remaining Kohathite clans of the Levites were allotted these cities: From the tribe of Ephraim
21they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer,
22Kibzaim, and Beth-horon—four cities, together with their pasturelands. 23From the tribe of Dan they were given Elteke, Gibbethon,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 20:7 | So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. |
| 2 | Judges 9:1 | Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother, |
| 3 | 1 Kings 12:1 | Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. |
| 4 | Joshua 16:10 | But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 9:15–17 | This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon imposed to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, and the wall of Jerusalem, as well as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. So Solomon rebuilt Gezer, Lower Beth-horon, |
| 6 | Genesis 33:19 | And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. |
| 7 | 1 Chronicles 6:67 | They were given Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer, |
Joshua 21:21 Summary
[This verse tells us that the Levites were given two important cities, Shechem and Gezer, in the hill country of Ephraim. Shechem was a special city of refuge where people who had accidentally hurt someone could go to be safe, as we see in Numbers 35:6 and Deuteronomy 19:2-3. This shows us that God cares about justice and mercy, and wants to protect people from harm. By giving the Levites these cities, God was providing for their needs and reminding them of His presence and care, just as He promises in Matthew 6:33 and Philippians 4:19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Shechem being a city of refuge for the manslayer?
According to Numbers 35:6 and Deuteronomy 19:2-3, cities of refuge were designated to provide a safe haven for individuals who had unintentionally taken a life, protecting them from avengers and allowing them to stand trial, this concept is also explained in Joshua 20:1-6.
Why were the Levites given cities in the hill country of Ephraim?
The Levites were given cities throughout the tribes of Israel, as instructed in Joshua 21:1-45, to provide for their livelihood and to facilitate their role as spiritual leaders and teachers, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:1-8 and Leviticus 25:32-34.
What can we learn from the fact that Gezer is mentioned alongside Shechem in this verse?
The inclusion of Gezer alongside Shechem highlights the importance of both cities in the allocation of land to the Levites, and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people, as seen in the fulfillment of His promises in Joshua 21:43-45 and Psalm 105:42-45.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of the Promised Land?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, as described in the book of Joshua, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with His people and His faithfulness to His promises, as seen in Genesis 12:7 and Exodus 6:4.
Reflection Questions
- What does the concept of a city of refuge reveal about God's heart for justice and mercy?
- How can we apply the principles of refuge and safety to our own lives and relationships?
- What role do you think the Levites played in the spiritual lives of the Israelites, and how can we learn from their example?
- In what ways can we trust in God's faithfulness and provision, just as the Israelites did in the Promised Land?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 21:21
For they gave them Shechem, with her suburbs, in Mount Ephraim,.... Of which see Joshua 20:7; [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; which being on a mountain, was the more conspicuous, and the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 21:21
And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 21:21
21. Shechem] See above Joshua 17:7, Joshua 20:7; Gezer, see Joshua 10:33.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 21:21
21-24. Shechem — Joshua 17:7. Gezer — Joshua 10:33.Beth-horon — Joshua 10:10. Aijalon — Joshua 10:12. Tanach — Joshua 12:21.
Sermons on Joshua 21:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cities of Refuge by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a witness for Christ and leading others to salvation. He compares believers to markers and witnesses, pointing people |
|
Placing Your Enemies in the Hands of God by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word in order to receive His blessings. He tells a story using the imagery of different trees represent |
|
The Pastor & Revival by David Smithers | David Smithers preaches on the godly wisdom gained from pastors who experienced years of revival during the Great Awakenings in America. He emphasizes the need for watchfulness, pr |
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Jacob Before Pharaoh by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on the actions of Jacob as he is brought before Pharaoh. Joseph brings his father Jacob to Pharaoh, and Jacob blesses Pharaoh. Pastor Chu |