Joshua 21

Joshua 21:1

THe heads] 1: e. The chief among the families of the Levites, to wit, the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites. See 1 Chron. 6. 54, 62, 63.

Shiloh] Where the tabernacle and ark were now seated.

Joshua 21:2

spake unto them] They could not speak before for their inheritance, till all the rest were divided among the other eleven tribes, because theirs was to be appointed out of them all.

hand] 1: e. The ministery.

Joshua 21:3

gave unto the Levites] To wit, by lots, as it is, 5: 4, 6, 8. namely, for their use and habitation, and not in respect of title and dominion, which still remained to the tribe to which it was by lot first given, as appeareth, 5: 11, 12.

Joshua 21:4

came out] Was first drawn out of the urne.

thirteen cities] Every tribe gave more or fewer cities, according as their inheritance was great or little, Numbers 35:8.

Joshua 21:8

suburbs] 1: e. Arable land and pasturage adjoyning unto the cities, which were a thousand cubits from the wall of the city round about, Numbers 35:4.

Joshua 21:10

of Aaron] For Aaron came of Kohath, and therefore the priests office remained in that family, though none of them were priests, but they onely which descended from Aaron.

Joshua 21:11

Anak] See Joshua 14:15. and Joshua 15:13.

Joshua 21:12

But the fields] 1: e. Besides or beyond the two thousand cubits allotted to the Levites, Numbers 35:5.

Joshua 21:13

Thus they gave] The catalogue of these cities is rehearsed, 1 Chron. 6. 55. with some difference in respect of names, which is caused by the altering of names in processe of time, and also because some cities had divers names.

children of Aaron] 1: e. The priests of the family of the Kohathites, of whom Aaron was the chief.

Joshua 21:16

tribes] Namely, Judah and Simeon, 5: 9.

Joshua 21:18

Anathoth] The City in which Jeremy was born.

Almon] Alias Alemeth, both names signifying youth; and 2 Samuel 3:16. It is called Bahurim, which hath the same signification.

Joshua 21:20

Children of Kohath] Which were not Priests, as not being discended from Aaron.

Joshua 21:21

Shechem] This and Hebron were the two Cities of refuge, under the Kohathites.

Gezer] See Judges 1:29.

Joshua 21:25

half-tribe] 1: e. Which dwelt in Chanaan.

Joshua 21:27

other half-tribe] Besides that half whose lot fell beyond Jordan.

Golan] This and Kedesh were the Cities of refuge under the Gershonites.

Joshua 21:34

the rest of the Levites] They are called the rest, because they are last numbred, and Merari was the yongest brother, Genesis 46:11.

Joshua 21:36

Bezer] Bezer and Ramoth were the Cities of refuge under the Merarites, and beyond Jordan, Joshua 20:8.

Joshua 21:41

within the possession] Thus according to Jacobs prophecie, they were scattered throughout the whole land, which God did to this end, That his people might be instructed by them in the true religion.

fourty eight Cities] Unto Levie the half tribe are allotted more Cities then to the greater tribes: And this is, because divers Cities of other tribes are not named as the Levites are; and also, because they neded more then other tribes, in regard that they might live onely in Cities, whereas the other might live in villages and countrey houses.

Joshua 21:43

the Lord gave] That is, he assigned it unto them, and gave them right unto it, though divers of the tribes through their negligence, did not drive out the Canaanites. For that much of the land at this time remained unsubdued, appeareth, Chap. 13. and 23. and Judg. Chap. 1. But the meaning is, That all Gods promises were performed in that manner and time, as God made them. 1: e. That they should enjoy all the countrey in fit time, when as they were sufficient to inhabit it, Exodus 23:29. Deuteronomy 7:22.

possessed it] 1: e. So much of it as they subdued, or thought needfull for their present use.

Joshua 21:44

gave them rest] to wit, From warre. 1: e. Peace and tranquillity.

not a man] To resist or hurt them, namely, of all those who assailed them, or were assaulted by them, whilest Joshua did lead the army.

Joshua 21:45

any good thing] And among the rest that is to be reputed one, That the LORD would not presently, and at once, expell their enemies out of the land of promise, Exodus 23:29.