Joshua 21

Joshua 21:1

D. The Levitical Cities (Chap. 21)21:1-42 Forty-eight cities (v. 41) with their common-lands for pasture, including the cities of refuge, were assigned to the Levites as the Lord had commanded (Num_35:2-8). Kohathites:(a) The sons of Aaron (i.e., the priests)thirteen cities out of Judah, . . . Simeon, and . . . Benjamin. (b) The rest of the Kohathitesten cities out of Ephraim, . . . Dan, and . . . the half-tribe of Manasseh. Gershonites: thirteen cities out of Issachar, . . . Asher, . . . Naphtali, and . . . the half-tribe of Manasseh. Merarites: twelve cities out of Reuben, . . . Gad, and . . . Zebulun. Every tribe gave four cities except Judah and Simeon, which gave nine cities between them, and Naphtali, which gave three cities. The cities of refuge, being cities of the Levites (vv. 13, 21, 27, 32, 36, 38), were scattered throughout all the tribes of Israel to fulfill the prophecy of Jacob (Gen_49:5-7) and to better facilitate their teaching ministry to the nation. 21:43 This verse must be read in the light of other Scripture. It does not mean that Israel occupied all the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates; instead, it means that the land which Joshua divided was in fulfillment of God’s promise that He would give them every place that the sole of their feet walked upon (Jos_1:3). 21:44 Likewise, verse 44 must be interpreted carefully. There were still enemies within the land; not all the Canaanites had been destroyed. But that was not God’s fault; He fulfilled His promise by defeating every foe against which the Israelites fought. If there were still undefeated foes and pockets of resistance, it was because Israel did not claim God’s promise. 21:45 Note verse 45. The LORD had fulfilled every promise. Not one word failed. What a tribute to God’s faithfulness! But Israel did not appropriate every promise.