The Levites, the priestly tribe, didn't receive land like the others. This verse highlights that it wasn't until after the land distribution was complete that their leaders stepped forward, reminding Joshua and the priests of God's clear command to provide them with cities. This shows how even divine appointments require someone to advocate for them when practical implementation is needed.
Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
With the land finally divided among the tribes, the Levites, who had received no territorial inheritance, step forward to claim the cities promised to them. The tribal leaders, along with Joshua and the High Priest Eleazar, are approached by the heads of the Levitical families to officially designate these special towns. This action ensures that the Levites, God's chosen ministers, have proper places to dwell and serve throughout the land as commanded by Moses.
While all other tribes received land for farming and living, the Levites had a different destiny. What made their inheritance so special?
In the grand division of the Promised Land, the Levites, unlike the other tribes, received no territorial inheritance. This wasn't an oversight but a divine plan. Their role was to serve God and the people, ministering at the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This sacred duty required them to be mobile and available to all Israel, rather than tied to a specific piece of land. Therefore, God commanded that they be given cities dispersed throughout the territories of the other tribes, along with pasturelands for their livestock. This ensures they are supported by all of Israel and can carry out their priestly duties without territorial distraction.
It might seem like the Levites were forgotten until now. But God's timing is perfect, and His promises are always fulfilled.
The text shows that the Levites approached Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal heads after the land had been divided, but before it was fully possessed. This highlights a crucial aspect of God’s faithfulness. While the other tribes received their land allocations first, the Levites’ claim, based on God’s direct command through Moses, was presented and acted upon in due course. The commentaries suggest this order was intentional: the land division was finalized, establishing the context for the Levites' specific needs. Their request was not an afterthought but a planned step in the orderly distribution of God's blessings and commands.
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Who steps up when promises need to be claimed? This verse shows us the right kind of spiritual and civic leadership.
The individuals who came forward were 'the heads of the fathers of the Levites.' These were not just any Levites, but the principal leaders representing their families. They approached the highest authorities: Eleazar, the High Priest (representing the religious continuity and God's direct mediation), and Joshua, the commander and chief administrator (representing the civic and military leadership). They also addressed 'the heads of the fathers of the tribes,' signifying that the entire covenant community was involved. This shows responsible leadership acting as faithful intermediaries, ensuring that God’s commands were remembered and executed, and that every part of the community received its due according to God’s covenant.
Understand the original words
ro'sh 'ab beth 'ab lemishpechot halleviyyim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
The hereditary leaders or patriarchs of family units within the tribes of Israel, responsible for representing their kin in administrative, legal, and religious matters.
levi · Hebrew Noun
A member of the tribe of Levi, set apart by God for service in the tabernacle and later the temple, responsible for religious duties, teaching the Law, and maintaining the sanctuary.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The name of the covenant-keeping God of Israel, the personal name revealed to Moses, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His people.
Shiloh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A site in Ephraim that served as the primary religious center for Israel during the period of the judges, where the tabernacle was housed.
Kena'an · Hebrew Proper Noun
The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, serving as the setting for the outworking of God's redemptive history and the inheritance of the tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Conquer Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites successfully invaded and conquered the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to their ancestors.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land
After the conquest, the Promised Land was systematically divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel, establishing their territorial inheritances.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Levites' Claim for Cities
The heads of the Levitical families approached Eleazar, Joshua, and tribal leaders to claim the cities and pasturelands designated for them by God's command.
c. 1400 BC
Allocation of Levitical Cities
The tribes designated specific cities and their surrounding fields and pastures from their own allotted territories for the Levites and priests.
c. 1400 BC
Establishment of Cities of Refuge
Six cities were set aside as cities of refuge for those who had accidentally caused someone's death, providing a place of safety and justice.
This passage lays the groundwork for Joshua 21, as it's the divine command given through Moses to set aside cities for the Levites, establishing the 'why' behind the Levites' request.
Deuteronomy 18:1-8This passage reinforces the Levites' special role and their right to a portion, detailing the support they were to receive from their brethren, which is the basis of their claim in Joshua.
1 Chronicles 6:54-81This passage provides a parallel account of the cities allotted to the Levites, confirming the event and offering a different perspective on the historical record.
Nehemiah 13:10-14This passage shows the consequences when the Levites' inheritance and support were neglected, highlighting the importance of upholding the provisions made in Joshua 21.
wesleyJoshua 21:1: "Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;"
21:1 Then - When the whole land was distributed to the several tribes, but not actually possessed by them; which was the proper season for them to put in their claim. Fathers of the Levites - The fathers of the Levites were Kohath, Gershom, and Merari, and the heads of these were the chief person…
calvinJoshua 21:1-19: "Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;"
And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
Egressa est autem sors per familias Caethita…
The Levites, the priestly tribe, didn't receive land like the others. This verse highlights that it wasn't until after the land distribution was complete that their leaders stepped forward, reminding Joshua and the priests of God's clear command to provide them with cities. This shows how even divine appointments require someone to advocate for them when practical implementation is needed.
With the land finally divided among the tribes, the Levites, who had received no territorial inheritance, step forward to claim the cities promised to them. The tribal leaders, along with Joshua and the High Priest Eleazar, are approached by the heads of the Levitical families to officially designate these special towns. This action ensures that the Levites, God's chosen ministers, have proper places to dwell and serve throughout the land as commanded by Moses.
With the land finally divided among the tribes, the Levites, who had received no territorial inheritance, step forward to claim the cities promised to them. The tribal leaders, along with Joshua and the High Priest Eleazar, are approached by the heads of the Levitical families to officially designate these special towns. This action ensures that the Levites, God's chosen ministers, have proper places to dwell and serve throughout the land as commanded by Moses.
"Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Cana…" — The Levites, the priestly tribe, didn't receive land like the others. This verse highlights that it wasn't until after the land distribution was complete that their leaders stepped forward, remindi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
