Joshua 21:2
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)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just a request for housing; it's a bold reminder of a divine command to ensure the Levites, who served God exclusively, had the necessary provisions. Their appeal grounds their claim not in favor, but in God's explicit word through Moses, emphasizing that God cares for those dedicated to His service.
The Levites, who served God and had no land inheritance of their own, approached Joshua and the leaders. They reminded them of God's clear command through Moses that they be given cities to live in, along with surrounding pasturelands for their animals. This conversation happens at Shiloh, the central place of worship, after the land has been largely divided among the other tribes, and it sets the stage for the distribution of these special Levite cities.
Ever feel like your needs are an afterthought? The Levites stood on firmer ground than that.
The Levites weren't asking for a handout; they were reminding Joshua and the leaders of a direct command from God. "The LORD commanded through Moses..." This wasn't a suggestion or a potential option – it was an ordinance. God Himself ordained that the tribe set apart for His service would be provided with homes and the necessary land to sustain them. This teaches us a vital principle: God’s provision for those who serve Him is rooted in His command, not in human generosity alone. It’s a matter of obedience and faithfulness on both sides.
It wasn't just about having a roof over their heads. God's plan was far more comprehensive.
The request wasn't merely for houses within city walls. The crucial addition was 'along with their pasturelands for our livestock.' This highlights that God’s provision is holistic. For the Levites, this meant not only dwelling places but also the means to support themselves and their families through their animals. Their role was to serve God full-time at the Tabernacle, and this provision enabled them to do so without distraction. It shows God cares about the practical, daily needs of those who dedicate their lives to Him.
A pivotal moment unfolds in Shiloh, where divine promises meet human obedience.
The conversation takes place in Shiloh, the central sanctuary at that time. This location underscores the spiritual significance of the event. The Levites, represented by their leaders, approached Joshua and Eleazar, the key figures responsible for dividing the land. They weren't bypassing leadership, but working through the established means. Their reminder of God’s command, coupled with the subsequent casting of lots (as detailed in the verses that follow), illustrates the careful and ordered way God’s promises were fulfilled. It’s a picture of God’s people, guided by His Word and His appointed leaders, bringing His promises to fruition.
Understand the original words
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.
This verse highlights a crucial moment after the conquest of Canaan, when the Israelites are fulfilling God's specific command to provide for the Levites, the non-land-owning priestly tribe, ensuring they have places to live and sustain their livestock.
~1440 BC
Wilderness Wanderings Conclude
After 40 years in the desert, the Israelites, led by Joshua, prepare to enter and conquer the Promised Land of Canaan.
~1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Joshua leads the Israelite tribes in a series of military campaigns to defeat the Canaanite nations and claim the land.
~1390 BC
Land Divided by Lot
The land of Canaan is systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through the casting of lots, a process overseen by Joshua and Eleazar the priest.
~1390 BC— this verse
Levitical Cities Designated
The tribe leaders and priests gather at Shiloh to assign specific cities and their surrounding pasturelands to the Levites, as commanded by Moses.
This passage directly records the Lord's command through Moses for the Levites to be given cities and pasturelands, forming the basis of the Levites' request in Joshua 21:2.
Deuteronomy 18:1-8This passage establishes the principle that the Levites, who serve at the sanctuary, are to receive support and cities to dwell in, reinforcing the divine mandate mentioned in Joshua 21:2.
1 Corinthians 9:13-14The Apostle Paul draws a parallel between the Old Testament provision for those who served at the altar and the New Testament principle that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel, echoing the rationale behind the Levites' cities.
Nehemiah 13:10-14This passage shows a later failure to provide for the Levites, highlighting the importance of the original command and the ongoing need to ensure the provision for those who minister.
wesleyJoshua 21:2: "And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle."
21:2 The Lord commanded - Observe: the maintenance of ministers is not an arbitrary thing, left purely to the good will of the people. No: as the God of Israel commanded, that the Levites should be provided for, so hath the Lord Jesus ordained, (and a perpetual ordinance it is) that they who preach the go…
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…
This isn't just a request for housing; it's a bold reminder of a divine command to ensure the Levites, who served God exclusively, had the necessary provisions. Their appeal grounds their claim not in favor, but in God's explicit word through Moses, emphasizing that God cares for those dedicated to His service.
The Levites, who served God and had no land inheritance of their own, approached Joshua and the leaders. They reminded them of God's clear command through Moses that they be given cities to live in, along with surrounding pasturelands for their animals. This conversation happens at Shiloh, the central place of worship, after the land has been largely divided among the other tribes, and it sets the stage for the distribution of these special Levite cities.
The Levites, who served God and had no land inheritance of their own, approached Joshua and the leaders. They reminded them of God's clear command through Moses that they be given cities to live in, along with surrounding pasturelands for their animals. This conversation happens at Shiloh, the central place of worship, after the land has been largely divided among the other tribes, and it sets the stage for the distribution of these special Levite cities.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Joshua 21:2 is available in the Sola app.
~1390 BC
Six Cities of Refuge Assigned
As part of the Levitical distribution, six cities are designated as cities of refuge for those who accidentally caused a death, ensuring justice and mercy.
"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.”" — This isn't just a request for housing; it's a bold reminder of a divine command to ensure the Levites, who served God exclusively, had the necessary provisions. Their appeal grounds their claim not i…
