Joshua 21:32
and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammoth-dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands—three cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While Kedesh is specifically called out as a city of refuge for accidental manslaughter, the listing of Hammoth-dor and Kartan immediately after, with their own pasturelands, highlights that the Levites weren't just assigned towns, but also the crucial grazing land that supported their livelihoods and flocks. This emphasis on pasturelands underscores how God provided not just shelter, but also the means for the Levites to thrive and fulfill their priestly duties throughout the land.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the distribution of cities to the Levites, the priestly tribe, throughout the land of Israel. It follows the establishment of the cities of refuge and continues the listing of cities assigned to specific Levitical families from various Israelite tribes. The verses before and after continue this meticulous inventory, concluding with a summary of all Levitical cities and God fulfilling His promises of rest and possession of the land.
Imagine accidentally causing someone's death. You'd be terrified, right? God knew this and provided a way out.
The cities of refuge, like Kedesh in Galilee mentioned here, were a critical part of God's law. They offered protection for those who had unintentionally killed someone. This wasn't about letting murderers go free, but about ensuring justice was tempered with mercy and preventing blood feuds.
A Place of Safety
These cities were designated spaces where an accused person could flee and be safe from the avenger of blood until their case could be heard. It shows God's concern for fairness and the protection of even the accidental offender.
Divine Justice and Mercy
It's a beautiful picture of God's character: He upholds justice, but also provides a way for people to find safety and a fair hearing. This system prevented immediate, often violent, retribution and allowed for a more considered judgment.
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While other tribes received land to farm and build, the Levites got something different. What was it, and why?
The Levites, unlike the other tribes of Israel, were not given a large territorial inheritance. Instead, they were allocated cities scattered throughout the land, along with pasturelands. This was by God's design, a specific calling.
A Spiritual Focus
Their role was to serve God in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) and to teach God's law to the people. By not having large land holdings, they were freed from the distractions of agriculture and warfare, allowing them to focus entirely on their sacred duties.
Dispersed Blessing
As Calvin noted, this meant the Levites were 'strangers' in a sense, living among every tribe. This dispersion ensured that God's Word and His presence were symbolically present throughout all of Israel, a constant reminder of their covenant relationship with God and the importance of spiritual faithfulness.
Understand the original words
miqlat · Hebrew Noun
A divinely appointed sanctuary where a person who killed someone unintentionally could flee to escape the avenger of blood. It reflects God’s justice tempered with mercy and His concern for the protection of human life.
ratsach · Hebrew Noun/Participle
Refers to one who has committed homicide, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The term is specifically linked to the legal provisions governing capital crimes and the administration of justice in the Old Testament.
The allocation of cities like Kedesh in Naphtali to the Levites, including those designated as cities of refuge, wasn't just an administrative act. It was a vital part of God's plan to ensure His law and presence were woven into the fabric of daily life throughout the entire land He had given His people.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquered the land of Canaan. This conquest set the stage for the distribution of land among the tribes.
c. 1400-1350 BC
Distribution of Land
After the conquest, the land of Canaan was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel according to God's command. This included assigning specific cities and surrounding pasturelands.
c. 1400-1350 BC— this verse
Levitical Cities Appointed
As part of the land distribution, forty-eight cities were set aside for the Levites, scattered among all the tribes. These cities served not only as residences but also as centers for religious instruction and justice.
c. 1400-1350 BC
Cities of Refuge Designated
Six of the Levitical cities were designated as cities of refuge, providing sanctuary for those who had accidentally caused someone's death. Kedesh in Naphtali was one of these important cities.
This passage lays out the divine command for the cities of refuge, establishing the principle that these cities were designated for those who had accidentally caused a death, ensuring justice and mercy were administered.
Joshua 20:7This verse specifically names Kedesh in Naphtali as one of the cities of refuge, directly linking the location mentioned in Joshua 21 to its function as a sanctuary.
1 Chronicles 6:76This passage lists the cities assigned to the Levites, including others from the tribe of Naphtali, providing an additional historical record that corroborates the distribution of cities.
Hebrews 6:18This New Testament passage speaks about the hope we have in Christ as an anchor for the soul, drawing a spiritual parallel to the physical safety these cities offered, pointing to Christ as our ultimate refuge.
calvinJoshua 21:20-45: "And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim."
And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.
Porro filiis Gerson de familiis Levitarum, de dimidia tribu Manasse urbe…
gillJoshua 21:32: "And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities."
And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs,.... Of which see Joshua 20:7 , to be a city of refuge for the slayer; this is the fourth city of refuge mentioned: and Hammothdor with her suburbs; the same with Hammon, 1 Chronicles 6:76; and with Hammath, Joshua 19:35; and is…
While Kedesh is specifically called out as a city of refuge for accidental manslaughter, the listing of Hammoth-dor and Kartan immediately after, with their own pasturelands, highlights that the Levites weren't just assigned towns, but also the crucial grazing land that supported their livelihoods and flocks. This emphasis on pasturelands underscores how God provided not just shelter, but also the means for the Levites to thrive and fulfill their priestly duties throughout the land.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the distribution of cities to the Levites, the priestly tribe, throughout the land of Israel. It follows the establishment of the cities of refuge and continues the listing of cities assigned to specific Levitical families from various Israelite tribes. The verses before and after continue this meticulous inventory, concluding with a summary of all Levitical cities and God fulfilling His promises of rest and possession of the land.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the distribution of cities to the Levites, the priestly tribe, throughout the land of Israel. It follows the establishment of the cities of refuge and continues the listing of cities assigned to specific Levitical families from various Israelite tribes. The verses before and after continue this meticulous inventory, concluding with a summary of all Levitical cities and God fulfilling His promises of rest and possession of the land.
"and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammoth-dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands—three cities." — While Kedesh is specifically called out as a city of refuge for accidental manslaughter, the listing of Hammoth-dor and Kartan immediately after, with their own pasturelands, highlights that the Le…
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