The lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as just a list of who got what, but notice that the priests (descendants of Aaron) got their portion first, and it came out of the tribes closest to where the Temple would later be established. This wasn't random chance; it shows God's careful planning from the very beginning, placing His chosen servants right where they'd be needed most.
The lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The elders of Israel have come to Joshua and Eleazar to officially assign the Levitical cities, a task that had been delayed. This process involves drawing lots to determine which cities, set aside from the tribal inheritances, will be given to the Levites, ensuring they have places to live throughout the land as God commanded. The first lot drawn is for the Kohathites, specifically for the descendants of Aaron who serve as priests.
Ever wonder why certain groups end up in specific places? For the Levites, their assigned cities weren't random, but part of God's grand design.
In Joshua 21, the distribution of cities to the Levites, especially the priests, reveals God's thoughtful planning.
Proximity to Worship
The text highlights that the thirteen cities given to the descendants of Aaron (the priests) came from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. Commentators note that these tribes' territories were strategically located nearest to Jerusalem, the future site of the Temple. This wasn't a coincidence!
Future Focus
This placement ensured the priests were close to the central place of worship, facilitating their service. It also looked ahead to future generations, providing ample space and a conducive environment for the growing priestly lineage to reside and minister.
Orderly Provision
The use of the lot itself points to divine guidance. Even when the land was divided, God ensured His chosen servants, the Levites, were properly settled, reflecting His care for every aspect of His people's lives and worship.
In a time of massive land division, how were decisions made about who got what? The ancient Israelites used a method that put God directly in charge.
The recurring phrase 'the lot came out' in Joshua 21 isn't just about random chance; it signifies God's direct involvement and authority in assigning the Levitical cities.
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God's Judgment
Casting lots was a recognized way for the Israelites to seek God's will and judgment in important matters. Whether distributing land among tribes or cities among the Levite families, the lot ensured that the outcome was not a matter of human preference or political maneuvering, but a divine decree.
Preventing Strife
By referring the matter to the lot, the potential for jealousy, disputes, and arguments among the families was minimized. Each family could rest assured that their assigned cities were given by God's own decision, fostering unity and peace.
Establishing Order
This process established a clear and divinely sanctioned order for the Levites' inheritance, ensuring they had a place to live and serve throughout Israel's history, mirroring the ordered way they served in the Tabernacle.
Understand the original words
goral · Hebrew Noun
A process of decision-making used in the Old Testament to determine God's will in specific matters, often involving casting stones or objects to reveal divine guidance.
Qehathi · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
One of the three main divisions of the Levites, who were descendants of Kohath, son of Levi; they were specifically tasked with the care of the most holy vessels of the tabernacle.
Aharon · Hebrew Proper Noun
The first High Priest of Israel, son of Amram and brother of Moses, whose descendants alone were authorized to serve as priests offering sacrifices.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Under Joshua
Following Moses' leadership, Joshua led the Israelites in the military conquest of Canaan, securing land promised by God. This set the stage for the division and distribution of territories.
c. 1400 BC
Division of Land Among Tribes
After the conquest, the land of Canaan was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through an established process, including the casting of lots for each tribe's inheritance.
c. 1400 BC
Assignment of Levitical Cities
As commanded by God through Moses, specific cities and their surrounding pasturelands were designated for the Levites, who had no tribal inheritance of their own, to live among the other tribes.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Lot Cast for Kohathites' Cities
The specific allocation of cities to the Kohathite families, particularly those descended from Aaron the priest, was determined by casting lots, ensuring a divine and unbiased distribution.
This passage directly establishes the command for the Levites to be given cities throughout Israel, setting the divine precedent for the distribution detailed in Joshua.
1 Chronicles 6:48-53This passage reiterates the assignment of cities to the descendants of Aaron (the priests) and other Kohathites, confirming the historical record and the spiritual significance of their placement.
Nehemiah 11:1-20This passage shows the return of the priests and Levites to Jerusalem and other cities after the exile, demonstrating the enduring importance of their assigned dwelling places and priestly functions.
Matthew 10:8Jesus instructs his disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse lepers, mirroring the care and service expected of the Levitical cities, which were meant to be places of blessing and refuge.
wesleyJoshua 21:4: "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."
21:4 Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin - Which three tribes were nearest the temple, where their business lay. Thirteen cities - For though the priests were now few enough for one city, yet respect was to be had to their succeeding numbers; this d…
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…
It's easy to read this as just a list of who got what, but notice that the priests (descendants of Aaron) got their portion first, and it came out of the tribes closest to where the Temple would later be established. This wasn't random chance; it shows God's careful planning from the very beginning, placing His chosen servants right where they'd be needed most.
The elders of Israel have come to Joshua and Eleazar to officially assign the Levitical cities, a task that had been delayed. This process involves drawing lots to determine which cities, set aside from the tribal inheritances, will be given to the Levites, ensuring they have places to live throughout the land as God commanded. The first lot drawn is for the Kohathites, specifically for the descendants of Aaron who serve as priests.
The elders of Israel have come to Joshua and Eleazar to officially assign the Levitical cities, a task that had been delayed. This process involves drawing lots to determine which cities, set aside from the tribal inheritances, will be given to the Levites, ensuring they have places to live throughout the land as God commanded. The first lot drawn is for the Kohathites, specifically for the descendants of Aaron who serve as priests.
"The lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities." — It's easy to read this as just a list of who got what, but notice that the priests (descendants of Aaron) got their portion first, and it came out of the tribes closest to where the Temple would la…
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Last reviewed October 2026