And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that the non-priestly Levites (the "rest of the children of Kohath") received their cities from tribes that were geographically closer to the lands already assigned to their priestly brethren. This wasn't just about logistics, but about placing these families in proximity to their spiritual leaders and the central worship of God.
And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of the Levites' final inheritance being distributed after the land of Canaan was largely conquered. The heads of the Levite families are approaching Joshua and Eleazar to receive the cities promised to them as their dwelling places throughout Israel. This distribution follows the division of the land among the other tribes, ensuring the Levites, who had no land inheritance, were properly settled according to God's command.
Ever wonder why specific tribes received certain cities? This passage reveals a deliberate, divinely orchestrated plan for the Levites.
The distribution of cities to the Levites, including the Kohathites in Joshua 21:5, wasn't random. It followed a pattern rooted in God's command and executed through the casting of lots.
A Covenantal Responsibility
God explicitly instructed Moses that the Levites, who had no tribal inheritance in the Promised Land, were to be provided for by the other tribes (Numbers 35:1-8). This ensured they could dedicate themselves fully to their priestly and Levitical duties without the burden of land management.
The Role of the Lot
The use of the lot was a sacred method of decision-making in ancient Israel, seen as a way to discern God's will. In this context, it ensured fairness and impartiality in assigning cities to the various Levitical families, even when those cities were within the territories of other tribes.
The Kohathites were a significant family within the Levites, but not all of them were priests. This verse points to that distinction.
The family of Kohath had two distinct branches concerning their service to God:
The Priestly Line
One branch of Kohathites, through Aaron, served as priests. They were given a significant number of cities (13) primarily from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin (Joshua 21:4). This placement was strategic, as many of these tribes were near Jerusalem where the Temple would eventually be established.
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The Levites Proper
The 'rest of the children of Kohath' mentioned in Joshua 21:5 refers to those Kohathites who were Levites but not priests. They received 10 cities from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Their distribution appears to be geographically related to the priestly Kohathites, suggesting a continued familial proximity even in their assigned lands.
The Levites were given cities, but these weren't a contiguous block of land. What does this tell us about their unique role?
The cities assigned to the Levites, including the ten given to the rest of the Kohathites, were situated within the territories of the other twelve tribes. This arrangement was crucial for their ministry and service:
Embedded Ministry
By living among the other tribes, the Levites served as a constant reminder of God's presence and His covenant. They were to teach God's law and ensure His commands were upheld throughout the land.
Shared Responsibility
While the Levites were set apart, they were not isolated. The Israelites were responsible for providing them with dwellings and supporting their ministry. This created a network of interdependence, where each tribe played a vital role in the spiritual life of the entire nation.
Not Exclusive Ownership
Commentators note that the Levites likely didn't have exclusive ownership of these cities. Other Israelites lived in them, and the Levitical ownership might have been more about the right to reside and administer certain aspects, particularly the pasturelands outside the city walls, which were considered the Lord's property.
This verse highlights the meticulous and divinely ordained process of settling the Israelites in the Promised Land. The assignment of cities to the Levites, including the specific distribution to the Kohathite families mentioned here, underscores the importance of providing for those who served God, ensuring they could carry out their duties without being tied to land ownership.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan, defeating numerous Canaanite city-states and tribes. This victory paved the way for the division of the land among the twelve tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land
Following the conquest, the land of Canaan was systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through a system of casting lots. This process allocated territory and resources to ensure each tribe had its inheritance.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Levitical Cities Assigned
As part of the land division, specific cities were set aside for the Levites, the priestly tribe who had no tribal inheritance. These cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, were distributed from the territories of the other tribes as commanded by God through Moses.
c. 1400 BC
Levite Families Receive Cities
The various families within the Levite tribe, including the Kohathites (both priestly and non-priestly branches), received their allotted cities. This verse details the distribution to the remaining Kohathite families from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and half of Manasseh.
This passage lays the groundwork for the Levites' cities, explaining that they were to be given land for pasture and cities to live in throughout Israel, directly correlating to the distribution described in Joshua.
Deuteronomy 18:1-2This prophecy foretells that the Levites would have no inheritance of land like other tribes, but would live off the offerings and the cities allocated to them, which Joshua 21 fulfills.
1 Chronicles 6:63This passage from Chronicles recounts the same event of assigning cities to the Levites, confirming the distribution and purpose of these cities as places of dwelling and service.
Psalm 78:54-55This psalm reflects on God establishing His people in their inheritance, including the Levites in their appointed cities, highlighting the divine order behind this land distribution.
wesleyJoshua 21:5: "And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities."
21:5 Children of Kohath - Who were of Aaron's family. Ephraim, Dan, and Manesseh - Which tribes are nearest to the three former, and so the Kohathites are placed next to their brethren the Aaronites. Ten cities - Fewer than they gave out of the three former tribes, because their inheritance was less than the…
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 verse highlights that the non-priestly Levites (the "rest of the children of Kohath") received their cities from tribes that were geographically closer to the lands already assigned to their priestly brethren. This wasn't just about logistics, but about placing these families in proximity to their spiritual leaders and the central worship of God.
This passage is part of the Levites' final inheritance being distributed after the land of Canaan was largely conquered. The heads of the Levite families are approaching Joshua and Eleazar to receive the cities promised to them as their dwelling places throughout Israel. This distribution follows the division of the land among the other tribes, ensuring the Levites, who had no land inheritance, were properly settled according to God's command.
This passage is part of the Levites' final inheritance being distributed after the land of Canaan was largely conquered. The heads of the Levite families are approaching Joshua and Eleazar to receive the cities promised to them as their dwelling places throughout Israel. This distribution follows the division of the land among the other tribes, ensuring the Levites, who had no land inheritance, were properly settled according to God's command.
"And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities." — This verse highlights that the non-priestly Levites (the "rest of the children of Kohath") received their cities from tribes that were geographically closer to the lands already assigned to their pri…
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Last reviewed October 2026