Breakdown of Joshua 21:5-7

"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. The Gershonites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, from the trib…" — It's easy to just see a list of tribes, but notice that these are the "rest of the Kohathites" – meaning the ones who weren't priests. This detail highlights that even within the Levitical tribe, t…

Joshua 21:5-7 Meaning Explained

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Joshua 21:5-7

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. The Gershonites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. The Merarites according to their clans received from the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.

English Standard Version (ESV)

It's easy to just see a list of tribes, but notice that these are the "rest of the Kohathites" – meaning the ones who weren't priests. This detail highlights that even within the Levitical tribe, there were distinct roles, and God meticulously provided for all of them, not just the priestly lineage.

What Joshua 21:5-7 means

This passage is part of the Levites receiving their appointed cities throughout the land of Israel. Following the priests (descendants of Aaron) who were given their cities first, this verse details the allocation for the remaining Kohathites – Levites who were not priests. These were settled in areas alongside the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ensuring they had places to live as they ministered throughout the nation.

The Levites' Special Place

Did you know the tribe of Levi didn't receive land like the others? Discover why they were set apart and how God provided for them.

In the grand division of the Promised Land, the Levites had a unique role. Unlike the other twelve tribes, they didn't get a territorial inheritance. This was by God's design, as they were set apart for special service to Him, particularly the priests who were descendants of Aaron.

A Tribe Apart

God declared, 'I am your portion and inheritance' (Numbers 18:20). Instead of land, the Levites were given cities scattered throughout the other tribes' territories. This allowed them to serve God and minister to the people wherever they were.

Divine Provision

Joshua 21 details how these cities were allocated by lot. Even though the Levites were scattered, their provision was carefully ordered by God through Joshua and Eleazar, ensuring they had a place to live and minister.

Ordered Distribution by Lot

Why did God use lots to assign cities? Explore the significance of this ancient practice and what it reveals about His faithfulness.

The distribution of cities to the Levites, as seen in Joshua 21:5, was done by lot. This wasn't a haphazard process but a divinely guided method for dividing territory and assigning responsibilities.

God's Hand in the Lot

While lots were cast, the Bible emphasizes that the 'disposal of the lot is from the LORD' (Proverbs 16:33). For ancient Israel, casting lots was a way to discern God's will and ensure fairness in dividing inheritances. It meant that each allocation was ultimately from God.

Strategic Placement

In this specific verse, the 'rest of the Kohathites' (those not of the priestly line of Aaron) received cities from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This distribution placed them geographically near their priestly brethren, facilitating connection and service. The fact they received ten cities, fewer than the priestly Kohathites, also reflects the careful accounting of their family size and needs.

Understand the original words

Original language

Gershonitesגֵּרְשׁוֹנִי

geresoni · Hebrew Noun

A member of the tribe of Levi, specifically a descendant of Gershon, son of Levi. They were set apart for service in the tabernacle, particularly the care of the curtains and hangings.

lotגּוֹרָל

goral · Hebrew Noun

A method used in the Old Testament to determine the will of God or to allocate portions and responsibilities in a way that acknowledged divine sovereignty, removing human partiality.

Historical context

Written: Likely compiled during the period of the Judges, after the conquest of Canaan (around 13th-11th centuries BC).
Author: Traditionally understood as Joshua, the successor to Moses, though the book likely incorporates earlier traditions and was compiled later.
Location: The land of Canaan, specifically within the territories allotted to the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Genre: Historical narrative with elements of legal and genealogical records. It features detailed accounts of the division of land and city allocations.

Historical background

This verse describes the practical, administrative side of establishing the Levites within the promised land after its conquest. It shows how the land, once secured, was meticulously divided to ensure the functioning of Israel's religious and social structure, with the Levites scattered among all tribes to serve them.

c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites under Joshua conquered the land of Canaan. This victory set the stage for the division of the land among the tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land
After the conquest, the land was systematically divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel. Specific cities were also allocated to the Levites, who had no land inheritance of their own.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Levites Assigned Cities
The Levites, including the priestly Kohathites (descendants of Aaron) and other Kohathites, were assigned 48 cities throughout the territories of the other tribes. This verse details the portion allocated to the non-priestly Kohathites.
c. 1300-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
After Joshua's death, Israel entered a period where tribes often acted independently, sometimes leading to conflict but also highlighting the Levites' role as scattered spiritual centers.

Key themes

01Divine appointment and lot
02Levitical land distribution
03Tribal land allocation
04Orderly inheritance distribution

Cross-references

Numbers 35:1-8

This passage establishes the divine command that the Levites, including the Kohathites, should be given cities throughout the land of Israel for their dwelling places and pasture lands.

Joshua 14:4

This verse highlights that the Levites did not receive an inheritance of land in the same way the other tribes did, reinforcing the unique arrangement for their provision illustrated in Joshua 21.

1 Chronicles 6:63

This parallel account in Chronicles reiterates the same distribution of cities to the Kohathite families, confirming the historical accuracy and divine ordering of these assignments.

Deuteronomy 18:1-2

This earlier instruction from Moses lays the groundwork for the Levites' unique position and inheritance, stating that they would 'have no inheritance' among Israel but would 'eat the offerings of the LORD,' which is fulfilled by their allotted cities.

Scholarly commentary

Joshua 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…
wesley

Joshua 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…

calvin

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