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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook that the Gershonites, like the other Levite families, received their cities by lot. This wasn't just a random distribution; it shows God's direct hand in ensuring even those set apart for ministry received their inheritance, spread across several tribes, reminding us that God is meticulous in caring for His people.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Levites, who had no land inheritance of their own, are finally being assigned their cities and pasturelands throughout the Promised Land. This chapter details the specific distribution of these cities by lot, which was done to ensure fairness and divine order, following God's command given through Moses. This verse specifically lists the portion allocated to the Gershonites, one of the three main Levite families.
Ever wonder how God makes sure His people are cared for? The Levites, who served Him directly, didn't have their own land like the other tribes. This passage shows God's plan for their provision.
The allocation of cities to the Levites, including the Gershonites mentioned here, wasn't an afterthought. It was a divinely ordained distribution of land and dwelling places within the Promised Land.
A Matter of Divine Command
This process wasn't arbitrary. The text explicitly states that these cities were given 'as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses' (Joshua 21:8). God had a specific plan for the Levites, ensuring they had places to live and minister, even though they didn't inherit land portions like the other tribes.
The Lot of the Levites
Casting lots was a way to ensure fairness and to acknowledge God's sovereignty in the distribution. For the Gershonites, this meant receiving thirteen cities from the territories of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half of Manasseh. This distribution across different tribal areas likely facilitated their ministry throughout the land.
The Gershonites, one of the three main Levitical families, had a specific role. Where did they end up living, and what does that tell us about their service?
The Gershonites, descendants of Levi's eldest son, had distinct responsibilities in the Tabernacle service. Their role involved caring for the curtains, hangings, and coverings of the Tabernacle.
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Broad Distribution for a Broad Task
Joshua 21:6 highlights that the Gershonites received their thirteen cities from four different tribal areas: Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This wide geographic spread wasn't accidental. It likely reflects the extensive nature of their ministry, requiring them to be stationed in various regions of the land.
Serving Across the Nation
By being dispersed among these tribes, the Gershonites were positioned to serve the spiritual needs of communities far and wide, carrying out their duties in the Tabernacle and ministering to the people wherever they were located within these territories.
Understand the original words
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.
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.
This verse highlights the meticulous, God-ordained process of distributing land, ensuring even the Levite families, who served God directly and had no land inheritance, were provided for across various tribal territories.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Conquers Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, conquered the land of Canaan. This victory set the stage for dividing the land among the twelve tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Division of Land by Lot
The land of Canaan was systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. A portion of these lands was also designated for the Levites, who had no tribal inheritance of their own.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Levites Receive Cities
As commanded by God through Moses, the Levites were allocated 48 cities scattered among all the tribes. This verse details a specific allotment for the Gershonite branch of the Levites.
c. 1400 BC
Levites Assigned Cities East of Jordan
The half-tribe of Manasseh, located east of the Jordan River, contributed cities to the Levites, indicating the distribution of Levitical cities across the entire promised land, not just west of the Jordan.
This passage describes the Gershonites' specific role in the Tabernacle's service, which explains why they were allocated cities from various tribes as their inheritance.
Numbers 35:1-8This provides the divine command for the Levites to be given cities throughout Israel, offering the theological basis and purpose for the distribution detailed in Joshua 21.
Deuteronomy 18:1-2This scripture highlights the unique inheritance of the Levites, stating that they shall have no portion in the land, reinforcing why they were given cities within other tribes' territories.
1 Chronicles 6:61This passage reiterates the same information about the Gershonites receiving cities from specific tribes, offering a parallel account from a different historical perspective.
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…
gillJoshua 21:6: "And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities."
And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar,.... These were Levites who descended from Gershon, the eldest son of Levi, and had their cities by lot assigned them in tribes at a greater distance, not only out of Issachar, but out…
It's easy to overlook that the Gershonites, like the other Levite families, received their cities by lot. This wasn't just a random distribution; it shows God's direct hand in ensuring even those set apart for ministry received their inheritance, spread across several tribes, reminding us that God is meticulous in caring for His people.
The Levites, who had no land inheritance of their own, are finally being assigned their cities and pasturelands throughout the Promised Land. This chapter details the specific distribution of these cities by lot, which was done to ensure fairness and divine order, following God's command given through Moses. This verse specifically lists the portion allocated to the Gershonites, one of the three main Levite families.
The Levites, who had no land inheritance of their own, are finally being assigned their cities and pasturelands throughout the Promised Land. This chapter details the specific distribution of these cities by lot, which was done to ensure fairness and divine order, following God's command given through Moses. This verse specifically lists the portion allocated to the Gershonites, one of the three main Levite families.
"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." — It's easy to overlook that the Gershonites, like the other Levite families, received their cities by lot. This wasn't just a random distribution; it shows God's direct hand in ensuring even those set…
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Last reviewed October 2026