Joshua 21:1-22:20

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Joshua 21:1

Here we have the list of the forty-eight Levitical cities, appointed by Joshua, and the other Jewish authorities, at the end of the general subjugation of Canaan, shortly prior to the death of Joshua. The screams of the Bible's critical enemies declare this chapter to be "unhistorical,"[1] but we reject this out of hand as being merely the prejudice of unbelievers and totally irresponsible! Equally objectional is the efforts of critics to assign a seventh-century B.C. date to this list on the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 21:1

Ver. 1. Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar— Immediately after the designation of the cities of refuge, the heads of the Levites, i.e. the chiefs of the families of Levi, who descended from Kohath, Gershom, and Merari, came and presented themselves before Eleazar, Joshua, and the princes of the tribes, (Numbers 34:18.,) whom God had commissioned to divide the country. They related the orders which God had formerly issued in their favour, Numbers 35:2; Num 35:34... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Joshua 21:1

1-3. Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites—The most venerable and distinguished members of the three Levitical families, on behalf of their tribe, applied for the special provision that had been promised them to be now awarded (see on :-). Their inheritance lay within the territory of every tribe. It was assigned in the same place and manner, and by the same commissioners as the other allotments. While the people, knowing the important duties they were to perform, are... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 21:1-8

The casting of lots 21:1-8Probably the leaders identified the towns first and then assigned the various groups of Levites to particular cities by lot (Joshua 21:3-4). The priests (Aaron’s descendants) received 13 cities within the tribal territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin (Joshua 21:4). The rest of the Kohathites-Aaron was a descendant of Kohath-obtained 10 cities in Ephraim, Dan, and western Manasseh (Joshua 21:5). The Gershonites lived in 13 cities in Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 21:1-42

2. The cities of the Levites 21:1-42The tribes also had to set aside 42 additional cities for the priests and Levites to inhabit (cf. Numbers 35:1-8). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 21:1-45

The Assignment of Forty-eight Cities to the Levites2. The injunction to Moses was given in the plains of Moab, and is recorded in Numbers 35:2-5.3-8. Number and localities of the cities distributed to each of the families of Levi.9-42. Detailed specification of the cities:—Cities of the Aaronites (Priests) in Judah and Benjamin (9-19); of the Kohathites in Ephraim, Dan, and W. Manasseh (20-26); of the Gershonites in E. Manasseh, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali (27-33); of the Merarites in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 21:1-42

CHAPTER XXVIII.THE INHERITANCE OF THE LEVITES.Joshua 21:1-42. ONCE and again we have found reference made to the fact that Levites received no territorial inheritance among their brethren (Joshua 13:14, Joshua 13:33; Joshua 14:3-4). They had a higher privilege: the Lord was their inheritance. In the present chapter we have an elaborate account of the arrangements for their settlement; it will therefore be suitable here to rehearse their history, and ascertain the relation they now stood in to... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 21:1-45

8. The Portion of the Levites CHAPTER 21 1. The Levites, the children of Aaron, and their portions (Joshua 21:1-8 ) 2. Kohath (Joshua 21:9-26 ) 3. Gershon (Joshua 21:27-33 ) 4. Merari (Joshua 21:34-40 ) 5. The Lord’s faithfulness (Joshua 21:41-45 ) In chapters 13:14, 33 and 14:3, 4 the statement is made that Moses gave no inheritance to the Levites. The Lord was their inheritance. After the tribes had received their allotments the heads of the fathers of the Levites came to Joshua... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 21:1-45

TWO FOOLISH OATHS AND FOOLISH ACTIONS (vv. 1-14) God had not told Israel to totally destroy Benjamin, including women and children, but Israel had done this except for the 600 men hiding in the Rock Rimmon. Now they realize that a tribe of Israel is on the verge of extinction. Why did they not think of this before? But they had virtually decreed that Benjamin should be extinct by the fact that they swore an oath to the effect that no woman of Israel must be given as a wife to a Benjamite... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Joshua 21:1-45

SPECIAL CITIES ; ALTAR OF WITNESS THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Joshua 20:0 ) The decree concerning the cities of refuge was considered in its place. It will be well, however, again to notice that they were not instituted to shield criminals but innocent murderers. Whether innocent or guilty though, the murdered had an asylum until his case could be heard by the authorities (Joshua 20:6 ). If innocent he was permitted to remain in the city, immune from the legal avenger, until the death of the... read more

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