Joshua 21:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 21:1-8

Here is, I. The Levites? petition presented to this general convention of the states, now sitting at Shiloh, Josh. 21:1, 2. Observe, 1. They had not their lot assigned them till they made their claim. There is an inheritance provided for all the saints, that royal priesthood, but then they must petition for it. Ask, and it shall be given you. Joshua had quickened the rest of the tribes who were slack to put in their claims, but the Levites, it may be supposed, knew their duty and interest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 21:4

And the lot came out for the family of the Kohathites ,.... The first lot that was drawn out of the pot or urn was for the descendants of Kohath, a son of Levi: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites ; who descended from Amram, the eldest son of Kohath, and these were not only Levites, but priests: these 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 ; which are after mentioned by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 21:4

Out of the tribe of Judah - Simeon , and - Benjamin , thirteen cities - These tribes furnished more habitations to the Levites in proportion than any of the other tribes, because they possessed a more extensive inheritance; and Moses had commanded, Numbers 35:8 , From them that have many, ye shall give many; and from them that have few, ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites, according to his inheritance. It is worthy of remark, that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 21:4

Verse 4 4.And the lot came out for the families, etc Here is first described the number of cities of which we shall have to speak by and bye. Secondly, it is distinctly said that the lot fell out to the children of Aaron in the tribe of Judah. This did not happen fortuitously, because God in his admirable counsel placed them in that locality where he had determined to choose a temple for himself. Thirdly, the narrative proceeds to give the exact names of the cities, of which the first mentioned... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 21:1-45

The ecclesiastical settlement of Canaan. Though the ecclesiastical institutions of the Christian Church differ, in some respects materially, from these of the Jewish, yet inasmuch as the law and the gospel came from the same All-wise Hand, we may naturally expect that the main principles of each will be the same. Perhaps we have insisted too much of late on the fact that the law was "done away in Christ," and too little on the qualifying truth that Christ came "not to destroy, but to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 21:4

And the lot came out. As in the distribution of the land among the tribes, so in the division of the cities among the tribes of Levi, the whole matter was referred to the judgment of God. Thus solemnly placed in His hands, the division would not afterwards become the occasion of jealousy or dispute. The division was first made between the descendants of the three sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (see Exodus 6:16-25 ), and then, as regards the Kohathites, between the priests, the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 21:4

Thirteen cities - This number is said to be too great for the single family of Aaron. But it appears 1 Chronicles 24:0 that the two surviving sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar, had together 24 sons, the heads of the priestly families. Since Aaron was 123 years old when he died Numbers 33:39, his sons’ grandchildren and great grandchildren were no doubt living in the elapsing years of Joshua’s course, and had to he provided with dwellings. They might altogether number several thousands. The... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 21:4

Joshua 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 division being made for all future generations. And seeing the Levites might sell their houses until the jubilee, (Leviticus 25:33,) much more might they let them; and therefore it is probable their cities were not long uninhabited, many being... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 21:1-45

Cities for the Levites (20:1-21:45)The Levites were given forty-eight cities throughout Israel, along with surrounding pasture lands for their cattle (see 21:41-42; Numbers 35:1-8). Among these cities were six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:6). These were cities where a person who had killed another could flee for safety until he had been lawfully judged (Exodus 21:12-14). If he was found guilty of murder he was to be executed, but if he was found to have caused the death accidentally, he could... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 21:4

came out. i.e. out of the bag containing the Urim and Thummim. See note on Exodus 28:30 . Num 28:55 . read more

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