Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 21:41
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel [were] forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
41. All the cities of the Levites were forty and eight cities ] As will be clear from the following table:
tribes.
cities.
i. Kohathites
(a) Priests
Judah and Simeon
= 9
Benjamin
= 4
(b) Not priests
Ephraim
= 4
Dan
= 4
Half Manasseh (West)
= 2
ii. Gershonites
Half Manasseh (East)
= 2
Issachar
= 4
Asher
= 4
Naphtali
= 3
iii. Merarites
Zebulun
= 4
Reuben
= 4
Gad
= 4
48
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 41. Forty and eight cities] At the last census of the Hebrew people, related Num. 26, we find from Nu 26:62 that the tribe of Levi amounted only to 23,000; and it is supposed that forty-eight cities were too great a proportion for this tribe, the other tribes having so very few. But,
1. All the cities of the other tribes are not enumerated.
2. They had the circumjacent country as well as the cities.
3. The Levites had no other cities than those enumerated.
4. They had no country annexed to their cities, the 2,000 cubits for their cattle, c., excepted.
5. Cities in those ancient times were very small, as most villages went under this appellation
6. The Levites had now the appointment that was suited to their consequent increase. The other tribes might enlarge their borders and make conquests, but this was not suitable to the mere servants of God besides, had they made conquests, they would have become proprietors of the conquered land; and God determined that they should have no inheritance in Israel, HE himself being their portion.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Quest. Why hath this tribe, which was the least of all, more cities than any of them?
Answ. First, It doth not appear that they had more; for though all the cities of the Levites be expressed, it is not so with the other tribes, but divers of their cities are omitted, as is evident. Secondly, The Levites were confined to their cities and suburbs; the rest had large territories belonging to their cities, which also they were in a capacity of improving, which the Levites were not; so that one of their cities might be more considerable than divers of the Levites. Thirdly, God was pleased to deal liberally with his ministers, partly to put honour upon those whom he foresaw many would be prone to despise; and partly, that being free from all outward distractions, they might more entirely and fervently devote themselves to the service of God, and the instruction of souls.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
41. All the cities of the Leviteswithin the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eightcities with their suburbsThis may appear too great aproportion compared with those of the other tribes. But it must beborne in mind that the list given here contains the names of everyLevitical city (see on 1Ch 6:39-66);whereas only those cities of the other tribes are mentioned which layon the frontier or along the boundary line. Besides, the Levites werenot the exclusive inhabitants of those forty-eight cities; for theremust have been also a considerable number of people kept there tocultivate the glebe lands and tend the cattle. Still further, theLevitical cities had nothing but “their suburbs round aboutthem” [Jos 21:42]; whereasthe other cities in Israel possessed a group of independent villages(see Jos 17:1-19:51).
Jos21:43-45. GOD GAVETHEM REST.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
All the cities of the Levites, within the possession of the children of Israel,…. As comprised in one sum total:
[were] forty and eight cities with their suburbs; which is just the number that Moses from the mouth of God ordered to be given unto them, before they entered into the land, and before they were in possession of one city in it, Nu 35:7; which, as it is a proof of the omniscience, prescience, and predetermination of God; so of the sure and true prediction of Moses, who could not be otherwise certain than from the Lord of the Israelites being able to give so many cities to them, out of each of their tribes: and it is to be observed, that this tribe of Levi, though it had no share in the division of the land, yet had more cities by lot given to it than any other, excepting the tribe of Judah; though indeed, in the account of some of the tribes, all the cities in them are not mentioned; and besides, they had only the cities they had with their suburbs round about them, but not the lands belonging to them, nor the villages; however this shows that a large and liberal maintenance of the ministers of the Lord, that serve in his sanctuary should be allowed and made for them, as in the legal, so under the Gospel dispensation
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Summary Statement, vs. 41-45
The first summary statement of these verses relates to the Levite cities. These numbered forty-eighty, but were not equally divided among the tribes.
In the larger tribes there were four or five, while some of the smaller had only two. Yet there were some Levites living in all the tribes.
The second statement is the summation of all the land possession and its division.
It is emphasized that 1) the Lord gave Israel all the land He had promised, and they possessed it; 2) all their enemies were vanquished, and not a one was left to oppose them, so that there was peace in the land; 3) not one good thing of which the Lord had spoken to Israel had failed to come to pass.
Among the lessons which may be gleaned from this chapter are 1) the Lord requires proper respect and care for the welfare of those who minister to His people; 2) the people of Israel were blessed with having the Lord’s ministers in their very midst, which was accomplished by the Levites’ scattering; thus the Lord has ministers for His people, so there should be no dearth of witness on His behalf; 3) all the Lord’s promises will come to pass as He has made them, (Heb 13:5).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
41. All the cities of the Levites, etc This passage more especially shows what I have already more than once adverted to, that the boundaries of the other tribes were not so confined as not to comprehend a far larger number of cities than is actually mentioned. It is perfectly well known that Levi was the least numerous of all the tribes. With what equity, then, could it have been allowed to expand itself over four times the space allowed to the tribe of Zebulun, which, though more populous, is mentioned as only possessing twelve cities. Only sixteen are enumerated as belonging to the tribe of Issachar, nineteen to the tribe of Naphtali, and twenty-two to the tribe of Asher. It would surely have been an unequal division to give the greater number of cities for habitation to the smaller population. Hence we infer, that not only the villages which are here set down as accessories of the cities were fit for habitation, but that other cities also, of which no mention is made, were included. In short, the extent of the lot of Levi makes it perfectly obvious how large and ample the territories of the other tribes must have been.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Summary of the Assignment of the Land Jos. 21:41-45
41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
42 These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.
43 And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
44 And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.
45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
12.
What was the total number of cities? Jos. 21:41
Moses had commanded Joshua to give the children of Levi a total of forty-eight citiessix cities of refuge and forty-two other cities (Num. 35:6-7). Joshua was faithful in fulfilling the will of God in this matter. He, Eleazar, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel were careful to give the exact number of cities to the Levites.
13.
What were the suburbs? Jos. 21:42
When the original instructions were given by God to Moses, He ordered suburbs to be given to the Levites. He specified that these were to reach out a thousand cubits from the city wall on every side (Num. 35:1-5). Evidently these suburbs were strips of land around the cities where the Levites could tether their animals and plant some small vegetable crops. They did not have enough room for vineyards or large fields of grain, but they were able to raise some produce for their tables. This would supplement their sustenance which they received from the tithe given by the other tribes.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
‘ All the cities of the Levites amongst the possession of the children of Israel, were forty eight cities with their suburbs. These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them. Thus it was with all these cities.’
So the Levites had rights of dwelling and authority in forty eight cities and pasturage rights over the land nearest to each city, its ‘suburbs’. And we are assured that each city had its suburb. With their tithes the Levites were fully provided for.
These cities would be huddles of small dwellings and some larger ones crammed together within their walls or boundaries without much planning. Each would have a main square by the city gate, in most cases probably the only open space within the city. How room was to be made for the Levites we are not told. The theory was that they should be satisfied with their dwellingplace, the right to feed their cattle and their tithes. In practise many moved out of the cities and established themselves prosperously as we discover later. Indeed those assigned to cities lost to Israel such as Gezer had to find somewhere to live. And the theory was certainly not put fully into practise for a long time because the Canaanites were allowed to continue in the land and live in their cities, contrary to God’s commandment.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 41, 42. All the cities of the Leviteswere forty and eightwith their suburbs Here we are to observe, 1. That Moses could never have assigned to the Levites beforehand the forty-eight cities contained in the lift above-mentioned, without prejudicing the tribes, had he not been inspired by God in the determination of this number. Joshua, Caleb, and the other Israelites who had been with them to discover the country, could not have taken the dimensions of it, so as to be able to judge beforehand whether the Levites could have so many cities as are here given them. We must, therefore, once more acknowledge Moses to be immediately directed in this whole affair by the spirit of the Lord. 2. We are not to be surprised at this great number of cities assigned to the tribe of Levi, which, though least numerous of all, seems possessed of more cities than any of the rest. This is only so in appearance; for whereas the numeration of the Levitical cities is precise and exact, that of the cities of the other tribes is not so; the historian contenting himself with naming the principal ones, as we have before remarked. Besides, the Levites had only their cities, with a small circuit of ground about them, without either villages or fields adjacent; and even these cities were peopled by as many of the laity as could settle there, as was observed on ver. 19. Their portion then was not by any means excessive; but it was worthy the liberality of God, whose ministers they had the honour to be.
REFLECTIONS.The Levites were dispersed, that all the tribes might share the benefit of their instructions, and behold the exemplariness of their conduct. They were near in every division, that their brethren might shew them kindness, as commanded, Deu 12:19 and receive that counsel and instruction which, as daily more conversant in God’s law, they were qualified to administer. Their portion of cities was great, and these too of the best; because God would have his peculiar servants honourably and comfortably lodged and cared for, that they might wait upon God without distraction, and be utterly inexcusable if they neglected their ministry, for which they were so liberally paid, and to which they were wholly dedicated.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 21:41-42
41All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. 42These cities each had its surrounding pasture lands; thus it was with all these cities.
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 21:43-45
43So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. 44And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand. 45Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.
Jos 21:43-45 This is another summary paragraph about the conquest of Canaan. In a sense, the following chapters (22-24) are an appendix.
Jos 21:43 which He had sworn to their fathers This again is an allusion to the Abrahamic covenant of Genesis 12 which was later reaffirmed to Isaac, Jacob, and the people of Israel through Moses.
Jos 21:44 Not only did YHWH give the land to the Patriarchs and their descendants (cf. Jos 21:43; Gen 12:7; Gen 15:18-19; Gen 17:7-8; Gen 26:1-5; Gen 28:10-15; Gen 35:12), but He also gave them the military victories to conquer it (e.g., Deu 7:24; Deu 11:25; Jos 1:5; Jos 10:8; Jos 23:9; Jdg 3:28; Jdg 11:21). The conquest was an act of YHWH, using natural, supernatural, and military means.
Jos 21:45 not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass This is our great hope: when God speaks, we can depend upon His word (cf. Jos 23:14; 1Ki 8:56; and note Isa 55:11). Yet covenant disobedience can negate the blessings of the promises of God! There is an inseparable bond between a faithful God and a faithful people. Covenant has privileges and responsibilities. Israel’s inability to perform the covenant will require a new covenant (cf. Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:22-38; Galatians 3; and the book of Hebrews).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. List the families of the Levites.
2. What is the difference between a priest and a Levite?
3. Why were the Levites spread out among the tribes?
4. Why is Jos 21:45 so important?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
within: Gen 49:7, Num 35:1-8, Deu 33:10
forty: At the last census, the tribe of Levi amounted only to 23,000 – Num 26:62, and it is thought by some that forty-eight cities was too great a proportion for this tribe. But it should be considered, that cities in ancient times were little more than villages.
Reciprocal: Jos 21:35 – Dimnah 1Ch 6:64 – the children
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 21:41. Forty and eight cities So God ordered by Moses, Num 35:7; and it is a demonstration that Moses was divinely inspired to make such an appointment, before it could be known whether, without straitening the other tribes, they could part with so many cities to the Levites. For when Joshua and Caleb went up to search the land, they could have no opportunity to take any accurate dimensions of the country, whereby Moses might know there would be room enough to allow the Levites so large a portion as this; but he was directed to it by a divine foreknowledge. But why had this tribe, which was the least of all, more cities than any of them? First, it doth not appear that they had more; for though all the cities of the Levites be expressed, it is not so with the other tribes, but divers of their cities are omitted. Secondly, the Levites were confined to their cities and suburbs; the rest had large territories belonging to their cities, which also they were in a capacity of improving, which the Levites were not; so that one of their cities might be more considerable than divers of those of the Levites.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
21:41 All the cities of the Levites {n} within the possession of the children of Israel [were] forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
(n) Thus according to Jacob’s prophecy they were scattered throughout the country, which God used so that his people might be instructed in the true religion by them.