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21:1–45 In ch. 21, the Israelites designate 48 cities from the territories of the other tribes to be Levitical cities
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21:1 Eleazar the priest See note on Num 4:16.
21:2 through the hand of Moses See Num 35:1–8.
21:4 The allotment See note on Josh 14:2.
the families of the Kohathites See Exod 6:16–19; Num 3:17–20.
The descendants of Aaron Since Aaron’s descendants made up the priesthood (Exod 28–29; Num 18), their Levitical cities were in the south near Jerusalem. This suggests that Joshua may have been edited or composed after David had made Jerusalem the capital, and perhaps later, when he formed plans for the temple. See Exod 4:14; 5:1; 7:1; 28–29; 32.
Aaron DOT: P
Aaron (Person) AYBD
Aaron ISBE
thirteen towns See Josh 21:9–19.
21:5 descendants of Kohath Levites responsible for transporting the ark and other tabernacle furniture during the wilderness journey (see Num 3:1, 17–20; 4:15–20; 7:9; Exod 6:16–19).
ten cities See Josh 21:20–26.
21:6 The descendants of Gershon Levites responsible for transporting the tabernacle’s textiles, screens, and coverings during the wilderness journey (Num 3:25–26; 4:24–26).
21:7 The descendants of the Merarites Levites who guarded the tabernacle and transported its poles and various fixtures during the journey in the wilderness (Num 1:47–53; 3:33–37; 4:29–33).
21:9–19 This passage lists the cities allotted to the priestly branch of the Kohathites, that is, the ones descended from Aaron.
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21:11 Anak See Josh 15:13–14.
21:12 Caleb son of Jephunneh See 14:6–14; 15:13–18.
21:13 Hebron See 14:6–15; note on 10:3; note on 20:7.
21:16 nine cities from these two tribes The 12 tribes (see note on 13:14) averaged four Levitical cities each. Here, however, Judah and Simeon break the pattern and combine for nine. This was to make up for Naphtali, where three cities were selected (v. 32).
21:19 the descendants of Aaron the priests See note on vv. 9–19.
21:20–26 This passage lists the cities given to the Kohathites who were not of the priestly line of Aaron. |
21:21 the hill country of Ephraim See 20:7–8.
Gezer and its pasturelands See note on 16:3.
21:23 From the tribe of Dan As with Gezer, it was not until the era of David and Solomon that this area came under Israelite control.
21:27 in Bashan, a city of refuge for the killer See note on 20:8.
21:32 Kedesh See note on 20:7.
21:38 Ramoth in Gilead See note on 20:8.
21:43–45 These verses conclude the account of the allotment of territory to the tribes. The passage affirms that God has fulfilled His promises by bringing His people into their land (Deut 6:10) and by giving them rest from war (Deut 12:9–10). |
21:43 the land that he swore to give See Gen 12:1–3; 15:1–6, 18; 28:13; 35:12; 48:21.
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