Joshua 21:1

Translations

Modern

Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel

Traditional

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;

Literal

And the heads of the fathers of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel.

Latin

Accesseruntque principes familiarum Levi ad Eleazarum sacerdotem, et Josue filium Nun, et ad duces cognationum per singulas tribus filiorum Israël:

Original

Hebrew

English

Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel

Notes

Joshua 21:1–8

Israel's leaders assigned towns to the tribe of Levi by casting lots (see study note on 7:16–18).

Joshua 20:1–21:45

Before they fully divided the land, Joshua had to establish six cities of refuge and assign cities in which the Levites would live.

Joshua 13:1–21:45

As he had promised, God brought Israel into the land. Joshua then focused on dividing the land among Israel's tribes.
The tribal allowances made the covenant of the Israelites with God real. It showed the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God owned the land, giving it to the tribes was a gift. God gave them the land to live in and guided its distribution.
In these lists of tribal allowances, the author describes some borders in great detail, allowing them to be mapped. With others, they are less plainly defined.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Inheriting the Land

Related verses

Joshua 14:1
Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel.
Joshua 17:4
They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD.
Joshua 19:51
These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families distributed by lot to the tribes of Israel at Shiloh before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So they finished dividing up the land.
Exodus 6:14
These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben.
Numbers 34:17–29
“These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.
Exodus 6:25
Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the Levite families by their clans.

Parallels

Numbers 35:1–8 1 Chronicles 6:54–81

People

Eleazar: Son of Aaron, high priest after his father Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Nun: Father of Joshua

Glossary

Eleazar Gershon, Gershonites Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kohath, Kohathites Levitical Cities Priests and Levites Shiloh Tribe of Dan Tribe of Levi

Topics

Israel: The Land Allotted Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: 48 Cities for the Levites Levites: Cities Assigned To, in the Land of Canaan Petition: Israel Priest: Benefits of Provided with Cities and Suburbs Shiloh: City of Ephraim, North of Beth-El: Seat of Government During the Time of Joshua The Lot: The Land of Canaan Divided Among Tribes By

Joshua 21:1

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?