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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 21:21 they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/21-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/06_Jos_21_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 21:21 - Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and Gezer with her suburbs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For they gave them Shechem with its common-land in the mountains of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the slayer), Gezer with its common-land,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They gave them Shechem, the city of refuge for the one who commits manslaughter, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They gave them Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they gave them Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they gave them Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They gave them Shechem, the city of refuge for anyone who committed manslaughter, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites gave them: Shechem, the city of refuge for the one who commits manslaughter, with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites gave them: Shechem, the city of refuge for the one who commits manslaughter, with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in the hill-country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with its suburbs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with her suburbs;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />These four cities with pasturelands were Shechem (a city of refuge for murderers) in the mountains of Ephraim, Gezer,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They were given four cities: Shechem and its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim (one of the cities of refuge), Gezer, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Shechem was allocated to them as a city of refuge for unintentional killers, along with its pasture lands, in the mountainous region of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasture lands, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They assigned them Shechem (a city of refuge for one who committed manslaughter) in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They gave them Shechem with its suburbs in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with its suburbs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with its suburbs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They gave them Shechem with its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Gezer with its pasture lands, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they give to them the city of refuge [for] the manslayer, Shechem and its outskirts, in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Gezer and its outskirts,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they give to them the city of refuge for the man-slayer, Shechem and its suburbs, in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Gezer and its suburbs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will give to them the city of refuge of the slayer, Shechem and her area in mount Ephraim, and Gezer and her area,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Of the tribe of Ephraim, Sichem one of the cities of refuge, with the suburbs thereof in mount Ephraim, and Cater, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />from the tribe of Ephraim, Shechem, one of the cities of refuge, with its suburbs, on mount Ephraim, and Gezer,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They were assigned, with its pasture lands, the city of refuge for homicides at Shechem in the mountain region of Ephraim; also Gezer with its pasture lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />To them were given Shechem, the city of refuge for the slayer, with its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasture lands,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For they gave them Shechem, the city of refuge for the slavers, with its suburbs, on mount Ephraim, Gedar with its suburbs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they gave them a city of a place of salvation of manslayers: Shekeem that is on the Hill of Aphreim and its fields and Gadar and its fields<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they gave them Shechem with the open land about it in the hill-country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with the open land about it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />out of the tribe of Ephraim; and they gave them the slayer's city of refuge, Sychem, and its suburbs, and Gazara and its appendages, and its suburbs;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/21-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=5419" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm">Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>The remaining Kohathite clans of the Levites were allotted these cities: From the tribe of Ephraim <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·tə·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">they were given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7927.htm" title="7927: šə·ḵem (N-proper-fs) -- Ridge, a district in N. Pal., also a son of Hamor. The same as shkem; ridge; Shekem, a place in Palestine.">Shechem</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: bə·har (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">in the hill country</a> <a href="/hebrew/669.htm" title="669: ’ep̄·rā·yim (N-proper-ms) -- Dual of masculine form of 'Ephraath; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">of Ephraim</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fsc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">(a city</a> <a href="/hebrew/4733.htm" title="4733: miq·laṭ (N-msc) -- Refuge, asylum. From qalat in the sense of taking in; an asylum.">of refuge</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">for the manslayer),</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4054.htm" title="4054: miḡ·rā·še·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Also feminine migrashah; from garash; a suburb; hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1507.htm" title="1507: ge·zer (N-proper-fs) -- Portion, a Levitical city on the border of Ephraim. The same as gezer; Gezer, a place in Palestine.">Gezer,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4054.htm" title="4054: miḡ·rā·še·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Also feminine migrashah; from garash; a suburb; hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea."></a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Kibzaim, and Beth-horon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Numbers 35:6</a></span><br />Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Deuteronomy 4:41-43</a></span><br />Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-66.htm">1 Chronicles 6:66-70</a></span><br />And some of the clans of the Kohathites were given cities from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory: / They were given Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer, / Jokmeam, Beth-horon, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Joshua 20:7-9</a></span><br />So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. / And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they designated Bezer on the wilderness plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh. / These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11-15</a></span><br />designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. / You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly. / The cities you select will be your six cities of refuge. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-1.htm">Deuteronomy 19:1-3</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has cut off the nations whose land He is giving you, and when you have driven them out and settled in their cities and houses, / then you are to set apart for yourselves three cities within the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess. / You are to build roads for yourselves and divide into three regions the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that any manslayer can flee to these cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Hebrews 6:18</a></span><br />Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-54.htm">1 Chronicles 6:54-60</a></span><br />Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/14-1.htm">Joshua 14:1-5</a></span><br />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. / Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. / For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-32.htm">Leviticus 25:32-34</a></span><br />As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-19.htm">Acts 13:19</a></span><br />And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/13-33.htm">Joshua 13:33</a></span><br />To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-57.htm">1 Chronicles 6:57</a></span><br />So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/18-7.htm">Joshua 18:7</a></span><br />The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,</p><p class="hdg">Shechem</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Joshua 20:7</a></b></br> And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which <i>is</i> Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Genesis 33:19</a></b></br> And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Judges 9:1</a></b></br> And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,</p><p class="hdg">Gezer</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/16-10.htm">Joshua 16:10</a></b></br> And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/9-15.htm">1 Kings 9:15-17</a></b></br> And this <i>is</i> the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/6-67.htm">1 Chronicles 6:67</a></b></br> And they gave unto them, <i>of</i> the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; <i>they gave</i> also Gezer with her suburbs,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Accused</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/21-12.htm">Country</a> <a href="/joshua/21-20.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/joshua/21-20.htm">E'phraim</a> <a href="/joshua/21-11.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/joshua/21-11.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/joshua/21-19.htm">Lands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Man-Slayer</a> <a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/joshua/21-19.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/21-19.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/joshua/20-3.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Shechem</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Slayer</a> <a href="/joshua/21-19.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/21-13.htm">Taker</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/21-27.htm">Accused</a> <a href="/joshua/21-27.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/22-9.htm">Country</a> <a href="/joshua/24-30.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/joshua/24-30.htm">E'phraim</a> <a href="/joshua/24-4.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/joshua/24-30.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/joshua/21-22.htm">Lands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-27.htm">Manslayer</a> <a href="/joshua/21-32.htm">Man-Slayer</a> <a href="/joshua/24-4.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/joshua/21-27.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/joshua/21-22.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/21-22.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/21-27.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/joshua/21-38.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Shechem</a> <a href="/joshua/21-27.htm">Slayer</a> <a href="/joshua/21-22.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/21-32.htm">Taker</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Forty-eight cities given by lot, out of the other tribes unto the Levites.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/21-43.htm">God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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It is located in the hill country of Ephraim, a central region in the land of Israel. Shechem was the first place where Abraham built an altar to the Lord after entering Canaan (<a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Genesis 12:6-7</a>). It later became a city of refuge, a place where those who committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum (<a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Joshua 20:7</a>). This reflects God's provision for justice and mercy within the Israelite legal system. Theologically, Shechem is a place of covenant renewal, as seen when Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel there to renew their covenant with God (<a href="/joshua/24.htm">Joshua 24:1-25</a>). The location in Ephraim, a prominent tribe, underscores its centrality in Israel's spiritual and political life.<p><b>(a city of refuge for the manslayer)</b><br>The concept of cities of refuge is introduced in <a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">Numbers 35:9-15</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/19.htm">Deuteronomy 19:1-13</a>. These cities provided protection for individuals who accidentally killed someone, preventing the avenger of blood from taking revenge until a fair trial could be conducted. This system highlights the balance between justice and mercy in God's law. Theologically, cities of refuge can be seen as a type of Christ, who offers refuge and salvation to sinners seeking forgiveness and protection from the consequences of sin. The manslayer's need for refuge parallels humanity's need for salvation through Jesus.<p><b>Gezer</b><br>Gezer was another city allocated to the Levites, located in the Shephelah region of Judah. It was strategically important due to its position on the route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Archaeological excavations have uncovered significant remains, including fortifications and a water system, indicating its historical importance. Gezer's inclusion among the Levitical cities emphasizes the widespread distribution of the Levites throughout Israel, ensuring their presence and influence in both spiritual and practical matters. Historically, Gezer was a Canaanite city that was later conquered by Pharaoh and given as a dowry to Solomon's wife (<a href="/1_kings/9-16.htm">1 Kings 9:16</a>), illustrating the complex interactions between Israel and surrounding nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A significant city in biblical history, Shechem was designated as a city of refuge. It is located in the hill country of Ephraim and holds historical importance as a place of covenant renewal and worship.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/city_of_refuge.htm">City of Refuge</a></b><br>These were cities designated for the protection of individuals who had accidentally committed manslaughter. They provided a safe haven until a fair trial could be conducted.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/manslayer.htm">Manslayer</a></b><br>Refers to someone who has killed another unintentionally. The city of refuge was a provision for such individuals to escape the avenger of blood.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephraim.htm">Ephraim</a></b><br>One of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. The hill country of Ephraim was a central region in the land of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/gezer.htm">Gezer</a></b><br>Another city given to the Levites, located in the territory of Ephraim. It was strategically important and often mentioned in the context of Israel's battles and territorial boundaries.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_for_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Provision for Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>The establishment of cities of refuge demonstrates God's concern for justice and mercy. It reflects His desire to protect the innocent and ensure fair treatment for all.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Community in God's Plan</a></b><br>The allocation of cities like Shechem and Gezer to the Levites underscores the importance of community and shared responsibility in God's design for His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_refuge_in_christ.htm">Spiritual Refuge in Christ</a></b><br>Just as the cities of refuge provided safety for the manslayer, Christ offers spiritual refuge for sinners. Believers can find security and hope in Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">The Importance of Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites' adherence to God's instructions regarding the cities of refuge illustrates the blessings of obedience and the order it brings to society.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">To be a refuge for the slayer</span> (see above ver. 13). This order is observed in every case but one, which is explained in the note on ver. 36. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/21-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">they were given</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Shechem</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁכֶ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7927.htm">Strong's 7927: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the hill country</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·har)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Ephraim</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶפְרָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(’ep̄·rā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_669.htm">Strong's 669: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">(a city</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֨יר</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of refuge</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקְלַ֧ט</span> <span class="translit">(miq·laṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4733.htm">Strong's 4733: </a> </span><span class="str2">Refuge, asylum</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the manslayer),</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרֹצֵ֛חַ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gezer,</span><br /><span class="heb">גֶּ֖זֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ge·zer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1507.htm">Strong's 1507: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gezer -- 'portion', a Levitical city on the border of Ephraim</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/21-21.htm">Joshua 21:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/21-21.htm">OT History: Joshua 21:21 They gave them Shechem with its suburbs (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/21-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 21:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/21-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 21:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>