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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 21:1 Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/21-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/06_Jos_21_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 21:1 - Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/20-9.htm" title="Joshua 20:9">◄</a> Joshua 21:1 <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm" title="Joshua 21:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribal families of Israel<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the leaders of the tribe of Levi came to consult with Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the other tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the tribes of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the heads of fathers’ <i>households</i> of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of fathers’ <i>households</i> of the tribes of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the heads of households of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of households of the tribes of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the heads of households of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of households of the tribes of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the heads of households of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of households of the tribes of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the heads of the households of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levite family heads approached the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the family heads of the Israelite tribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The heads of the Levite families approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the Israelite tribes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then came near the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then came near the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then the leaders of the families of Levi came to the priest Eleazar, to Joshua (son of Nun), and to the leaders of the families of the other Israelite tribes<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The leaders of the Levite families went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and to the heads of the families of all the tribes of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the family leaders of the descendants of Levi approached Eleazar the priest and Nun's son Joshua, along with the family leaders of the people of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The tribal leaders of the Levites went before Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun and the Israelite tribal leaders<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then the heads of ancestral houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of ancestral houses of the tribes of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then the heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the heads of the fathers of the Levites draw 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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the heads of the fathers of the Levites draw nigh unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the heads of the fathers of the Levites will come near to the Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes to the sons of Israel:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Josue the son of Nun, and to the princes of the kindreds of all the tribes of the children of Israel: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the leaders of the families of Levi approached Eleazar, the priest, and Joshua, the son of Nun, and the rulers of the extended families of each of the tribes of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The heads of the Levite families approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua, son of Nun, and the heads of families of the other tribes of the Israelites<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the heads of the families of the Levites came to the priest Eleazar and to Joshua son of Nun and to the heads of the families of the tribes of the Israelites;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />THEN the chiefs of the priests and the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Heads of the Priests and Levites approached Eliazer the Priest and Yeshua son of Nun<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then came near the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the heads of the families of the sons of Levi drew near to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the <i>son</i> of Naue, and to the heads of families of the tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/21-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=5257" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">Now the family</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê (N-mpc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·wî·yim (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">of the Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: way·yig·gə·šū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To draw near, approach. ">approached</a> <a href="/hebrew/499.htm" title="499: ’el·‘ā·zār (N-proper-ms) -- God has helped, six Isr. From 'el and azar; God helper; Elazar, the name of seven Israelites.">Eleazar</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hên (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priest,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">Joshua</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bin- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/5126.htm" title="5126: nūn (N-proper-ms) -- Father of Joshua. Or Nown; from nuwn; perpetuity, Nun or Non, the father of Joshua.">of Nun,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê (N-mpc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">the heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: ham·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">of the other tribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: liḇ·nê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.”…<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/35-1.htm">Numbers 35:1-8</a></span><br />Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: / “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">Deuteronomy 18:1-2</a></span><br />The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.<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="/1_chronicles/6-54.htm">1 Chronicles 6:54-81</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="/numbers/18-20.htm">Numbers 18:20-24</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-5.htm">Hebrews 7:5</a></span><br />Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-28.htm">Ezekiel 44:28</a></span><br />In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5-7</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Matthew 10:10</a></span><br />Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-7.htm">Luke 10:7</a></span><br />Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-13.htm">1 Corinthians 9:13-14</a></span><br />Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-4.htm">Acts 6:4</a></span><br />and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-19.htm">2 Chronicles 31:19</a></span><br />As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmlands around each of their cities or in any other city, men were designated by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed by the genealogies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/10-37.htm">Nehemiah 10:37-39</a></span><br />Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. / A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God. / For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;</p><p class="hdg">the heads</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Joshua 19:51</a></b></br> These <i>are</i> the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/6-14.htm">Exodus 6:14,25</a></b></br> These <i>be</i> the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these <i>be</i> the families of Reuben… </p><p class="hdg">Eleazar</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/14-1.htm">Joshua 14:1</a></b></br> And these <i>are the countries</i> which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/17-4.htm">Joshua 17:4</a></b></br> And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/34-17.htm">Numbers 34:17-29</a></b></br> These <i>are</i> the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/8-11.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/joshua/14-1.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/joshua/20-9.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/8-26.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Eleazar</a> <a href="/joshua/14-1.htm">Elea'zar</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/joshua/14-1.htm">Households</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/joshua/20-9.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/20-1.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/18-7.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/joshua/8-11.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Nun</a> <a href="/joshua/20-6.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/joshua/18-10.htm">Tribal</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/3-20.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/joshua/22-14.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/3-22.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/joshua/22-13.htm">Eleazar</a> <a href="/joshua/22-13.htm">Elea'zar</a> <a href="/joshua/22-21.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-13.htm">Households</a> <a href="/joshua/22-14.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/22-1.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/judges/9-52.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/joshua/24-29.htm">Nun</a> <a href="/joshua/21-4.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/joshua/22-14.htm">Tribal</a> <a href="/joshua/21-4.htm">Tribes</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/joshua/21.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Now the heads of the Levite families</b><br />The Levites were a distinct tribe set apart for religious duties and service to God. The Hebrew word for "heads" is "רָאשִׁים" (roshim), indicating leaders or chiefs. This highlights the organized structure within the tribe of Levi, emphasizing their role in spiritual leadership. The Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself (<a href="/numbers/18-20.htm">Numbers 18:20</a>). This phrase sets the stage for the Levites' request for cities to dwell in, as promised by God.<p><b>approached the priest Eleazar</b><br />Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served as the high priest after Aaron's death. The Hebrew root for "approached" is "קָרַב" (qarav), meaning to come near or draw close, often used in the context of approaching God or His representatives. This signifies the Levites' respect for the priestly authority and the proper protocol in seeking their rightful inheritance. Eleazar's role underscores the continuity of the priestly line and the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding the nation.<p><b>Joshua son of Nun</b><br />Joshua, the successor of Moses, was a central figure in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. His name in Hebrew, "יְהוֹשֻׁעַ" (Yehoshua), means "The Lord is salvation," reflecting his role as a deliverer and leader. Joshua's presence in this verse highlights his responsibility in ensuring the fulfillment of God's promises to all tribes, including the Levites. His leadership exemplifies faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.<p><b>and the heads of the other tribes of Israel</b><br />The inclusion of the heads of the other tribes signifies a collective decision-making process and unity among the tribes of Israel. The Hebrew word for "heads" is again "רָאשִׁים" (roshim), indicating leaders who represent their respective tribes. This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of Israelite society, where decisions were made with the involvement of all tribal leaders, ensuring fairness and adherence to God's instructions.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites.</span> We are not to suppose, with Calvin, that the Levites had been overlooked. Such a supposition is little in keeping with the devout spirit of him who now directed the affairs of the Israelites, who had been minister to Moses the Levite, and had but lately been concerned with Eleazar, the high priest, in making a public recognition of that God to whose service the Levites had been specially set apart. The delay in appointing to the Levites their cities arose from the nature of the arrangement which had to be made for the Levitical cities. The prophecy which threatened (<a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Genesis 49:7</a>) to "scatter them in Israel" was to be fulfilled for the benefit of the whole people. Instead of a portion for himself, Levi, as we have been repeatedly informed (<a href="/joshua/13-33.htm">Joshua 13:33</a>; <a href="/joshua/14-3.htm">Joshua 14:3</a>; <a href="/joshua/18-7.htm">Joshua 18:7</a>), was to have "the Lord God of Israel for his inheritance." Since, therefore, their cities were to be assigned them within the limits of the other tribes, it was impossible to apportion them until the other tribes had been provided for. <span class="cmt_word">Unto Eleazar the priest.</span> The close connection between the military and the sacerdotal power is kept up throughout the book. Warned by his one act of neglect in the case of the Gibeonites, Joshua never again appears to have neglected to have recourse to the high priest, that he might ask counsel of God for him, as had been prescribed in <a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a>. Eleazar is placed first here, because, as the acknowledged head of the tribe, he was the proper person to prefer its request to the leader. But the whole history shows how entirely Joshua and Eleazar acted in concert. <span class="cmt_word">And unto Joshua the son of Nun.</span> In a matter of ecclesiastical organisation the ecclesiastical took precedence of the civil leader. <span class="cmt_word">And unto the heads.</span> The position of Joshua was that of a chief magistrate ruling by constitutional methods. The representatives of the tribes were invariably consulted in all matters of moment. Such appear to have been the original constitution of all early communities, whether Aryan or Semitic. We find it in existence among Homer's heroes. It meets us in the early history of Germanic peoples. It took a form precisely analogous to the Jewish in the old English Witan where the chief men in Church and State took counsel with the monarch on all matters affecting the commonweal of the realm; and the remains of this aristocratic system still meet us in our own House of Lords. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/21-1.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">Now the family</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲב֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heads</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשֵׁי֙</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְוִיִּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">approached</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yig·gə·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Eleazar</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶלְעָזָר֙</span> <span class="translit">(’el·‘ā·zār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_499.htm">Strong's 499: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the priest,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֵ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joshua</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּן־</span> <span class="translit">(bin-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Nun,</span><br /><span class="heb">נ֑וּן</span> <span class="translit">(nūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5126.htm">Strong's 5126: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nun -- father of Joshua</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the heads</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשֵׁ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the [other] tribes</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּטּ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> </span><span class="str2">A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">OT History: Joshua 21:1 Then the heads of fathers' houses (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/20-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 20:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 20:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/21-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 21:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:2" /></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>