Joshua 21

Levites Request Their Land

1 The leaders of the Levite clans - from Kohath, Gershon, and Merari - pulled up to Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal heads.

2 They said, “Listen, the Lord told Moses to hook us up with cities to live in and pastureland for our animals.”

3 So Israel gave the Levites towns and pastures from their own territories, just like the Lord told them to.

Towns for the Kohath Clan (Aaron’s Line)

4 The first lot fell to the Kohathites - the priestly line of Aaron. They got 13 towns from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.

5 The rest of Kohath’s people got 10 towns from Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Towns for Gershon’s Line

6 The Gershonites got 13 towns from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

Towns for Merari’s Line

7 The Merarites got 12 towns from Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.

8 All these towns were assigned by lot, just as the Lord told Moses - towns and their pastures included.

Specific Towns Given to Aaron’s Descendants

9 From Judah and Simeon, they gave the following towns -

10 to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan.

11 They got Hebron (Kiriath-arba) in the hill country of Judah, with its pastures.

12 But the fields and villages around Hebron were given to Caleb.

13 The Levites got the actual city of Hebron - a city of refuge - plus Libnah.

14 Also Jattir, Eshtemoa.

15 Holon, Debir.

16 Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh - 9 towns total from Judah and Simeon.

17 From Benjamin, they got Gibeon, Geba.

18 Anathoth and Almon - 4 towns.

19 So the priests (Aaron’s crew) got 13 towns in total.

Towns for the Rest of Kohath’s Line

20 The rest of the Kohathites got towns from Ephraim.

21 They got Shechem (city of refuge), Gezer.

22 Kibzaim, Beth-horon - 4 towns.

23 From Dan: Elteke, Gibbethon.

24 Aijalon, Gath-rimmon - 4 towns.

25 From West Manasseh: Taanach, Gath-rimmon - 2 towns.

26 That is 10 towns total for the rest of Kohath’s line.

Towns for Gershon’s Line

27 From East Manasseh: Golan (city of refuge), Beeshterah - 2 towns.

28 From Issachar: Kishion, Daberath.

29 Jarmuth, En-gannim - 4 towns.

30 From Asher: Mishal, Abdon.

31 Helkath, Rehob - 4 towns.

32 From Naphtali: Kedesh (city of refuge), Hammoth-dor, Kartan - 3 towns.

33 Gershon’s line got 13 towns in all.

Towns for Merari’s Line

34 From Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah.

35 Dimnah, Nahalal - 4 towns.

36 From Reuben: Bezer, Jahaz.

37 Kedemoth, Mephaath - 4 towns.

38 From Gad: Ramoth (city of refuge), Mahanaim.

39 Heshbon, Jazer - 4 towns.

40 That is 12 towns for Merari’s crew.

Final Tally of Levite Cities

41 All in all, the Levites got 48 towns and pastures spread out across Israel.

42 Each town had its own grazing land. Every single one of them.

God Delivered on His Word

43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land He promised. They took it and settled in.

44 God gave them peace all around. None of their enemies could stand against them. God had their back.

45 Not one promise failed. Everything God said came true - all of it.