Joshua 21:9-19 | The Way of Scripture

Joshua 21:9-19

How do the priestly cities relate to Caleb’s portion?

Berean Standard Bible

9 From the tribes of Judah and Simeon, they designated these cities by name 10 to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them: 11 They gave them Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), with its surrounding pasturelands, in the hill country of Judah. (Arba was the father of Anak.) 12 But they had given the fields and villages around the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession. 13 So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave these cities, together with their pasturelands: Hebron, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah, 14 Jattir, Eshtemoa, 15 Holon, Debir, 16 Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh—nine cities from these two tribes, together with their pasturelands. 17 And from the tribe of Benjamin they gave them Gibeon, Geba, 18 Anathoth, and Almon—four cities, together with their pasturelands. 19 In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the priests, the descendants of Aaron.

What is the context?

Aaron’s descendants, within the Kohathite clans, receive cities from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. Hebron is specifically named both as a priestly city and a city of refuge.

The account distinguishes the city and its surrounding pasturelands from the fields and villages already given to Caleb. It therefore explains how the two grants relate rather than treating one as an unnoticed cancellation of the other.

The list concludes with thirteen cities and their pasturelands for Aaron’s descendants. Cities already encountered in the tribal narratives now also serve the provision for the priests.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley emphasizes the distinction between Hebron’s city provision and Caleb’s surrounding holding. The USCCB notes similarly understand Levitical grants as special property rights within cities that also have other inhabitants. The account does not require assuming every field associated with a city was transferred or that Caleb lost his entire inheritance.

What is our position?

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