Joshua – Chapter 21

Old Testament43 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes of the kindreds of…" — so begins Joshua 21. The chapter centers on Manasses, Aaron and Joshua. Across its 43 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's protection and deliverance. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes of the kindreds of all the tribes of the children of Israel

2And they spoke to them in Silo in the land of Chanaan, and said: The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, that cities should be given us to dwell in, and their suburbs to feed our cattle.

3And the children of Israel gave out of their possessions according to the commandment of the Lord, cities and their suburbs.

4And the lot came out for the family of Caath of the children of Aaron the priest out of the tribes of Juda, and of Simeon, and of Benjamin, thirteen cities.

5And to the rest of the children of Caath, that is, to thee Levites, who remained, out of the tribes of Ephraim, and of Dan, and the half tribe of Manasses, ten cities.

6And the lot came out to children of Gerson, that they should take of the tribes of Issachar and of Aser and of Nephtali, and of the half tribe of Manasses in Basan, thirteen cities.

7And to the sons of Merari by their kindreds, of the tribes of Ruben and of Gad and of Zabulon, twelve cities.

8And the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities and their suburbs, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, giving to every one by lot.

9Of the tribes of the children of Juda and of Simeon Joshua gave cities: whose names are these,

10To the sons of Aaron, of the families of Caath of the race of Levi (for the first lot came out for them)

11The city of Arbe the father of Enac, which is called Hebron, in the mountain of Juda, and the suburbs thereof round about.

12But the fields and the villages thereof he had given to Caleb the son of Jephone for his possession.

13He gave therefore to the children of Aaron the priest, Hebron a city of refuge, and the suburbs thereof, and Lebna with the suburbs thereof,

14And Jether and Estemo,

15And Holon, and Dabir,

16And Ain, and Jeta, and Bethsames, with their suburbs: nine cities out of the two tribes, as hath been said.

17And out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, Gabaon, and Gabae,

18And Anathoth and Almon, with, their suburbs: four cities.

19All the cities together of the children of Aaron the priest, were thirteen, with their suburbs,

20And to the rest of the families of the children of Caath of the race of Levi was given this possession.

21Of the tribe of Ephraim, Sichem one of the cities of refuge, with the suburbs thereof in mount Ephraim, and Gazer,

22And Cibsaim, and Beth-horon, with their suburbs, four cities.

23And of he tribe of Dan, Eltheco and Gabathon,

24And Aialon and Gethremmon, with their suburbs, four cities.

25And of the half tribe of Manasses, Thanac and Gethremmon, with their suburbs, two cities.

26All the cities were ten, with their suburbs, which were given to the children of Caath, of the inferior degree.

27To the children of Gerson also of the race of Levi out of the half tribe of Manasses, Gaulon in Basan, one of the cities of refuge, and Bosra, with their suburbs, two cities.

28And of the tribe of Issachar, Cesion, and Dabereth,

29And Jaramoth, and Engannim, with their suburbs, four cities.

30And of the tribe of Aser, Masal and Abdon,

31And Helcath, and Rohob, with their suburbs, four cities.

32Of the tribe also of Nephtali, Cedes in Galilee, one of the cities of refuge: and Hammoth Dor, and Carthan, with their suburbs, three cities.

33All the cities of the families of Gerson, were thirteen, with their suburbs.

34And to the children of Merari, Levites of the inferior degree, by their families were given of the tribe of Zabulon, Jecnam and Cartha,

35And Damna and Naalol, four cities with their suburbs.

36Of the tribe of Ruben beyond the Jordan over against Jericho, Bosor in the wilderness, one of the cities of refuge, Misor and Jaser and Jethson and Mephaath, four cities with their suburbs.

37Of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Galaad, one of the cities of refuge, and Manaim and Hesebon and Jaser, four cities with their suburbs,

38All the cities of the children of Merari by their families and kindreds, were twelve.

39So all the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight,

40With their suburbs, each distributed by the families.

41And the Lord God gave to Israel all the land that he had sworn to give to their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt in it.

42And he gave them peace from all nations round about: and none of their enemies durst stand against them, but were brought under their dominion.

43Not so much as one word, which he had promised to perform unto them, was made void, but all came to pass.

Important Verses in Joshua 21

Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes of the kindreds of all the tribes of the children of Israel

Joshua 21:1

And the lot came out for the family of Caath of the children of Aaron the priest out of the tribes of Juda, and of Simeon, and of Benjamin, thirteen cities.

Joshua 21:4

And the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities and their suburbs, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, giving to every one by lot.

Joshua 21:8

And the Lord God gave to Israel all the land that he had sworn to give to their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt in it.

Joshua 21:41

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Joshua was written with israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises in view. Chapter 21 of 24 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 43 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Manasses, Aaron and Joshua, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes…" It concludes: "Not so much as one word, which he had promised to perform unto them, was made void, but all came to pass. " Read against its original backdrop, Joshua narrates the entry into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Joshua around Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers

When It Was Written

Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes of the kindreds of all the tribes of the…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1700).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Manasses4 mentionsAaron4 mentionsJoshua2 mentions

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Joshua Chapter 21 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Joshua Chapter 21. At the moral level, discernment and obedience to God challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1604).

As you continue through Joshua, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 21 about?

Joshua 21 contains 43 verses. It opens with "Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes…" and closes with "Not so much as one word, which he had promised to perform unto them, was made void, but all came to pass. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 21?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then the princes of the families of Levi came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes of the kindreds of all the tribes of the children of Israel" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 21?

This chapter mentions Manasses, Aaron, Joshua.

Who wrote Joshua and when?

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers. Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

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