And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.

JOSHUA 21:11KJV
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Joshua 21:11 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:11 mean?

Joshua 21:11 states that the Israelites gave the city of Arba—also known as Hebron, located in the hill country of Judah—along with its surrounding land, to a particular group. This verse is part of a record showing how specific cities and their nearby lands were assigned to the Levites, the priestly tribe.

In the context of Joshua, the leaders of Israel are distributing land after the conquest of Canaan. The verse identifies Hebron by its older name, Arba, linking it to a notable ancestor, and clarifies its location in Judah’s hill country. The mention of "suburbs" refers to the pasturelands around the city, which were included in the Levites’ allotment.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:11

  • עַרְבַּ֣א (Arba, ‘arba): This name refers to a prominent figure, described as the "father of Anak." Mentioning Arba connects Hebron to ancient local history and traditions, highlighting its significance.
  • חֶבְרוֹן (Hebron, ḥevron): The city’s name is given to clarify its identity, since it was known by both names. This helps readers understand that Arba and Hebron are the same place.
  • גִּבְעַת (hill, giv‘ah): The word for "hill" points to the city’s location in elevated terrain, which was typical for important ancient cities for defense and visibility.
  • מִגְרָשׁ (suburbs, migrash): This term means the open land or pasture around a city, not suburbs as in modern towns. It emphasizes that the Levites received not just the city but also land for their livestock and needs.

Why Joshua 21:11 matters

  • Joshua 21:11 clarifies that Hebron, a city with deep ancestral roots, was set apart for the Levites, showing the care taken in providing for the priestly tribe.
  • The verse connects the land distribution to earlier stories in Genesis, where Hebron and its inhabitants played a role, helping readers see the continuity in Israel’s history.
  • By mentioning both the city and its surrounding land, the verse shows that the Levites’ needs were fully considered, not just giving them a city but also the resources to live and serve.

Where else these words appear

“Arba” Hebrew H704 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 15:13 And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

“Anak” Hebrew H6061 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were.(Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
  • Numbers 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
  • Joshua 15:13 And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

“Arba” Hebrew H7153 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 23:2 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
  • Joshua 14:15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
  • Joshua 20:7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

“city” Hebrew H7151 · used in 31 verses

  • Numbers 21:28 For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
  • Proverbs 18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
  • Isaiah 29:1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.