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 21:11KJVWhat 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.