Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,

JOSHUA 21:13KJV
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Joshua 21:13 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:13 mean?

Joshua 21:13 says that the descendants of Aaron, who were priests, were given the city of Hebron and its surrounding land as a place of refuge for someone who accidentally killed another person, along with the city of Libnah and its surrounding land. This verse records part of the distribution of special cities to the priestly family within Israel.

At this point in the book of Joshua, the Israelites are dividing up the land of Canaan among the tribes. The Levites, who include the descendants of Aaron, do not receive a large territory but are given specific cities to live in. Hebron is highlighted as a "city of refuge"—a place where someone who had killed another unintentionally could flee for safety and a fair trial. This arrangement shows the practical and spiritual roles the priestly families played in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:13

  • "city" (עִיר, ʿir): This word means a town or city, emphasizing that Hebron and Libnah were established, populated places, not just empty land.
  • "refuge" (מִקְלָט, miqlat): This word means a place of shelter or protection. Its use here marks Hebron as a sanctuary for those seeking safety from revenge, highlighting the city's special legal and spiritual status.
  • "slayer" (רֹצֵחַ, rotseach): This word refers specifically to someone who has killed another person, usually unintentionally. The verse clarifies that the city of refuge was not for any crime, but for accidental killing.

Why Joshua 21:13 matters

  • Joshua 21:13 clarifies that the priestly descendants of Aaron were given not just any cities, but ones with special roles, including cities of refuge, which were vital for justice and mercy in ancient Israel.
  • The verse shows how the Levites were integrated throughout the land, rather than isolated in one region, which helped them serve all the tribes.
  • This distribution of cities connects to earlier instructions in the Law of Moses and shows the Israelites following through on God's commands about justice, mercy, and the priesthood.

Where else these words appear

“Libnah” Hebrew H3841 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 33:20 And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.
  • Joshua 10:39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

“refuge” Hebrew H4733 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 35:6 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
  • Numbers 35:25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
  • Joshua 20:3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

“slayer” Hebrew H7523 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
  • Numbers 35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
  • Joshua 21:32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.

“Hebron” Hebrew H2275 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 13:18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
  • Joshua 21:11 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.
  • 2 Samuel 5:13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.