Joshua 21:14 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:14 mean?

Joshua 21:14 lists two towns, Jattir and Eshtemoa, along with their surrounding lands ("suburbs"), as part of the cities given to the Levites. This verse is part of a record showing how the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes of Israel, specifically detailing the inheritance for the Levite families.

In the context of the book of Joshua, the leaders of Israel are distributing towns and their pasturelands to the Levites, who did not receive a large territory like the other tribes. This verse simply names two of those towns, highlighting the careful and organized way the land was allocated according to God’s instructions.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:14

• יַתִּר (Yattir): This is the Hebrew name for the town Jattir. Its mention here marks it as one of the Levitical cities in the territory of Judah.
• אֶשְׁתְּמוֹעַ (Eshtemoa): This is the Hebrew name for Eshtemoa, another town given to the Levites, showing the specific and historical nature of the record.
• מִגְרָשׁ (migrash, translated "suburbs"): This word refers to the open land or pastureland around a city, not urban neighborhoods. It means the Levites received not only the towns but also the surrounding fields needed for their livestock.

Why Joshua 21:14 matters

• Joshua 21:14 clarifies that the Levites were given both towns and the land needed to support themselves, not just buildings or city centers.
• The verse shows the fulfillment of earlier instructions about caring for the Levites, who served in religious roles and did not have their own tribal territory.
• By naming specific towns, Joshua 21:14 helps trace the historical geography of ancient Israel and shows the detailed record-keeping of the land distribution.