Joshua 21:16 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:16 mean?

Joshua 21:16 lists three towns—Ain, Juttah, and Bethshemesh—along with their surrounding lands, as part of a group of nine cities given from two tribes to the Levites. This verse is part of a detailed record of how certain cities and their nearby areas were set aside for the Levite families in ancient Israel.

Joshua is recounting how the land was divided after Israel entered Canaan. The Levites, who served in religious roles, did not receive a large territory like the other tribes but were given specific cities and their "suburbs" (the land around them) to live in. This verse is part of a larger section listing these Levitical cities, showing careful attention to the distribution of land and the fulfillment of earlier instructions from God.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:16

• עַיִן (Ayin, transliterated "Ain"): This is the name of one of the cities. The name means "spring" or "fountain," which may hint at the city's location near a water source.
• מִגְרָשׁ (migrash, transliterated "suburbs"): This word refers to the open land or pastureland around a city, not urban suburbs as we think of today. These lands were important for the Levites' livestock and daily needs.
• יֻטָּה (Yuttah, transliterated "Juttah"): Another city name, included in the list to show the specific places given.
• בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ (Beit Shemesh, transliterated "Bethshemesh"): This city name means "house of the sun," possibly indicating a location associated with sun worship or with a prominent position.
• תֵּשַׁע (tesha', transliterated "nine"): The verse emphasizes the total number of cities given from these two tribes, showing the careful accounting in the distribution.

Why Joshua 21:16 matters

• Joshua 21:16 clarifies that the Levites were given not just cities but also the surrounding lands, which were essential for their way of life and service.
• The verse highlights the fulfillment of God's earlier commands about providing for the Levites, showing the community's responsibility to care for those who served in religious roles.
• By naming specific cities and their lands, Joshua 21:16 connects this passage to the broader narrative of land division and faithfulness to God's instructions in the book of Joshua.