And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,

JOSHUA 21:17KJV
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Joshua 21:17 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:17 mean?

Joshua 21:17 lists two towns, Gibeon and Geba, along with their surrounding lands, as being given from the tribe of Benjamin. These towns were set aside with their “suburbs” for the Levites, the priestly tribe, as part of the division of land among Israel’s tribes.

This verse is part of a larger section where Joshua, as Israel’s leader, is assigning specific towns to the Levites so they can live among the other tribes. The “suburbs” refer to the pasturelands around each town, meant to provide for the Levites’ livestock and daily needs. The verse highlights the practical arrangements made for the Levites’ support and presence throughout Israel.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:17

  • tribe (מַטֶּה, matteh): This word means a tribe or a branch, emphasizing the division of Israel into distinct family groups. Here, it specifies that the towns are coming from the portion belonging to Benjamin.
  • Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִין, binyamin): The name means “son of the right hand.” This identifies which tribe is providing these towns.
  • Gibeon (גִּבְעוֹן, giv'on): This is the name of a significant city in Benjamin’s territory, known elsewhere in the Bible for its history and alliances.
  • Geba (גֶּבַע, geva’): Another town in Benjamin, its name means “hill.” Its mention shows the specific locations assigned to the Levites.
  • suburbs (מִגְרָשׁ, migrash): This word refers to the open land or pastureland around a city, set aside for the Levites’ use, not just the city itself. This detail shows that the Levites were provided with resources, not just housing.

Why Joshua 21:17 matters

  • Joshua 21:17 clarifies that the Levites were intentionally placed throughout Israel, not isolated in one area, so they could serve all the tribes.
  • The verse shows the careful, organized way the land was divided, fulfilling earlier instructions from God about supporting the Levites.
  • By naming specific towns and their “suburbs,” Joshua 21:17 highlights the practical needs of the Levites and the community’s responsibility to meet them.

Where else these words appear

“Geba” Hebrew H1387 · used in 19 verses

  • Joshua 18:24 And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:
  • 2 Samuel 5:25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
  • Ezra 2:26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.

“Gibeon” Hebrew H1391 · used in 35 verses

  • Joshua 9:3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
  • Joshua 18:25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:

“suburbs” Hebrew H4054 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 25:34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
  • Joshua 21:26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,