Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.

JOSHUA 21:18KJV
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Joshua 21:18 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:18 mean?

Joshua 21:18 lists two towns, Anathoth and Almon, along with their surrounding lands, as part of the four cities given to the Levites. This verse is part of a record showing how certain cities and their nearby fields were set aside for the Levite tribe among the Israelites.

In the context of Joshua, this verse is part of a larger section where Joshua and the Israelite leaders are dividing up the land of Canaan among the tribes. Here, the focus is on the Levites, who did not receive a large territory but were instead given specific cities and their "suburbs" (the land around them) to live in and use. This arrangement helped ensure the Levites were spread throughout Israel, serving their religious and teaching roles among all the people.

Where else these words appear

“Anathoth” Hebrew H6068 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 2:26 And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
  • Nehemiah 7:27 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
  • Jeremiah 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:

“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,