For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,

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

What does Joshua 21:21 mean?

Joshua 21:21 states that the people gave the Levites the city of Shechem, with its surrounding land, in the territory of Ephraim, as a city of refuge for someone who had killed another person, as well as the city of Gezer with its surrounding land. This verse records part of the distribution of cities to the Levites, specifically highlighting Shechem’s special role as a place of safety.

In context, Joshua is describing how the Israelites assigned certain towns to the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious duties, since they did not receive a large territory of their own. Shechem is singled out because it was designated as a "city of refuge," where someone accused of killing could flee for protection until a fair trial. The mention of "suburbs" refers to the pasturelands around these cities, which were included for the Levites’ use.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:21

  • שְׁכֶם (Shekhem, "Shechem"): This city was not only a dwelling place for Levites but also a significant site in Israel’s history and a designated city of refuge, making its mention here especially important.
  • מִקְלָט (miqlat, "refuge"): The word means a place of shelter or protection, emphasizing that Shechem was set apart for people seeking safety from revenge after an accidental killing.
  • רֹצֵחַ (rotseach, "slayer"): This term refers specifically to someone who has killed another, usually unintentionally, highlighting the purpose of the city of refuge as a place for fair judgment rather than automatic punishment.

Why Joshua 21:21 matters

  • Joshua 21:21 clarifies that the Levites were given not just any cities, but some with special legal and spiritual significance, like Shechem as a city of refuge.
  • The verse shows how the Israelites’ legal system provided for both justice and mercy, allowing those accused of serious crimes a safe place until their case could be heard.
  • This verse connects to the broader passage by illustrating the careful and organized way the Israelites settled the land, ensuring every tribe—including the Levites—had what they needed.

Where else these words appear

“Gezer” Hebrew H1507 · used in 14 verses

  • Joshua 10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
  • Judges 1:29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
  • 1 Kings 9:17 And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,

“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.

“Shechem” Hebrew H7927 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • Joshua 17:7 And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah.
  • Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.