And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

JOSHUA 21:38KJV
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Joshua 21:38 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:38 mean?

Joshua 21:38 lists two towns—Ramoth in Gilead and Mahanaim—given from the tribe of Gad to the Levites, with Ramoth specifically set apart as a city of refuge for someone who accidentally kills another person. These towns, along with their surrounding lands, were designated for the Levites to live in and serve their special role among the Israelites.

In the context of Joshua 21, the leaders of Israel are dividing land among the Levite families, since the Levites did not receive a large territory like the other tribes. The verse highlights Ramoth in Gilead as a "city of refuge," a place where someone accused of manslaughter could flee for safety and a fair hearing. This arrangement shows how the Israelites organized their society to provide for justice and for the needs of those serving in religious duties.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:38

  • גָּד (Gad, transliterated "Gad") refers to the tribe giving these towns. Mentioning Gad clarifies which group of Israelites provided these specific cities.
  • רָמוֹת (Ramoth, transliterated "Ramoth") means "heights" and names the city set as a refuge. Its role as a city of refuge (מִקְלָט, transliterated "miqlat") is central, offering protection for someone who killed another unintentionally.
  • מַחֲנַיִם (Mahanaim, transliterated "Mahanaim") means "two camps" and was another significant town given to the Levites.
  • מִקְלָט (miqlat, "refuge") is the word for a sanctuary city, showing the legal and protective function of Ramoth for the "slayer" (רֹצֵחַ, transliterated "rotseach"), someone who killed another, often by accident.

Why Joshua 21:38 matters

  • Joshua 21:38 clarifies that not all Levite towns were the same; some, like Ramoth, had a special legal function as cities of refuge, which shaped how justice and mercy worked in ancient Israel.
  • The verse shows the practical steps Israel took to care for both the Levites (who had no tribal land) and people in crisis (those needing refuge), reflecting a concern for both spiritual service and social justice.
  • By naming specific towns and their roles, Joshua 21:38 connects the larger story of Israel’s settlement to the everyday realities of law, safety, and worship in the community.

Where else these words appear

“Mahanaim” Hebrew H4266 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 32:2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
  • 2 Samuel 2:12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
  • 2 Samuel 19:32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

“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.

“Ramoth” Hebrew H7433 · used in 22 verses

  • 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
  • 1 Kings 22:29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

“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 21:27 And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities.