Josué - Caput 21

Josué 21.1 accesseruntque principes familiarum Levi ad Eleazar sacerdotem et Iosue filium Nun et ad duces cognationum per singulas tribus filiorum Israhel Josué 21.2 locutique sunt ad eos in Silo terrae Chanaan atque dixerunt Dominus praecepit per manum Mosi ut darentur nobis urbes ad habitandum et suburbana earum ad alenda iumenta Josué 21.3 dederuntque filii Israhel de possessionibus suis iuxta imperium Domini civitates et suburbana earum Josué 21.4 egressaque est sors in familiam Caath filiorum Aaron sacerdotis de tribubus Iuda et Symeon et Beniamin civitates tredecim Josué 21.5 et reliquis filiorum Caath id est Levitis qui superflui erant de tribubus Ephraim et Dan et dimidia tribu Manasse civitates decem Josué 21.6 porro filiis Gerson egressa est sors ut acciperent de tribubus Isachar et Aser et Nepthalim dimidiaque tribu Manasse in Basan civitates numero tredecim Josué 21.7 et filiis Merari per cognationes suas de tribubus Ruben et Gad et Zabulon urbes duodecim Josué 21.8 dederuntque filii Israhel Levitis civitates et suburbana earum sicut praecepit Dominus per manum Mosi singulis sorte tribuentes Josué 21.9 de tribubus filiorum Iuda et Symeon dedit Iosue civitates quarum ista sunt nomina Josué 21.10 filiis Aaron per familias Caath levitici generis prima enim sors illis egressa est Josué 21.11 Cariatharbe patris Enach quae vocatur Hebron in monte Iuda et suburbana eius per circuitum Josué 21.12 agros vero et villas eius dederat Chaleb filio Iepphonne ad possidendum Josué 21.13 dedit ergo filiis Aaron sacerdotis Hebron confugii civitatem ac suburbana eius et Lebnam cum suburbanis suis Josué 21.14 et Iether et Isthimon Josué 21.15 et Helon Dabir Josué 21.16 et Ahin et Iethan et Bethsemes cum suburbanis suis civitates novem de tribubus ut dictum est duabus Josué 21.17 de tribu autem filiorum Beniamin Gabaon et Gabee Josué 21.18 et Anathoth et Almon cum suburbanis suis civitates quattuor Josué 21.19 omnes simul civitates filiorum Aaron sacerdotis tredecim cum suburbanis suis Josué 21.20 reliquis vero per familias filiorum Caath levitici generis haec est data possessio Josué 21.21 de tribu Ephraim urbs confugii Sychem cum suburbanis suis in monte Ephraim et Gazer Josué 21.22 et Cebsain et Bethoron cum suburbanis suis civitates quattuor Josué 21.23 de tribu quoque Dan Elthece et Gebbethon Josué 21.24 et Ahialon et Gethremmon cum suburbanis suis civitates quattuor Josué 21.25 porro de dimidia tribu Manasse Thanach et Gethremmon cum suburbanis suis civitates duae Josué 21.26 omnes civitates decem et suburbana earum datae sunt filiis Caath inferioris gradus Josué 21.27 filiis quoque Gerson levitici generis dedit de dimidia tribu Manasse confugii civitatem Gaulon in Basan et Bosram cum suburbanis suis civitates duas Josué 21.28 porro de tribu Isachar Cesion et Dabereth Josué 21.29 et Iaramoth et Engannim cum suburbanis suis civitates quattuor Josué 21.30 de tribu autem Aser Masal et Abdon Josué 21.31 et Elacoth et Roob cum suburbanis suis civitates quattuor Josué 21.32 de tribu quoque Nepthali civitatem confugii Cedes in Galilea et Ammothdor et Charthan cum suburbanis suis civitates tres Josué 21.33 omnes urbes familiarum Gerson tredecim cum suburbanis suis Josué 21.34 filiis autem Merari Levitis inferioris gradus per familias suas data est de tribu Zabulon Iechenam et Chartha Josué 21.35 et Damna et Nalol civitates quattuor cum suburbanis suis Josué 21.36 [de tribu quoque Ruben ciuitates confugii Bosor in solitudine et Cedson et Misor et Ocho ciuitates quattuor cum suburbanis suis] Josué 21.37 et de tribu Gad civitates Josué 21.38 confugii Ramoth in Galaad Josué 21.39 et Manaim et Esebon et Iazer civitates quattuor cum suburbanis suis Josué 21.40 omnes urbes filiorum Merari per familias et cognationes suas duodecim Josué 21.41 itaque universae civitates Levitarum in medio possessionis filiorum Israhel fuerunt quadraginta octo Josué 21.42 cum suburbanis suis singulae per familias distributae Josué 21.43 deditque Dominus Israheli omnem terram quam traditurum se patribus eorum iuraverat et possederunt illam atque habitaverunt in ea Josué 21.44 dataque est ab eo pax in omnes per circuitum nationes nullusque eis hostium resistere ausus est sed cuncti in eorum dicionem redacti sunt Josué 21.45 ne unum quidem verbum quod illis praestaturum se esse promiserat irritum fuit sed rebus expleta sunt omnia

Josué : Caput 21

Divine Provision for God's Servants

Chapter 21 of the Book of Joshua presents us with a significant breakdown of the cities assigned to the Levites, illustrating how God provides for His servants. This rich and detailed text describes how 48 cities were given to the Levites, within the different tribes of Israel, and explores key themes such as divine provision, the special role of the Levites, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Joshua 21 powerfully highlights how God faithfully fulfilled all His promises to Israel. Throughout this chapter, we can consider several biblical passages that shed light on the providential themes present therein.

Illuminating Bible Passages

Numbers 35:2-3: "Command the Israelites to give the Levites cities in which they may live from the inheritance they possess. They shall also give the Levites pastureland around these cities." This verse establishes the commandment Joshua fulfilled in Joshua 21, designating cities for the Levites.

1 Chronicles 6:54: "These were the places assigned to the descendants of Aaron, according to the clans of the Kohathites, who were the first to receive their land by lot." This verse from Chronicles reflects the distribution of cities to the Levites described in Joshua 21.

Deuteronomy 4:41-43: "Then Moses set apart three cities east of the Jordan, to which anyone who killed someone without intent or premeditation could flee." This verse establishes the cities of refuge, which are mentioned in Joshua 21 as part of the cities given to the Levites.

Psalm 69:35-36: "For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. ​​The people will dwell in it and possess it; the descendants of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will live in it." This psalm reflects the theme of settlement and inheritance present in Joshua 21.

Hebrews 11:16: "Instead, they looked for a better country, that is, one in heaven. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, and he has prepared a city for them." This verse gives a spiritual interpretation to the idea of ​​cities prepared by God, echoing the theme of Joshua 21.

Meditating on these passages, we realize that the distribution of cities to the Levites is not just a logistical matter, but a powerful testimony to how God cares for His servants and honors His promises. May we, in turn, be instruments of his provision and grace in today's world.