Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version (these towns were assigned to the descendants of Aaron who were from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them): New Living Translation to the descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, since the sacred lot fell to them first: English Standard Version which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the clans of the Kohathites who belonged to the people of Levi; since the lot fell to them first. Berean Standard Bible to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them: King James Bible Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot. New King James Version which were for the children of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for the lot was theirs first. New American Standard Bible and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, because the lot was theirs first. NASB 1995 and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, for the lot was theirs first. NASB 1977 and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, for the lot was theirs first. Legacy Standard Bible and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, for the lot was theirs first. Amplified Bible and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, because the lot fell to them first. Christian Standard Bible to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because they received the first lot. Holman Christian Standard Bible to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because they received the first lot. American Standard Version and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot. English Revised Version and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi: for theirs was the first lot. GOD'S WORD® Translation that they gave Aaron's descendants who were from the families of Kohath in the tribe of Levi. Their lot was the first one drawn. Good News Translation to the descendants of Aaron who were of the clan of Kohath, which was descended from Levi. Their assignment was the first to be made. International Standard Version for the descendants of Aaron, one of the families of the descendants of Kohath, of the descendants of Levi, since the lot fell in their favor first. NET Bible They were assigned to the Kohathite clans of the Levites who were descendants of Aaron, for the first lot belonged to them. New Heart English Bible and they were for the descendants of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the people of Levi; for theirs was the first lot. Webster's Bible Translation Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleto the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them: World English Bible and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they are for the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathite, of the sons of Levi, for the first lot has been theirs; Young's Literal Translation and they are for the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathite, of the sons of Levi, for theirs hath been the first lot; Smith's Literal Translation And it will be to the sons of Aaron from the families of the Kohathites, from the sons of Levi: for to them was the first lot. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTo the sons of Aaron, of the families of Caath of the race of Levi (for the first lot came out for them) Catholic Public Domain Version to the sons of Aaron, of the families of Kohath of the stock of Levi, (for the first lot went out for them,) New American Bible and assigned them to the descendants of Aaron in the Kohathite clan of the Levites, since the first lot fell to them: New Revised Standard Version which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites who belonged to the Levites, since the lot fell to them first. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey became the property of the descendants of Aaron, being of the family of the Kohathites, who were the children of Levi, for theirs was the first lot. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they were for the children of Aaron from the family of Qahath, from the sons of Levi, because theirs was the first lot OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot. Brenton Septuagint Translation to the sons of Aaron of the family of Caath of the sons of Levi, for the lot fell to these. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites…9From the tribes of Judah and Simeon, they designated these cities by name 10 to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them: 11They gave them Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), with its surrounding pasturelands, in the hill country of Judah. (Arba was the father of Anak.)… Cross References Numbers 35:1-8 Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: / “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. ... Deuteronomy 18:1-2 The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them. 1 Chronicles 6:54-60 Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ... Leviticus 25:32-34 As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession. Numbers 18:20-24 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ... 1 Chronicles 6:64-70 So the Israelites gave to the Levites these cities and their pasturelands. / They assigned by lot the cities named above from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. / And some of the clans of the Kohathites were given cities from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory: ... Joshua 13:14 To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them. Joshua 13:33 To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them. Joshua 14:3-4 For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. / The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds. Joshua 18:7 The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.” Hebrews 7:5 Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham. Hebrews 7:9-10 And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. / For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Romans 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Treasury of Scripture Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot. Joshua 21:4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities. Exodus 6:18,20-26 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years… Numbers 3:2-4,19,27 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar… Jump to Previous Aaron Assigned Belonged Children Clans Descendants Distribution Kohathite Kohathites Ko'hathites Levi Theirs TownsJump to Next Aaron Assigned Belonged Children Clans Descendants Distribution Kohathite Kohathites Ko'hathites Levi Theirs TownsJoshua 21 1. Forty-eight cities given by lot, out of the other tribes unto the Levites.43. God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise to the descendants of Aaron The descendants of Aaron were the priestly line within the tribe of Levi. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was appointed by God as the first high priest, and his descendants were given the responsibility of serving in the tabernacle and later the temple. This priestly lineage is significant in maintaining the religious and ceremonial practices of Israel. The role of the priests was to mediate between God and the people, offering sacrifices and maintaining the holiness of the sanctuary. This lineage is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as our High Priest, mediating a new covenant between God and humanity. from the Kohathite clans of the Levites because the first lot fell to them Persons / Places / Events 1. AaronThe first high priest of Israel, brother of Moses, and ancestor of the priestly line. His descendants were given specific cities as part of their inheritance. 2. Kohathite Clans A division of the Levites, descendants of Kohath, one of Levi's sons. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary's most sacred objects. 3. Levites The tribe set apart for religious duties and service to the tabernacle and later the temple. They did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were given cities to dwell in. 4. The First Lot Refers to the method of distributing the land among the tribes and clans of Israel. The casting of lots was seen as a way to discern God's will. 5. Inheritance The allocation of land and cities to the tribes of Israel, which was a fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in FulfillmentGod's allocation of cities to the Levites demonstrates His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs and His care for those set apart for His service. The Role of the Priesthood The priesthood's role in Israel was crucial for maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and service in the church today. Inheritance Beyond Land The Levites' inheritance was not land but the privilege of serving God. This teaches us to value spiritual blessings and service over material possessions. Divine Order and Structure The casting of lots and the specific allocation of cities show God's order and structure in His plans, reminding us of the importance of seeking His guidance in our decisions. Community and Provision The provision of cities for the Levites within other tribes' territories illustrates the importance of community support and interdependence among God's people. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 21:10?2. How does Joshua 21:10 demonstrate God's faithfulness to the Levites? 3. Why were the Levites given specific cities in Joshua 21:10? 4. How does Joshua 21:10 connect to God's promises in Numbers 35:1-8? 5. What can we learn about God's provision from Joshua 21:10? 6. How can we apply the principle of divine inheritance in our lives today? 7. What is the significance of Joshua 21:10 in the context of Israel's tribal inheritance? 8. How does Joshua 21:10 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? 9. Why were the Levites given specific cities in Joshua 21:10? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 21? 11. In Joshua 14:3-4, how does the Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance align with other biblical passages that mention Levitical cities and lands? 12. How does Deuteronomy 10:8's statement that Levi had no land inheritance align with inherited lands described in other biblical texts? 13. In Judges 17:7-13, how credible is the Levite's priestly status, given the requirements found elsewhere in the Old Testament regarding priestly lineage? 14. Numbers 10:33-36: How does the Ark of the Covenant traveling alongside them here reconcile with other passages where the Ark seems to remain stationary? What Does Joshua 21:10 Mean to the descendants of Aaron“to the descendants of Aaron” (Joshua 21:10) zeroes in on the priestly family line. Every Israelite tribe had a defined role (Numbers 1–2), yet the sons of Aaron held a singular calling: • Aaron’s line was set apart for priestly ministry at Sinai (Exodus 28:1; Leviticus 8:1–12). • Only they could approach the altar and enter the Holy Place (Numbers 18:1–7). • Their daily tasks—offering sacrifices, burning incense, blessing the people—kept Israel in covenant fellowship with God (Leviticus 9:22–24). • Because they served the whole nation, the Lord provided for them through tithes (Numbers 18:8–20) and, here, through designated cities (Joshua 21:13–19). Joshua 21:10 reminds readers that God honors specific promises to specific people, underlining His faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 89:34). from the Kohathite clans of the Levites Aaron’s descendants belonged to the Kohathite branch within Levi (Numbers 3:17, 27–32). Kohath’s broader clan had carried the most sacred objects—the ark, the table, the lampstand—through the wilderness (Numbers 4:4–15). From that larger family tree, Aaron’s household formed the priestly subset. Key truths emerge: • Shared identity: All Kohathites were Levites, but not all were priests. Roles differed yet complemented one another (1 Corinthians 12:14–18 finds an echo here). • Stewardship: The Kohathites’ earlier charge to transport holy furniture transitioned into settled service in these cities, illustrating how God reallocates responsibilities as seasons change (Joshua 21:20–26). • Grace over genealogy: While bloodlines mattered for office, the calling ultimately flowed from God’s sovereign choice (Exodus 4:14). The text encourages gratitude, not entitlement (Romans 9:15–16). because the first lot fell to them Casting lots placed decision-making in God’s hands (Proverbs 16:33). In the larger allocation of Canaan, Levi received no single territory (Joshua 13:14), yet the Lord ensured they were not overlooked: • Priority: The “first lot” signals honor; God put priestly provision at the top of the agenda (Deuteronomy 18:1–5). • Presence: Their forty-eight towns, sprinkled through Israel (Joshua 21:41–42), guaranteed that worship, teaching, and mediation remained central to community life (Malachi 2:6–7). • Prophetic picture: By living among the tribes, priests foreshadowed the coming High Priest who would dwell with His people (John 1:14; Hebrews 7:23–25). Thus, the casting of the first lot isn’t random trivia; it showcases divine orchestration, reflecting the Lord’s orderly care for worship and witness. summary Joshua 21:10 records more than a bureaucratic land grant. It highlights God’s covenant faithfulness to Aaron’s descendants, clarifies the special place of the Kohathite Levites within Israel’s spiritual life, and underscores the Lord’s sovereign, orderly provision through the first lot. The verse invites confidence that God still assigns, equips, and situates His servants for the good of His people and the glory of His name. Hebrew to the descendantsלִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son of Aaron אַהֲרֹ֔ן (’a·hă·rōn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses from the Kohathite הַקְּהָתִ֖י (haq·qə·hā·ṯî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6956: Kohathites -- descendant of Kohath clans מִמִּשְׁפְּח֥וֹת (mim·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people of the Levites, מִבְּנֵ֣י (mib·bə·nê) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the first רִיאשֹׁנָֽה׃ (rî·šō·nāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank lot הַגּוֹרָ֖ל (hag·gō·w·rāl) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting) fell הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be to them: לָהֶ֛ם (lā·hem) Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They Links Joshua 21:10 NIVJoshua 21:10 NLT Joshua 21:10 ESV Joshua 21:10 NASB Joshua 21:10 KJV Joshua 21:10 BibleApps.com Joshua 21:10 Biblia Paralela Joshua 21:10 Chinese Bible Joshua 21:10 French Bible Joshua 21:10 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 21:10 And they were for the children (Josh. Jos) |
    |