Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Holon, Debir, New Living Translation Holon, Debir, English Standard Version Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, Berean Standard Bible Holon, Debir, King James Bible And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs, New King James Version Holon with its common-land, Debir with its common-land, New American Standard Bible Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands, NASB 1995 and Holon with its pasture lands and Debir with its pasture lands, NASB 1977 and Holon with its pasture lands and Debir with its pasture lands, Legacy Standard Bible Holon with its pasture lands, and Debir with its pasture lands, Amplified Bible and Holon with its pasture lands and Debir with its pasture lands, Christian Standard Bible Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, Holman Christian Standard Bible Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, American Standard Version and Holon with its suburbs, and Debir with its suburbs, English Revised Version and Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs; GOD'S WORD® Translation Holon, Debir, Good News Translation Holon, Debir, International Standard Version Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands, NET Bible Holon, Debir, New Heart English Bible Holon with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs, Webster's Bible Translation And Holon with its suburbs, and Debir with its suburbs, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHolon, Debir, World English Bible Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Holon and its outskirts, and Debir and its outskirts, Young's Literal Translation and Holon and its suburbs, and Debir and its suburbs, Smith's Literal Translation And Holon and her area, and Debir and her area, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Holon, and Dabir, Catholic Public Domain Version and Holon, and Debir, New American Bible Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands, New Revised Standard Version Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHalol with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Khalu and its fields and Debir and its fields OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and Holon with the open land about it, and Debir with the open land about it; Brenton Septuagint Translation and Gella and its suburbs; and Dabir and its suburbs; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites…14Jattir, Eshtemoa, 15 Holon, Debir, 16Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh—nine cities from these two tribes, together with their pasturelands.… Cross References Joshua 20:7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. Joshua 19:1-9 The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah / and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah, / Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, ... 1 Chronicles 6:57-60 So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, / Hilen, Debir, / Ashan, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh, together with their pasturelands. ... 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 4:41-43 Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites. 1 Chronicles 6:64-65 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. 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. 1 Kings 21:1-3 Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 2 Chronicles 11:13-14 Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. / For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD. Ezekiel 48:8-14 Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary. / The special portion you set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. / This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD. ... Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. Luke 18:29-30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.” Acts 4:34-37 There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. / Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement), ... Hebrews 11:9 By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. Hebrews 11:13-16 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ... Treasury of Scripture And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs, Holon Joshua 15:51 And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages: 1 Chronicles 6:58 And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs, Hilen Joshua 12:13 The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; Joshua 15:49 And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir, Jump to Previous Debir Holon Lands Open Pasture SuburbsJump to Next Debir Holon Lands Open Pasture SuburbsJoshua 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 Holon Holon is one of the cities given to the Levites in the territory of Judah. It is mentioned in the context of the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel. The allocation of cities to the Levites is significant because the Levites were set apart for religious duties and did not receive a large territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Holon, therefore, represents the provision for the Levites' needs, ensuring they had places to live and serve. The city is also listed in 1 Chronicles 6:58, affirming its role in the Levitical cities. Archaeologically, Holon is identified with the site of modern-day Khirbet ʿAlin, though evidence is limited. Debir Persons / Places / Events 1. HolonA city allocated to the Levites within the territory of Judah. It is part of the cities given to the Levites as their inheritance, signifying the provision for those who serve in the temple and religious duties. 2. Debir Another city given to the Levites, also located in the territory of Judah. Debir is historically significant as a city conquered by Joshua during the Israelite conquest of Canaan. 3. Levites The tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service to God. They were not given a specific territory like the other tribes but were instead given cities within the territories of other tribes. 4. Joshua The leader of Israel after Moses, responsible for leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and overseeing the distribution of the land among the tribes. 5. Inheritance The allocation of land to the tribes of Israel, including the specific provision for the Levites, which underscores the importance of supporting those dedicated to spiritual service. Teaching Points God's Provision for His ServantsThe allocation of cities to the Levites demonstrates God's care and provision for those who serve Him. It reminds us of the importance of supporting those in ministry today. The Importance of Spiritual Inheritance Just as the Levites received cities as their inheritance, believers are reminded of their spiritual inheritance in Christ, which is eternal and secure. Community Responsibility The distribution of Levitical cities within other tribal territories highlights the communal responsibility to support and sustain spiritual leaders and workers. Faithfulness in Service The Levites' role was to serve God and the community faithfully. This calls believers to be diligent and faithful in their own service to God and others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 21:15?2. How does Joshua 21:15 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What role do the Levitical cities play in Israel's spiritual and communal life? 4. How can we ensure our communities reflect God's provision, as seen in Joshua 21:15? 5. How does the allocation of cities relate to God's covenant with the Levites? 6. In what ways can we support spiritual leaders, inspired by Joshua 21:15? 7. What is the significance of Joshua 21:15 in the context of Levitical cities? 8. How does Joshua 21:15 reflect God's promise to the Levites? 9. Why were specific cities, like Holon, assigned to the Levites in Joshua 21:15? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 21? 11. If the land division was divinely ordained, why do other biblical accounts (e.g., Judges 1) describe tribes failing to fully possess these assigned territories? 12. Do the cities assigned in Joshua 21 conflict with the earlier tribal boundaries in Joshua 14-20? 13. Psalm 106:34-35 suggests Israel did not fully conquer or destroy surrounding nations--how does this align with biblical passages that claim they subdued the land completely? 14. Who is Othniel in historical or biblical context? What Does Joshua 21:15 Mean Holon“Holon with its pasturelands” (Joshua 21:15) shows up in a simple list, yet its placement speaks volumes: • It is one of the cities assigned to the descendants of Aaron, the priestly family (Joshua 21:13–15; Numbers 35:2–3). God had already declared that the Levites would not receive a single, consolidated territory; instead, He would scatter them among the tribes so that worship and teaching could reach every corner of Israel. Holon embodies that strategy. • The city lay in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:51). Judah—already honored as the royal tribe (Genesis 49:10)—now hosts priests as well, underscoring the partnership of kingship and priesthood that ultimately foreshadows Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and our High Priest (Revelation 5:5; Hebrews 7:24–27). • “With its pasturelands” reminds us that God’s provision is complete. The priests needed space for flocks that supplied sacrificial worship (Leviticus 1:3; Deuteronomy 18:1). The Lord attended to every practical detail, showing He cares about the day-to-day realities of ministry as much as its spiritual dimension. • By naming Holon specifically—though it plays no starring role elsewhere—Scripture quietly affirms that every locale and every servant matters. The same God who numbered the stars (Psalm 147:4) also numbers towns. If He remembers Holon, He remembers us. Debir Right after Holon comes “Debir with its pasturelands” (Joshua 21:15). Debir’s backstory adds texture: • Joshua had earlier conquered Debir in a campaign that toppled southern Canaanite strongholds (Joshua 10:38–39). What was once enemy territory became an inheritance of grace. • Caleb later secured Debir again, rewarding Othniel for capturing it (Joshua 15:13–17; Judges 1:11–15). The city’s repeated appearance highlights perseverance in claiming God’s promises. • Now, in Joshua 21, Debir is handed to the priests. A former bastion of idolatry becomes a center for the teaching of God’s Word—redemption in geographical form. Colossians 1:13 speaks of believers being transferred “from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Debir illustrates that transfer on Israel’s map. • Positioned within Judah, Debir sits in proximity to Hebron, another priestly city and city of refuge (Joshua 21:13). Together they form a network where worship, justice, and mercy converge, anticipating Christ who fulfills all three (John 4:23; Matthew 12:6; Hebrews 4:14–16). summary Joshua 21:15 may read like a brief catalog, yet “Holon, Debir” testifies that God is intentional with every square mile and every calling. He plants His servants where they can bless the wider community, turns former enemy strongholds into places of worship, and supplies all that is necessary for ministry. In naming even the seemingly obscure, Scripture reassures us that nothing—and no one—escapes His sovereign, caring attention. Hebrew Holon,חֹלֹן֙ (ḥō·lōn) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 2473: Holon -- a place in Moab, also a city in Judah Debir, דְּבִ֖ר (də·ḇir) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1688: Debir -- an Amorite king, also the name of several places in Palestine Links Joshua 21:15 NIVJoshua 21:15 NLT Joshua 21:15 ESV Joshua 21:15 NASB Joshua 21:15 KJV Joshua 21:15 BibleApps.com Joshua 21:15 Biblia Paralela Joshua 21:15 Chinese Bible Joshua 21:15 French Bible Joshua 21:15 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 21:15 Holon with its suburbs Debir with its (Josh. Jos) |
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