Topical Bible: Priests: Thirteen of the Levitical Cities Given To, for Residence

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi was set apart for religious duties and service to God. Unlike the other tribes of Israel, the Levites were not allocated a specific territory in the Promised Land. Instead, they were given cities to dwell in, scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes. Among these cities, thirteen were specifically designated for the priests, who were a subset of the Levites, descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses.

The allocation of these cities is detailed in the Book of Joshua, where the land is distributed among the tribes of Israel. The priests, being responsible for the spiritual leadership and sacrificial system of Israel, required places to reside that were strategically located to serve the people effectively.

Cities Designated for Priests:

1. Hebron (also known as Kiriath Arba) · Located in the hill country of Judah, Hebron was a significant city, both historically and spiritually. It was one of the cities of refuge and held great importance as the burial place of the patriarchs (Joshua 21:13).

2. Libnah · Situated in the Shephelah region of Judah, Libnah was another city given to the priests. It played a role in various biblical narratives, including the reign of King Hezekiah (Joshua 21:13).

3. Jattir · Also in the territory of Judah, Jattir was a city given to the priests. It is mentioned in the context of David's interactions with the people of Judah (Joshua 21:14).

4. Eshtemoa · This city, located in the hill country of Judah, was another priestly city. It is noted for its association with David during his time in the wilderness (Joshua 21:14).

5. Holon · Another city in Judah, Holon was designated for the priests. It is less frequently mentioned in biblical narratives (Joshua 21:15).

6. Debir · Known for its earlier name, Kiriath Sepher, Debir was a city in Judah given to the priests. It was conquered by Caleb and later became a Levitical city (Joshua 21:15).

7. Ain · Located in the territory of Simeon, Ain was one of the cities given to the priests. It is mentioned alongside other cities in the Negev region (Joshua 21:16).

8. Juttah · Another city in Judah, Juttah was allocated to the priests. It is noted in the context of the Levitical cities (Joshua 21:16).

9. Beth Shemesh · Situated in the territory of Dan, Beth Shemesh was a city given to the priests. It is known for its role in the return of the Ark of the Covenant (Joshua 21:16).

10. Gibeon · Located in the territory of Benjamin, Gibeon was a significant city given to the priests. It played a crucial role in the history of Israel, including the Gibeonite deception and the battle led by Joshua (Joshua 21:17).

11. Geba · Also in Benjamin, Geba was a city designated for the priests. It is mentioned in various military and historical contexts (Joshua 21:17).

12. Anathoth · This city in Benjamin was given to the priests and is notably the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Joshua 21:18).

13. Almon · Another city in Benjamin, Almon was allocated to the priests. It is less frequently mentioned but is part of the list of Levitical cities (Joshua 21:18).

These cities were strategically distributed to ensure that the priests could fulfill their duties across the nation of Israel. The priests were responsible for teaching the Law, offering sacrifices, and maintaining the spiritual well-being of the people. The allocation of these cities reflects the importance of the priestly role in the covenant community of Israel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 6:57-60
And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
Torrey's Topical Textbook