King James Version

What Does Joshua 21:14 Mean?

Joshua 21:14 in the King James Version says “And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, — study this verse from Joshua chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,

Joshua 21:14 · KJV


Context

12

But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

13

Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,

14

And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,

15

And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,

16

And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs (יַתִּר וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁהָ וְאֶת־אֶשְׁתְּמֹעַ וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁהָ, Yattir ve'et-migrashehah ve'et-Eshtemoa ve'et-migrashehah)—These Judahite hill country cities continued the allocation to Aaron's descendants. Jattir appears in David's list of cities receiving spoils from Amalekite raids (1 Samuel 30:27), suggesting ongoing priestly presence there centuries later. The repetition of ve'et-migrashehah ("with her suburbs") after each city name emphasizes the careful fulfillment of Numbers 35:2-5, which specified exact measurements for pastureland: 1,000 cubits from the city wall in each direction, with additional 2,000-cubit extensions for farming and grazing.

The geographical clustering of these priestly cities in Judah's southern highlands created a spiritual center where Torah teaching and sacrificial knowledge could be concentrated and preserved.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jattir (Khirbet Attir) lies 13 miles southwest of Hebron in the Judean hill country at 2,000 feet elevation. Excavations reveal Iron Age occupation consistent with Israelite settlement. Eshtemoa (es-Semu') sits 9 miles south of Hebron. Its synagogue ruins from the Byzantine period suggest continued Jewish/Levitical presence long after Joshua's era. Both cities figured in David's network of southern support during his fugitive years.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did God strategically place priestly cities throughout Israel rather than concentrating them in one location?
  2. How does the preservation of these city names in Scripture demonstrate God's attention to historical detail?
  3. What can modern churches learn from the geographic distribution of spiritual leadership in ancient Israel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְאֶת1 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יַתִּר֙2 of 8

And Jattir

H3492

jattir, a place in palestine

וְאֶת3 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃4 of 8

with her suburbs

H4054

a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea

וְאֶֽת5 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ6 of 8

and Eshtemoa

H851

eshtemoa or eshtemoh, a place in palestine

וְאֶת7 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃8 of 8

with her suburbs

H4054

a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 21:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 21:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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