King James Version

What Does Joshua 21:22 Mean?

Joshua 21:22 in the King James Version says “And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities. — study this verse from Joshua chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.

Joshua 21:22 · KJV


Context

20

And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.

21

For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,

22

And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.

23

And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,

24

Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs; four cities (קִבְצַיִם וּבֵית־חוֹרֹן אַרְבַּע עָרִים, Kivtzayim uVeit-Choron arba arim)—Beth-horon ("house of the hollow") consisted of Upper and Lower Beth-horon, twin fortress cities controlling the crucial Beth-horon ascent from the coastal plain to the central highlands. Joshua's greatest victory occurred here when God rained down hailstones and stopped the sun, allowing complete destruction of the Amorite coalition (Joshua 10:10-14). Five kings died at this location. That such a strategic military site became a Levitical city demonstrates the principle that Israel's true strength was spiritual, not martial.

Kibzaim appears only here; 1 Chronicles 6:68 lists Jokmeam instead, likely the same site with variant spelling. The summary four cities from Ephraim provided the non-Aaronic Kohathites with their first allocation, continuing in verses 23-26.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Beth-horon (Beit Ur el-Fauqa and Beit Ur et-Tahta) guarded the most important route from the coast to Jerusalem, ascending 800 feet in 2.5 miles through a narrow pass—perfect for ambush. Every invading army used this route: Joshua (Joshua 10), Philistines (1 Samuel 13:18), Egyptians (1 Kings 9:17), Seleucids fought by the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 3:13-24), and Romans under Cestius (Josephus, Wars 2.19.8). Solomon fortified both cities (1 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 8:5). Its allocation to Levites meant priests controlled Israel's most strategic military corridor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Beth-horon's dual identity as miracle site and Levitical city emphasize that spiritual reality undergirds military victory?
  2. What does Levitical control of strategic military locations teach about the priority of spiritual warfare over physical?
  3. How did placing priests at bottleneck locations like Beth-horon ensure that every invading army encountered God's representatives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְאֶת1 of 11
H853

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

קִבְצַ֙יִם֙2 of 11

And Kibzaim

H6911

kibtsajim, a place in palestine

וְאֶת3 of 11
H853

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

מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ4 of 11

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

וְאֶת5 of 11
H853

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

בֵּ֥ית6 of 11
H0
חוֹרֹ֖ן7 of 11

and Bethhoron

H1032

beth-choron, the name of two adjoining places in palestine

וְאֶת8 of 11
H853

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

מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ9 of 11

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

עָרִ֖ים10 of 11

cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אַרְבַּֽע׃11 of 11

four

H702

four


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 21:22 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 21:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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