King James Version

What Does Joshua 21:24 Mean?

Joshua 21:24 in the King James Version says “Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 21:24 · KJV

Context

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.

25

And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.

26

All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.

Read Joshua 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Aijalon with her suburbs, Gath-rimmon with her suburbs; four cities (אַיָּלוֹן וְגַת־רִמּוֹן אַרְבַּע עָרִים, Ayalon veGat-Rimon arba arim)—Aijalon's valley witnessed another cosmic miracle when Joshua commanded, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon" (Joshua 10:12). This city, where the moon halted, became a Levitical possession—a perpetual reminder that the God who controls celestial bodies provides for His servants. Aijalon later became a border fortress fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:10) and was captured by Philistines during Ahaz's apostasy (2 Chronicles 28:18), another example of spiritual decline leading to territorial loss.

Gath-rimmon ("wine-press of the pomegranate") appears in Joshua's initial allotment to Dan (Joshua 19:45). The summary four cities from Dan completed the non-Aaronic Kohathites' allocation, which continues with additional cities from Manasseh in verses 25-26. These ten cities (four from Ephraim, four from Dan, two from Manasseh) provided for Kohathite Levites who were not priests.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Aijalon (Yalo) controlled the Aijalon Valley, a major invasion route parallel to Beth-horon. The valley's strategic importance made it perpetually contested. The city was inhabited by Benjamites after the exile (Nehemiah 11:35), though originally Danite, showing tribal boundary fluidity. Gath-rimmon's location is uncertain; some identify it with Tell Jerisheh north of Joppa. The parallel list in 1 Chronicles 6:69 has textual variants, complicating identification. Both cities were on Dan's western border facing Philistine pressure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Aijalon's association with the sun-and-moon miracle emphasize that God's servants depend on His supernatural provision?
  2. What does the pattern of cities being lost during apostasy (Aijalon under Ahaz, Gibbethon to Philistines) teach about the connection between spiritual and physical inheritance?
  3. Why did God allocate Levitical cities in vulnerable border regions facing Philistine pressure rather than in secure interior locations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
אֶת1 of 11
H853

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

אַיָּלוֹן֙2 of 11

“Aijalon”

H357

ajalon, the name of five places 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

אֶת5 of 11
H853

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

גַּת6 of 11
H0
רִמּ֖וֹן7 of 11

“Gathrimmon”

H1667

gath-rimmon, a place 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 21:24 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 21:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 19:421 Chronicles 6:69Joshua 10:12

Places in This Verse

Aijalon 1Settlement · Modern: Yalo · 31.84°N, 35.02°E8 verses across 5 books
Gath-rimmon 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Gerisa · 32.09°N, 34.81°E3 verses across 2 books
View all places in Joshua 21 →

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 21 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes