King James Version

What Does Joshua 21:4 Mean?

Joshua 21:4 in the King James Version says “And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.”

Joshua 21:4 · KJV

Context

2

And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.

3

And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

4

And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.

5

And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.

6

And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.

The allocation "by lot" (bagoral, בַּגּוֹרָל) demonstrates divine sovereignty in apportioning cities—the goral (lot) was cast seeking God's will (Proverbs 16:33). The Aaronic priests receiving "thirteen cities" from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin strategically placed them in the southern kingdom's heartland, surrounding Jerusalem where the Temple would stand. This wasn't coincidental but divinely ordered—those ministering at the altar lived near the worship center.

"The children of Aaron the priest" (livney Aharon hakohen, לִבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן) distinguishes the high-priestly line from other Kohathites. Only Aaron's descendants could serve as priests (Exodus 28:1), while other Kohathites served as Tabernacle carriers (Numbers 3:27-32). This division within Levi demonstrates God's sovereign appointment—not all Levites were priests, just as not all Christians are pastors or elders, yet all have roles in God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

The phrase "which were of the Levites" (asher min-haLeviim, אֲשֶׁר מִן־הַלְוִיִּם) emphasizes that priests were a subset within the Levitical tribe. This hierarchical structure—Israel, then Levi, then Aaron's line—models how God calls some from among His people to specialized service while all remain part of the covenant community.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The thirteen cities given to Aaronic priests clustered around Jerusalem (future temple site), Hebron (patriarchal burial place), and the Judean highlands. This concentration ensured priestly expertise remained near the worship center. Archaeological evidence shows several of these cities (Hebron, Libnah, Jattir) were substantial settlements capable of supporting priestly families. The Aaronic priesthood continued until 70 AD when Rome destroyed the Temple, ending the sacrificial system that Christ's once-for-all sacrifice had already rendered obsolete (Hebrews 7:11-28, 10:1-18).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the lot-casting system demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty over human planning and preferences?
  2. What does the distinction between Aaronic priests and other Kohathites teach about God's sovereign calling to different roles within His people?
  3. How should the strategic placement of priests near the worship center inform how we think about equipping and positioning spiritual leaders today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֵּצֵ֥א1 of 20

“came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל2 of 20

“And the lot”

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת3 of 20

“for the families”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

הַקְּהָתִ֑י4 of 20

“of the Kohathites”

H6956

a kohathite (collectively) or descendants of kehath

וַיְהִ֡י5 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִבְנֵי֩6 of 20

“and the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַֽהֲרֹ֨ן7 of 20

“of Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן8 of 20

“the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

מִן9 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַלְוִיִּ֗ם10 of 20

“which were of the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה11 of 20

“and out of the tribe”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

יְ֠הוּדָה12 of 20

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה13 of 20

“and out of the tribe”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

הַשִּׁמְעֹנִ֜י14 of 20

“of Simeon”

H8099

a shimonite (collectively) or descendants of shimon

וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה15 of 20

“and out of the tribe”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

בִנְיָמִן֙16 of 20

“of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל17 of 20

“And the lot”

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

עָרִ֖ים18 of 20

“cities”

H5892

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

שְׁלֹ֥שׁ19 of 20

“thirteen”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃20 of 20
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

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 21:4 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 21:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 21:8-191 Chronicles 6:54-60Joshua 24:33

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