Joshua 21:27-33 | The Way of Scripture

Joshua 21:27-33

How are the Gershonite clans placed across the inheritance?

Berean Standard Bible

27 This is what the Levite clans of the Gershonites were given: From the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Golan in Bashan, a city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah—two cities, together with their pasturelands. 28 From the tribe of Issachar they were given Kishion, Daberath, 29 Jarmuth, and En-gannim—four cities, together with their pasturelands. 30 From the tribe of Asher they were given Mishal, Abdon, 31 Helkath, and Rehob—four cities, together with their pasturelands. 32 And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands. 33 In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans.

What is the context?

The Gershonites receive cities from eastern Manasseh, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali. The list spans portions on both sides of the Jordan and ends with thirteen cities and their pasturelands.

Golan and Kedesh are identified as refuge cities, so the places serving the Levites also include protection for those awaiting the prescribed judgment.

The named tribal contributions make the support shared rather than confined to one region. The Jordan does not remove the eastern tribes’ participation in the provision commanded through Moses.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB presentation groups these assignments by the contributing tribes. Wesley reads the broader distribution as helping the Levites serve among the people. The list itself records the towns and portions; it does not document each family’s later teaching journey or a separate symbolic role for each name.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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