Joshua 21:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The leaders of the Levites approach Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal heads to receive the cities promised them.
What Does Joshua 21:1 Mean?
With the land now divided among the tribes, the Levites step forward last. They had been given no single territory of their own, for their inheritance was the service of God. Now they come to the same leaders who oversaw every other allotment.
Those who serve at the altar do not seize their portion; they come near and ask. There is a quiet dignity in waiting to be given rather than taking. The Lord had promised to be their inheritance, and here that promise begins to take visible shape among the tribes.
Joshua 21:1 in the Original Language
Levi (לֵוִי), 'joined' -- the tribe set apart and joined to the Lord's service rather than to a land of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 21:1
What does Joshua 21:1 mean?
The leaders of the Levites approach Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal heads to receive the cities promised them.