Joshua 21:9 - Meaning and Application

Here is a specific account of the cities given to the tribe of Levi from the different tribes. These cities were not only places for the Levites to live as tenants among those tribes. Their right to them was firm and secure, not uncertain, as though they were just temporary renters. They owned and possessed them as real owners, with the same title the other tribes had to their own cities and land. This is clear from the law that kept houses in the Levites’ cities from being permanently sold, except until the year of jubilee, when property was restored (Leviticus 25:32-33). It is likely, though, that since the Levites had only the cities and their pasturelands, while the surrounding land still belonged to the tribes where the cities stood, the people of that tribe often rented houses from the Levites for convenience and lived among them that way.

Several things stand out in this account, beyond what was already said in the law about it (Numbers 35). The first is that the Levites were spread through all the tribes and were not allowed to stay together in one part of the land. This kept them all at work and made them useful to others, for ministers must not be idle or live only for themselves or only for one another. Christ left his twelve disciples together at first, but later commanded them to spread out so they could preach the gospel to every creature. Since the Levites lived among the other tribes, they were also under close public watch, which should have helped them live carefully and in a way that fit their holy work. If they had all lived together, they might have ignored one another’s faults and excused bad behavior. Instead, all Israel could see them, and they had to live so that no one could blame their ministry or bring shame on their calling.

Another thing is that every tribe in Israel was honored and benefited by having its share of Levite cities, in proportion to its size, even the tribes farthest away. All of them were God’s people, so all of them had Levites among them. The Levites were there to receive the people kindly, as God had appointed them to do (Deuteronomy 12:19; Deuteronomy 14:29). They were also there to give advice and instruction. When people could not go up to the tabernacle, they could go to a Levite city and learn more about the Lord. In that way, God placed a lamp in every part of his house, giving light to the whole family. The priests who served at the altar kept watch there so that no command of God would be neglected. In the same way, the Levites scattered through the country were to keep watch so that no idolatrous or superstitious practices would creep in, and to care for the souls of God’s people. God was wisely and kindly making sure that religion would stay alive among them, and that his word would stay near them. We are even more blessed under the gospel, because we have it still closer, not only Levites in every county, but Levites in every parish, whose work is still to teach the people and lead them in God’s ways.

A third thing is that thirteen cities, and some of the best cities, were set apart for the priests, the sons of Aaron (Joshua 21:19). Aaron had only two sons left, Eleazar and Ithamar, yet his family had already grown much larger, and it was clear that it would keep growing until it filled these cities. Still, many priests also had to remain where the ark and the altar were. Both Testaments speak of the great number of priests, and it seems likely that no family from Israel that came out of Egypt grew as much as Aaron’s family did. This matches the promise later given to Aaron’s house, that God would increase them more and more, them and their children (Psalm 115:12-14). God raises up a people to serve him.

A fourth thing is that some of the Levites’ cities later became famous for other reasons. Hebron was the city where David began his reign, and in Mahanaim, another Levite city (Joshua 21:38), he stayed and made his base when he fled from Absalom. Shechem, another Levite city (Joshua 21:21), was where Abimelech, the son of Gideon, the first Israelite to wear the title of king, ruled.

A fifth thing is that the total number of these cities was greater than the number given to most of the tribes, except Judah, even though the tribe of Levi was one of the smaller tribes. This shows how generous God is, and how generous his people should be, toward his ministers. The difference may not seem quite so large once we remember that the Levites had only cities and their surrounding fields to live in, while the other tribes had not only cities, and likely many more than are listed in this account, but also unwalled towns, villages, and country houses.

Overall, careful provision was made so the Levites could live both comfortably and usefully. Anyone, whether minister or not, for whom God has provided well should see that as a call to do good and to serve others as far as their ability and opportunity allow.