Joshua 21:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵ֥א
came out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֥א
came out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל
And the lot
H1486
בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל
And the lot
Strong's:
H1486
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת
for the families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת
for the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
3 of 20
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
הַקְּהָתִ֑י
of the Kohathites
H6956
הַקְּהָתִ֑י
of the Kohathites
Strong's:
H6956
Word #:
4 of 20
a kohathite (collectively) or descendants of kehath
וַיְהִ֡י
H1961
וַיְהִ֡י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִבְנֵי֩
and the children
H1121
לִבְנֵי֩
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם
which were of the Levites
H3881
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם
which were of the Levites
Strong's:
H3881
Word #:
10 of 20
a levite or descendant of levi
וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה
and out of the tribe
H4294
וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה
and out of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
11 of 20
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
יְ֠הוּדָה
of Judah
H3063
יְ֠הוּדָה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
12 of 20
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה
and out of the tribe
H4294
וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה
and out of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
13 of 20
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
הַשִּׁמְעֹנִ֜י
of Simeon
H8099
הַשִּׁמְעֹנִ֜י
of Simeon
Strong's:
H8099
Word #:
14 of 20
a shimonite (collectively) or descendants of shimon
וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה
and out of the tribe
H4294
וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה
and out of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
15 of 20
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
בִנְיָמִן֙
of Benjamin
H1144
בִנְיָמִן֙
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
16 of 20
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל
And the lot
H1486
בַּגּוֹרָ֔ל
And the lot
Strong's:
H1486
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
עָרִ֖ים
cities
H5892
עָרִ֖ים
cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
18 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the lot-casting system demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty over human planning and preferences?
- What does the distinction between Aaronic priests and other Kohathites teach about God's sovereign calling to different roles within His people?
- How should the strategic placement of priests near the worship center inform how we think about equipping and positioning spiritual leaders today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.