Joshua Chapter 21 Summary - Key Points & Themes

Read Joshua Chapter 21 Summary

The Levitical clans approach Joshua, Eleazar, and the tribal heads at Shiloh, reminding them that the LORD through Moses commanded cities to dwell in with pasturelands for their livestock. By lot, the Kohathites receive cities from Judah, Simeon, Benjamin, Ephraim, Dan, and half-Manasseh; Aaron's descendants specifically receive thirteen cities from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin including the cities of refuge. The Gershonites receive thirteen cities from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and eastern Manasseh; the Merarites receive twelve cities from Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. So the LORD gave Israel all the land He swore to their fathers, and they possessed it; not one word of His good promises failed.

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Characters in This Chapter

Joshua

Successor of Moses who led Israel in conquering and settling the Promised Land

Caleb

Faithful spy who received Hebron as his inheritance at age 85

Rahab

Canaanite woman who hid the spies and was saved with her family

Achan

Israelite who sinned by taking devoted things from Jericho, causing Israel's defeat at Ai

Joshua the High Priest

First High Priest of the Second Temple

Prophet and Lawgiver

Nephew of Abraham

First High Priest

Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ

Simeon

The One Who Saw Salvation

Benjamin

Youngest Son of Jacob

Manasseh

King of Judah who Repented

Places in This Chapter

Jericho

First city conquered, whose walls fell miraculously after Israel marched around them

Jordan River

Miraculously crossed on dry ground, marking Israel's entry into the Promised Land

Gilgal

First camp in Canaan where Israel was circumcised and celebrated Passover

Shechem

Site of covenant renewal and Joshua's final address to the tribes

Shiloh

Shiloh was the religious center of Israel for over 300 years, housing the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. Hannah prayed here for a son and later brought young Samuel to serve. The Philistines later captured the Ark from here. The prophet Jeremiah used Shiloh's destruction as a warning to Jerusalem.

Canaan

Canaan was the Promised Land, the territory God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It stretched from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. The Israelites conquered Canaan under Joshua after the Exodus. The land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel.

Hebron

Hebron is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives are buried in the Cave of Machpelah here. David was anointed king of Judah in Hebron and ruled from there for seven years before moving the capital to Jerusalem.

Gibeon

Gibeon was a Canaanite city whose inhabitants tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty. God made the sun stand still here during Joshua's battle. Solomon offered sacrifices at the great high place in Gibeon, where God appeared to him in a dream offering him anything he asked.

Galilee

Galilee was a region in northern Israel where Jesus grew up and conducted much of His ministry. Jesus called His first disciples here, performed many miracles, and taught large crowds. After His resurrection, Jesus met His disciples in Galilee and commissioned them to make disciples of all nations.

Gilead

Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, known for its healing balm and rich pastures. It was home to the prophet Elijah and the judge Jephthah. Jacob and Laban made their covenant at a cairn of stones they named Galeed (Gilead). The region was allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.

Position in Book

Entering the LandChapters 1-5

Conquering the LandChapters 6-12

Dividing the LandChapters 13-21

Allotment of territories to the tribes, Caleb's inheritance, cities of refuge, and Levitical cities.

Serving the LordChapters 22-24