The Cities of Gershonites - Joshua 21:33

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-three of Joshua we learn about, “all the cities of the Gershonites” where we read, 

All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families

 were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

The verse reads, “All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “all of the cities of the Gershonites” which means “each, every and the whole of the dwelling places or places of wakening belonging to the Gershonites whose name means and ‘exiled’ was the descendants of “Gershon” who was the firstborn son of Levi” “according to their families” or “in keeping and along with their, the Gershonites’, kindred, kinsmen and relatives” existed as the following. Joshua or the writer began to share about the total number of the dwelling places given to the “Levites” who belonged to “Gershon” and their relatives. 

The verse continues, “… were thirteen cities with their suburbs.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “were thirteen cities” which means “existed as thirteen dwelling places or places of wakening” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the thirteen cities’, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said there were “thirteen” dwelling places along with their common lands that were provided to the “Gershonite Levites”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how there were “thirteen” dwelling places that were provided to the “families” belonging to the Levitical people of “Gershon”. God’s provision was vast and important to all of Israel. There were six “cities of refuge” scattered throughout the land of Israel, three on the western side of the Jordan River, and three on the eastern side. God loves people and His provision for our salvation (our city of refuge) was demonstrated through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth in a manner that honors and gives glory to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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