Joshua 21:10
New International Version
(these towns were assigned to the descendants of Aaron who were from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them):

New Living Translation
to the descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, since the sacred lot fell to them first:

English Standard Version
which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the clans of the Kohathites who belonged to the people of Levi; since the lot fell to them first.

Berean Standard Bible
to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them:

King James Bible
Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.

New King James Version
which were for the children of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for the lot was theirs first.

New American Standard Bible
and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, because the lot was theirs first.

NASB 1995
and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, for the lot was theirs first.

NASB 1977
and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, for the lot was theirs first.

Legacy Standard Bible
and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, for the lot was theirs first.

Amplified Bible
and they were for the sons of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites, of the sons of Levi, because the lot fell to them first.

Christian Standard Bible
to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because they received the first lot.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because they received the first lot.

American Standard Version
and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.

English Revised Version
and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi: for theirs was the first lot.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
that they gave Aaron's descendants who were from the families of Kohath in the tribe of Levi. Their lot was the first one drawn.

Good News Translation
to the descendants of Aaron who were of the clan of Kohath, which was descended from Levi. Their assignment was the first to be made.

International Standard Version
for the descendants of Aaron, one of the families of the descendants of Kohath, of the descendants of Levi, since the lot fell in their favor first.

Majority Standard Bible
to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them:

NET Bible
They were assigned to the Kohathite clans of the Levites who were descendants of Aaron, for the first lot belonged to them.

New Heart English Bible
and they were for the descendants of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the people of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.

Webster's Bible Translation
Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.

World English Bible
and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they are for the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathite, of the sons of Levi, for the first lot has been theirs;

Young's Literal Translation
and they are for the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathite, of the sons of Levi, for theirs hath been the first lot;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be to the sons of Aaron from the families of the Kohathites, from the sons of Levi: for to them was the first lot.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
To the sons of Aaron, of the families of Caath of the race of Levi (for the first lot came out for them)

Catholic Public Domain Version
to the sons of Aaron, of the families of Kohath of the stock of Levi, (for the first lot went out for them,)

New American Bible
and assigned them to the descendants of Aaron in the Kohathite clan of the Levites, since the first lot fell to them:

New Revised Standard Version
which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the families of the Kohathites who belonged to the Levites, since the lot fell to them first.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They became the property of the descendants of Aaron, being of the family of the Kohathites, who were the children of Levi, for theirs was the first lot.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they were for the children of Aaron from the family of Qahath, from the sons of Levi, because theirs was the first lot
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
to the sons of Aaron of the family of Caath of the sons of Levi, for the lot fell to these.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
9From the tribes of Judah and Simeon, they designated these cities by name 10 to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clans of the Levites, because the first lot fell to them: 11They gave them Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), with its surrounding pasturelands, in the hill country of Judah. (Arba was the father of Anak.)…

Cross References
Numbers 35:1-8
Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: / “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. ...

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

1 Chronicles 6:54-60
Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ...

Leviticus 25:32-34
As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.

Numbers 18:20-24
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...

1 Chronicles 6:64-70
So the Israelites gave to the Levites these cities and their pasturelands. / They assigned by lot the cities named above from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. / And some of the clans of the Kohathites were given cities from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory: ...

Joshua 13:14
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

Joshua 13:33
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

Joshua 14:3-4
For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. / The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.

Joshua 18:7
The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 7:9-10
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. / For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Romans 15:16
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.

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.

Exodus 6:18,20-26
And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years…

Numbers 3:2-4,19,27
And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar…

Jump to Previous
Aaron Assigned Belonged Children Clans Descendants Distribution Kohathite Kohathites Ko'hathites Levi Theirs Towns
Jump to Next
Aaron Assigned Belonged Children Clans Descendants Distribution Kohathite Kohathites Ko'hathites Levi Theirs Towns
Joshua 21
1. Forty-eight cities given by lot, out of the other tribes unto the Levites.
43. God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise














to the descendants of Aaron
This phrase refers to the lineage of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who was the first high priest of Israel. The descendants of Aaron were set apart for the priesthood, a role of immense spiritual significance in Israelite society. The Hebrew root for "descendants" is "ben," meaning "sons" or "children," emphasizing the familial and covenantal continuity of the priestly line. Aaron's descendants were entrusted with the sacred duties of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, symbolizing a direct connection to God's presence among His people.

from the Kohathite clans
The Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, the others being the Gershonites and the Merarites. The Kohathites were responsible for the most sacred aspects of the Tabernacle service, including the care of the Ark of the Covenant. The Hebrew word "mishpachah" for "clans" indicates a broader family group within the tribe, highlighting the organized structure of Israelite society. This structure ensured that the duties of worship and service were carried out with precision and reverence.

of the Levites
The Levites were the tribe set apart for religious duties and service to God. The Hebrew root "Levi" means "joined" or "attached," reflecting their role as intermediaries between God and the people of Israel. The Levites did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself and the service of His sanctuary. This unique position underscores the spiritual calling and dedication required of those who serve in God's presence.

because the first lot fell to them
The casting of lots was a common biblical method for discerning God's will, particularly in the distribution of land and responsibilities. The "first lot" falling to the descendants of Aaron signifies divine choice and favor, as well as the primacy of their priestly duties. The Hebrew word "goral" for "lot" conveys the idea of a portion or destiny assigned by God. This process ensured that the allocation of duties and lands was perceived as fair and divinely ordained, reinforcing the belief in God's sovereign guidance over the affairs of His people.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
to the descendants
לִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֔ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

from the Kohathite
הַקְּהָתִ֖י (haq·qə·hā·ṯî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6956: Kohathites -- descendant of Kohath

clans
מִמִּשְׁפְּח֥וֹת (mim·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of the Levites,
מִבְּנֵ֣י (mib·bə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the first
רִיאשֹׁנָֽה׃ (rî·šō·nāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

lot
הַגּוֹרָ֖ל (hag·gō·w·rāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

fell
הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

to them:
לָהֶ֛ם (lā·hem)
Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They


Links
Joshua 21:10 NIV
Joshua 21:10 NLT
Joshua 21:10 ESV
Joshua 21:10 NASB
Joshua 21:10 KJV

Joshua 21:10 BibleApps.com
Joshua 21:10 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 21:10 Chinese Bible
Joshua 21:10 French Bible
Joshua 21:10 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 21:10 And they were for the children (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 21:9
Top of Page
Top of Page