Joshua 21:38 - Out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Mahanaim with its suburbs,

Generated Verse: Joshua 21:38

What does "Joshua 21:38" mean?


Joshua 21 describes how the Levites, who didn't receive a specific territorial inheritance like the other tribes of Israel, were assigned cities to live in scattered throughout the various tribal lands. These cities were to provide them with dwelling places and pastureland for their livestock.

Joshua 21:38, "Out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Mahanaim with its suburbs," means the following:

"Out of the tribe of Gad...": This indicates that the following cities were located within the territory allotted to the tribe of Gad. Gad was one of the tribes of Israel that settled east of the Jordan River.
"Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs...": Ramoth (or Ramoth-Gilead) was a significant city in the region of Gilead, known for its strategic importance and later for its history of conflict. The phrase "with its suburbs" refers to the surrounding land and smaller settlements that were part of the city's area of influence.
"...the city of refuge for the man slayer...": This is a crucial element. Ramoth-Gilead was designated as one of the "cities of refuge" established according to Mosaic Law (Numbers 35). These cities provided sanctuary for individuals who had accidentally killed someone. If a person accidentally caused a death, they could flee to a city of refuge to escape the vengeance of the victim's family until a proper trial could be held.
"and Mahanaim with its suburbs": Mahanaim was another city within the Gad territory. Like Ramoth, it also had associated land ("suburbs") for the Levites' use. Mahanaim was an important place historically, being the site where Jacob encountered angels (Genesis 32:2).

In summary, Joshua 21:38 describes the allocation of two cities, Ramoth-Gilead (specifically designated a city of refuge) and Mahanaim, along with their surrounding areas, to the Levites within the territory of the tribe of Gad. The cities would provide the Levites with a place to live and fulfill their religious duties. The mention of Ramoth as a city of refuge highlights the importance of God's provision for justice and protection, even in cases of accidental manslaughter.

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