For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
Study Helps
Interpretation
By mixing the Levites with the other tribes, they were made to see that the eyes of all Israel were upon them, and therefore it was their concern to walk so that their ministry might not be blamed. Every tribe had its share of Levites' cities.
Read with
This thought runs through Joshua 21:20-24.
Glossary
- City People
- The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
- Gezer Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Gezer.
- Shechem Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Balatah.