Joshua 21:21

Verse

they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer,

American Standard Version (1901)

And they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in the hill-country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with its suburbs,

Bible in Basic English

And they gave them Shechem with its grass-lands in the hill-country of Ephraim, the town where the taker of life might be safe, and Gezer with its grass-lands;

Free Bible Version

Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a sanctuary town for those who accidentally committed murder), Gezer,

Geneva Bible 1599

They gaue them the citie of refuge for the slaier, Shechem with her suburbes in mount Ephraim, and Gezer with her suburbes,

King James (Authorized) Version

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,

Translation for Translators

Those cities were Shechem (which was one of the cities to which people could run/escape to be safe/protected), Gezer,

Unlocked Literal Bible

To them were given Shechem with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim—a city of refuge for any who killed a person unintentionally—Gezer with its pasturelands,

Noah Webster Bible

For they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with its suburbs,

World English Bible

They gave them Shechem with its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Gezer with its pasture lands,

Young's Literal Translation

and they give to them the city of refuge [for] the man-slayer, Shechem and its suburbs, in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Gezer and its suburbs,

Context

Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites

²⁰The remaining Kohathite clans of the Levites were allotted these cities: From the tribe of Ephraim²¹they were given Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Gezer,²²Kibzaim, and Beth-horon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.

Summary

In Joshua 21:21, we see the fulfillment of God's promise to the Levites as they receive their allotted cities. This verse highlights the faithfulness of God in providing for His people and honoring His covenant with them. The Levites, who were set apart for service to the Lord, were given cities where they could dwell securely and carry out their priestly duties. This passage serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and caring for those who are dedicated to His service.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

For they gave them Shechem, with her suburbs, in Mount Ephraim,.... Of which see Jos 20:7, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; which being on a mountain, was the more conspicuous, and the fitter for this purpose, as was Hebron in the hill country of Judea, Jos 21:11; this is the second; city of refuge mentioned: and Gezer with her suburbs: a place from whence the Canaanites were not expelled; See Gill on Jos 16:10.