Joshua 21: Group Study Handout

Overview

The heads of the Levite families approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua at Shiloh, asking for cities to inhabit as commanded by Yahweh (vv. 1-2). The Israelites complied, giving the Levites cities and their suburbs (vv.

Key verse

“So Yahweh gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers. They possessed it, and lived in it.”

Joshua 21:43 (WEB)

Outline

1. Joshua 21:1–2 Levites Request Cities
2. Joshua 21:3–8 Cities Given to the Levites
3. Joshua 21:9–19 Cities for the Kohathites
4. Joshua 21:20–26 Cities for Other Kohathites
5. Joshua 21:27–33 Cities for Gershonites
6. Joshua 21:34–40 Cities for Merarites
7. Joshua 21:41–45 Total Cities and God's Faithfulness

Discussion questions

1. In v3, what command does Yahweh give regarding the Levites' cities?
2. What cities are mentioned in v10 that were given to the children of Aaron?
3. The lot in v4: what does it indicate about the distribution of land among the Levites?
4. In v43, what does the phrase 'all the land which he swore' imply about God's promises?
5. When have you experienced a community providing for your needs like the Levites' cities in v3?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Joshua 21: 1 Chronicles 6, 1 Kings 8, Joshua 20.

Before next time: read Joshua 22.