Golan in Bashan was given to the sons of Gershon as a city of refuge, illustrating God’s provision for both spiritual leadership and legal protection in Israel.
“To the sons of Gershon, one of the families of the Levites, from the half-tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, and Be-eshterah with its pasture lands; two cities.” (v.27). In this verse, Joshua continues distributing specific towns to the Levites so they can dwell among God’s people and serve as spiritual leaders. The Levites were set apart for priestly duties rather than given a large tribal territory, so they received scattered cities throughout Israel. Here, the text focuses on the sons of Gershon, a branch of the Levite tribe, receiving portions from the land allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
By granting Golan in Bashan to the Gershonites, Joshua designated it as “the city of refuge for the manslayer” (v.27). A city of refuge was a sanctuary where someone who unintentionally took a life could flee for legal protection until due process took place. Located to the east of the Jordan River, Golan served the region of Bashan and was recognized as one of the six refuge cities throughout Israel. It also came with additional pasture lands to sustain the Levites’ livestock and support their livelihood. This assignment fulfilled God’s command that the Levites be provided for in every corner of the Promised Land, reflecting His desire that spiritual service be woven into the daily life of the Israelites.
Be-eshterah was the other city allocated to the Gershonites as part of this verse. Like Golan, it had adjoining land for the Levites to dwell in and maintain cattle. Both cities symbolized the justice and mercy God offered His people: mercy in granting refuge to the innocent until trial, and justice in prescribing a fair hearing for all. Through these Levitical cities, the presence of spiritual leadership and legal sanctuary was embedded in Israel’s territory, reminding them continually that the LORD desired a society guided by righteousness, compassion, and holiness.
Golan in Bashan and Be-eshterah remind us that God provided the Levites with both the responsibility and the resources to serve His people, ensuring that every tribe had access to justice and to those committed to teaching and upholding His ways.
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Joshua 21:27 meaning
“To the sons of Gershon, one of the families of the Levites, from the half-tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, and Be-eshterah with its pasture lands; two cities.” (v.27). In this verse, Joshua continues distributing specific towns to the Levites so they can dwell among God’s people and serve as spiritual leaders. The Levites were set apart for priestly duties rather than given a large tribal territory, so they received scattered cities throughout Israel. Here, the text focuses on the sons of Gershon, a branch of the Levite tribe, receiving portions from the land allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
By granting Golan in Bashan to the Gershonites, Joshua designated it as “the city of refuge for the manslayer” (v.27). A city of refuge was a sanctuary where someone who unintentionally took a life could flee for legal protection until due process took place. Located to the east of the Jordan River, Golan served the region of Bashan and was recognized as one of the six refuge cities throughout Israel. It also came with additional pasture lands to sustain the Levites’ livestock and support their livelihood. This assignment fulfilled God’s command that the Levites be provided for in every corner of the Promised Land, reflecting His desire that spiritual service be woven into the daily life of the Israelites.
Be-eshterah was the other city allocated to the Gershonites as part of this verse. Like Golan, it had adjoining land for the Levites to dwell in and maintain cattle. Both cities symbolized the justice and mercy God offered His people: mercy in granting refuge to the innocent until trial, and justice in prescribing a fair hearing for all. Through these Levitical cities, the presence of spiritual leadership and legal sanctuary was embedded in Israel’s territory, reminding them continually that the LORD desired a society guided by righteousness, compassion, and holiness.
Golan in Bashan and Be-eshterah remind us that God provided the Levites with both the responsibility and the resources to serve His people, ensuring that every tribe had access to justice and to those committed to teaching and upholding His ways.