This verse shows that God’s people carefully obeyed His command to provide cities for the Levites, highlighting unity, justice, and mercy.
The text says, “From the tribe of Gad they gave Ramoth in Gilead, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, and Mahanaim with its pasture lands” (v.38). In this verse, the tribe of Gad, whose ancestor Gad was born to Jacob around 1800 BC, provides two cities in their territory for the Levites. These cities—Ramoth in Gilead and Mahanaim—are in the region east of the Jordan River, commonly called Gilead. In ancient times, Gilead was known for its lush landscapes and fertile ground, situated roughly north and east of the Dead Sea. Ramoth, perched in the rugged territory of Gilead, served as a city of refuge set apart for those who had committed manslaughter by accident, ensuring a fair hearing (Numbers 35). Mahanaim, another city within Gad’s borders, is mentioned here with its surrounding pasture lands, indicating how the Levites would be supported through these resources.
When the passage mentions “Ramoth in Gilead, the city of refuge for the manslayer” (v.38), it highlights God’s provision of mercy within Israel’s legal system, which foreshadows the ultimate refuge we find in Christ (Hebrews 6:18). Setting up these cities of refuge reveals the LORD’s desire for order and protection in Israel’s society. Ramoth in Gilead continued to play a role in Israel’s history, including moments of conflict recounted in later books, demonstrating how these strategic locations influenced military and spiritual developments across centuries.
The phrase, “Mahanaim with its pasture lands” (v.38), reflects the practical need to ensure that the Levites, who had no separate tribal territory, had space for their livestock. The Levites’ calling was to teach and uphold the law, and their circle of influence expanded across these sprinkled locations. Through these cities among various tribes, the LORD unified His people, creating a deeper sense of shared responsibility. Each tribe contributed to the Levites’ well-being, reinforcing everyone’s reliance on God’s instructions and communal worship.
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Joshua 21:38 meaning
The text says, “From the tribe of Gad they gave Ramoth in Gilead, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, and Mahanaim with its pasture lands” (v.38). In this verse, the tribe of Gad, whose ancestor Gad was born to Jacob around 1800 BC, provides two cities in their territory for the Levites. These cities—Ramoth in Gilead and Mahanaim—are in the region east of the Jordan River, commonly called Gilead. In ancient times, Gilead was known for its lush landscapes and fertile ground, situated roughly north and east of the Dead Sea. Ramoth, perched in the rugged territory of Gilead, served as a city of refuge set apart for those who had committed manslaughter by accident, ensuring a fair hearing (Numbers 35). Mahanaim, another city within Gad’s borders, is mentioned here with its surrounding pasture lands, indicating how the Levites would be supported through these resources.
When the passage mentions “Ramoth in Gilead, the city of refuge for the manslayer” (v.38), it highlights God’s provision of mercy within Israel’s legal system, which foreshadows the ultimate refuge we find in Christ (Hebrews 6:18). Setting up these cities of refuge reveals the LORD’s desire for order and protection in Israel’s society. Ramoth in Gilead continued to play a role in Israel’s history, including moments of conflict recounted in later books, demonstrating how these strategic locations influenced military and spiritual developments across centuries.
The phrase, “Mahanaim with its pasture lands” (v.38), reflects the practical need to ensure that the Levites, who had no separate tribal territory, had space for their livestock. The Levites’ calling was to teach and uphold the law, and their circle of influence expanded across these sprinkled locations. Through these cities among various tribes, the LORD unified His people, creating a deeper sense of shared responsibility. Each tribe contributed to the Levites’ well-being, reinforcing everyone’s reliance on God’s instructions and communal worship.