Old Testament
Joshua 21:19
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
In total, the children of Aaron, who were priests, received thirteen cities with their surrounding lands.
Compare translations
All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
What Joshua 21:19 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we learn that the descendants of Aaron, who served as priests, were given a total of thirteen cities along with the surrounding lands. This allocation was part of the larger distribution of land among the tribes of Israel after they entered the Promised Land. The cities provided the priests with places to live and serve, ensuring that they had the necessary resources to fulfill their religious duties. The mention of 'suburbs' indicates that these cities were not just isolated locations but included surrounding areas that could support the priests and their families. This arrangement highlights the importance of the priestly role in Israelite society and God's provision for those who dedicated their lives to spiritual leadership and service. It also reflects the organized structure of the Israelite community, where each tribe and family had specific roles and responsibilities, ensuring that the worship of God was maintained throughout the land.
How to apply Joshua 21:19 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of supporting those who serve in spiritual leadership roles. Just as the priests were provided for, we should ensure that our leaders have the resources they need to fulfill their responsibilities. This can involve financial support, encouragement, and active participation in community life.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Joshua 21:19
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Joshua 21:19
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Joshua
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 21:19 mean?
Joshua 21:19 explains that the descendants of Aaron, who were the priests, received thirteen cities along with their surrounding lands. This allocation was part of the land distribution among the tribes of Israel, ensuring that the priests had places to live and serve.
What is the significance of the cities given to Aaron's descendants in Joshua 21:19?
The cities given to Aaron's descendants highlight the importance of the priestly role in Israelite society. It shows how God provided for those dedicated to spiritual leadership, ensuring they had the resources needed to fulfill their duties.
What does 'suburbs' refer to in Joshua 21:19?
In Joshua 21:19, 'suburbs' refers to the surrounding lands of the cities allocated to the priests. This indicates that the cities were not isolated but included additional areas that could support the priests and their families.
How does Joshua 21:19 relate to community structure?
Joshua 21:19 illustrates the organized structure of the Israelite community, where specific roles and responsibilities were assigned to each tribe and family. This arrangement ensured that the worship of God was maintained throughout the land.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.