Joshua 21:16
“Ain with its suburbs, Juttah with its suburbs, and Beth Shemesh with its suburbs: nine cities out of those two tribes.”
What does Joshua 21:16 mean?
This verse is part of a detailed inventory of cities given to the Levites, who were set apart for religious service in ancient Israel. Since the Levites had no land inheritance of their own, God commanded that they receive specific cities scattered throughout the tribal territories where they could live and minister. Here Joshua is finishing the count of nine cities allocated from the territories of Judah and Benjamin, including places like Beth Shemesh (which means "house of the sun"). Each city came with surrounding pastureland where the Levites could keep their animals. While the names and numbers might seem dry, they reflect God's practical care for those dedicated to spiritual work, ensuring they had homes and resources to sustain their calling.