“And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,”
Context: The book of Joshua recounts the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua, following the death of Moses. In Joshua 21, the distribution of the Levitical cities among the various tribes of Israel is described. These cities were given to the Levites as their inheritance, as they did not receive a separate portion of land like the other tribes.
The tribe of Issachar: The verse specifically mentions the tribe of Issachar. Issachar was one of the twelve tribes of Israel and was allotted a portion of land in the Promised Land. The Levitical city mentioned here, Kishon, and its surrounding suburbs were given to the Levites from the tribe of Issachar.
The Levites: The Levites were descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. They were set apart as the priestly tribe and were responsible for the religious duties in Israel. They did not receive a specific inheritance of land, but instead, they were given forty-eight cities dispersed throughout the territories of the other tribes. These cities served as dwelling places for the Levites and their families.
Kishon and Dabareh: In this verse, two specific Levitical cities are mentioned: Kishon and Dabareh. These cities were assigned to the Levites from the tribe of Issachar. The exact locations of these cities are not known with certainty today, as their ancient names might have changed over time.
Spiritual lessons: While this verse may seem relatively straightforward and focused on the distribution of cities, it highlights some important spiritual principles:
- God’s faithfulness: The allocation of cities to the Levites reminds us of God’s faithfulness in providing for His servants. Even though the Levites did not possess their own land, God ensured that they had cities where they could dwell and carry out their priestly duties. This serves as a reminder that God always takes care of His chosen people.
- Unity and cooperation: The division of the Promised Land among the tribes required cooperation and unity among the Israelites. Each tribe had to contribute to the establishment of the Levitical cities, including those assigned to other tribes. This teaches us the importance of working together in harmony for the greater good of the community.
- God’s order and provision: God had a specific plan for the distribution of the Levitical cities. He ordained that certain cities were to be assigned to particular tribes. This demonstrates God’s order and provision in organizing His people and ensuring that each tribe played a role in supporting the Levites and the religious life of Israel.
In conclusion, Joshua 21:28 highlights the allocation of the Levitical cities to the tribe of Issachar, specifically mentioning Kishon and Dabareh. This verse reminds us of God’s faithfulness, the significance of unity and cooperation, and God’s order and provision for His people.
