CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 21:41 For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/21-41.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/06_Jos_21_41.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 21:41 - Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joshua/21-41.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joshua/21-41.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joshua/">Joshua</a> > <a href="/joshua/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 41</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/21-40.htm" title="Joshua 21:40">◄</a> Joshua 21:41 <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm" title="Joshua 21:42">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The total number of towns and pasturelands within Israelite territory given to the Levites came to forty-eight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel <i>were</i> forty and eight cities with their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel <i>were</i> forty-eight cities with their common-lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the property of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Within the Israelite possession there were forty-eight cities in all with their pasturelands for the Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Within the Israelite possession there were 48 cities in all with their pasturelands for the Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Within the territory owned by the Israelites there were 48 cities in all for Levi's descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All of the cities of the descendants of Levi that had been set apart among the territorial possession of the Israelis totaled 48, along with their pasture lands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Levites received within the land owned by the Israelites forty-eight cities in all and their grazing areas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites among the possessions of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel [are] forty-eight cities, and their outskirts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel are forty and eight cities, and their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br /><RF q=*><font color=#808080><i>The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for </i></font><i><font color=#0000FF> <a href=#>Josh 21:39</a></i></font><Rf>All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel, forty and eight cities and their areas.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So all the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 21:39> And so all the cities of the Levites, in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel, were forty-eight,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus the total number of cities within the territory of the Israelites which, with their pasture lands, belonged to the Levites, was forty-eight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The towns of the Levites within the holdings of the Israelites were in all forty-eight towns with their pasture lands.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all these cities of the Levites within the inheritance are of the children of Israel, and the cities of Levi were forty and eight and their fields<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites--forty and eight cities with the open land about them--shall be in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel, <i>were</i> forty-eight cities, and their suburbs round about these cities:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/21-41.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=5561" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm">Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">40</span>In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans. <span class="reftext">41</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·wî·yim (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">For the Levites, then,</a> <a href="/hebrew/705.htm" title="705: ’ar·bā·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Forty. Multiple of arba'; forty.">there were forty-eight</a> <a href="/hebrew/8083.htm" title="8083: ū·šə·mō·neh (Conj-w:: Number-fs) -- Or shmowneh; feminine shmonah; or shmownah; apparently from shamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight; also eighth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rê (N-fpc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">in all,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4054.htm" title="4054: ū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3fp) -- Also feminine migrashah; from garash; a suburb; hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea.">together with their pasturelands,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">within</a> <a href="/hebrew/272.htm" title="272: ’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ (N-fsc) -- A possession. Feminine passive participle from 'achaz; something seized, i.e. A possession.">the territory</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of the Israelites.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rîm (N-fp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense."></a> </span><span class="reftext">42</span>Each of these cities had its own surrounding pasturelands; this was true for all the cities.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Numbers 35:1-8</a></span><br />Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: / “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">Deuteronomy 18:1-2</a></span><br />The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-54.htm">1 Chronicles 6:54-81</a></span><br />Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-32.htm">Leviticus 25:32-34</a></span><br />As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-20.htm">Numbers 18:20-24</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8-9</a></span><br />At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. / That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm">1 Kings 8:4</a></span><br />and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-15.htm">2 Chronicles 31:15-19</a></span><br />Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike. / In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older—to all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties for service in the responsibilities of their divisions— / and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/11-20.htm">Nehemiah 11:20</a></span><br />The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the villages of Judah, each on his own inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-28.htm">Ezekiel 44:28-30</a></span><br />In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession. / They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them. / The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-5.htm">Hebrews 7:5</a></span><br />Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-9.htm">Hebrews 7:9-10</a></span><br />And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. / For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6-10</a></span><br />When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-10.htm">Hebrews 13:10</a></span><br />We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-4.htm">Acts 6:4</a></span><br />and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.</p><p class="hdg">within</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Genesis 49:7</a></b></br> Cursed <i>be</i> their anger, for <i>it was</i> fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Numbers 35:1-8</a></b></br> And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan <i>near</i> Jericho, saying, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Deuteronomy 33:10</a></b></br> They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/21-40.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/21-40.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-14.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/joshua/8-26.htm">Held</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-40.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/joshua/19-49.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/joshua/21-39.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/21-39.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/21-39.htm">Pasturelands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-12.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/joshua/21-39.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/19-47.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/joshua/21-39.htm">Together</a> <a href="/joshua/21-40.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/joshua/19-9.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/22-9.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/judges/4-5.htm">Held</a> <a href="/joshua/21-43.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/22-13.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-15.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/joshua/22-31.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm">Pasturelands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-43.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/24-30.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/joshua/22-12.htm">Together</a> <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/judges/2-9.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Forty-eight cities given by lot, out of the other tribes unto the Levites.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/21-43.htm">God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all</b><br>The Levites were the priestly tribe of Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to God. Unlike the other tribes, they did not receive a contiguous territory but were given cities scattered throughout the land of Israel. This distribution ensured that the Levites could fulfill their role as spiritual leaders and teachers among all the tribes. The number forty-eight is significant, as it represents completeness and provision for the Levites' needs. This arrangement also reflects God's provision and care for those dedicated to His service, ensuring they had a place to live and resources to sustain them.<p><b>together with their pasturelands</b><br>The inclusion of pasturelands with the cities provided the Levites with the means to sustain themselves and their families. These lands were necessary for grazing livestock, which was a primary source of food and economic stability. The provision of pasturelands highlights the practical aspects of God's law, ensuring that those who served Him had their material needs met. This arrangement also allowed the Levites to remain focused on their spiritual duties without the distraction of seeking additional resources.<p><b>within the territory of the Israelites</b><br>The cities of the Levites were strategically located within the territories of the other tribes of Israel. This placement facilitated the Levites' role as teachers of the Law and mediators between God and the people. By living among the Israelites, the Levites could influence and guide the spiritual life of the nation. This distribution also symbolizes the integration of worship and daily life, as the presence of the Levites served as a constant reminder of God's covenant and the importance of obedience to His commandments.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>The tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service to God. They did not receive a specific territory like the other tribes but were given cities and pasturelands throughout Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_of_refuge.htm">Cities of Refuge</a></b><br>Among the cities given to the Levites were the cities of refuge, which provided asylum for those who accidentally committed manslaughter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The collective tribes of Israel who were allotted the Promised Land, with each tribe receiving a portion except for the Levites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pasturelands.htm">Pasturelands</a></b><br>The lands surrounding the cities given to the Levites for their livestock, ensuring their sustenance and ability to perform their duties.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and which was divided among the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_for_his_servants.htm">God's Provision for His Servants</a></b><br>The allocation of cities and pasturelands to the Levites demonstrates God's provision for those dedicated to His service. It reminds us that God provides for our needs when we commit our lives to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>The Levites were scattered among the tribes to provide spiritual guidance and instruction. This highlights the importance of having spiritual leaders within our communities to guide us in faith and practice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The Israelites were responsible for supporting the Levites, teaching us the importance of supporting those who serve in ministry and ensuring they have the resources needed to fulfill their calling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integration_of_faith_in_daily_life.htm">Integration of Faith in Daily Life</a></b><br>The presence of the Levites throughout Israel served as a constant reminder of God's presence and the need to integrate faith into daily life. We are called to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_num_18_20-24_conflict_on_levite_land.htm">Does the inheritance prohibition in Numbers 18:20–24 conflict with other passages that suggest Levites owned cities or land, indicating a possible textual inconsistency? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_all_tribes_give_cities_to_levites_peacefully.htm">How plausible is it that every tribe simultaneously relinquished these cities to the Levites (Joshua 21:8-16) without recorded opposition?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_levi's_landlessness_align_biblically.htm">How does Deuteronomy 10:8's statement that Levi had no land inheritance align with inherited lands described in other biblical texts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_joshua_21_cities_conflict_with_14-20.htm">Do the cities assigned in Joshua 21 conflict with the earlier tribal boundaries in Joshua 14-20?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/21-41.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So in all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֚ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there were forty-eight</span><br /><span class="heb">אַרְבָּעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·bā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_705.htm">Strong's 705: </a> </span><span class="str2">Forty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cities</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the Levites,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְוִיִּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">along with their pasturelands,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4054.htm">Strong's 4054: </a> </span><span class="str2">A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea</span><br /><br /><span class="word">within</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּת֖וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the territory</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֻזַּ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_272.htm">Strong's 272: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something seized, a possession</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Israelites.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/21-41.htm">Joshua 21:41 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/21-41.htm">OT History: Joshua 21:41 All the cities of the Levites (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/21-40.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 21:40"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:40" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/21-42.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 21:42"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:42" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>