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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 />So, as the LORD had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own inheritance:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So by the command of the LORD the people of Israel gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own grants of land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and 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 />So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, in accordance with the command of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, according to the command of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, according to the command of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, according to the command of Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these [forty-eight] cities and their pasture lands, in accordance with the command of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites, by the LORD’s command, gave the Levites these cities with their pasturelands from their inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites, by the LORD&#8217s command, gave the Levites these cities with their pasturelands from their inheritance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of Jehovah, these cities with their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Since the LORD had said this, the leaders of the other Israelite tribes agreed to give some of the towns and pastures from their tribal lands to Levi. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD, these 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 />So, as the LORD had instructed, Levi's descendants were given the following cities with pasturelands from the Israelites' inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So in accordance with the LORD's command the people of Israel gave the Levites certain cities and pasture lands out of their own territories. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So, just as the Lord had said, the Israelis set aside cities for the descendants of Levi from a portion of their own inheritances, along with their grazing lands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites assigned these cities and their grazing areas to the Levites from their own holdings, as the LORD had instructed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD, these 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 />And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of Yahweh, these 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 />And the sons of Israel give to the Levites, out of their inheritance, at the command of YHWH, these 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 /> And the sons of Israel give to the Levites, out of their inheritance, at the command of Jehovah, these 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 />And the sons of Israel will give to the Levites out of their inheritance at the mouth of Jehovah these 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 />And the children of Israel gave out of their possessions according to the commandment of the Lord, cities and their suburbs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so the sons of Israel gave cities and their suburbs from their possessions, in accord with the order of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Out of their own heritage, according to the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites the following cities with their pasture lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So by command of the LORD the Israelites gave to the Levites the following towns and pasture lands out of their inheritance.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and 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 the children of Israel gave these cities and their fields to the Levites from their inheritance, because of the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD, these cities with the open land about them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So the children of Israel gave to the Levites in their inheritance by the command of the Lord the cities and the country round.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/21-3.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=5279" 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">2</span>at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">So by</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî (N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">the command</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·tə·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: lal·wî·yim (Prep-l:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">the Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: he·‘ā·rîm (Art:: N-fp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/4054.htm" title="4054: miḡ·rə·šê·hen (N-mpc:: 3fp) -- Also feminine migrashah; from garash; a suburb; hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea.">their pasturelands</a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: min·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">out of their own inheritance:</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>The first lot came out for the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.…<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="/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="/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="/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="/ezekiel/44-28.htm">Ezekiel 44:28</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-62.htm">Numbers 26:62</a></span><br />The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-9.htm">Deuteronomy 10:9</a></span><br />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="/joshua/13-14.htm">Joshua 13:14</a></span><br />To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/14-3.htm">Joshua 14:3-4</a></span><br />For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. / The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/18-7.htm">Joshua 18:7</a></span><br />The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-34.htm">Acts 4:34-37</a></span><br />There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. / Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement), ...<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="/1_corinthians/9-13.htm">1 Corinthians 9:13-14</a></span><br />Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Matthew 10:10</a></span><br />Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.</p><p class="hdg">unto the Levites</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="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8-10</a></b></br> And of Levi he said, <i>Let</i> thy Thummim and thy Urim <i>be</i> with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, <i>and with</i> whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/6-54.htm">1 Chronicles 6:54-81</a></b></br> Now these <i>are</i> their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/joshua/19-50.htm">Command</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/19-50.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/joshua/19-48.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/20-2.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/18-21.htm">Order</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Pasturelands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/joshua/19-50.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/21-4.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/21-4.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/joshua/22-3.htm">Command</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/22-3.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/joshua/21-4.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/joshua/22-7.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-20.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Open</a> <a href="/judges/2-22.htm">Order</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Pasturelands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/21-4.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/joshua/22-9.htm">Word</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>So by the command of the LORD</b><br>This phrase emphasizes divine authority and obedience. The allocation of cities to the Levites was not a human decision but a directive from God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and His direct involvement in the affairs of Israel. The command underscores the importance of following God's instructions, as seen throughout the Pentateuch, where obedience to God's commands is a central theme (e.g., <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>).<p><b>the Israelites gave the Levites</b><br>The Levites were set apart for religious duties and did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes (<a href="/numbers/18-20.htm">Numbers 18:20-24</a>). Instead, they were given cities within the territories of other tribes. This arrangement highlights the communal responsibility of the Israelites to support the Levites, who served as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle. This system ensured that the Levites were integrated into the community, fostering spiritual guidance and teaching among the people.<p><b>these cities and their pasturelands</b><br>The cities provided to the Levites included surrounding pasturelands for their livestock, ensuring their sustenance. This provision reflects the practical needs of the Levites, who relied on the community for their livelihood. The inclusion of pasturelands also indicates a concern for the well-being of the Levites, allowing them to maintain their flocks and herds. This arrangement is reminiscent of God's provision for His people, as seen in the manna provided in the wilderness (Exodus 16).<p><b>out of their own inheritance</b><br>The phrase underscores the sacrificial nature of the Israelites' gift to the Levites. Each tribe gave from their own allotted land, demonstrating a willingness to share their inheritance for the sake of supporting the religious leaders. This act of giving is a model of generosity and communal responsibility, reflecting the principle of stewardship found throughout Scripture (e.g., <a href="/2_corinthians/9-7.htm">2 Corinthians 9:7</a>). It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of the church supporting its ministers (<a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17-18</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The collective descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were given the Promised Land as their inheritance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service to God. They did not receive a specific territory like the other tribes but were given cities to dwell in.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_and_pasturelands.htm">Cities and Pasturelands</a></b><br>Specific areas within the territories of the other tribes that were allocated to the Levites for their dwelling and sustenance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/inheritance.htm">Inheritance</a></b><br>The land apportioned to each tribe of Israel as their permanent possession, as promised by God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_command_of_the_lord.htm">The Command of the LORD</a></b><br>The divine directive given to the Israelites to allocate cities to the Levites, emphasizing obedience to God's instructions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites' allocation of cities to the Levites demonstrates their obedience to God's specific instructions. This teaches us the importance of following God's commands in our lives, even when it requires sacrifice or adjustment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/provision_for_god's_servants.htm">Provision for God's Servants</a></b><br>The Levites were provided for by the other tribes, illustrating the principle of supporting those who dedicate their lives to God's service. This can be applied today in how we support our church leaders and ministries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_interdependence.htm">Community and Interdependence</a></b><br>The distribution of cities among the tribes shows the interconnectedness and mutual support within the community of God's people. We are reminded of the importance of living in community and supporting one another.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/inheritance_and_stewardship.htm">Inheritance and Stewardship</a></b><br>The concept of inheritance in the Promised Land points to the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ. We are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us.<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/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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_early_israelites_offer_firstfruits.htm">How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_the_48_levitical_cities.htm">How can we confirm the historical accuracy of the 48 Levitical cities listed in Joshua 21:1–42, given limited archaeological evidence? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_levites'_lands_align_biblically.htm">In Joshua 14:3-4, how does the Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance align with other biblical passages that mention Levitical cities and lands?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Out of their inheritance.</span> Out of that of Israel (see note on ver. 1). <span class="cmt_word">These cities.</span> The number was forty-eight, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, four times twelve. Bahr ('Symbolik des Alten Testaments,' 1:221) remarks on the symbolical meaning of this number. He compares it, first, to the twelve tribes marching in four detachments, the ark of God and its guard in the centre (see <a href="/numbers/2.htm">Numbers 2</a>.). Four, he says, is the number of the world, and three the sign of God, and twelve of the combination of the two. Thus we are reminded of the heavenly city which "lieth four-square," which has "twelve foundations of precious stones," "twelve gates of pearls, and at the gates twelve angels," and the names of "the twelve tribes of Israel" written thereupon, and wherein was "the tree of life," with its "twelve manner of fruits," which were "yielded every month" (<a href="/revelation/21-12.htm">Revelation 21:12, 14, 16, 19, 21</a>; <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Revelation 22:2</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/21-3.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 by</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the command</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(pî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·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 /><br /><span class="word">gave</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">לַלְוִיִּ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(lal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | 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">these</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵ֖לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cities</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶעָרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<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">and their pasturelands</span><br /><span class="heb">מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(miḡ·rə·šê·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">out of their own inheritance:</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנַּחֲלָתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(min·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">OT History: Joshua 21:3 The children of Israel gave to (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/21-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 21:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/21-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 21:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:4" /></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>