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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 the Israelites allotted to the Levites these towns and their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So the Israelites obeyed the LORD’s command to Moses and assigned these towns and pasturelands to the Levites by casting sacred lots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />These cities and their pasturelands the people of Israel gave by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these cities, together with their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<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 by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the sons of Israel gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their pasture lands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the sons of Israel gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their pasture lands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the sons of Israel gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their pasture lands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<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 by lot to the Levites these cities with their pasture lands, as Yahweh had commanded by the hand of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Israel gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their pasture lands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites gave these cities with their pasturelands around them to the Levites by lot, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites gave these cities with their pasturelands around them to the Levites by lot, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. <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 by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as Jehovah commanded by Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD had told Moses that he would show the Israelites which towns and pastures to give to the clans of Levi, and he did. <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 by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites gave these cities with pasturelands to Levi's descendants by drawing lots, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />By drawing lots, the people of Israel assigned these cities and their pasture lands to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The Israelis apportioned these cities, along with their pasture lands, to the descendants of Levi by random lot, just as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these cities, together with their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites assigned to the Levites by lot these cities and their grazing areas, as the LORD had instructed Moses. <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 these cities with their suburbs by lot to the Levites, as the LORD commanded by Moses.<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 by lot to the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.<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 these cities with their pasture lands by lot to the Levites, as Yahweh commanded by Moses. <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 these cities and their outskirts to the Levites, as YHWH commanded by the hand of Moses, by lot.<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 these cities and their suburbs, as Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses, by lot.<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 these cities and their areas, as Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses, by lot.<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 to the Levites the cities and their suburbs, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, giving to every one by lot. <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 to the Levites, just as the Lord instructed by the hand of Moses, distributing to each by lot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />These cities with their pasture lands the Israelites gave by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />These towns and their pasture lands the Israelites gave by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.<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 by lot to the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD had commanded Moses.<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 to the Levites these cities and their fields in lots, just as LORD JEHOVAH commanded Moshe<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 by lot unto the Levites these cities with the open land about them, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities and their suburbs, as the Lord commanded Moses, by lot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/21-8.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=5331" 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">7</span>And the descendants of Merari received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">So 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.">allotted</a> <a href="/hebrew/1486.htm" title="1486: bag·gō·w·rāl (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Or goral; from an unused root meaning to be rough; properly, a pebble, i.e. A lot; figuratively, a portion or destiny."></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.">to the Levites</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/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these</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."></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/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.">together with their pasturelands,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</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.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">had commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yaḏ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">through</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>From the tribes of Judah and Simeon, they designated these cities by name…<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="/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="/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="/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_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2</a></span><br />While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-7.htm">Luke 10:7</a></span><br />Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-27.htm">Romans 15:27</a></span><br />They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/8-14.htm">2 Corinthians 8:14</a></span><br />At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">Galatians 6:6</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.</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 by lot to the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.</p><p class="hdg">by lot</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Joshua 21:3</a></b></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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/18-6.htm">Joshua 18:6</a></b></br> Ye shall therefore describe the land <i>into</i> seven parts, and bring <i>the description</i> hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/33-54.htm">Numbers 33:54</a></b></br> And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: <i>and</i> to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's <i>inheritance</i> shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.</p><p class="hdg">as the Lord</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/32-2.htm">Numbers 32:2</a></b></br> The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/21-6.htm">Allotted</a> <a href="/joshua/21-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/21-7.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/18-10.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-7.htm">Lot</a> <a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Pasturelands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/21-7.htm">Towns</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/21-9.htm">Allotted</a> <a href="/joshua/21-9.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/21-9.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/joshua/22-2.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/24-22.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/joshua/21-44.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/joshua/21-41.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/21-41.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/23-4.htm">Lot</a> <a href="/joshua/22-2.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/joshua/21-11.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/21-11.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/21-16.htm">Pasturelands</a> <a href="/joshua/21-11.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/joshua/21-9.htm">Towns</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 the Israelites allotted to the Levites these cities</b><br>The allocation of cities to the Levites fulfilled a divine mandate, ensuring that the priestly tribe had places to dwell among the other tribes. This distribution reflects the Levites' unique role as spiritual leaders and mediators between God and Israel. The Levites did not receive a contiguous territory like other tribes, emphasizing their dependence on God and the community for sustenance. This arrangement also facilitated their service in the tabernacle and later the temple, as they were spread throughout the land, making religious instruction and worship accessible to all Israelites.<p><b>together with their pasturelands</b><br>The inclusion of pasturelands was essential for the Levites' sustenance, as they did not have a large inheritance of land for agriculture. These lands provided for their livestock, which was a primary source of food and resources. This provision ensured that the Levites could focus on their spiritual duties without the burden of agricultural labor. The pasturelands also symbolize God's provision and care for those dedicated to His service, reflecting a principle seen throughout Scripture where God provides for those who serve Him.<p><b>as the LORD had commanded through Moses</b><br>This phrase underscores the divine origin of the Levites' inheritance, highlighting obedience to God's commands as delivered through Moses. It reflects the continuity of God's covenant promises and the importance of adhering to His instructions. The command given through Moses can be traced back to passages such as <a href="/numbers/35.htm">Numbers 35:1-8</a>, where God outlines the provision of cities for the Levites. This obedience to divine command is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of following God's will as revealed through His prophets and leaders.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were chosen by God to be His people and were given the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service to God. They were not given a specific territory like the other tribes but were instead given cities to live in.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities_and_pasturelands.htm">Cities and Pasturelands</a></b><br>Specific areas within the Promised Land designated for the Levites to inhabit and use for their livestock, as they did not receive a large inheritance of land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who directed the distribution of the land and the allocation of cities to the Levites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, receiving God's laws and instructions, including those concerning the Levites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_order.htm">God's Provision and Order</a></b><br>God ensures that all His people, including those dedicated to His service, are provided for. The Levites' cities and pasturelands demonstrate God's care and order in community life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_spiritual_leaders.htm">Role of Spiritual Leaders</a></b><br>The Levites' unique role reminds us of the importance of spiritual leadership and service within the community of faith. They were set apart to focus on worship and teaching, a model for church leaders today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The other tribes' support of the Levites illustrates the principle of mutual care and responsibility within the body of believers. We are called to support those who minister among us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites' obedience in allotting the cities as commanded by God through Moses serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from following God's instructions.<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/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/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_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/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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/21-8.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 the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵֽי־</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">allotted</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ</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">to the Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">לַלְוִיִּ֔ם</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">along with their pasturelands,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ן</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">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֛ה</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">had commanded</span><br /><span class="heb">צִוָּ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣiw·wāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיַד־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yaḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/21-8.htm">Joshua 21:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">OT History: Joshua 21:8 The children of Israel gave these cities (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/21-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 21:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/21-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 21:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:9" /></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>