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<!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 21:2 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/21-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/06_Jos_21_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 21:2 - Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, The LORD commanded through Moses that we be 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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 />at Shiloh in Canaan and said to them, &#8220The LORD commanded through Moses that you give us towns to live in, with pasturelands for our livestock.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They came to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us towns to live in and pasturelands for our livestock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for our livestock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to live in, with their pasture lands for our cattle.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, &#8220The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to live in, with their pasture lands for our cattle.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to live in, with their pasture lands for our cattle.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “Yahweh commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to live in, with their pasture lands for our cattle.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us cities to live in, with their pasture lands for our cattle.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, they told them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to live in, with their pasturelands for our livestock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, they told them, &#8220The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to live in, with their pasturelands for our livestock.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, Jehovah commanded Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />at Shiloh in Canaan. They said to them, "The LORD commanded through Moses that we should receive cities to live in and pasturelands for our livestock."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There at Shiloh in the land of Canaan they said to them, "The LORD commanded through Moses that we were to be given cities to live in, as well as pasture land around them for our livestock." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It was at Shiloh in the land of Canaan that they told them, "The LORD ordered through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, along with their pasture lands for our livestock."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />in Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said, "The LORD told Moses to assign us cities in which to live along with the grazing areas for our cattle."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our livestock."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “Yahweh commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their pasture lands for our livestock.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they speak to them in Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, saying, “YHWH commanded by the hand of Moses to give to us cities to dwell in, and their outskirts for our livestock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they speak unto them in Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, saying, 'Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses to give to us cities to dwell in, and their suburbs for our cattle.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will speak to them in Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses to give to us cities to dwell in, and their pastures for our cattle.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they spoke to them in Silo in the land of Chanaan, and said: The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, that cities should be given us to dwell in, and their suburbs to feed our cattle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they spoke to them at Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, and they said, “The Lord instructed, by the hand of Moses, that cities should be given to us as habitations, with their suburbs to nourish our cattle.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, and said to them, “The LORD commanded, through Moses, that cities be given us to dwell in, with pasture lands for our livestock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given towns to live in, along with their pasture lands for our livestock.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they said to them in Shiloh in the land of Canaan: “LORD JEHOVAH commanded by the hand of Moshe to give us cities to dwell in, and their fields for our cattle<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and they spoke unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying: 'The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the open land thereabout for our cattle.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they spoke to them in Selo in the land of Chanaan, saying, The Lord gave commandment by Moses to give us cities to dwell in, and the country round about for our cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/21-2.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=5266" 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">1</span>Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7887.htm" title="7887: bə·ši·lōh (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A city in Ephraim. Or Shiloh; or Shiylow; or Shilow; from the same as Shiyloh; Shiloh, a place in Palestine.">at Shiloh</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bə·’e·reṣ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/3667.htm" title="3667: kə·na·‘an (N-proper-ms) -- From kana'; humiliated; Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him.">of Canaan</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">and said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">to them,</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.">commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ḇə·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> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: lā·ṯeṯ- (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">that we be given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></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.">cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: lā·šā·ḇeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">in which to live,</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 pasturelands</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: liḇ·hem·tê·nū (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 1cp) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">for our livestock.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance:…<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/35-2.htm">Numbers 35:2-8</a></span><br />“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. / The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. ...<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="/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="/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/48-8.htm">Ezekiel 48:8-14</a></span><br />Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary. / The special portion you set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. / This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5-7</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-26.htm">1 Kings 2:26-27</a></span><br />Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” / So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/11-13.htm">2 Chronicles 11:13-14</a></span><br />Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. / For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-10.htm">Nehemiah 13:10-11</a></span><br />I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. / So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,<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="/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="/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="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17-18</a></span><br />Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. / For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.</p><p class="hdg">Shiloh</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/18-1.htm">Joshua 18:1</a></b></br> And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.</p><p class="hdg">The Lord</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-2.htm">Numbers 35:2-8</a></b></br> Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give <i>also</i> unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/48-9.htm">Ezekiel 48:9-18</a></b></br> The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD <i>shall be</i> of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Matthew 10:10</a></b></br> Nor scrip for <i>your</i> journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/14-1.htm">Canaan</a> <a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/joshua/20-9.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/joshua/19-50.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/20-6.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/joshua/20-9.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/joshua/11-14.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/joshua/20-2.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/14-5.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Shiloh</a> <a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/luke/24-4.htm">Thereabout</a> <a href="/joshua/19-49.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/joshua/20-2.htm">Towns</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/22-9.htm">Canaan</a> <a href="/joshua/22-8.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/21-43.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/joshua/22-8.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/joshua/21-8.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/22-2.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/joshua/22-9.htm">Shiloh</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/luke/24-4.htm">Thereabout</a> <a href="/joshua/21-11.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.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>at Shiloh in the land of Canaan</b><br>Shiloh was a significant religious center for the Israelites, serving as the location of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant after the conquest of Canaan. It was situated in the hill country of Ephraim, centrally located in the land of Canaan, which was the Promised Land given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Shiloh's role as a spiritual hub underscores its importance in Israel's early history, serving as a place of worship and decision-making. The choice of Shiloh reflects God's presence and guidance among His people during this period.<p><b>and said to them,</b><br>This phrase indicates a formal communication or request, likely involving the leaders of the tribes of Israel. The context suggests a gathering of the Israelites, possibly the elders or representatives, to address a matter of communal importance. The act of speaking to the leaders at Shiloh emphasizes the organized structure of Israelite society and the importance of following divine instructions.<p><b>“The LORD commanded through Moses</b><br>This reference to a command from the LORD through Moses highlights the continuity of God's covenant and instructions from the time of the Exodus to the settlement in Canaan. It underscores the authority of Moses as God's chosen leader and prophet, whose words and actions were directed by divine mandate. This continuity is crucial for maintaining the unity and identity of the Israelite community as they settle in the Promised Land.<p><b>that we be given cities in which to live,</b><br>The request for cities reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to provide for the Levites, who were set apart for religious duties and did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, they were to be given specific cities within the territories of the other tribes. This arrangement ensured that the Levites could perform their priestly functions throughout Israel, maintaining the spiritual health of the nation.<p><b>together with pasturelands for our livestock.”</b><br>The inclusion of pasturelands was necessary for the Levites' sustenance, as they relied on livestock for food and economic stability. This provision reflects God's care for the practical needs of those dedicated to His service. The allocation of pasturelands also ensured that the Levites could remain focused on their religious duties without the distraction of seeking additional means of support. This arrangement highlights the integration of spiritual and practical aspects of life in Israel, ensuring that the Levites could fulfill their roles effectively.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/shiloh.htm">Shiloh</a></b><br>A significant city in the land of Canaan where the Israelites set up the Tabernacle after entering the Promised Land. It served as a central place of worship and administration for the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>The tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and service to the LORD. They did not receive a specific territory like the other tribes but were given cities to live in.<br><br>3. <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. He received the law from God, including instructions regarding the Levites' inheritance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel who commanded the distribution of the land and the provision for the Levites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites entered under Joshua's leadership.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_faithfulness.htm">God's Provision and Faithfulness</a></b><br>God ensures that all His people, including those set apart for His service, are provided for. This reflects His faithfulness and care for every aspect of our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>The Israelites' obedience to God's command through Moses demonstrates the importance of following God's instructions precisely. This obedience leads to order and blessing within the community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The provision for the Levites highlights the responsibility of the community to support those who serve in spiritual roles. This principle can be applied to how we support our church leaders today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_inheritance.htm">Spiritual Inheritance</a></b><br>Just as the Levites received cities and pasturelands, believers have a spiritual inheritance in Christ. We are called to live in the fullness of what God has provided for 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/how_did_levites_live_without_farmland.htm">If the Levites had no land inheritance (Joshua 21:2), how could they sustainably live in the granted cities without farmland?</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_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/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><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">At Shiloh.</span> Another instance of exact accuracy. Shiloh was now the place of assembly in Israel (see <a href="/joshua/18-1.htm">Joshua 18:1</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The Lord commanded.</span> The command is given in <a href="/numbers/35.htm">Numbers 35</a>. We have here, therefore, another quotation from the books of Moses. If we refer to it we find how exactly the precepts were carried out. First, the six cities of refuge were to be appointed, and then forty-two more were to be added to them. Calvin, not noticing this, has complained that this narrative is not in its proper place, and that it should have been inserted before the details in ch. 20. The very reverse is the fact. These cities of refuge are included, in what follows, among the number of forty-eight cities in all, assigned to the Levites. <span class="cmt_word">Suburbs</span>. See <a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Joshua 14:4</a>. And so throughout the chapter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/21-2.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">at Shiloh</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשִׁלֹ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ši·lōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7887.htm">Strong's 7887: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shiloh -- a city in Ephraim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the land</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאֶ֤רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Canaan,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּנַ֙עַן֙</span> <span class="translit">(kə·na·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3667.htm">Strong's 3667: </a> </span><span class="str2">Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“The LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</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">commanded</span><br /><span class="heb">צִוָּ֣ה</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">בְיַד־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·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">מֹשֶׁ֔ה</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 /><br /><span class="word">that we be given</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽתֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ṯeṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<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">cities</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">in which to live,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָשָׁ֑בֶת</span> <span class="translit">(lā·šā·ḇeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">along with pasturelands</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֖ן</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">for our livestock.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְהֶמְתֵּֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·hem·tê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/21-2.htm">Joshua 21:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/21-2.htm">OT History: Joshua 21:2 They spoke to them at Shiloh (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/21-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 21:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/21-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 21:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 21:3" /></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>