Joshua 21:40
Joshua 21:40 in Multiple Translations
In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans.
So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
All these were the cities of the children of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the families of the Levites; and their lot was twelve cities.
All these towns were given to the children of Merari by their families, that is, the rest of the families of the Levites; and their heritage was twelve towns.
So in total twelve towns were allotted to the families of Merari, those remaining from the tribe of Levi.
So all the cities of the children of Merari according to their families (which were the rest of the families of the Leuites) were by their lot, twelue cities.
All the cities for the sons of Merari, for their families, who are left of the families of the Levites — their lot is twelve cities.
All these were the cities of the children of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the families of the Levites. Their lot was twelve cities.
So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
With their suburbs, each distributed by the families.
Altogether twelve cities were allotted to the Merari clans.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 21:40
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 21:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כָּל
הֶ֨/עָרִ֜ים
לִ/בְנֵ֤י
מְרָרִי֙
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔/ם
הַ/נּוֹתָרִ֖ים
מִ/מִּשְׁפְּח֣וֹת
הַ/לְוִיִּ֑ם
וַ/יְהִי֙
גּוֹרָלָ֔/ם
עָרִ֖ים
שְׁתֵּ֥ים
עֶשְׂרֵֽה
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הֶ֨/עָרִ֜ים
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Art | N-fp
לִ/בְנֵ֤י
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp
מְרָרִי֙
Mᵉrârîy
H4847
Merari
N-proper
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp | Suff
הַ/נּוֹתָרִ֖ים
yâthar
H3498
to remain
Art | V-Niphal
מִ/מִּשְׁפְּח֣וֹת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp
הַ/לְוִיִּ֑ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Art | Ngmpa
וַ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
גּוֹרָלָ֔/ם
gôwrâl
H1486
allotted
N-ms | Suff
עָרִ֖ים
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
שְׁתֵּ֥ים
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
עֶשְׂרֵֽה
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 21:40
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הֶ֨/עָרִ֜ים
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Art | N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
לִ/בְנֵ֤י
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
מְרָרִי֙
Mᵉrârîy
H4847
"Merari"
N-proper
Merari was a man in the Bible, the third son of Levi and head of a family of Levites. His name means 'bitter' and he's mentioned in Genesis as an ancestor of the tribe of Levi.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11; son of: Levi (H3878); brother of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955) and Jochebed (H3115); father of: Mahli (H4249), Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269) Also named: me.ra.ri (מְרָרִי "Merari" H4848) § Merari = "bitter" the 3rd son of Levi and head of a Levitical family
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Merari. See also H4848 (מְרָרִי). See also: Genesis 46:11; 1 Chronicles 6:1; Ezra 8:19.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔/ם
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/נּוֹתָרִ֖ים
yâthar
H3498
"to remain"
Art | V-Niphal
The Hebrew word 'yâthar' means to remain or be left, and can also mean to excel or have more than enough, often translated as 'remain' or 'preserve'.
Definition: 1) to be left over, remain, remain over, leave 1a) (Qal) remainder (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be left over, remain over, be left behind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to leave over, leave 1c2) to save over, preserve alive 1c3) to excel, show pre-eminence 1c4) to show excess, have more than enough, have an excess
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: excel, leave (a remnant), left behind, too much, make plenteous, preserve, (be, let) remain(-der, -ing, -nant), reserve, residue, rest. See also: Genesis 30:36; 2 Samuel 9:1; Psalms 79:11.
מִ/מִּשְׁפְּח֣וֹת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
Prep | N-fp
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/לְוִיִּ֑ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Art | Ngmpa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
וַ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
גּוֹרָלָ֔/ם
gôwrâl
H1486
"allotted"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a pebble or small stone used for making decisions by casting lots. It symbolizes a portion or destiny assigned by chance, like the drawing of lots to determine an outcome. This concept is central to ancient Israelite decision-making practices.
Definition: 1) lot 1a) lot-pebbles used for systematically making decisions 2) portion 2a) lot, portion (thing assigned by casting lots) 2b) recompense, retribution
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: lot. See also: Leviticus 16:8; Judges 1:3; Psalms 16:5.
עָרִ֖ים
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
שְׁתֵּ֥ים
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
עֶשְׂרֵֽה
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
Study Notes — Joshua 21:40
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
38And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim,
39Heshbon, and Jazer—four cities in all, together with their pasturelands.
40In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans.
41For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites. 42Each of these cities had its own surrounding pasturelands; this was true for all the cities.Joshua 21:40 Summary
Joshua 21:40 tells us that the Merari clans, who were part of the Levite tribe, were given twelve cities to live in. This was part of God's plan to take care of the Levites, who did not have their own land like the other tribes, as mentioned in Numbers 18:21-24. The cities and their surrounding pasturelands provided for the Levites' needs, showing us that God is a loving and providing God, as seen in Matthew 6:31-33, where Jesus teaches us not to worry about our needs because God will provide for us. This reminds us to trust in God's provision and care for us, just like the Merari clans did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the Merari clans and why did they receive twelve cities?
The Merari clans were a part of the Levite tribe, and according to Joshua 21:40, they received twelve cities as part of their allotment, as seen in the division of the land described in the book of Joshua and also referenced in Numbers 3:20-37, which lists the Merari clans as part of the Levites.
How did the number of cities for the Merari clans fit into the overall distribution of cities to the Levites?
The twelve cities given to the Merari clans were part of the forty-eight cities allotted to the Levites in total, as mentioned in Joshua 21:41, to provide for their needs and support their role in the community, similar to how the Levites were supported in Numbers 35:1-8.
What is the significance of the pasturelands mentioned alongside the cities in Joshua 21:40?
The pasturelands were important for the livelihood of the people living in the cities, including the Merari clans, as they provided a means for them to raise livestock and grow food, as seen in the context of Joshua 21:42, which notes that each city had its own surrounding pasturelands.
How does the allotment of cities to the Merari clans reflect God's care for the Levites?
The provision of twelve cities to the Merari clans demonstrates God's care and provision for the Levites, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:1-2, where God promises to provide for the Levites, and in Joshua 21:45, which states that God gave the Israelites all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, including the cities for the Levites.
Reflection Questions
- What does the allocation of cities to the Merari clans reveal about God's attention to detail and care for His people?
- How can we apply the principle of God's provision, as seen in the allotment of cities to the Merari clans, to our own lives and circumstances?
- In what ways can we, like the Merari clans, trust in God's promise to provide for us, as stated in Philippians 4:19?
- What does the organization and distribution of the cities among the Levite clans teach us about the importance of community and mutual support?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 21:40
So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families,.... Which were distributed by lot to them, according to the number of their families, and were sufficient for them: which were
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 21:40
And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, No JFB commentary on these verses.