Joshua 21:41
Joshua 21:41 in Multiple Translations
For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites.
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
All the towns of the Levites, among the heritage of the children of Israel, were forty-eight towns with their grass-lands.
The Levites received a total of forty-eight towns and pastures within the land of the Israelites.
And all the cities of the Leuites within the possession of the children of Israel, were eight and fourtie with their suburbes.
All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel [are] forty and eight cities, and their suburbs.
All the cities of the Levites among the possessions of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands.
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
And the Lord God gave to Israel all the land that he had sworn to give to their fathers: and they possessed it and dwelt in it.
So altogether 48 cities were allotted to the tribe of Levi,
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 21:41
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 21:41 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֹּ֚ל
עָרֵ֣י
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
בְּ/ת֖וֹךְ
אֲחֻזַּ֣ת
בְּנֵֽי
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
עָרִ֛ים
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
וּ/שְׁמֹנֶ֖ה
וּ/מִגְרְשֵׁי/הֶֽן
כֹּ֚ל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עָרֵ֣י
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Art | Ngmpa
בְּ/ת֖וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
אֲחֻזַּ֣ת
ʼăchuzzâh
H272
possession
N-fs
בְּנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
עָרִ֛ים
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
forty
Adj
וּ/שְׁמֹנֶ֖ה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Conj | Adj
וּ/מִגְרְשֵׁי/הֶֽן
migrâsh
H4054
pasture
Conj | N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 21:41
כֹּ֚ל
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.
עָרֵ֣י
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.
הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
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.
בְּ/ת֖וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
אֲחֻזַּ֣ת
ʼăchuzzâh
H272
"possession"
N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to something owned or possessed, often land inherited from family. It appears in various books, including Genesis and Leviticus. This concept of possession is important in biblical times.
Definition: 1) possession, property 1a) land 1b) possession by inheritance
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: possession. See also: Genesis 17:8; Numbers 32:5; Psalms 2:8.
בְּנֵֽי
bên
H1121
"son"
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.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
עָרִ֛ים
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.
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
"forty"
Adj
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Definition: forty
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.
וּ/שְׁמֹנֶ֖ה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
"eight"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.
Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.
וּ/מִגְרְשֵׁי/הֶֽן
migrâsh
H4054
"pasture"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
A pasture or open land, often the area around a building or the margin of the sea. This term describes a common or shared space in the Bible.
Definition: common, common land, open land, suburb
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cast out, suburb. See also: Leviticus 25:34; Joshua 21:37; Ezekiel 48:17.
Study Notes — Joshua 21:41
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 21:41 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 21:41
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 21:41
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 21:41
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 21:41
- Cambridge Bible on Joshua 21:41
- Sermons on Joshua 21:41
Context — Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
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. 43Thus the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled in it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 35:1–8 | 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. The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. You are also to measure two thousand cubits outside the city on the east, two thousand on the south, two thousand on the west, and two thousand on the north, with the city in the center. These areas will serve as larger pasturelands for the cities. Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities. The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 33:10 | He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. |
| 3 | Genesis 49:7 | 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. |
Joshua 21:41 Summary
[This verse tells us that the Levites, who were the priests and worship leaders of the Israelites, were given forty-eight cities and their surrounding pasturelands to live in and care for. This was part of God's plan to provide for the Levites and to spread the worship of the Lord throughout the land, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:10. The Levites did not have their own tribal allotment of land like the other tribes, but God still provided for them and gave them a special role to play in the life of Israel, as seen in Numbers 18:21-24. By giving the Levites these cities, God was showing His care and provision for those who served Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Levites given cities and pasturelands within the territory of the Israelites?
The Levites were given cities and pasturelands as an inheritance because they did not receive a tribal allotment of land like the other tribes of Israel, as seen in Joshua 21:1-3 and Deuteronomy 18:1-2.
What was the total number of cities given to the Levites?
According to Joshua 21:41, the Levites were given a total of forty-eight cities, along with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites.
How did the Levites support themselves if they did not have their own land to farm?
The Levites were supported by the tithes and offerings of the other Israelites, as commanded in Numbers 18:21-24 and Deuteronomy 14:27-29.
What is the significance of the Levites' cities being scattered throughout the territory of the Israelites?
The scattering of the Levites' cities throughout the territory of the Israelites helped to promote the worship and service of the Lord throughout the land, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:10 and Malachi 2:4-7.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's provision and care for the Levites, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- How can I, like the Levites, be a source of spiritual guidance and encouragement to those around me?
- What are some ways that I can support and care for those in full-time ministry, just as the Israelites were commanded to support the Levites?
- How can I trust in God's promise to provide for me, just as the Levites trusted in God's promise to provide for them?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 21:41
All the cities of the Levites, within the possession of the children of Israel,.... As comprised in one sum total: [were] forty and eight cities with their suburbs; which is just the number that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 21:41
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. All the cities of the Levites ... were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 21:41
Quest. Why hath this tribe, which was the least of all, more cities than any of them? Answ. First, It doth not appear that they had more; for though all the cities of the Levites be expressed, it is not so with the other tribes, but divers of their cities are omitted, as is evident. Secondly, The Levites were confined to their cities and suburbs; the rest had large territories belonging to their cities, which also they were in a capacity of improving, which the Levites were not; so that one of their cities might be more considerable than divers of the Levites. Thirdly, God was pleased to deal liberally with his ministers, partly to put honour upon those whom he foresaw many would be prone to despise; and partly, that being free from all outward distractions, they might more entirely and fervently devote themselves to the service of God, and the instruction of souls.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 21:41
Verse 41. Forty and eight cities] At the last census of the Hebrew people, related Num. 26, we find from Numbers 26:62 that the tribe of Levi amounted only to 23,000; and it is supposed that forty-eight cities were too great a proportion for this tribe, the other tribes having so very few. But, 1. All the cities of the other tribes are not enumerated. 2. They had the circumjacent country as well as the cities. 3. The Levites had no other cities than those enumerated. 4. They had no country annexed to their cities, the 2,000 cubits for their cattle, c., excepted. 5. Cities in those ancient times were very small, as most villages went under this appellation 6. The Levites had now the appointment that was suited to their consequent increase. The other tribes might enlarge their borders and make conquests, but this was not suitable to the mere servants of God besides, had they made conquests, they would have become proprietors of the conquered land; and God determined that they should have no inheritance in Israel, HE himself being their portion.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 21:41
41. All the cities of the Levites … were forty and eight cities] As will be clear from the following table:— tribes. cities. i. Kohathites(a) PriestsJudah and Simeon = 9 Benjamin = 4 (b) Not priestsEphraim = 4 Dan = 4 Half Manasseh (West) = 2 ii. GershonitesHalf Manasseh (East) = 2 Issachar = 4 Asher = 4 Naphtali = 3 iii. MeraritesZebulun = 4 Reuben = 4 Gad = 4
Sermons on Joshua 21:41
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God's Judgement & Mercy by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of God's judgment and the target of that judgment. He emphasizes that listening to the law only makes people desire to break it, |
|
Christ Our City of Refuge by Hoseah Wu | In this sermon, Richard from Elizabeth introduces his brother Levine to say a few words. Levine expresses his love for bagels and locks and praises the inspiring words written by a |
|
Palestine for the Young - the Tribe of Levi by Andrew Bonar | Andrew Bonar emphasizes the fulfillment of Jacob's prophecy regarding the Tribe of Levi, highlighting their unique role as servants of God scattered throughout Israel. Unlike other |
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Homily 8 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, emphasizing the divine foreknowledge and prophetic order behind every detail, from the humble circumstances o |