Bible Strands
Joshua 21:27
This is what the Levite clans of the Gershonites were given: From the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Golan in Bashan, a city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah—two cities, together with their pasturelands.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua narrates the final territorial distribution to the Gershonite clans, specifying their allotment from the half-tribe of Manasseh during the settlement of Canaan.
The words — The phrase מֵ/חֲצִ֞י מַטֵּ֣ה (me./cha.Tzi ma.Teh) literally renders "from the half of the tribe," marking the partial inheritance of Manasseh designated for Levitical use.
The thread — This distribution cross-references the parallel census in 1 Chronicles 6:71 and the earlier designation of Golan as a city of refuge in Deuteronomy 4:43.
Why it lands — The passage demands the reader verify the exact fulfillment of land assignments for the Levites, confirming that priestly provision was administered through specific tribal inheritances rather than arbitrary grant.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beesh–terah with her suburbs; two cities.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 6:71 The Gershomites received the following: From the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Golan in Bashan and also Ashtaroth, together with their pasturelands.
- Deuteronomy 1:4 This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and then at Edrei had defeated Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth.
- Deuteronomy 4:43 Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.
- Joshua 20:8 And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they designated Bezer on the wilderness plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh.