Joshua 21:3

So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance:

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Levites stand before Joshua at Shiloh to invoke the LORD's command through Moses regarding their city allotments. Joshua's representatives then execute the transfer, distributing the designated cities and pasturelands from the tribal inheritances.

The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּתְּנוּ (va.yit.ten.u) means "and they gave," coupled with אֶל־פִּי (el.pi) "according to the mouth of" יְהוָה (Yah.weh) "Yahweh." This construction marks the distribution as a direct execution of divine instruction rather than human discretion.

The thread — The passage operationalizes the Levitical city grants first detailed in Numbers 35 and continues in Joshua 21:4 with the Kohathite allotments. It stands distinct from Genesis 49:7, which pronounces judgment on Levi and Simeon, while 1 Chronicles 6:54 later catalogs the specific territories assigned to Aaron's line.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to observe that religious provision was structured through precise tribal transfers rather than independent acquisition. It establishes a precedent where Levitical sustenance is tied directly to obedience to the stated command.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיִּתְּנ֨וּva/i.yi.te.Nuand/ they gave בְנֵי־ve.nei-[the] people of יִשְׂרָאֵ֧לYis.ra.'ElIsrael לַלְוִיִּ֛םla/l.vi.Yimto the/ Levites מִנַּחֲלָתָ֖םmi./na.cha.la.Ta/msome of/ inheritance/ their אֶל־'el-to פִּ֣יpi[the] mouth of יְהוָ֑הYah.wehYahweh אֶת־'et-<obj.>הֶעָרִ֥יםhe./'a.Rimthe/ cities הָאֵ֖לֶּהha./'E.leh<the>/ these וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃mig.re.shei./Henpasture lands/ their

King James Version

And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their suburbs.

Cross-references

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.
Deuteronomy 33:8 Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.
1 Chronicles 6:54 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: