Bible Strands
Joshua 21:6
The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Joshua’s distribution of Levitical cities to the clans of Levi following the conquest of Canaan. This allocation occurs during the final settlement phase before the tribes complete their inheritance.
The words — The Hebrew term גֵרְשׁוֹן (Gershon) identifies the third son of Levi, whose lineage receives the allotment. The phrase מִמִּשְׁפְּחֹת (mimmishpeḥōt) denotes the specific family groups within the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half-Manasseh that surrender the land.
The thread — This distribution continues the pattern established in Exodus 6:16 for Levi’s sons and Numbers 3:21 for Gershon’s clans. The geographic details align with Joshua 21:27, which confirms Golan as a Gershonite inheritance in Bashan.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize the systematic fulfillment of the tribal inheritance process. It demands acknowledgment that the Levites receive their portion directly from the conquered territories of other tribes rather than a separate tribal allotment.
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
King James Version
And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Exodus 6:16 These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
- Numbers 3:21 From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.
- 1 Chronicles 6:62 The Gershomites, according to their clans, were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan.
- 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.