Bible Strands
Joshua 21:8
So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these cities, together with their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the Israelites distributing conquered territory to the Levite clans during the final phase of land allotment, immediately following the specific assignment to the Merari family line.
The words — The passage centers on וַ/יִּתְּנ֤וּ (va/i.yi.te.Nu), literally "and they gave," and הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה (ha./'E.leh), meaning "these [cities]," marking the concrete transfer of property.
The thread — This distribution follows the pattern in Joshua 21:3, where Levites receive cities and pasturelands by divine command, and reflects the inheritance protocols in Numbers 33:54 and the tribal land negotiations of Numbers 32:2.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to note that the territorial division was carried out exactly as the LORD commanded through Moses, without deviation or human discretion.
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 Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.
Cross-references
- 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:
- Numbers 32:2 So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said,
- Numbers 33:54 And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.
- Numbers 35:3 The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock.
- Joshua 18:6 When you have mapped out the seven portions of land and brought it to me, I will cast lots for you here in the presence of the LORD our God.
- Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
- Proverbs 18:18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.