Joshua 21:3
New International Version
So, as the LORD had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own inheritance:

New Living Translation
So by the command of the LORD the people of Israel gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own grants of land.

English Standard Version
So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance.

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

King James Bible
And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

New King James Version
So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their common-lands:

New American Standard Bible
So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, in accordance with the command of the LORD.

NASB 1995
So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, according to the command of the LORD.

NASB 1977
So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, according to the command of the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these cities with their pasture lands, according to the command of Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
So the sons of Israel gave the Levites from their inheritance these [forty-eight] cities and their pasture lands, in accordance with the command of the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
So the Israelites, by the LORD’s command, gave the Levites these cities with their pasturelands from their inheritance.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the Israelites, by the LORD’s command, gave the Levites these cities with their pasturelands from their inheritance.

American Standard Version
And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of Jehovah, these cities with their suburbs.

Contemporary English Version
Since the LORD had said this, the leaders of the other Israelite tribes agreed to give some of the towns and pastures from their tribal lands to Levi.

English Revised Version
And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD, these cities with their suburbs.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So, as the LORD had instructed, Levi's descendants were given the following cities with pasturelands from the Israelites' inheritance.

Good News Translation
So in accordance with the LORD's command the people of Israel gave the Levites certain cities and pasture lands out of their own territories.

International Standard Version
So, just as the Lord had said, the Israelis set aside cities for the descendants of Levi from a portion of their own inheritances, along with their grazing lands.

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

NET Bible
So the Israelites assigned these cities and their grazing areas to the Levites from their own holdings, as the LORD had instructed.

New Heart English Bible
The children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD, these cities with their suburbs.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

World English Bible
The children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of Yahweh, these cities with their pasture lands.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Israel give to the Levites, out of their inheritance, at the command of YHWH, these cities and their outskirts:

Young's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel give to the Levites, out of their inheritance, at the command of Jehovah, these cities and their suburbs:

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel will give to the Levites out of their inheritance at the mouth of Jehovah these cities and their areas.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the children of Israel gave out of their possessions according to the commandment of the Lord, cities and their suburbs.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so the sons of Israel gave cities and their suburbs from their possessions, in accord with the order of the Lord.

New American Bible
Out of their own heritage, according to the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites the following cities with their pasture lands.

New Revised Standard Version
So by command of the LORD the Israelites gave to the Levites the following towns and pasture lands out of their inheritance.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the children of Israel gave these cities and their fields to the Levites from their inheritance, because of the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD, these cities with the open land about them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So the children of Israel gave to the Levites in their inheritance by the command of the Lord the cities and the country round.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
2at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.” 3So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance: 4The first lot came out for the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.…

Cross References
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. ...

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

Numbers 18:20-24
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...

Leviticus 25:32-34
As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.

1 Chronicles 6:54-81
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: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ...

Ezekiel 44:28
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.

Numbers 26:62
The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 10:9
That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.

Joshua 13:14
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

Joshua 14:3-4
For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. / The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.

Joshua 18:7
The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”

Acts 4:34-37
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. / Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement), ...

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Matthew 10:10
Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.


Treasury of Scripture

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

unto the Levites

Genesis 49:7
Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

Deuteronomy 33:8-10
And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; …

1 Chronicles 6:54-81
Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot…

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Children Cities Command Commanded Commandment Heritage Inheritance Israel Israelites Levites Open Order Pasture Pasturelands Suburbs Towns Word
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Children Cities Command Commanded Commandment Heritage Inheritance Israel Israelites Levites Open Order Pasture Pasturelands Suburbs Towns Word
Joshua 21
1. Forty-eight cities given by lot, out of the other tribes unto the Levites.
43. God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise














So by the command of the LORD
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind the actions of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "command" is "peh," which can also mean "mouth," indicating that this directive comes directly from God's spoken word. In the context of the Israelites' journey, it is a reminder of their covenant relationship with God, who guides them through His commands. Historically, this reflects the theocratic nature of Israelite society, where God's will was paramount in their governance and daily life.

the Israelites gave
The act of giving here is significant, as it reflects obedience and communal responsibility. The Hebrew root "natan" means to give, bestow, or grant. This action is not merely a transaction but a fulfillment of God's instructions, demonstrating the Israelites' willingness to support the Levites, who had no inheritance of land. It highlights the importance of generosity and provision for those who serve in spiritual capacities.

to the Levites
The Levites were a unique tribe set apart for religious duties. They were descendants of Levi, one of Jacob's sons, and were chosen to serve in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This phrase emphasizes their special role and the community's responsibility to support them. The Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance is a reminder of their dependence on God and the people for sustenance, symbolizing a life dedicated to spiritual service.

these cities and their pasturelands
The provision of cities and pasturelands to the Levites is both practical and symbolic. The Hebrew word for "cities" is "ir," which denotes a place of dwelling and community. "Pasturelands," or "migrash," refers to open lands for grazing, essential for the Levites' livestock. This allocation ensured the Levites could sustain themselves while remaining focused on their religious duties. It also reflects God's provision and care for those who serve Him, ensuring they have what they need to live and work effectively.

Verse 3. - Out of their inheritance. Out of that of Israel (see note on ver. 1). These cities. The number was forty-eight, i.e., four times twelve. Bahr ('Symbolik des Alten Testaments,' 1:221) remarks on the symbolical meaning of this number. He compares it, first, to the twelve tribes marching in four detachments, the ark of God and its guard in the centre (see Numbers 2.). Four, he says, is the number of the world, and three the sign of God, and twelve of the combination of the two. Thus we are reminded of the heavenly city which "lieth four-square," which has "twelve foundations of precious stones," "twelve gates of pearls, and at the gates twelve angels," and the names of "the twelve tribes of Israel" written thereupon, and wherein was "the tree of life," with its "twelve manner of fruits," which were "yielded every month" (Revelation 21:12, 14, 16, 19, 21; Revelation 22:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So by
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the command
פִּ֣י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the Israelites
בְנֵי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

gave
וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ (way·yit·tə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the Levites
לַלְוִיִּ֛ם (lal·wî·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

these
הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

cities
הֶעָרִ֥ים (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and their pasturelands
מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ (miḡ·rə·šê·hen)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 4054: A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea

out of their own inheritance:
מִנַּחֲלָתָ֖ם (min·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion


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OT History: Joshua 21:3 The children of Israel gave to (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 21:2
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