Reference: Joshua 21:35

Overview:
Dimnah is a lesser-known location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. It is identified as one of the Levitical cities given to the descendants of Merari, one of the three main divisions of the Levites. The Levites were the priestly tribe of Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. As they were not allotted a specific territory like the other tribes, they were given cities within the territories of the other tribes, along with surrounding pasturelands for their livestock.

Biblical Context:
In the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, the Levites received no inheritance of land as the other tribes did. Instead, they were given specific cities scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes. This arrangement allowed them to perform their religious duties and serve the people of Israel across the nation.

Joshua 21:35 in the Berean Standard Bible states: "Dimnah with its pasturelands, and Nahalal with its pasturelands—four cities." This verse is part of a larger passage detailing the allocation of cities to the Levites. Dimnah is listed among the cities given to the Merarite Levites, who were one of the three Levitical clans, alongside the Kohathites and the Gershonites.

Geographical and Historical Significance:
The exact location of Dimnah is not definitively known today, and it is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible outside of the context of the Levitical cities. Its inclusion in the list of Levitical cities underscores the importance of providing for the Levites, who played a crucial role in the spiritual life of Israel. The cities were strategically distributed to ensure that the Levites could minister to the people throughout the land.

Theological Implications:
The allocation of cities like Dimnah to the Levites highlights the provision and care God had for those dedicated to His service. It reflects the principle that those who serve in spiritual capacities are to be supported by the community they serve. This arrangement also ensured that the teaching of the Law and the worship of Yahweh were accessible to all Israelites, reinforcing the centrality of faith in the life of the nation.

Cultural and Religious Role:
As a Levitical city, Dimnah would have been a center for religious instruction and worship. The Levites residing there would have been responsible for teaching the Law, leading worship, and performing various religious duties. This would have included the maintenance of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), offering sacrifices, and serving as judges and teachers of the Law.

Conclusion:
While Dimnah itself does not play a prominent role in biblical narratives, its mention as a Levitical city underscores the broader biblical themes of provision for religious leaders and the dissemination of spiritual instruction throughout Israel. The Levites' presence in cities like Dimnah ensured that the worship of God and adherence to His commandments were integral parts of daily life for the Israelites.Dimnah

(dung), a city int he tribe of Zebulun, given to the Merarite Levites. (Joshua 21:35)

Dunghill, a city of Zebulun given to the Merarite Levites (Joshua 21:35). In 1 Chronicles 6:77 the name "Rimmon" is substituted. DIMNAH

dim'-na (dimnah, "dung"; Damna): A city of the Merarite Levites in the territory of Zebulun (Joshua 21:35). The name is probably a clerical error for Rimmon.

1829. Dimnah -- a Levitical city in Zebulun
... 1828, 1829. Dimnah. 1830 . a Levitical city in Zebulun. Transliteration:
Dimnah Phonetic Spelling: (dim-naw') Short Definition: Dimnah. ...
/hebrew/1829.htm - 6k

Footnotes
... Ion Keith-Falconer, MA, published, at the Cambridge University Press, his Kalilah
and Dimnah, or The Fables of Bidpai: Being an Account of their Literary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the life of william carey/footnotes.htm

Dimnah (1 Occurrence)
...DIMNAH. dim'-na (dimnah, "dung"; Damna): A city of the Merarite Levites in the
territory of Zebulun (Joshua 21:35). ...Dimnah (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dimnah.htm - 7k

Rimmon (22 Occurrences)
... (3) (rimmon (Joshua 19:13), rimmonah, in some Hebrew manuscripts dimah (see DIMNAH)
(Joshua 21:35), and rimmono (1 Chronicles 6:77)): In the King James Version ...
/r/rimmon.htm - 18k

Na'halal (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Na'halal (1 Occurrence). Joshua 21:35 Dimnah with its
suburbs, and Nahalal with its suburbs; four cities. (See RSV). ...
/n/na'halal.htm - 6k

Nahalal (2 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). Joshua 21:35 Dimnah with its suburbs, and Nahalal
with its suburbs; four cities. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/n/nahalal.htm - 7k

Grass-lands (42 Occurrences)
... Kartah with their grass-lands; (BBE). Joshua 21:35 Dimnah and Nahalal with
their grass-lands, four towns. (BBE). Joshua 21:36 And from ...
/g/grass-lands.htm - 17k

Dimness (2 Occurrences)

/d/dimness.htm - 7k

Dimmed (3 Occurrences)

/d/dimmed.htm - 7k

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)
... with their suburbs. (See NIV). Joshua 21:35 Dimnah with its suburbs, and
Nahalal with its suburbs; four cities. (See NIV). Joshua 21 ...
/p/pasturelands.htm - 16k

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:35 Dimnah with its suburbs, and Nahalal with its
suburbs; four cities. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21 ...
/s/suburbs.htm - 29k

Pasture (120 Occurrences)
... suburbs, (See NAS RSV). Joshua 21:35 Dimnah with its suburbs, and Nahalal with
its suburbs; four cities. (See NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 21:36 ...
/p/pasture.htm - 33k

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