New International Version The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands. New Living Translation The total number of towns and pasturelands within Israelite territory given to the Levites came to forty-eight. English Standard Version The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands. Berean Standard Bible For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites. Berean Literal Bible All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities and their pasturelands. King James Bible All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. New King James Version All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their common-lands. New American Standard Bible All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. NASB 1995 All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. NASB 1977 All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. Legacy Standard Bible All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. Amplified Bible All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the property of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. Berean Annotated Bible For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites (God prevails). Christian Standard Bible Within the Israelite possession there were forty-eight cities in all with their pasturelands for the Levites. Holman Christian Standard Bible Within the Israelite possession there were 48 cities in all with their pasturelands for the Levites. American Standard Version All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. English Revised Version All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. GOD'S WORD® Translation Within the territory owned by the Israelites there were 48 cities in all for Levi's descendants. International Standard Version All of the cities of the descendants of Levi that had been set apart among the territorial possession of the Israelis totaled 48, along with their pasture lands. NET Bible The Levites received within the land owned by the Israelites forty-eight cities in all and their grazing areas. New Heart English Bible All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their suburbs. Webster's Bible Translation All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites. World English Bible All the cities of the Levites among the possessions of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAll the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel [are] forty-eight cities, and their outskirts. Berean Literal Bible All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities and their pasturelands. Young's Literal Translation All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel are forty and eight cities, and their suburbs. Smith's Literal Translation Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSo all the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight, Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Thus the total number of cities within the territory of the Israelites which, with their pasture lands, belonged to the Levites, was forty-eight. New Revised Standard Version The towns of the Levites within the holdings of the Israelites were in all forty-eight towns with their pasture lands. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAll the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their suburbs. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And all these cities of the Levites within the inheritance are of the children of Israel, and the cities of Levi were forty and eight and their fields OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917All the cities of the Levites--forty and eight cities with the open land about them--shall be in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel, Brenton Septuagint Translation All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel, were forty-eight cities, and their suburbs round about these cities: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites…40In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans. 41For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites. 42Each of these cities had its own surrounding pasturelands; this was true for all the cities.… Cross References For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, Numbers 35:7 The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. 1 Chronicles 6:64 So the Israelites gave to the Levites these cities and their pasturelands. together with their pasturelands, Numbers 35:2-5 “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. / The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. … 1 Chronicles 6:55 They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. Leviticus 25:34 But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession. within the territory of the Israelites. Numbers 35:8 The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.” Numbers 18:20 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. 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 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. … 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. … 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. Deuteronomy 10:8-9 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. / That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him. 1 Kings 8:4 and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up. 2 Chronicles 31:15-19 Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike. / In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older—to all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties for service in the responsibilities of their divisions— / and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions. … Nehemiah 11:20 The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the villages of Judah, each on his own inheritance. Ezekiel 44:28-30 In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession. / They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them. / The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes. Treasury of Scripture All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. within 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. Numbers 35:1-8 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, … Deuteronomy 33:10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. Jump to Previous Children Cities Eight Held Israel Israelites Levites Midst Open Pasture Pasturelands Possession Suburbs Territory Together Towns WithinJump to Next Children Cities Eight Held Israel Israelites Levites Midst Open Pasture Pasturelands Possession Suburbs Territory Together Towns WithinJoshua 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 For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, The Levites received no tribal territory of their own because the Lord assigned them to priestly and sanctuary service. Instead, Israel provided forty-eight cities distributed among the tribes, giving the Levites places to live while keeping them present throughout the nation. Num 35:7 The total number of cities you give the Levites… together with their pasturelands, Each city included surrounding pasturelands for livestock and household needs. This provision supplied practical support for Levite families and enabled them to carry out their duties without depending on a separate inheritance of farmland. Num 35:2-5 Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance… within the territory of the Israelites. Scattered among the tribes, the Levites served near the people as priests, teachers of God’s law, and caretakers of worship. Their presence throughout the land showed that Israel’s worship and obedience to the covenant were to shape every part of national life. Num 35:8 The cities that you apportion from the territory… Persons / Places / Events 1. LevitesThe tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service to God. They did not receive a specific territory like the other tribes but were given cities and pasturelands throughout Israel. 2. Cities of Refuge Among the cities given to the Levites were the cities of refuge, which provided asylum for those who accidentally committed manslaughter. 3. Israelites The collective tribes of Israel who were allotted the Promised Land, with each tribe receiving a portion except for the Levites. 4. Pasturelands The lands surrounding the cities given to the Levites for their livestock, ensuring their sustenance and ability to perform their duties. 5. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and which was divided among the tribes of Israel. Teaching Points God's Provision for His ServantsThe allocation of cities and pasturelands to the Levites demonstrates God's provision for those dedicated to His service. It reminds us that God provides for our needs when we commit our lives to Him. The Importance of Spiritual Leadership The Levites were scattered among the tribes to provide spiritual guidance and instruction. This highlights the importance of having spiritual leaders within our communities to guide us in faith and practice. Community Responsibility The Israelites were responsible for supporting the Levites, teaching us the importance of supporting those who serve in ministry and ensuring they have the resources needed to fulfill their calling. Integration of Faith in Daily Life The presence of the Levites throughout Israel served as a constant reminder of God's presence and the need to integrate faith into daily life. We are called to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 21:41?2. How does Joshua 21:41 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What significance do the "forty-eight cities" hold for the Levites' role in Israel? 4. How does Joshua 21:41 connect to God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis? 5. How can we trust God's provision in our lives, as seen in Joshua 21:41? 6. What lessons on community support can we learn from the Levites' cities allocation? 7. How does Joshua 21:41 reflect God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel? 8. What is the significance of the 48 cities given to the Levites in Joshua 21:41? 9. How does Joshua 21:41 demonstrate the importance of the Levitical priesthood in Israelite society? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 21? Joshua 21:41 records the faithful completion of God’s command: forty-eight Levitical cities, each with pasturelands, distributed throughout Israel. The verse celebrates obedience, highlights God’s provision for His servants, and illustrates how the presence of dedicated ministers was woven into the daily life of the nation so that worship, teaching, and sacrifice could flourish everywhere. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So in allכֹּ֚ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every there were forty-eight אַרְבָּעִ֥ים (’ar·bā·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 705: Forty cities עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 5892: Excitement for the Levites, הַלְוִיִּ֔ם (hal·wî·yim) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi along with their pasturelands, וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ (ū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural Strong's 4054: A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea within בְּת֖וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre the territory אֲחֻזַּ֣ת (’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession of the Israelites. בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son Additonal Resources Joshua 21:41 Blue Letter BibleJoshua 21:41 Bible Gateway Joshua 21:41 Bible.com Joshua 21:41 NIV |
    |