Joshua 14:4 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 14:4 ►

New International Version
for Joseph’s descendants had become two tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites received no share of the land but only towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.

New Living Translation
The descendants of Joseph had become two separate tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. And the Levites were given no land at all, only towns to live in with surrounding pasturelands for their livestock and all their possessions.

English Standard Version
For the people of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion was given to the Levites in the land, but only cities to dwell in, with their pasturelands for their livestock and their substance.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.

New King James Version
For the children of Joseph were two tribes: Manasseh and Ephraim. And they gave no part to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for their livestock and their property.

New American Standard Bible
For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.

NASB 1995
For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.

NASB 1977
For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.

Amplified Bible
For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and no portion was given in the land to the Levites except cities in which to live, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.

Christian Standard Bible
The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. No portion of the land was given to the Levites except cities to live in, along with pasturelands for their cattle and livestock.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. No portion of the land was given to the Levites except cities to live in, along with pasturelands for their cattle and livestock.

American Standard Version
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: and they gave no portion unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for their cattle and for their substance.

English Revised Version
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: and they gave no portion unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for their cattle and for their substance.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
because Joseph's descendants, Manasseh and Ephraim, formed two tribes. The Levites were not given a share of the land. Joseph's descendants gave the Levites cities to live in with pasturelands for their cattle and everything they had.

International Standard Version
since the descendants of Joseph constituted two tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. They did not allot a portion to the descendants of Levi in the land, since they were given cities to live in, along with pastures for their livestock and property.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
The descendants of Joseph were considered as two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites were allotted no territory, though they were assigned cities in which to live, along with the grazing areas for their cattle and possessions.

New Heart English Bible
For the people of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: and they gave no portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their livestock and for their property.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part to the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle, and for their substance.

World English Bible
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. They gave no portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for the sons of Joseph have been two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they have not given a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, and their outskirts for their livestock, and for their possessions;

Young's Literal Translation
for the sons of Joseph hath been two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they have not given a portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, and their suburbs for their cattle, and for their possessions;

Smith's Literal Translation
For the sons of Joseph shall be two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: and they gave not a portion to the Levites in the land except cities to dwell in and their pastures for their cattle, and for their possession.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But in their place succeeded the children of Joseph divided into two tribes, of Manasses and Ephraim: neither did the Levites receive other portion of land, but cities to dwell in, and their suburbs to feed their beasts and flocks.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For by succession, the sons of Joseph, in their place, were divided into two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. But the Levites did not receive another portion of land, except cities in which to live, and their suburbs, so as to feed their beasts of burden and cattle.

New American Bible
the descendants of Joseph formed two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. But the Levites were given no share of the land except cities to live in, with their pasture lands for the herds and flocks.

New Revised Standard Version
For the people of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim; and no portion was given to the Levites in the land, but only towns to live in, with their pasture lands for their flocks and herds.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim; therefore he gave no portion to the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because the sons of Yoseph were the two tribes, Manasheh and Aphrim, and he did not give a division to the Levites in the land, excepting only towns in which to dwell and fields for their animals and for their cattle

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim; and they gave no portion unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with the open land about them for their cattle and for their substance.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasse and Ephraim; and there was none inheritance in the land given to the Levites, only cities to dwell in, and their suburbs separated for the cattle, and their cattle.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Land Division West of the Jordan
…3For 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. 4 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. 5So the Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they divided the land.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Numbers 26:52-56
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. / Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered. ...

Numbers 34:13-15
So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes. / For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance. / These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”

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.

Genesis 48:5-6
And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. / Any children born to you after them shall be yours, and they shall be called by the names of their brothers in the territory they inherit.

Genesis 48:13-20
And Joseph took both of them—with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand—and brought them close to him. / But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn. / Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, ...

1 Chronicles 5:1-2
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

Ezekiel 47:13-14
This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions. / You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance.

Ezekiel 48:29-31
This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions,” declares the Lord GOD. / “These will be the exits of the city: Beginning on the north side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, / the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.

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. ...

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.

Deuteronomy 12:12
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.

Acts 7:14-16
Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all. / So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. / Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.

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.

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Revelation 7:4-8
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: / From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, / from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, ...

Treasury of Scripture

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part to the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.

the children

Genesis 48:5
And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

1 Chronicles 5:1,2
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright…

save cities

Joshua 21:2-42
And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle…

Numbers 35:2-8
Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them…

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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Cattle Children Cities Dwell Ephraim E'phraim Except Herds Joseph Lands Levites Manasseh Manas'seh Open Part Pasture Pasturelands Portion Possessions Property Received Save Share Substance Suburbs Thereof Towns Tribes

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Joshua 14

1. The nine tribes and a half are to have their inheritance by lot
6. Caleb by privilege obtains Hebron

Berean Study Bible

For the sons of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim
This phrase highlights the unique blessing and inheritance given to Joseph's descendants. In Genesis 48:5, Jacob adopts Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, as his own, effectively granting Joseph a double portion among the tribes of Israel. This act of adoption and blessing is significant, as it fulfills God's promise to Abraham of a multitude of descendants. The division into two tribes underscores the fruitfulness and favor bestowed upon Joseph, reflecting God's providence and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

They did not give a portion to the Levites in the land
The Levites, set apart for priestly duties, were not given a specific territory like the other tribes. Instead, their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Numbers 18:20). This arrangement emphasizes the Levites' unique role in Israelite society as spiritual leaders and mediators between God and His people. Their lack of a territorial inheritance serves as a reminder that their provision and sustenance come directly from God, highlighting a life of faith and dependence on divine provision.

except cities to live in
The Levites were given cities scattered throughout the tribes of Israel, as detailed in Numbers 35:1-8. This distribution ensured that the Levites were accessible to all Israelites, facilitating their role in teaching the Law and maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. The presence of Levites in various cities symbolizes the permeation of God's Word and guidance throughout the land, reinforcing the idea that spiritual leadership and instruction are integral to the community's well-being.

along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds
The provision of pasturelands for the Levites' flocks and herds ensured their material needs were met, allowing them to focus on their spiritual duties. This practical arrangement reflects God's care and provision for those who serve Him, ensuring they have the necessary resources to sustain their families and fulfill their calling. The inclusion of pasturelands also signifies the importance of stewardship and the responsible management of resources, aligning with the broader biblical theme of caring for God's creation.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - For the children of Joseph were two tribes (see Genesis 48:5): therefore they gave. There is no "therefore" In the original. The passage is a simple repetition of what we find in Joshua 13:14, 33, and is added here to explain how the twelve tribes who actually divided the land were composed. Suburbs. Rather, "pasture lands;" literally, places where the cattle were driven out to pasture (cf. Numbers 35:2; 1 Chronicles 13:2, where the Hebrew is "cities of driving out"). We may illustrate this phrase by the similar arrangements made by the Germanic tribes in early times. "The clearing," says Professor Stubbs, in his 'Constitutional History of England,' p. 49, "is surrounded by a thick border of wood or waste .... In the centre of the clearing the village is placed .... The fully qualified freeman has a share in the land of the community. He has a right to the enjoyment of the woods, the pastures, the meadow and the arable land of the mark.... The use of the meadow land is definitely apportioned .... When the grass beans to grow the cattle are driven out, and the meadow is fenced round and divided into as many equal shares as there are mark families in the village. For the arable land similar measures are taken although the task is somewhat more complex" (see note on Joshua 13:23). Some similar arrangement must have taken place in the primitive Jewish settlement of Palestine. For the rude huts of the Teutonic tribes we must substitute the more civilised "cities, walled up to heaven," of the Phoenician races; for the scanty supply of gram and pasture, provided by a northern climate, we must substitute the rich plenty of a land "flowing with milk and honey," and with all the produce of a southern sky. The area of land assigned to each of the Levitical cities was definitely marked out (see Numbers 35:4, 5), and subdivided, as the hints in the narrative seem to imply that all the land was, into as many sections as there were "mark families" - that is, families of freemen exclusive of the servile classes in the town.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The descendants
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Joseph
יוֹסֵ֛ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

became
הָי֧וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

two
שְׁנֵ֥י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

tribes,
מַטּ֖וֹת (maṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

Manasseh
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה (mə·naš·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4519: Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites

and Ephraim.
וְאֶפְרָ֑יִם (wə·’ep̄·rā·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

And no
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

portion
חֵ֨לֶק (ḥê·leq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2506: Portion, tract, territory

of the land
בָּאָ֗רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

was given
נָתְנוּ֩ (nā·ṯə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

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

except for
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

cities
עָרִים֙ (‘ā·rîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

in which to live,
לָשֶׁ֔בֶת (lā·še·ḇeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

along with pasturelands
וּמִ֨גְרְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם (ū·miḡ·rə·šê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4054: A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea

for their flocks
לְמִקְנֵיהֶ֖ם (lə·miq·nê·hem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition

and herds.
וּלְקִנְיָנָֽם׃ (ū·lə·qin·yā·nām)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7075: Creation, creatures, acquisition, purchase, wealth

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OT History: Joshua 14:4 For the children of Joseph were two (Josh. Jos)