Joshua 21:34
New International Version
The Merarite clans (the rest of the Levites) were given: from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam, Kartah,

New Living Translation
The rest of the Levites—the Merari clan—were given the following towns with their pasturelands from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,

English Standard Version
And to the rest of the Levites, the Merarite clans, were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands,

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah,

King James Bible
And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,

New King James Version
And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its common-land, Kartah with its common-land,

New American Standard Bible
And to the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, they gave from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands, Kartah with its pasture lands,

NASB 1995
To the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, they gave from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands and Kartah with its pasture lands.

NASB 1977
And to the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, they gave from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands and Kartah with its pasture lands.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now to the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, they gave from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands and Kartah with its pasture lands.

Amplified Bible
To the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, they gave from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands and Kartah with its pasture lands,

Christian Standard Bible
From the tribe of Zebulun, they gave to the clans of the descendants of Merari, who were the remaining Levites: Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
From the tribe of Zebulun, they gave to the clans of the descendants of Merari, who were the remaining Levites: Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands,

American Standard Version
And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs, and Kartah with its suburbs,

English Revised Version
And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To the families of Merari, who were from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of Zebulun gave four cities with pasturelands: Jokneam, Kartah,

Good News Translation
The rest of the Levites, the clan of Merari, received from the territory of Zebulun four cities: Jokneam, Kartah,

International Standard Version
From the tribe of Zebulun were allocated to the descendants of Merari (that is, the rest of the descendants of Levi) Jokneam with its pasture lands, Kartah with its pasture lands,

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah,

NET Bible
They assigned to the Merarite clans (the remaining Levites) the following cities: from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,

New Heart English Bible
To the families of the descendants of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs, Kartah with its suburbs,

Webster's Bible Translation
And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs, and Kartah with its suburbs,

World English Bible
To the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands, Kartah with its pasture lands,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And for the families of the sons of Merari, the Levites, who are left, [are,] out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam and its outskirts, Kartah and its outskirts,

Young's Literal Translation
And for the families of the sons of Merari, the Levites, who are left, are, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam and its suburbs, Kartah and its suburbs,

Smith's Literal Translation
And to the families of the sons of Merari, the Levites remaining, from the tribe of Zebulon, Jokneam and her area, and Kartah and her area,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And to the children of Merari, Levites of the inferior degree, by their families were given of the tribe of Zabulon, Jecnam and Cartha,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, to the sons of Merari, Levites of the lesser degree, by their families, were given, from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam and Kartah,

New American Bible
The Merarite clans, the last of the Levites, received, from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands, Kartah with its pasture lands,

New Revised Standard Version
To the rest of the Levites—the Merarite families—were given out of the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam with its pasture lands, Kartah with its pasture lands,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, received their cities out of the tribe of Reuben, Jahaz with its suburbs, Kermoth with its suburbs, Kiriathim with its suburbs,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And for the tribe of the children of Merari to the Levites who were left were the cities from the tribe of Rubil:Yahats and its fields and Qermuth and its fields
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with the open land about it, and Kartah with the open land about it;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And to the family of the sons of Merari the Levites that remained, he gave out of the tribe of Zabulon, Maan and its suburbs; and Cades and its suburbs,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
33In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans. 34This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah, 35Dimnah, and Nahalal—four cities, together with their pasturelands.…

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. ...

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 13:33
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

1 Chronicles 6:77-81
The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands. / From the tribe of Reuben east of the Jordan opposite Jericho they were given Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah, / Kedemoth, and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands. ...

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 49:5-7
Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Exodus 32:26-29
So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. / He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. ...

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.

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. ...

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.

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Luke 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

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.


Treasury of Scripture

And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,

And unto

Joshua 21:7
The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.

1 Chronicles 6:77
Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:

Jokneam

Joshua 12:22
The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;

Joshua 19:11,15
And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam; …

Jump to Previous
Children Clans Jokneam Jok'ne-Am Kartah Levites Merari Merarite Merar'ite Open Pasture Rest Suburbs Tribe Zebulun Zeb'ulun
Jump to Next
Children Clans Jokneam Jok'ne-Am Kartah Levites Merari Merarite Merar'ite Open Pasture Rest Suburbs Tribe Zebulun Zeb'ulun
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














And to the rest of the Merarites
The Merarites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, descended from Merari, the son of Levi. In the Hebrew context, the name "Merari" is associated with bitterness or strength, reflecting perhaps the burdensome yet vital role they played in the service of the tabernacle. The Merarites were responsible for the structural elements of the tabernacle, such as the frames, bars, pillars, and bases. This allocation of cities to the Merarites signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to provide for all the Levites, ensuring they had a place within the Promised Land despite not receiving a territorial inheritance like the other tribes.

the clans of the Levites
The Levites were set apart for religious duties and were not given a specific territory like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, they were distributed among the tribes to perform their priestly functions and to teach the Law. The term "clans" indicates the subdivisions within the tribe of Levi, each with specific roles and responsibilities. This distribution underscores the importance of the Levites in maintaining the spiritual health of the nation, serving as a constant reminder of God's presence and the need for holiness.

they gave from the tribe of Zebulun
The tribe of Zebulun was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's tenth son. Zebulun's territory was located in the northern part of Israel, a region known for its fertile land and strategic location for trade. The giving of cities from Zebulun to the Merarites highlights the cooperative spirit among the tribes and the recognition of the Levites' essential role. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of unity and interdependence among God's people.

Jokneam
Jokneam was a city located in the territory of Zebulun, near Mount Carmel. Its name means "the people will be established," which is fitting for a city given to the Levites, who were tasked with establishing the people in the ways of the Lord. Archaeological evidence suggests that Jokneam was a fortified city, indicating its importance in the region. This allocation to the Levites would have provided them with a secure place to live and serve.

Kartah
Kartah is less well-known, and its exact location is not definitively identified today. However, its inclusion in the list of Levitical cities signifies its role in the spiritual and communal life of Israel. The name "Kartah" may be related to the Hebrew word for "city" or "town," emphasizing the urban nature of the Levites' dwelling places. This reflects the Levites' role as central figures in the community, providing spiritual guidance and instruction in the Law.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[This is what] the Merarite
מְרָרִי֮ (mə·rā·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi

clan
וּלְמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת (ū·lə·miš·pə·ḥō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

(the rest of
הַנּוֹתָרִים֒ (han·nō·w·ṯā·rîm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

the Levites) were given:
הַלְוִיִּ֣ם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

From the tribe
מַטֵּ֣ה (maṭ·ṭêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of Zebulun [they received]
זְבוּלֻ֔ן (zə·ḇū·lun)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2074: Zebulun -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and their territory

Jokneam,
יָקְנְעָ֖ם (yā·qə·nə·‘ām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3362: Jokneam -- a city of Canaan

Kartah,
קַרְתָּ֖ה (qar·tāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7177: Kartah -- a city in Zebulun


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OT History: Joshua 21:34 To the families of the children (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 21:33
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