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.
The descendants of Joseph had become two separate tribes - Manasseh and Ephraim. So they didn't give the Levites any portion of the land itself, except for cities to live in along with the surrounding pasturelands for their livestock and possessions.
This verse explains why there were still twelve tribal portions of land even though the Levites (the priestly tribe) didn't receive their own territory - Joseph's family had grown into two tribes.
📚 Historical Context
When the Israelites divided the Promised Land, the twelve sons of Jacob formed the basis for tribal territories. However, the Levites were set apart as priests and didn't receive land inheritance like the other tribes. To maintain twelve portions, Joseph's two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) each became separate tribes, as Jacob had blessed them to be equal with his own sons.
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