Joshua 21:3 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

So the people of Israel gave the Levites these cities and their surrounding pasturelands from their own territory, just as the LORD had commanded.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is showing how the Israelites obediently gave cities and land to the Levites (the priestly tribe) because God had told them to do this.

📚 Historical Context

This happened after Israel had conquered the Promised Land and divided it among the twelve tribes. The Levites were the priestly tribe who served in religious duties and didn't receive a large territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, God commanded that they be given specific cities scattered throughout all the tribal territories so they could serve the people spiritually wherever they lived.

Explore Similar Verses

1 Chronicles 6:57

To Aaron's descendants they gave cities in the territory of Judah: Hebron (which was a city of refuge), Libnah with its surrounding pasturelands, and Jattir and Eshtemoa with their surrounding pasturelands.

1 Chronicles 6:55

And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, along with all the surrounding pasturelands around it.

1 Chronicles 6:72

From the territory belonging to the tribe of Issachar, they gave the cities of Kedesh with its surrounding pasturelands, and Daberath with its surrounding pasturelands,

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