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
In the Book of Joshua, the Israelites were dividing the Promised Land among the tribes after their conquest, as part of God's fulfillment of His covenant to give them an inheritance. Joseph's descendants were counted as two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, which adjusted the land allocations among the twelve tribes. However, the Levites, who served as priests and were dedicated to God, received no tribal territory but were given specific cities and surrounding pastures for their needs and livestock.
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