Joshua 21:12 - But they gave the fields of the city and its villages to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
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What does "Joshua 21:12" mean?
Joshua 21:12 states, "But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession." To understand what this means, we need some context from the book of Joshua:
Background: Joshua chapter 21 deals with the allocation of cities to the Levites. The Levites didn't receive a specific territory or inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, they were scattered among the tribes and given certain cities to live in. This was because their primary role was to serve as priests and teachers of the Law, and they were supported by tithes and offerings.
Caleb's Promise: Earlier in the book, specifically in Joshua 14, Caleb, a member of the tribe of Judah, is granted the city of Hebron and its surrounding land. This was a reward for his faithfulness to God and his courage in spying out the land of Canaan with Joshua (Numbers 13-14). He had remained hopeful and believed that God would give them the land, unlike the other spies who spread fear among the Israelites.
The Verse's Meaning: Joshua 21:12 clarifies that while the Levites were receiving cities, Caleb retained possession of the farmland surrounding the city (Hebron) and its associated villages. Essentially, the Levites were given the city of Hebron to live in as a Levitical city, but Caleb still owned the agricultural land (the "fields of the city and its villages") around the city.
In essence, it's a division of ownership and use. Caleb got the farmland, and the Levites got the city itself. This shows a specific exception within the larger allocation of Levitical cities, honoring God's promise to Caleb. This ensures that Caleb and his descendants would have the resources and provision associated with the land he was promised.
Joshua 21:12 - But they gave the fields of the city and its villages to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
What does "Joshua 21:12" mean?
Joshua 21:12 states, "But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession." To understand what this means, we need some context from the book of Joshua:
Background: Joshua chapter 21 deals with the allocation of cities to the Levites. The Levites didn't receive a specific territory or inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, they were scattered among the tribes and given certain cities to live in. This was because their primary role was to serve as priests and teachers of the Law, and they were supported by tithes and offerings.
Caleb's Promise: Earlier in the book, specifically in Joshua 14, Caleb, a member of the tribe of Judah, is granted the city of Hebron and its surrounding land. This was a reward for his faithfulness to God and his courage in spying out the land of Canaan with Joshua (Numbers 13-14). He had remained hopeful and believed that God would give them the land, unlike the other spies who spread fear among the Israelites.
The Verse's Meaning: Joshua 21:12 clarifies that while the Levites were receiving cities, Caleb retained possession of the farmland surrounding the city (Hebron) and its associated villages. Essentially, the Levites were given the city of Hebron to live in as a Levitical city, but Caleb still owned the agricultural land (the "fields of the city and its villages") around the city.
In essence, it's a division of ownership and use. Caleb got the farmland, and the Levites got the city itself. This shows a specific exception within the larger allocation of Levitical cities, honoring God's promise to Caleb. This ensures that Caleb and his descendants would have the resources and provision associated with the land he was promised.