Joshua 21:2 - They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “Yahweh commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our livestock.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Joshua 21:2" mean?
This verse, Joshua 21:2, is a crucial part of understanding the allocation of land to the Levites in the Promised Land. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan...": "They" refers to the heads of the Levitical families (or their representatives). Shiloh was a significant religious center at this time, housing the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary) and likely serving as a central administrative location. The location emphasizes the solemn and official nature of this request.
"...saying, 'Yahweh commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our livestock.'": This is the core of their request. The Levites are reminding the other tribes (represented by their leaders) of a previous divine command given through Moses.
"Yahweh commanded through Moses...": This is the key authority behind their claim. They are not just making a request; they are asserting that God Himself instructed this provision. This divine command is found in Numbers 35.
"...to give us cities to dwell in...": The Levites were not to inherit a specific territorial region like the other tribes. Instead, they were to be given cities scattered throughout the tribal territories. These cities were not their personal property in the same way as other tribal lands but were given for dwelling and service.
"...with their suburbs for our livestock.": The "suburbs" (sometimes translated as "pasturelands" or "open land") were areas surrounding the cities that provided space for the Levites to graze their livestock. This was vital for their sustenance, as they did not receive an inheritance of agricultural land. The inclusion of land for livestock highlights their need for resources beyond just housing.
In Summary:
The verse documents the Levites' formal request to the other tribes for the fulfillment of God's command, as communicated through Moses. They are asking for specific cities within the tribal territories, along with the surrounding land necessary to support their families and livestock. This emphasizes the Levites' unique role as a priestly tribe, supported by the other tribes but not tied to a single geographical location. The reference to "Yahweh commanded through Moses" gives their request considerable weight and serves as the justification for their claim. It also underlines the importance of obedience to God's instructions in the distribution of the Promised Land.
Joshua 21:2 - They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “Yahweh commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our livestock.”
What does "Joshua 21:2" mean?
This verse, Joshua 21:2, is a crucial part of understanding the allocation of land to the Levites in the Promised Land. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan...": "They" refers to the heads of the Levitical families (or their representatives). Shiloh was a significant religious center at this time, housing the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary) and likely serving as a central administrative location. The location emphasizes the solemn and official nature of this request.
"...saying, 'Yahweh commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our livestock.'": This is the core of their request. The Levites are reminding the other tribes (represented by their leaders) of a previous divine command given through Moses.
"Yahweh commanded through Moses...": This is the key authority behind their claim. They are not just making a request; they are asserting that God Himself instructed this provision. This divine command is found in Numbers 35.
"...to give us cities to dwell in...": The Levites were not to inherit a specific territorial region like the other tribes. Instead, they were to be given cities scattered throughout the tribal territories. These cities were not their personal property in the same way as other tribal lands but were given for dwelling and service.
"...with their suburbs for our livestock.": The "suburbs" (sometimes translated as "pasturelands" or "open land") were areas surrounding the cities that provided space for the Levites to graze their livestock. This was vital for their sustenance, as they did not receive an inheritance of agricultural land. The inclusion of land for livestock highlights their need for resources beyond just housing.
In Summary:
The verse documents the Levites' formal request to the other tribes for the fulfillment of God's command, as communicated through Moses. They are asking for specific cities within the tribal territories, along with the surrounding land necessary to support their families and livestock. This emphasizes the Levites' unique role as a priestly tribe, supported by the other tribes but not tied to a single geographical location. The reference to "Yahweh commanded through Moses" gives their request considerable weight and serves as the justification for their claim. It also underlines the importance of obedience to God's instructions in the distribution of the Promised Land.