Joshua 21:42 - Each of these cities included their suburbs around them. It was this way with all these cities.
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 21:42" mean?
This verse from Joshua 21:42, specifically "Each of these cities included their suburbs around them. It was this way with all these cities," is emphasizing a crucial point about the Levitical cities and their allotted territories. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Levitical Cities: Chapter 21 of Joshua describes the cities given to the Levites. The Levites were the priestly tribe, and they weren't given a specific tribal inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, they were given cities scattered throughout the other tribes to live in and to perform their religious duties.
"Each of these cities included their suburbs around them": This is the key phrase. The term "suburbs" in this context (from the Hebrew migrash) does not mean modern-day suburbs. It refers to open pastureland surrounding the city. Think of it as land for:
Grazing Livestock: The Levites needed pastureland for their animals.
Farming: They likely needed land for growing crops, both for their sustenance and possibly for offerings.
Open Space: Areas outside the city walls provided a buffer zone, possibly for safety and for managing resources.
Agriculture and Resource Management: Areas to manage their own resources and agriculture for the Levites' own sustenance and offerings.
"It was this way with all these cities": This reinforces that every city given to the Levites came with this surrounding pastureland. It was a standard part of their allotment.
Why is this important?
Providing for the Levites: This ensured the Levites had a means of support. Since they didn't have a tribal inheritance, they needed land for food production and sustenance.
Function and Role: The pastureland was essential for the Levites to fulfill their duties. They likely needed animals for sacrifices and other religious rituals.
Fairness and Just Distribution: This detail underscores that the allotment of cities and their associated lands was carefully considered and fair to the Levites across all the tribal territories.
Distinct from other Tribes' Inheritances: It emphasizes that the Levitical cities weren't simply isolated urban centers, but included agricultural land necessary for their way of life, which was different from the larger agricultural inheritances of the other tribes.
Completeness of the Agreement: It reiterates that the promise of land for the Levites was not just about the cities themselves, but also included the necessary surrounding resources.
In essence, the verse is emphasizing the completeness of the arrangement for the Levites. They weren't just given cities; they were given the resources they needed to live and function within those cities.
Joshua 21:42 - Each of these cities included their suburbs around them. It was this way with all these cities.
What does "Joshua 21:42" mean?
This verse from Joshua 21:42, specifically "Each of these cities included their suburbs around them. It was this way with all these cities," is emphasizing a crucial point about the Levitical cities and their allotted territories. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Levitical Cities: Chapter 21 of Joshua describes the cities given to the Levites. The Levites were the priestly tribe, and they weren't given a specific tribal inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, they were given cities scattered throughout the other tribes to live in and to perform their religious duties.
"Each of these cities included their suburbs around them": This is the key phrase. The term "suburbs" in this context (from the Hebrew migrash) does not mean modern-day suburbs. It refers to open pastureland surrounding the city. Think of it as land for:
Grazing Livestock: The Levites needed pastureland for their animals.
Farming: They likely needed land for growing crops, both for their sustenance and possibly for offerings.
Open Space: Areas outside the city walls provided a buffer zone, possibly for safety and for managing resources.
Agriculture and Resource Management: Areas to manage their own resources and agriculture for the Levites' own sustenance and offerings.
"It was this way with all these cities": This reinforces that every city given to the Levites came with this surrounding pastureland. It was a standard part of their allotment.
Why is this important?
Providing for the Levites: This ensured the Levites had a means of support. Since they didn't have a tribal inheritance, they needed land for food production and sustenance.
Function and Role: The pastureland was essential for the Levites to fulfill their duties. They likely needed animals for sacrifices and other religious rituals.
Fairness and Just Distribution: This detail underscores that the allotment of cities and their associated lands was carefully considered and fair to the Levites across all the tribal territories.
Distinct from other Tribes' Inheritances: It emphasizes that the Levitical cities weren't simply isolated urban centers, but included agricultural land necessary for their way of life, which was different from the larger agricultural inheritances of the other tribes.
Completeness of the Agreement: It reiterates that the promise of land for the Levites was not just about the cities themselves, but also included the necessary surrounding resources.
In essence, the verse is emphasizing the completeness of the arrangement for the Levites. They weren't just given cities; they were given the resources they needed to live and function within those cities.