Joshua 21:9 - They gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are mentioned by name:
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What does "Joshua 21:9" mean?
Joshua 21:9 is part of a larger passage (Joshua 21:4-42) that details the allocation of cities to the Levites throughout the various tribes of Israel. The Levites, because they were dedicated to the service of the Lord and the tabernacle (later the temple), were not given their own land inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, they were given cities to live in, along with the surrounding pasture lands for their livestock.
Specifically, Joshua 21:9 means:
"They gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah...": The people of Judah, who had been allotted the land first described in Joshua 15, donated some of their cities to the Levites.
"...and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon...": Similarly, the tribe of Simeon, whose territory was within Judah's territory (Joshua 19:1-9), also contributed cities to the Levites.
"...these cities which are mentioned by name:": The verse is referring to the cities listed in the subsequent verses of Joshua 21. These are specific, named settlements that were designated as Levite cities within the territory of Judah and Simeon.
In essence, the verse is a brief summary stating that the following listed cities, located within the territories of the tribes of Judah and Simeon, were given to the Levites to inhabit. This act fulfilled God's command that the Levites be provided for since they had no land inheritance of their own. It also represents an act of obedience and generosity on the part of the tribes of Judah and Simeon.
Joshua 21:9 - They gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are mentioned by name:
What does "Joshua 21:9" mean?
Joshua 21:9 is part of a larger passage (Joshua 21:4-42) that details the allocation of cities to the Levites throughout the various tribes of Israel. The Levites, because they were dedicated to the service of the Lord and the tabernacle (later the temple), were not given their own land inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, they were given cities to live in, along with the surrounding pasture lands for their livestock.
Specifically, Joshua 21:9 means:
"They gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah...": The people of Judah, who had been allotted the land first described in Joshua 15, donated some of their cities to the Levites.
"...and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon...": Similarly, the tribe of Simeon, whose territory was within Judah's territory (Joshua 19:1-9), also contributed cities to the Levites.
"...these cities which are mentioned by name:": The verse is referring to the cities listed in the subsequent verses of Joshua 21. These are specific, named settlements that were designated as Levite cities within the territory of Judah and Simeon.
In essence, the verse is a brief summary stating that the following listed cities, located within the territories of the tribes of Judah and Simeon, were given to the Levites to inhabit. This act fulfilled God's command that the Levites be provided for since they had no land inheritance of their own. It also represents an act of obedience and generosity on the part of the tribes of Judah and Simeon.