Keraia
Joshua 14

Joshua 14:4

Land Division West of the Jordan · Joshua 14:1–5
Read Joshua 14

Translations

Modern
The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.
Traditional
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.
Literal
For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they gave no portion to the Levites in the land, but only cities to dwell in, with their pasturelands for their livestock and their property.
Latin
…sed in eorum successerunt locum filii Joseph in duas divisi tribus, Manasse et Ephraim: nec acceperunt Levitæ aliam in terra partem, nisi urbes ad habitandum, et suburbana earum ad alenda jumenta et pecora sua.

Original

Hebrew
English
The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.

Notes

Joshua 14:4

Joseph, the older son of the patriarch Jacob's favorite wife Rachel, received twice as much land through his sons Manasseh and Ephraim (see study note on Genesis 48:5–7). Since the Levites did not get their own land allowance, the total number of tribes with land remained at 12 (Joshua 13:14).

Joshua 14:1–19:51

  • The allotment of land to the tribes on the west side of the Jordan describes what God intended for each tribe to possess.

  • The one narrating the story begins this section with Caleb receiving land and ends with Joshua receiving land (14:6–15; 19:49–51). Only Caleb and Joshua had shown faith in God that Israel could conquer the land (Numbers 13:30; 14:6–9).

Joshua 13:1–21:45

  • As he had promised, God brought Israel into the land. Joshua then focused on dividing the land among Israel's tribes.

  • The tribal allowances made the covenant of the Israelites with God real. It showed the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God owned the land, giving it to the tribes was a gift. God gave them the land to live in and guided its distribution.

  • In these lists of tribal allowances, the author describes some borders in great detail, allowing them to be mapped. With others, they are less plainly defined.

Theme notes and profiles

Eleazar Joshua Inheriting the Land

Events

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob

Glossary

Allotment of the Land Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Tribe of Dan

Topics

Cities: Suburbs of Israel: The Descendants of Levi Were Consecrated to the Rites of Religion Suburbs: General Scriptures Concerning The Jews: Settled in Canaan The Tribes of Israel: Canaan Divided Amongst Nine and a Half of, by Lot The Tribes of Israel: Manasseh and Ephraim Numbered Among, Instead of Joseph