Joshua 14:4

4 but the sons of Joseph were parted into two lineages, (that) of Manasseh, and (that) of Ephraim, and were heirs into the place of them. And the Levites took none other part in the land, no but cities to dwell in, and the suburbs of those to their work beasts and their sheep to be fed in. (for Joseph's sons were divided into two tribes, that of Manasseh, which itself was divided into two parts, and that of Ephraim, and they were heirs in their places. And the Levites took no portion of the land, but only some cities to live in, and their suburbs for their work beasts and their sheep to be fed in.)

Joshua 14:4 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 14:4

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and
Ephraim
For the birthright being forfeited by Reuben, was given to Joseph, who had the double portion, the privilege of the firstborn; by which means the number of the twelve tribes was kept up in the division of the land, though that of Levi had no share in it; and which is also a reason why they had none, that Joseph's two sons might be reckoned two tribes:

therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land;
to make way for the sons of Joseph to have the double portion:

save cities to dwell [in];
and that only, for they might not sell them, as other Israelites could theirs:

with their suburbs, for their cattle, and for their substance;
the Targum is,

``for all their beasts, and for their cattle;''

that is, for convenient places to put them into, and for pasturage for, them; which Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret of their larger and lesser cattle, their herds and their flocks, their oxen and sheep.

Joshua 14:4 In-Context

2 and these (men) parted all things by lot, as the Lord commanded in the hand of Moses (as the Lord commanded by Moses), to the nine lineages, and to the half lineage.

3 For Moses had given to the two lineages and to the half lineage (their) possession(s) over (the) Jordan; without the Levites, that took nothing of the land among their brethren; (For Moses had already given the two tribes and the half tribe on the eastern side of the Jordan River their possessions; and without the Levites, who took nothing of the land among their kinsmen;)

4 but the sons of Joseph were parted into two lineages, (that) of Manasseh, and (that) of Ephraim, and were heirs into the place of them. And the Levites took none other part in the land, no but cities to dwell in, and the suburbs of those to their work beasts and their sheep to be fed in. (for Joseph's sons were divided into two tribes, that of Manasseh, which itself was divided into two parts, and that of Ephraim, and they were heirs in their places. And the Levites took no portion of the land, but only some cities to live in, and their suburbs for their work beasts and their sheep to be fed in.)

5 As the Lord commanded to Moses, so the sons of Israel did, and they parted the land. (As the Lord commanded to Moses, so the Israelites did, and they divided up the land.)

6 And so the sons of Judah went to Joshua in Gilgal; and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, of Kenaz, spake to him, (and said,) Thou knowest, what the Lord spake to Moses, the man of God, of me and of thee in Kadeshbarnea (Thou knowest, what the Lord said to Moses, the man of God, about you and me at Kadeshbarnea).