Joshua 14:4

4 For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they gave no part unto the Levites in the land except cities to dwell in with their suburbs for their livestock and for their substance.

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 Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, to be given to the nine tribes and to the half tribe.
3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and half a tribe on the other side of the Jordan, but unto the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.
4 For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they gave no part unto the Levites in the land except cities to dwell in with their suburbs for their livestock and for their substance.
5 As the LORD had commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did regarding the dividing of the land.
6 Then the sons of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses, the man of God, concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010