Joshua 14:4

4 The descendants of Joseph had become two separate tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. And the Levites were given no land at all, only towns to live in with surrounding pasturelands for their livestock and all their possessions.

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 These nine and a half tribes received their grants of land by means of sacred lots, in accordance with the LORD ’s command through Moses.

3 Moses had already given a grant of land to the two and a half tribes on the east side of the Jordan River, but he had given the Levites no such allotment.

4 The descendants of Joseph had become two separate tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. And the Levites were given no land at all, only towns to live in with surrounding pasturelands for their livestock and all their possessions.

5 So the land was distributed in strict accordance with the LORD ’s commands to Moses.

6 A delegation from the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb said to Joshua, “Remember what the LORD said to Moses, the man of God, about you and me when we were at Kadesh-barnea.