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Selected Verse: Joshua 21:41 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Jos 21:41 |
Strong Concordance |
All the cities [05892] of the Levites [03881] within [08432] the possession [0272] of the children [01121] of Israel [03478] were forty [0705] and eight [08083] cities [05892] with their suburbs [04054]. |
|
King James |
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs--This may appear too great a proportion compared with those of the other tribes. But it must be borne in mind that the list given here contains the names of every Levitical city (see on 1Ch. 6:39-66); whereas only those cities of the other tribes are mentioned which lay on the frontier or along the boundary line. Besides, the Levites were not the exclusive inhabitants of those forty-eight cities; for there must have been also a considerable number of people kept there to cultivate the glebe lands and tend the cattle. Still further, the Levitical cities had nothing but "their suburbs round about them" [Jos 21:42]; whereas the other cities in Israel possessed a group of independent villages (see Jos. 17:1-19:51). |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Forty eight cities - Why hath this tribe, which was the least of all, more cities than any of them? First, it doth not appear that they had more: for though all the cities of the Levites be expressed, it is not so with the other tribes, but divers of their cities are omitted. Secondly, the Levites were confined to their cities and suburbs; the rest had large territories belonging to their cities, which also so they were in a capacity of improving, which the Levites were not; so that one of their cities might be more considerable than divers of the Levites. Thirdly, God, was pleased to deal liberally with his ministers, to put honour on those whom he foresaw many would be prone to despise; and, that being free from outward distractions, they might more entirely and fervently devote themselves to the service of God. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Forty and eight cities - At the last census of the Hebrew people, related Numbers 26, we find from Num 26:62 that the tribe of Levi amounted only to 23,000; and it is supposed that forty-eight cities were too great a proportion for this tribe, the other tribes having so very few. But,
1. All the cities of the other tribes are not enumerated.
2. They had the circumjacent country as well as the cities.
3. The Levites had no other cities than those enumerated.
4. They had no country annexed to their cities, the 2,000 cubits for their cattle, etc., excepted.
5. Cities in those ancient times were very small, as most villages went under this appellation.
6. The Levites had now the appointment that was suited to their consequent increase. The other tribes might enlarge their borders and make conquests, but this was not suitable to the mere servants of God; besides, had they made conquests, they would have become proprietors of the conquered land; and God determined that they should have no inheritance in Israel, He himself being their portion. |
42 These cities [05892] were every one [05892] [05892] with their suburbs [04054] round about [05439] them: thus were all these cities [05892].
62 And those that were numbered [06485] of them were twenty [06242] and three [07969] thousand [0505], all males [02145] from a month [02320] old [01121] and upward [04605]: for they were not numbered [06485] among [08432] the children [01121] of Israel [03478], because there was no inheritance [05159] given [05414] them among [08432] the children [01121] of Israel [03478].