Joshua 14 3

Joshua 14:3 kjv

For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.

Joshua 14:3 nkjv

For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe on the other side of the Jordan; but to the Levites he had given no inheritance among them.

Joshua 14:3 niv

Moses had granted the two-and-a-half tribes their inheritance east of the Jordan but had not granted the Levites an inheritance among the rest,

Joshua 14:3 esv

For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.

Joshua 14:3 nlt

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.

Joshua 14 verses

Joshua 14 3 Meaning

Joshua 14:3 serves as a clarifying parenthetical statement within the narrative of land distribution. It explains why only nine and a half tribes were receiving their territorial inheritance west of the Jordan River. It notes that Moses, by divine instruction, had already allotted land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh on the eastern side of the Jordan. Concurrently, it reaffirms that the Levites were intentionally excluded from receiving a territorial inheritance among the other tribes, a provision established much earlier under Moses' leadership. This verse ensures that the readers understand the comprehensive and ordered fulfillment of God's land promises, accounting for all tribal groups according to their unique divine allocations.

Joshua 14 3 Context

Joshua 14 opens a new section in the Book of Joshua, transitioning from the conquest narrative (chapters 1-12) to the land distribution (chapters 13-21). Verses 1 and 2 introduce the method of allocating land west of the Jordan through lots, overseen by Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal heads. Verse 3 acts as an essential clarification, detailing why only nine and a half tribes are mentioned for this distribution.

Historically, this verse harks back to commands given by Moses decades earlier in the wilderness. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh requested and were granted land east of the Jordan River (Numbers 32), with the understanding that they would still cross over and help their brethren conquer the land of Canaan before returning to their Transjordanian inheritance. This verse serves as a historical reminder of that earlier arrangement. Culturally, the distribution of land was crucial for defining the identity and security of each Israelite tribe, cementing their place in the promised land. For the original audience, familiar with these prior Mosaic instructions, verse 3 confirmed that the present actions under Joshua were in continuity with God’s established plan. It also highlights the unique, non-territorial status of the Levites, who were consecrated to serve the Tabernacle and subsequently the Temple, and thus provided for differently by God.

Joshua 14 3 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - kî): A particle here meaning "for" or "because," introducing the explanation or reason for the prior statements (the 9.5 tribes). It connects the present action of land division to past divine decrees.
• Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mōšeh): The great lawgiver and leader chosen by God. His name underscores the divine authority and established nature of the arrangements being described. The distribution described here was not a new initiative by Joshua but a fulfillment of what Moses had already commanded under God’s direction.
• had given (נָתַן - nātan): A verb meaning "to give," "to place," or "to appoint." The past perfect tense "had given" emphasizes a completed action in the past, underscoring the finality and pre-determined nature of this allocation. This act of giving was part of God’s unfolding plan for Israel.
• the inheritance (הַנַּחֲלָה - hannaḥălâ): From naḥal, meaning "to inherit," "to possess." This term signifies not just land, but a heritage, an enduring possession passed down, often divinely ordained. For Israel, this inheritance of land was a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:7).
• of the two tribes (לִשְׁנֵי הַשְּׁבָטִים - lišné haššəbāṭîm): Refers specifically to Reuben and Gad. The numerical precision emphasizes the accuracy and divine order in the tribal assignments.
• and the half tribe (וַחֲצִי הַשֵּׁבֶט - waḥaṣî haššēbeṭ): Refers to the half-tribe of Manasseh that settled east of the Jordan. This further highlights the exactness of God's plan, acknowledging the split tribal inheritance.
• beyond the Jordan (בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן - bəʿēber hayyardēn): Literally "in the crossing of the Jordan," signifying the Transjordan region (east of the river). This phrase clearly delineates the geographical area of their prior inheritance, differentiating it from the Cisjordanian (west of the Jordan) territory currently being discussed for distribution.
• but (וְ - wə): A conjunctive often meaning "and," but here functions adversatively as "but," introducing a contrasting piece of information.
• he had not given (לֹא־נָתַן - lōʾ-nātan): The negative of nātan, emphasizing a deliberate withholding. This was not an oversight but a specific command from God.
• an inheritance (נַחֲלָה - naḥălâ): Repeated from earlier in the verse, maintaining the focus on land as inherited possession.
• among them (בְּתוֹכָם - bətôḵām): Meaning "in their midst" or "among them." This signifies that the Levites were not allotted a cohesive territorial tract like the other tribes, ensuring their distinct status.
• to the Levites (לַלְוִיִּם - lalaqqiyyîm): Refers to the tribe of Levi, set apart by God for priestly and liturgical service (Num 1:49-50). Their lack of a land inheritance directly correlated with their unique function. Their inheritance was the Lord Himself, and tithes from the other tribes (Num 18:20-24).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For Moses had given the inheritance...": This phrase grounds the land distribution in divine historical continuity. It reinforces that the current actions under Joshua are merely completing God's long-standing covenant plan, rather than new, independent decisions. This pre-establishes God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises made generations prior.
• "...of the two tribes and the half tribe beyond the Jordan": This specifies the tribal entities and the distinct geographical region already settled. It demonstrates the meticulous detail and orderliness of God's land allocations, accounting for all of Jacob's descendants according to their established portions, while recognizing the unusual split of Manasseh.
• "but he had not given an inheritance among them to the Levites.": This crucial contrasting clause explains why Levi is not counted among the land-receiving tribes. It underscores their unique, God-ordained role and provision. Unlike the other tribes whose inheritance was material land, the Levites’ inheritance was to be God Himself and the tithes and offerings from the rest of Israel. This arrangement ensured their dedication to priestly duties without the distractions of farming or warfare for land.

Joshua 14 3 Bonus section

• Divine Sovereignty in Allotment: The verse subtly highlights God's sovereignty over every aspect of His people's lives, including their land. The pre-assigned portions and the unique Levitical provision show that all arrangements stemmed from His deliberate design, not human negotiation.
• Theological Foreshadowing: The Levites' inheritance being the LORD Himself and their sustenance through the offerings of Israel (rather than land) foreshadows the spiritual inheritance of New Testament believers whose true portion is Christ and whose sustenance comes from Him and the fellowship of believers, not earthly possessions.
• Moses' Obedience and Faithfulness: The repeated mention of Moses' actions confirms his complete obedience to God's instructions regarding the land, setting a precedent for Joshua's own leadership and obedience.

Joshua 14 3 Commentary

Joshua 14:3 is an explanatory parenthetical, crucial for understanding the overall scheme of land distribution in Israel. It clarifies why the immediate context focuses only on nine and a half tribes receiving land west of the Jordan. It highlights Moses's divinely authorized role in past land grants to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh east of the Jordan. Crucially, it reiterates the Levites' distinct status: they were purposely not given a tribal land inheritance. This reflects a divine principle where their provision and security came directly from God through the support of the other tribes, enabling their exclusive dedication to sacred service. The verse testifies to the meticulously organized and fulfilled nature of God's promises, executed by His chosen leaders. It emphasizes continuity in God's plan, stretching from Moses to Joshua, ensuring every tribe was accounted for according to God's precise and deliberate will.