Joshua 21 34

Joshua 21:34 kjv

And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,

Joshua 21:34 nkjv

And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its common-land, Kartah with its common-land,

Joshua 21:34 niv

The Merarite clans (the rest of the Levites) were given: from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam, Kartah,

Joshua 21:34 esv

And to the rest of the Levites, the Merarite clans, were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands,

Joshua 21:34 nlt

The rest of the Levites ? the Merari clan ? were given the following towns with their pasturelands from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,

Joshua 21 verses

Joshua 21 34 Meaning

This verse specifies the allocation of two cities, Jokneam and Kartah, along with their surrounding pasturelands (suburbs), from the tribal territory of Zebulun, to the families of Merari, one of the principal clans within the tribe of Levi. It signifies a concrete fulfillment of God's directive to provide dwelling places and sustenance for the Levites, who, unlike the other tribes, did not receive a dedicated territorial inheritance in Canaan.

Joshua 21 34 Context

Joshua 21:34 is found within a meticulously detailed chapter dedicated to recording the fulfillment of God's command regarding the provision for the Levitical tribe. After the land of Canaan had been conquered and divided among the twelve tribes of Israel (chapters 13-19), chapter 21 focuses entirely on the forty-eight cities and their suburbs that were allotted to the Levites. These Levites had no territorial inheritance of their own because the Lord God was their inheritance, and they were consecrated for divine service, including Tabernacle/Temple duties, teaching the Law, and judging disputes. This verse, specifically, lists cities assigned to the families of Merari, one of the three main clans descended from Levi (Kohath, Gershon, Merari). The distribution of these cities among all the other tribes ensured the Levites were scattered throughout Israel, serving as spiritual guides and upholders of God's commands for the entire nation.

Joshua 21 34 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction connecting this specific allocation to the preceding entries, indicating a continuation of the city listing for the Merarite Levites.
• unto (לְ - le): Preposition signifying allocation or assignment "to" these recipients. It emphasizes the recipient of the gift.
• the families (מִשְׁפְּחֹת - mishp'chot): Plural noun denoting clans or kinship groups. This highlights the precise genealogical and organizational nature of the Levitical distribution.
• of the children (בְּנֵי - b'nei): Lit. "sons of." Indicates descent and membership within the clan of Merari, stressing the lineage-based system.
• of Merari (מְרָרִי - M'rari): The third son of Levi (Exo 6:16). His descendants, the Merarites, were assigned specific duties in carrying and setting up the Tabernacle's heavy structural components during Israel's wilderness wanderings.
• the rest (הַנּוֹתָרִים - hannotarim): Lit. "those remaining" or "the ones left." This clarifies that these cities are for the remaining or final portion of the Merarite clans yet to receive their allocation, following earlier mentions of Merarites' cities from other tribes.
• of the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם - hal'viyim): Refers to the entire tribe set apart for service to God, distinct from the tribes who received land inheritance. They acted as spiritual guardians and educators.
• out of (מִן - min): Preposition denoting the source or origin of the cities; "from the territory of" Zebulun.
• the tribe (מַטֵּה - matteh): A specific division or branch of the Israelites, a tribal unit.
• of Zebulun (זְבֻלוּן - Zevulun): One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descendant of Jacob's son. The tribe was assigned territory in northern Israel. The inclusion of Zebulun highlights the cooperative burden-sharing among all tribes to support the Levites.
• Jokneam (יָקְנְעָם - Yoqne'am): A significant ancient city located in the Jezreel Valley, conquered by Joshua (Josh 12:22). Its strategic location reinforces the widespread placement of Levites.
• with her suburbs (וּמִגְרָשֶׁהָ - u'migrasheha): A crucial phrase. The Hebrew "migrash" refers to the common pasture lands or open areas surrounding a city. These "suburbs" were not urban extensions but agricultural/grazing lands essential for the Levites' economic sustenance (e.g., livestock), as they had no large land inheritance for farming. This provision was explicitly commanded in Num 35:2 and Lev 25:34.
• and Kartah (וְקַרְתָּה - v'Karta): Another specific city allotted to the Merarites within Zebulun's territory. While Jokneam is well-identified archaeologically, Kartah's exact location is less certain but its mention affirms the thoroughness of the allotment process.
• with her suburbs (וּמִגְרָשֶׁהָ - u'migrasheha): Repeated emphasis underscores that both the dwelling and the adjacent sustenance lands were given, highlighting God's complete provision.

• families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites: This grouping emphasizes the specific identity of the recipients within the overall Levitical body, showing a systematic and genealogical approach to the distribution based on their ancestral clans.
• out of the tribe of Zebulun: This phrase highlights the inter-tribal cooperation and shared responsibility mandated by God. Each land-owning tribe was obligated to contribute cities, ensuring the Levites' support and integration across the entire nation.
• Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs: The consistent pairing of a city name with "her suburbs" underlines the practical and economic dimension of the divine provision. It was not merely a house but an entire livelihood system, allowing the Levites to sustain themselves and their families while fulfilling their dedicated spiritual duties.

Joshua 21 34 Bonus section

• Divine Design of Scattering: The "scattering" of the Levites throughout Israel, as prophesied by Jacob (Gen 49:7), became a blessing rather than a curse. By being strategically placed in cities across the territories of all the tribes, the Levites could effectively function as teachers of the Mosaic Law, spiritual guides, and judicial resources, bringing divine instruction and influence to the entire nation rather than concentrating it in one area.
• Archaeological Insights: Jokneam (modern Tel Yokne'am) has been extensively excavated, confirming its importance as a continuously inhabited site from the Bronze Age through the Israelite period. This gives tangible weight to the biblical accounts of its allocation. The precise location of Kartah, however, is less definitively identified in archaeology, common for many ancient sites.
• Merarite Specifics: The Merarites were distinct within the Levitical framework for their heavy duty: transporting the framework of the Tabernacle—the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets (Num 3:36; 4:31). Their allocation of cities provided permanent dwelling for these specialized servants.
• Community and Dependence: The system of Levitical cities fostered inter-tribal dependence. Each tribe contributed to the welfare of the Levites, illustrating a model of communal responsibility within the nation. This reciprocal relationship ensured the support of those dedicated to sacred service, echoing principles of mutual care in God's community.
• Prefiguration of God's Presence: The presence of Levites, and thus elements of divine instruction and worship, throughout the land can be seen as a shadow of God's ultimate desire to dwell among His people everywhere, later fulfilled in a deeper sense through the Holy Spirit given to believers in the New Covenant (e.g., 1 Cor 6:19).

Joshua 21 34 Commentary

Joshua 21:34 offers a snapshot of God's meticulous care and faithful fulfillment of His promises to Israel. This verse, part of a comprehensive inventory of Levitical cities, specifically grants Jokneam and Kartah from Zebulun's territory to the Merarite clan of Levites. The Levites, who inherited no land because the Lord Himself was their portion, were instead scattered among all tribes. This dispersal was not a penalty but a strategic design, turning Jacob's prophecy of scattering Levi into a blessing, enabling them to serve as spiritual beacons, teachers, and guardians of the law across the land. The explicit mention of "suburbs" with each city demonstrates God's holistic provision, ensuring the Levites had pasturelands for livestock, providing practical sustenance while dedicating themselves to divine service. It exemplifies a divine order where national unity, spiritual instruction, and material provision are intricately linked, underscoring that God's plans are both grand in scope and remarkably precise in detail for the well-being of His people and the maintenance of His worship.