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Joshua 21:42

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 21:42 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus it was with all these cities.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus it was with all these cities.
Joshua 21:42 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
39Heshbon with its suburbs, Jazer with its suburbs; four cities in all.
40All [these were] the cities of the children of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the families of the Levites; and their lot was twelve cities.
41All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
42These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus it was with all these cities.
43So Jehovah gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
44And Jehovah gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; Jehovah delivered all their enemies into their hand.
45There failed not aught of any good thing which Jehovah had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“These cities were everyone with their suburbs round about them, etc.] Which reached to the space of two thousand cubits on every side; and such a space was assigned to everyone of the above cities for their cattle, to keep them in and lay up provision for them: thus [were] all their cities; six of them cities of refuge, and forty two for the priests and Levites to dwell in, and for the commodious use of their herds and flocks.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“After this verse, the Septuagint introduces a passage (in part a repetition from Joshua 19:49-50), recording the grant of a special inheritance to Joshua, and also that he buried at Timnath-serah the flint-knives with which he had circumcised (Joshua 5:2 note) the people after the passage of Jordan. The latter statement, which has the authority of the Septuagint only, is a Jewish legend of early date. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification