John Gill's Exposition on Joshua 14:4

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, etc.] 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.

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