Joshua 21:33
New International Version
The total number of towns of the Gershonite clans came to thirteen, together with their pasturelands.

New Living Translation
So in all, thirteen towns with their pasturelands were allotted to the clan of Gershon.

English Standard Version
The cities of the several clans of the Gershonites were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.

Berean Standard Bible
In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans.

King James Bible
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

New King James Version
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their common-lands.

New American Standard Bible
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their pasture lands.

NASB 1995
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their pasture lands.

NASB 1977
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their pasture lands.

Legacy Standard Bible
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their pasture lands.

Amplified Bible
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their pasture lands.

Christian Standard Bible
All thirteen cities with their pasturelands were for the Gershonites by their clans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All 13 cities with their pasturelands were for the Gershonites by their clans.

American Standard Version
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

English Revised Version
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In all, 13 cities with pasturelands were given to Gershon's families.

Good News Translation
The various families of the clan of Gershon received a total of thirteen cities with their pasture lands.

International Standard Version
All the cities of the descendants of Gershon according to their families totaled thirteen, including their pasture lands.

Majority Standard Bible
In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans.

NET Bible
The Gershonite clans received thirteen cities and their grazing areas.

New Heart English Bible
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

Webster's Bible Translation
All the cities of the Gershonites, according to their families, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

World English Bible
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their pasture lands.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
all the cities of the Gershonite, for their families, [are] thirteen cities and their outskirts.

Young's Literal Translation
all the cities of the Gershonite, for their families, are thirteen cities and their suburbs.

Smith's Literal Translation
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families, thirteen cities and their areas.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All the cities of the families of Gerson, were thirteen, with their suburbs.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All the cities of the families of Gershon were thirteen, with their suburbs.

New American Bible
The cities which belonged to the Gershonite clans, with their pasture lands, were thirteen in all.

New Revised Standard Version
The towns of the several families of the Gershonites were in all thirteen, with their pasture lands.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All the cities of the families of the Gershonites were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
All the towns of the tribes of the children of Gershun thirteen towns and their fields
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with the open land about them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
All the cities of Gedson according to their families were thirteen cities.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
32And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands. 33In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans. 34This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah,…

Cross References
Numbers 35:1-8
Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: / “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. ...

Deuteronomy 4:41-43
Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east / to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities: / Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.

Joshua 20:1-9
Then the LORD said to Joshua, / “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. ...

1 Chronicles 6:54-81
Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. ...

Leviticus 25:32-34
As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.

Numbers 18:20-24
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. ...

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

Joshua 13:14
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

Joshua 13:33
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as He had promised them.

Joshua 14:3-4
For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. / The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.

Joshua 18:7
The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 7:9-10
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. / For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”


Treasury of Scripture

All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

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Cities Clans Lands Open Pasture Pasturelands Several Suburbs Thirteen Together Towns
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Cities Clans Lands Open Pasture Pasturelands Several Suburbs Thirteen Together Towns
Joshua 21
1. Forty-eight cities given by lot, out of the other tribes unto the Levites.
43. God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise














In all, thirteen cities
The allocation of thirteen cities to the Gershonite clans reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to provide for the Levites, who were set apart for religious duties and did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. The number thirteen is significant in biblical numerology, often associated with rebellion or sin, but here it signifies completeness in the provision for the Levites. This allocation is part of the broader distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, as detailed in the Book of Joshua.

together with their pasturelands
The inclusion of pasturelands indicates the practical needs of the Levites, who required land to sustain their livestock. This provision underscores God's care for the daily needs of His servants. The pasturelands also symbolize the spiritual nourishment that the Levites were to provide for the people of Israel, as they were responsible for teaching the Law and leading worship.

were given to the Gershonite clans
The Gershonites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, descended from Gershon, the son of Levi. Their specific duties included the care of the tabernacle's fabrics and coverings, as outlined in Numbers 3:25-26. The allocation of cities to the Gershonites highlights the importance of their role in maintaining the worship and religious life of Israel. This distribution also reflects the broader theme of God's provision and order within the community, ensuring that each group had a place and purpose.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gershonites
Descendants of Gershon, the firstborn son of Levi. They were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, responsible for the care of the tabernacle and its furnishings.

2. Levitical Cities
Cities allocated to the Levites, who did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. These cities were spread throughout the land of Israel to ensure the Levites could fulfill their religious duties.

3. Pasturelands
Surrounding lands provided for the Levites' livestock, ensuring their sustenance and ability to perform their duties without distraction.
Teaching Points
God's Provision for His Servants
The allocation of cities and pasturelands to the Gershonites demonstrates God's care and provision for those dedicated to His service. It reminds us of the importance of supporting those in ministry today.

The Role of the Levites as Spiritual Leaders
The Levites, including the Gershonites, were strategically placed throughout Israel to teach and guide the people in spiritual matters. This highlights the need for spiritual leaders to be accessible and integrated within the community.

Community Responsibility
The distribution of cities to the Levites reflects the communal responsibility of the Israelites to support their spiritual leaders. This principle can be applied today in how we support our church leaders and ministries.

Inheritance Beyond Material Possessions
Unlike the other tribes, the Levites' inheritance was not land but their service to God and His people. This teaches us to value spiritual inheritance and service over material possessions.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Altogether
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

thirteen
שְׁלֹשׁ־ (šə·lōš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

cities
עָרֵ֥י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

with their pasturelands
וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן׃ (ū·miḡ·rə·šê·hen)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 4054: A suburb, the area around a, building, the margin of the sea

[were given] to the Gershonite
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י (hag·gê·rə·šun·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1649: Gershonites -- descendant of Gershon

clans.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people


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OT History: Joshua 21:33 All the cities of the Gershonites according (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 21:32
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