What Does Joshua 14:4 Mean in the King James?
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse separates inheritance from habitation: the Levites receive no tribal parcel, yet they are given places to live and sustain their livelihood.
THE MEANING
The verse holds two facts together: the Levites have no land share like the other tribes, yet they have cities, surrounding pasture, and room for their animals and possessions. Joseph’s two named branches are Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, Menasheh, “causing to forget”) and Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם, Ephrayim, “fruitful”); Levi (לֵוִי, Levi, “joined”) dwells among the tribes rather than in one continuous territory.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
“If I do not receive the same kind of inheritance as others, I have no place or provision.”
THE ROOT
חֵלֶק
cheleq
GROWS FROM
חלק
ḥ-l-q
To divide, apportion, or share.
The word translated “part” carries the sense of a portion cut from a whole. The verse distinguishes that territorial share from the cities and pasture that are still assigned to the Levites.
ALSO GROWS
chalaq: To divide or apportion.
חָלַק
This verb shows that a “part” is a share formed by distribution, which clarifies what the Levites do not receive.
chelqah: A parcel or tract of land.
חֶלְקָה
This related word makes the contrast concrete: the Levites lack a land parcel, while receiving places to dwell.
הַלְוִיִּם
ha-Leviyyim
GROWS FROM
לוה
l-w-h
To join, attach, or accompany.
The Levites’ name is linked to joining: they are the “joined” ones. Here they dwell within Israel’s tribal lands, joined to the community through cities rather than a separate continuous territory.
ALSO GROWS
lawah: To join or attach.
לָוָה
This verb supplies the name’s joining sense and echoes the Levites’ place among the other tribes.
Levi: Joined or attached.
לֵוִי
The name itself frames the Levites as connected to the tribes among whom their cities are placed.
מַטּוֹת
mattot
GROWS FROM
נטה
n-ṭ-h
To stretch out or extend.
The word for “tribes” is related to matteh, a staff or branch: a tribe is pictured as an extension or branch. Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yosef, “he adds”) has two named branches here, Manasseh and Ephraim, while Levi’s “joined” name fits a people whose dwellings extend among the others.
ALSO GROWS
natah: To stretch out, extend, or turn aside.
נָטָה
Its sense of extension helps illuminate how Joseph’s family is extended into two tribal branches.
matteh: A staff, rod, or tribe.
מַטֶּה
This related form links the image of a branch or staff with the tribal divisions named in the verse.
THE PATTERN
A share can take a form other than a private parcel while still providing concrete dwelling and support.
Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,THE THREAD
And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.The same word חֵלֶק (cheleq, “share” or “portion”) appears in “any part” and “thy part.” This verse makes clear that lacking a land portion does not mean lacking every kind of portion, illuminating the distinct provision of cities in Joshua 14:4.
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