SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:4
Porque los hijos de José fueron dos tribus, Manasés y Efraín; y no dieron parte a los levitas en la tierra, sino ciudades en que morasen, con sus ejidos para sus ganados y rebaños.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:4
Verse 4. The children of Joseph were two tribes] This was ascertained by the prophetic declaration of their grandfather Jacob, Gen. xlviii. 5, 6; and as Levi was taken out of the tribes for the service of the sanctuary, one of these sons of Joseph came in his place, and Joseph was treated as the first-born of Jacob, in the place of Reuben, who forfeited his right of primogeniture. With their suburbs for their cattle] For the meaning of this passage the reader is referred to the note on Num. xxxv. 6.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The Israelites must occupy the new conquests. Canaan would have bee subdued in vain, if it had not been inhabited. Yet every man might no go and settle where he pleased. God shall choose our inheritance for us. Let us survey our heritage of present mercy, our prospect for the land of promise, eternal in the heavens. Is God any respecter of persons? Is it not better that our place, as to earthly good or sorrow should be determined by the infinite wisdom of our heavenly Father than by our own ignorance? Should not those for whom the great myster of godliness was exhibited, those whose redemption was purchased by Jesus Christ, thankfully refer their earthly concerns to his appointment?
Original Hebrew
כי 3588 היו 1961 בני 1121 יוסף 3130 שׁני 8147 מטות 4294 מנשׁה 4519 ואפרים 669 ולא 3808 נתנו 5414 חלק 2506 ללוים 3881 בארץ 776 כי 3588 אם 518 ערים 5892 לשׁבת 3427 ומגרשׁיהם 4054 למקניהם 4735 ולקנינם׃ 7075
