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King James Bible - Joshua 21:1

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SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:1

¶ Y los principales de los padres de los levitas vinieron a Eleazar sacerdote, y a Josué hijo de Nun, y a los principales de los padres de las tribus de los hijos de Israel;

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Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 21:1

Verse 1. The heads of the fathers of the Levites] The Levites were composed of three brand families, the Gershonites, Koathites, and Merarites, independently of the family of Aaron, who might be said to form a fourth. To none of these had God assigned any portion in the division of the land. But in this general division it must have been evidently intended that the different tribes were to furnish them with habitations; and this was according to a positive command of God, Num. xxxv. 2, &c. Finding now that each tribe had its inheritance appointed to it, the heads of the Levites came before Eleazar, Joshua, and the chiefs of the tribes who had been employed in dividing the land, and requested that cities and suburbs should be granted them according to the Divine command.

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John Gill's Bible Commentary

Ver. 1. Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites , etc.] When the land was divided to the several tribes, and everyone knew the cities that belonged to them, and what they could and should part with to the Levites, and when the six cities of refuge were fixed; the Levites came to put in their claim for cities of habitation, they having no share in the division of the land; and yet it was necessary they should have habitations; the persons that undertook to put in a claim for them were the principal men among them; the fathers of them were Kohath, Gershon, and Merari; the heads of those were the chief men that were then living: these came unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun ; the high priest and chief magistrate: and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel ; the princes appointed to divide the land with the two great personages before mentioned, ( Numbers 34:17-29).

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Matthew Henry Commentary

Verses 1-8 - The Levites waited till the other tribes were provided for, before the preferred their claim to Joshua. They build their claim upon a very good foundation; not their own merits or services, but the Divin precept. The maintenance of ministers is not a thing left merely to the will of the people, that they may let them starve if they please; the which preach the gospel should live by the gospel, and should liv comfortably. (Jos 21:9-42)

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Original Hebrew

ויגשׁו 5066 ראשׁי 7218 אבות 1  הלוים 3881  אל 413  אלעזר 499  הכהן 3548  ואל 413  יהושׁע 3091 בן 1121 נון 5126 ואל 413 ראשׁי 7218 אבות 1  המטות 4294  לבני 1121  ישׂראל׃ 3478