Joshua 21:39
Joshua 21:39 in Multiple Translations
Heshbon, and Jazer—four cities in all, together with their pasturelands.
Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.
Heshbon with its suburbs, Jazer with its suburbs; four cities in all.
Heshbon and Jazer with their grass-lands, four towns.
Heshbon, and Jazer.
Heshbon with her suburbs, and Iazer with her suburbes: foure cities in all.
Heshbon and its suburbs, Jazer and its suburbs — [in] all four cities.
Heshbon with its pasture lands, Jazer with its pasture lands: four cities in all.
Heshbon with its suburbs, Jazer with its suburbs; four cities in all.
So all the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight,
Heshbon, and Jazer.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 21:39
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 21:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶת
חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙
וְ/אֶת
מִגְרָשֶׁ֔/הָ
אֶת
יַעְזֵ֖ר
וְ/אֶת
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑/הָ
כָּל
עָרִ֖ים
אַרְבַּֽע
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙
Cheshbôwn
H2809
Heshbon
N-proper
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִגְרָשֶׁ֔/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
pasture
N-mp | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יַעְזֵ֖ר
Yaʻăzêyr
H3270
Jazer
N-proper
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
pasture
N-mp | Suff
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עָרִ֖ים
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
אַרְבַּֽע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 21:39
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙
Cheshbôwn
H2809
"Heshbon"
N-proper
Heshbon was a city east of the Jordan River, serving as the capital of the Amorites under King Sihon, and later becoming part of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
Definition: § Heshbon = "stronghold" the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Heshbon. See also: Numbers 21:25; Joshua 12:5; Isaiah 15:4.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִגְרָשֶׁ֔/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
"pasture"
N-mp | Suff
A pasture or open land, often the area around a building or the margin of the sea. This term describes a common or shared space in the Bible.
Definition: common, common land, open land, suburb
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cast out, suburb. See also: Leviticus 25:34; Joshua 21:37; Ezekiel 48:17.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יַעְזֵ֖ר
Yaʻăzêyr
H3270
"Jazer"
N-proper
Jazer was a city east of the Jordan River, in the territory of Gad, and was originally an Amorite city. The name Jazer means helped and it is mentioned in the Bible as a Levitical city.
Definition: § Jazer or Jaazer = "helped" a Levitical city east of the Jordan, in Gilead in the territory of Gad, formerly an Amorite city; site uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Jaazer, Jazer. See also: Numbers 21:32; 2 Samuel 24:5; Isaiah 16:8.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִגְרָשֶׁ֑/הָ
migrâsh
H4054
"pasture"
N-mp | Suff
A pasture or open land, often the area around a building or the margin of the sea. This term describes a common or shared space in the Bible.
Definition: common, common land, open land, suburb
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cast out, suburb. See also: Leviticus 25:34; Joshua 21:37; Ezekiel 48:17.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עָרִ֖ים
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
אַרְבַּֽע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
Study Notes — Joshua 21:39
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
37Kedemoth, and Mephaath—four cities, together with their pasturelands.
38And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim,
39Heshbon, and Jazer—four cities in all, together with their pasturelands.
40In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans. 41For the Levites, then, there were forty-eight cities in all, together with their pasturelands, within the territory of the Israelites.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 16:8–9 | For the fields of Heshbon have withered, along with the grapevines of Sibmah. The rulers of the nations have trampled its choicest vines, which had reached as far as Jazer and spread toward the desert. Their shoots had spread out and passed over the sea. So I weep with Jazer for the vines of Sibmah; I drench Heshbon and Elealeh with my tears. Triumphant shouts have fallen silent over your summer fruit and your harvest. |
| 2 | Numbers 32:35 | Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, |
| 3 | Numbers 32:1 | Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. |
| 4 | Numbers 32:37 | The Reubenites built up Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, |
| 5 | Joshua 13:17 | to Heshbon and all its cities on the plateau, including Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon, |
| 6 | Joshua 13:21 | all the cities of the plateau and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon until Moses killed him and the chiefs of Midian (Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba), the princes of Sihon who lived in the land. |
| 7 | Numbers 32:3 | “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, |
| 8 | 1 Chronicles 6:81 | Heshbon, and Jazer, together with their pasturelands. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 48:32 | I will weep for you, O vine of Sibmah, more than I weep for Jazer. Your tendrils have extended to the sea; they reach even to Jazer. The destroyer has descended on your summer fruit and grape harvest. |
| 10 | Numbers 21:26–30 | Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored. For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights. Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon. We demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba. ” |
Joshua 21:39 Summary
The cities of Heshbon and Jazer, along with two other cities, were given to the Levites as part of their inheritance in the land of Israel, as seen in Joshua 21:39. This was a way for God to provide for the Levites, who did not have their own tribal allotment of land like the other tribes of Israel. Just as God provided for the Levites, He also provides for us today, as seen in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all our needs will be met. By trusting in God's provision and care, we can have confidence and peace, just like the Levites did in the Old Testament, as stated in Philippians 4:19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the cities of Heshbon and Jazer, and why were they significant?
Heshbon and Jazer were cities given to the Levites, as part of their inheritance in the land of Israel, as seen in Joshua 21:39, and this was in accordance with the command of God, as stated in Numbers 35:2-8, to provide for the Levites who did not have a tribal allotment of land like the other tribes of Israel.
How many cities did the Levites receive in total, including Heshbon and Jazer?
According to Joshua 21:41, the Levites received forty-eight cities in total, including Heshbon and Jazer, which were given to them by the other tribes of Israel, as stated in Joshua 21:1-45, in order to provide for their livelihood and support their ministry.
What was the purpose of the pasturelands that were given to the Levites along with the cities?
The pasturelands that were given to the Levites, as mentioned in Joshua 21:39, were likely intended to provide for the Levites' animals and to support their livelihood, as they did not have their own tribal allotment of land to farm and raise livestock, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 18:1-8.
How do the cities given to the Levites, including Heshbon and Jazer, reflect God's provision and care for His people?
The cities given to the Levites, including Heshbon and Jazer, demonstrate God's provision and care for His people, as seen in Joshua 21:1-45, and are a reminder of His faithfulness to provide for those who serve Him, as stated in Matthew 6:33 and Philippians 4:19.
Reflection Questions
- How does God provide for those who are called to serve Him, and what can we learn from the example of the Levites in Joshua 21:39?
- What are some ways that we can trust in God's provision and care for us, just as the Levites did in the Old Testament?
- In what ways can we, like the Levites, be a blessing to others and a reflection of God's love and care, as seen in Joshua 21:1-45?
- How does the story of the Levites and their cities, including Heshbon and Jazer, point us to the greater story of God's redemption and provision for His people, as seen in the Bible?
- What are some practical ways that we can apply the principles of God's provision and care, as seen in Joshua 21:39, to our own lives and circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 21:39
Heshbon with her suburbs,.... Which was formerly the royal city of Sihon king of the Amorites, and was first given to and rebuilt by the Reubenites, but was upon the border of the tribe of Gad; and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 21:39
And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 21:39
39. Heshbon] ch. Joshua 13:17; Jazer, see ch. Joshua 13:25.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 21:39
28-39. Dabareh — Joshua 19:12. En-gannim — Joshua 19:21.Kedesh — Joshua 12:22. Jokneam — Joshua 12:22. Ramoth — Joshua 13:26. Heshbon — Joshua 13:17; Joshua 13:26. Jazer — Joshua 13:25.
Sermons on Joshua 21:39
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Who Not to Follow by E.A. Adeboye | E.A. Adeboye emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing our associations to enter the promised rest of God, warning against following the counsel of the ungodly and sinful way |