Joshua 21:18 — Word Study
WLCאֶת־ עֲנָתוֹת֙ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־ עַלְמ֖וֹן וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃
BSAAnathothʻĂnâthôwth [a city near Jerusalem, answers to prayer] and AlmonʻAlmôwn△ [a hidden or concealed place] fourʼarbaʻ citiesʻîyr together withʼêth their pasturelandsmigrâsh [open lands, suburbs, or areas around the cities]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| עֲנָתוֹת֙ | Anathoth | Noun proper |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ | pasture lands its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| עַלְמ֖וֹן | Almon | Noun proper |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ | pasture lands its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| עָרִ֖ים | cities | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| אַרְבַּֽע׃ | four | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Anathoth, and Almon—four cities, together with their pasturelands. |
| KJV | Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities. |
| ASV | Anathoth with its suburbs, and Almon with its suburbs; four cities. |
| YLT | Anathoth and its suburbs, and Almon and its suburbs — four cities; |
| WEB | Anathoth with its pasture lands, and Almon with its pasture lands: four cities. |
| BBE | Anathoth and Almon with their grass-lands, four towns. |
Where they part company is in the translation of 'together with their pasturelands' — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence presents a main clause followed by a descriptive phrase, clearly listing the cities and their associated lands.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, AdamClarke, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 10 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Joshua 21:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Allotment of Citiesgenerated
Joshua 21:18 describes the cities allocated to the descendants of Aaron, emphasizing their importance in the priestly duties. This passage highlights the significance of Anathoth and Almon, which were designated for the priests, along with their surrounding pasturelands. The context of this allotment is crucial for understanding the distribution of land among the tribes of Israel, particularly for the Levites, who served in religious roles.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 2:26 | Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” |
| 2 | Isaiah 10:30 | Cry aloud, O Daughter of Gallim! Listen, O Laishah! O wretched Anathoth! |
| 3 | Jeremiah 1:1 | These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 6:60 | And from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth, together with their pasturelands. So they had thirteen cities in all among their families. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֲנָתוֹת, 'a.na.tOtgenerated
The word עֲנָתוֹת (Anathoth) is a proper noun referring to a city in the territory of Benjamin, known for being the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah. The name means 'answers to prayer,' indicating its significance in the biblical narrative.
As a noun, it carries a specific geographical reference, denoting a place of importance for the priests. The parsing as a noun proper confirms its role as a distinct location rather than a common term.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the rendering of עֲנָתוֹת as 'Anathoth' across versions like the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb is implied in the context of the verse, with the main clause listing the cities: עֲנָתוֹת and עַלְמוֹן. The structure emphasizes the cities and their associated pasturelands.
The sentence is straightforward, presenting a list of cities followed by their description, which is typical in Hebrew prose.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עֲנָתוֹת as αναθωθ, which retains the name while reflecting the Greek phonetic structure. This choice shows continuity in identifying the city across translations.
The translation choice does not alter the meaning but maintains the geographical reference, indicating the city's established identity in both Hebrew and Greek contexts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Joshua 21:18 lists Anathoth and Almon as two of the four cities given to the priests, along with their pasturelands. This allocation highlights the importance of these locations in the context of the priestly duties in ancient Israel.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Anathoth means 'answers to prayer' and is significant as the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah.
The cities were allocated to the priests to provide them with a place to live and serve, reflecting their special status in Israel.
Pasturelands were essential for the sustenance of livestock, which was important for the priests' livelihood and offerings.
This passage illustrates the careful allotment of land among the tribes, ensuring that the priests received their due share, which was crucial for their service.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the name Anathoth suggest about its role in biblical history?
- How do the cities allocated to the priests reflect God's provision for their needs?
- In what ways can we see the importance of land and resources in our own communities?
- How does understanding the historical context of these cities enhance our reading of the text?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Joshua 21:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnathoth with her suburbs,.... This is not mentioned among the cities of Benjamin, Joshua 18:11; it was the native place of the Prophet Jeremiah, [See comments on Jeremiah 1:1]; it lay about two or
Read John Gill on Joshua 21 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Joshua 21 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. Anathoth.] Celebrated as the birthplace of Jeremiah, about three miles northward of Jerusalem, according to St. Jerome.
Read AdamClarke on Joshua 21 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. Anathoth] lay on or near the great road from the north to Jerusalem. Its modern name is Anâta, on a broad ridge 1¼ hours N.N.E. of the Holy City, (a) Hither Abiathar was banished by Solomon, after the failure of his attempt to raise Adonijah to the throne (1 Kings 2:26); (b) here Jeremiah the prophet was born (Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 11:21-23; Jeremiah 29:27; Jeremiah 32:7-9). Almon] or Alemeth, according to the parallel list in 1 Chronicles 6:60; now ’Almît or Almuta, about a mile N.E. of Anathoth.
Read Cambridge on Joshua 21 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. Anathoth was the place to which King Solomon banished Abiathar, (1 Kings 2:26,) and the birthplace of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 1:1. It is represented by the modern village Anata, four miles northeast of Jerusalem.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Joshua 21 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Anathoth, and Almon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.
Anathoth with its pasture lands, and Almon with its pasture lands: four cities.
Anathoth, and Almon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.
Anathoth, and Almon, along with the grazing areas of each – a total of four cities.
Tyndale line
Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
Anathoth with its suburbs, and Almon with its suburbs; four cities.
Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
Anathoth with its suburbs, and Almon with its suburbs; four cities.
Anathoth with her suburbes, and Almon with her suburbes: foure cities.
Strictly literal
Anathoth and its suburbs, and Almon and its suburbs; four cities.
Anathoth and its suburbs, and Almon and its suburbs — four cities;
Anathoth and its outskirts, and Almon and its outskirts—four cities;
'Anathoth with its open spaces, and 'Almon with its open spaces: four cities.
Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almon with its suburbs—four cities.
From the Latin
And Anathoth and Almon, with their suburbs: four cities.
Simplified
Anathoth, and Almon.
Anathoth and Almon with their grass-lands, four towns.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with 9 of the 10 words matching. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the essential content remains consistent.
אֶת־ עֲנָתוֹת֙ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ וְאֶת־ עַלְמ֖וֹן וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע׃
9 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Joshua 21:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Conj | DirObjM — ParticleHTo
עֲנָתוֹת (Anathoth) refers to a city in Benjamin, located about 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem, known as the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah. It also denotes two individuals from the tribe of Benjamin. The name is interpreted as "answers to prayer." The entries consistently identify its geographical and personal significance.
עֲנָתוֹת and עֲנָתֹת n.pr.
loc. c. 3 miles NNE. from Jerusalem
m.
base
H6068 עֲנָתוֹת and עֲנָתֹת c. 3 miles NNE. from Jerusalem
6068 `Anathowth an-aw-thoth'
plural of 6067; Anathoth, the name of two Israelites, also of
a place in Pal:--Anathoth.
see HEBREW for 06067
עֲנָתוֹת (a.na.tot) — Anathoth.
Anathoth = "answers to prayer"
a city of Benjamin allotted to the priest; located approximately 3 miles (5 km) from Jerusalem; birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah
Also named: an.to.ti (עַנְּתֹתִי "Anathoth" H6069)
עֲנָתוֹת (a.na.tot) — Anathoth.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.8;
son of: Becher (H1071);
brother of: Zemirah (H2160), Joash (H3135), Eliezer (H0461I), Elioenai (H0454I), Omri (H6018H), Jeremoth (H3406H), Abijah (H0029K) and Alemeth (H5964H)
§ Anathoth = "answers to prayer"
1) son of Becher and grandson of Benjamin
2) one of the heads of the people who signed the covenant with Nehemiah
3) a city of Benjamin allotted to the priest; located approximately 3 miles (5 km) from Jerusalem; birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah
עֲנָתוֹת (a.na.tot) — Anathoth.
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
an'-a-thoth (`anathoth; Anathoth): A town which lay between Michmash and Jerusalem (Isa 10:30), in the territory of Benjamin, assigned to the Levites (Jos 21:18). It was the native place of Abiathar (1Ki 2:26), and of the prophet Jer (Jer 1:1; 11:21 ff, etc.). Here lay the field which, under remarkable circumstances, the prophet purchased (Jer 32:7 ff). Two of David's distinguished soldiers, Abiezer (2Sa 23:27) and Jehu (1Ch 12:3), also hailed from Anathoth. It was again occupied by the Benjamites after the return…
Anathoth
The name of one of the cities of refuge, in the tribe of Benjamin (Josh. 21:18). The Jews, as a rule, did not change the names of the towns they found in Palestine; hence this town may be regarded as deriving its name from the goddess Anat. It was the native place of Abiezer, one of David’s “thirty” (2 Sam. 23:27), and of Jehu, another of his mighty men (1 Chr. 12:3). It is chiefly notable, however, as the birth-place and usual residence of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:1; 11:21-23; 29:27; 32:7-9). It suffered greatly from the army of Sennacherib, and only 128 men returned to it from the Exile (Neh. 7:27;
a priests’ city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, with "suburbs." (Joshua 21:18; 1 Chronicles 6:60) Anathoth lay about three miles from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 10:30) The cultivation of the priests survives in tilled fields of grain, with figs and olives. There are the remains of walls and strong foundations, and the quarries still supply Jerusalem with building stones.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
מִגְרָשׁ (migrash) refers to common or open land, often associated with areas where flocks are driven for pasture. It can denote a suburb or the space around a building, and is noted in Ezekiel 27:28. The term is derived from a root meaning to drive out.
מִגְרָשׁ n.m. common, common-land, open land
base
H4054 מִגְרָשׁ
4054 migrash mig-rawsh'
also (in plural) feminine (Ezek. 27:28) migrashah
{mig-raw-shaw'}; from 1644; a suburb (i.e. open country
whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area
around a building, or the margin of the sea:--cast out,
suburb.
see HEBREW for 01644
מִגְרָשׁ (mig.rash) — pasture.
common, common land, open land, suburb
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3fs
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
עַלְמוֹן (Almown) refers to a location in ancient Palestine, specifically a priestly city in the territory of Benjamin. The name is derived from a root meaning 'hidden' or 'concealed.' It is also noted as another name for עָלֶ֫מֶת (Alemeth), indicating a connection to other geographical references.
עַלְמוֹן n.pr.loc. priestly city in Benj.
base
H5960 עַלְמוֹן
5960 `Almown al-mone'
from 5956; hidden; Almon, a place in Palestine See also 5963.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05963
עַלְמוֹן (al.mon) — Almon.
Almon = "concealed"
a town in Benjamin allotted to the priests
Another name of a.le.met (עָלֶ֫מֶת "Alemeth" H5964G)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
Almon
Hidden, one of the sacerdotal cities of Benjamin (Josh. 21:18), called also Alemeth (1 Chr. 6:60).
(concealed) a city within the tribe of Benjamin, with "suburbs" given to the priests. (Joshua 21:18) [ALEMETH]
hidden
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
מִגְרָשׁ (migrash) refers to common or open land, often associated with areas where flocks are driven for pasture. It can denote a suburb or the space around a building, and is noted in Ezekiel 27:28. The term is derived from a root meaning to drive out.
מִגְרָשׁ n.m. common, common-land, open land
base
H4054 מִגְרָשׁ
4054 migrash mig-rawsh'
also (in plural) feminine (Ezek. 27:28) migrashah
{mig-raw-shaw'}; from 1644; a suburb (i.e. open country
whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area
around a building, or the margin of the sea:--cast out,
suburb.
see HEBREW for 01644
מִגְרָשׁ (mig.rash) — pasture.
common, common land, open land, suburb
HNcmpc/Sp3fs — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The earliest notice in Scripture of city-building is of Enoch by Cain, in the land of his exile. (Genesis 4:17) After the confusion of tongues the descendants of Nimrod founded Babel, Erech, Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar, and Asshur, a branch from the same stock, built Nineveh, Rehoboth-by-the-river, Calah and Resen, the last being "a great city." The earliest description of a city, properly so called, is that of Sodom, (Genesis 19:1-22) Even before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt, (Genesis 12:14,15; Numbers 13:22) and the Israelites, during their sojourn there, were employed in building or fortifying the "treasure cities" of Pithom and Raamses.…
אַרְבַּע (arba) means 'four' in Hebrew. It is a masculine noun derived from the root associated with the number four. The entries consistently affirm this meaning without any significant disagreement among lexicons.
אַרְבַּע, אַרְבָּעָה four
base
H702 אַרְבַּע, אַרְבָּעָה four
702 'arba` ar-bah'
masculine oarbaah {ar-baw-aw'}; from 7251; four:--four.
see HEBREW for 07251
אַרְבַּע (ar.ba) — four.
four
Adj — AdjHAcbsa
for ('arba`; tessares): "Four" (cardinal number) was a sacred and complete number with the Hebrews, as well as with several other peoples. It occurs very frequently in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
(1) It indicates completeness. We have the four rivers of Paradise (Ge 2:10); the four winds of heaven (Eze 37:9; Da 7:2; 8:8; 11:4; Zec 6:5, the Revised Version, margin "spirits"; /APC 2Esdras 13:5); "the four winds" (Mt 24:31; Mr 13:27); "the four corners of the earth" (Isa 11:12;