Teks -- Joshua 14:4 (NET)

14:4 The descendants of Joseph were considered as two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites were allotted no territory, though they were assigned cities in which to live, along with the grazing areas for their cattle and possessions.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Jos 14:4 - Were two tribes

That is, had the portion of two tribes, and therefore though Levi was excluded, there remained nine tribes and a half, to be provided for in Canaan.

JFB: Jos 14:4 - The children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim

As two and a half tribes were settled on the east Jordan, and the Levites had no inheritance assigned them in land, there would have been only eight and a half tribes to provide for. But Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph, had been constituted two tribes (Gen 48:5), and although Levi was excluded, the original number of the tribes of Israel was still preserved.

Clarke: Jos 14:4 - The children of Joseph were two tribes

The children of Joseph were two tribes - This was ascertained by the prophetic declaration of their grandfather Jacob, Gen 48:5, Gen 48:6; 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

Clarke: Jos 14:4 - With their suburbs for their cattle

With their suburbs for their cattle - For the meaning of this passage the reader is referred to the note on Num 35:6.

Calvin: Jos 14:4 - They gave no part unto the Levites,

4.They gave no part unto the Levites, etc It is here repeated for the third time with regard to the Levites, that they were not included in the number, so as to have the portion of a tribe assigned to them; but it is mentioned for a different purpose, for it is immediately after added, that the sons of Joseph were divided into two tribes, and were thus privileged to obtain a double portion. Thus had Jacob prophesied, (Gen 49:0) or rather, like an arbiter appointed by God, he had in this matter preferred the sons of Joseph to the others. God therefore assumed the Levites to himself as a peculiar inheritance, and in their stead substituted one of the two families of Joseph.

TSK: Jos 14:4 - the children // save cities

the children : Gen 48:5; 1Ch 5:1, 1Ch 5:2

save cities : Josh. 21:2-42; Num 35:2-8; 1Chr. 6:54-81

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Jos 14:4 - Were two tribes

Were two tribes i.e. had the double portion, or the portion of two tribes, 1Ch 5:1,2 , and therefore though Levi was excluded, there remained nine tribes and a half, was said Jos 14:2 , to be provided for in Canaan.

Haydock: Jos 14:4 - Suburbs

Suburbs. A certain quantity of ground, which the Levites were not allowed to till or plant with vines. (Grotius) (Numbers xxxv. 4.) ---

The tribe of Manasses, which was divided, fell heir to the portion which would have been allotted to Levi, who was also scattered among his brethren. (Haydock) ---

Thus Joseph obtained the birth-right of Ruben. (Calmet) ---

Twelve portions were made, as Jacob had adopted Ephraim and Manasses, Genesis xlviii. (Worthington)

Gill: Jos 14:4 - 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

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim,.... 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.