Joshua 21:12
New International Version
But the fields and villages around the city they had given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

New Living Translation
But the open fields beyond the town and the surrounding villages were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

English Standard Version
But the fields of the city and its villages had been given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

Berean Standard Bible
But they had given the fields and villages around the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

King James Bible
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

New King James Version
But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

New American Standard Bible
But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

NASB 1995
But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

NASB 1977
But the fields of the city and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

Amplified Bible
But the fields of the city and its villages they had given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his property.

Christian Standard Bible
But they gave the fields and settlements of the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But they gave the fields and villages of the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

American Standard Version
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

English Revised Version
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But they gave its fields and villages to Caleb, son of Jephunneh, as his possession.

Good News Translation
However, the fields of the city, as well as its towns, had already been given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

International Standard Version
But the fields adjoining the city and its surrounding villages were given to Jephunneh's son Caleb.

Majority Standard Bible
But they had given the fields and villages around the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

NET Bible
(Now the city's fields and surrounding towns they had assigned to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his property.)

New Heart English Bible
But they gave the fields of the city and its villages to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

World English Bible
But they gave the fields of the city and its villages to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they have given the field of the city and its villages to Caleb son of Jephunneh for his possession.

Young's Literal Translation
and the field of the city and its villages they have given to Caleb son of Jephunneh for his possession.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the field of the city and its enclosure they gave to Caleb, son of Jephunneh, for his possession.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the fields and the villages thereof he had given to Caleb the son of Jephone for his possession.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, the fields and its villages he had given to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, as a possession.

New American Bible
although the open country and villages belonging to the city had been given to Caleb, son of Jephunneh, as his holding.

New Revised Standard Version
But the fields of the town and its villages had been given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his holding.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the fields of the city, with its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jophaniah for his possession.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the fields of the city and the rest of its suburbs they gave to Kalab, son of Yuphna, in his inheritance
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the lands of the city, and its villages Joshua gave to the sons of Chaleb the son of Jephonne for a possession.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
11They gave them Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), with its surrounding pasturelands, in the hill country of Judah. (Arba was the father of Anak.) 12 But they had given the fields and villages around the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession. 13So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave these cities, together with their pasturelands: Hebron, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah,…

Cross References
Numbers 35:2-5
“Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. / The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. ...

Leviticus 25:32-34
As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess. / So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites. / But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.

1 Chronicles 6:54-56
Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them: / They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands. / But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh.

Genesis 23:17-20
So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over / to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. / After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. ...

Genesis 33:19
And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver.

Genesis 48:22
And to you, as one who is above your brothers, I give the ridge of land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

Ezekiel 48:10-14
This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD. / It will be for the consecrated priests, the descendants of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray. / It will be a special portion for them set apart from the land, a most holy portion adjacent to the territory of the Levites. ...

1 Kings 21:3
But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”

Nehemiah 11:3
These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants—

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Acts 7:5
He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.

Hebrews 11:9
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

Hebrews 11:13
All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Hebrews 11:39-40
These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. / God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.


Treasury of Scripture

But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

Joshua 14:13-15
And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance…

1 Chronicles 6:55-57
And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it…

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Caleb City Country Hamlets Jephunneh Jephun'neh Open Places Possession Property Round Thereof Unwalled Villages
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Caleb City Country Hamlets Jephunneh Jephun'neh Open Places Possession Property Round Thereof Unwalled Villages
Joshua 21
1. Forty-eight cities given by lot, out of the other tribes unto the Levites.
43. God gives the land, and rest unto the Israelites, according to his promise














But they had given the fields and villages around the city
This phrase refers to the allocation of land to the Levites, who were given cities to dwell in, but not the surrounding fields and villages. The Levites were set apart for religious duties and did not receive a tribal inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. The fields and villages were given to Caleb, highlighting the distinction between the Levitical cities and the surrounding agricultural land. This allocation reflects the broader distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, as detailed in the Book of Joshua. The Levites' role was to serve in the tabernacle and later the temple, emphasizing their dependence on the other tribes for sustenance, as they did not have their own land to cultivate.

to Caleb son of Jephunneh
Caleb, son of Jephunneh, was one of the two faithful spies (along with Joshua) who trusted in God's promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, as recounted in Numbers 13-14. Because of his faithfulness, Caleb was promised a specific inheritance in the land (Numbers 14:24). This inheritance was fulfilled when he was given Hebron and its surrounding areas (Joshua 14:13-14). Caleb's story is a testament to the rewards of faith and obedience to God. His possession of the land also serves as a type of Christ, who, through faithfulness, secures an inheritance for His people. Caleb's heritage as a Kenizzite, a group originally outside the Israelite tribes, underscores the inclusivity of God's promises to those who are faithful.

as his possession
The term "possession" indicates a permanent inheritance, a fulfillment of God's promise to Caleb. This concept of possession is significant in the biblical narrative, as it underscores the idea of God's faithfulness in granting the land He promised to the patriarchs. The land was not just a temporary dwelling place but a lasting inheritance for Caleb and his descendants. This mirrors the New Testament promise of an eternal inheritance for believers in Christ (Ephesians 1:11). Caleb's possession of the land is a tangible representation of God's covenant faithfulness and serves as a reminder of the spiritual inheritance promised to all who are faithful to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Caleb son of Jephunneh
A faithful spy from the tribe of Judah who, along with Joshua, trusted in God's promise to give Israel the land of Canaan. Caleb was rewarded for his faithfulness with a specific inheritance.

2. Fields and Villages
These refer to the agricultural lands and smaller settlements surrounding the city, which were given to Caleb as part of his inheritance.

3. Levitical Cities
The context of Joshua 21 involves the allocation of cities to the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel, who were given cities within the territories of other tribes.

4. Tribe of Judah
Caleb's tribe, which was one of the leading tribes of Israel and received a significant portion of the Promised Land.

5. Inheritance
The concept of inheritance is central to the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His promises.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness Rewarded
Caleb's inheritance is a testament to God's faithfulness in rewarding those who trust and obey Him. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that God will fulfill His promises.

God's Sovereignty in Distribution
The allocation of land, including the fields and villages to Caleb, demonstrates God's sovereign plan and His attention to the details of His people's lives.

Spiritual Inheritance
Just as Caleb received a physical inheritance, believers are reminded of their spiritual inheritance in Christ, which is secure and eternal.

Role of the Levites
The Levites' role as priests and their unique inheritance (cities rather than land) highlight the importance of spiritual service and dedication to God.

Community and Stewardship
The distribution of land emphasizes the importance of community and stewardship. Believers are called to be good stewards of the resources and responsibilities God has entrusted to them.Verse 12. - The fields. The original is in the singular. We are not necessarily, therefore, to suppose that the land was mapped out into divisions analogous to our fields. Our word "land" would more accurately represent the meaning of the original, which refers to the arable and pasture land in the neighbourhood of the city, with the agricultural villages or homesteads dotted about it. Keil contends that the Levites only received as many houses within the city as they needed, and that the rest belonged to Caleb. Bahr, moreover ('Symbolik,' 2:49), supposed that the Levites dwelt with the other inhabitants of the city, and that the pasture land within the distance of 2,000 paces from the city was reserved for them, the rest of the land belonging to the inhabitants of the tribe (see note on Gezer, ch. 10:33). This seems the most probable explanation. The land in general was owned by the descendants of Caleb. But the Levites had certain pastures reserved for them, whither they drove their cattle (see note on suburbs, Joshua 14:4). The special information about Hebron here again is worthy of notice. It is copied by the author of 1 Chronicles in ch. 6.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But they had given
נָֽתְנ֛וּ (nā·ṯə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the fields
שְׂדֵ֥ה (śə·ḏêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

and villages
חֲצֵרֶ֑יהָ (ḥă·ṣê·re·hā)
Noun - common plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

around the city
הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

to Caleb
לְכָלֵ֥ב (lə·ḵā·lêḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3612: Caleb -- a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses to spy out the land

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jephunneh
יְפֻנֶּ֖ה (yə·p̄un·neh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3312: Jephunneh -- father of Caleb, also an Asherite

as his possession.
בַּאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ (ba·’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession


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OT History: Joshua 21:12 But they gave the fields (Josh. Jos)
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