Joshua 21:40

French Bible (BBB) Bible Bovet Bonnet (1900)

Total des villes données par le sort aux fils de Mérari, selon leurs familles, aux familles restantes des Lévites: douze villes.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes the allocation of cities to the children of Merari, who were part of the Levites. The Merari family received twelve cities as their share. It's a straightforward statement about the distribution of land.

Explained for Children

Imagine a big family party where you divide up toys. In this case, the Merari family got to pick twelve special toys, which were actually cities, to live in and help the community. It's like getting a share of the best toys to play with.

Historical Background

Joshua 21 was written by Joshua or a scribe under his guidance, likely in the 14th century BC. The verse is part of the historical account detailing the settlement of the tribes of Israel in the Promised Land after their conquest. The Levites, as a tribe without land inheritance, received cities scattered across the territories of other tribes for them to serve and dwell.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, think of a community center dividing up its resources among different groups. Just like the Merari received their cities, every group in a community should get its fair share of resources to function and serve its purpose effectively.

Topics

• distribution
• communities
• service
• settlement
• inheritance
• sharing

Related Verses

• Numbers 35:7
• Joshua 21:1
• 1 Chronicles 6:60
• Deuteronomy 18:2
• Acts 4:34

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Merari receive cities?

The Merari, like other Levite families, received cities because they were not given a land inheritance like the other tribes. These cities served as their homes and centers for their religious service.

What was the purpose of allocating cities to the Levites?

The cities allocated to the Levites were meant to provide them with a place to live and serve as a community for their religious duties, which they carried out on behalf of all Israel.

How were the cities chosen for the Merari?

The cities were chosen by lot, which was a method of divine decision-making. This ensured that the allocation was fair and followed God's will.

How does this relate to modern-day sharing?

Just as the Merari received their share of cities, in modern times, resources are often divided among groups to ensure that everyone has what they need to function and contribute to the community.