John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The Israelites must occupy the new conquests. Canaan would have bee subdued in vain, if it had not been inhabited. Yet every man might no go and settle where he pleased. God shall choose our inheritance for us. Let us survey our heritage of present mercy, our prospect for the land of promise, eternal in the heavens. Is God any respecter of persons? Is it not better that our place, as to earthly good or sorrow should be determined by the infinite wisdom of our heavenly Father than by our own ignorance? Should not those for whom the great myster of godliness was exhibited, those whose redemption was purchased by Jesus Christ, thankfully refer their earthly concerns to his appointment?
Original Hebrew כי3588 היו1961 בני1121 יוסף3130 שׁני8147 מטות4294 מנשׁה4519 ואפרים669 ולא3808 נתנו5414 חלק2506 ללוים3881 בארץ776 כי3588 אם518 ערים5892 לשׁבת3427 ומגרשׁיהם4054 למקניהם4735 ולקנינם׃7075
