The Levites receive by lot forty-eight cities with their open land out of all the tribes; Hashem gives Israel rest round about — not one good word of all that Hashem spoke to the house of Israel fails.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Then came near the heads of fathers’houses of the Levites to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of fathers’houses of the tribes of the children of Israel;
verse value 4391
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "heads·of" (רָאשֵׁי֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·to·Joshua" (וְאֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 409: father of an individual, fathers·of. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "heads·of" (רָאשֵׁי֙), "to·Eleazar" (אֶל־אֶלְעָזָר֙), "and·to·Joshua" (וְאֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ). The root ראש appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "to·Eleazar" (root איל, 135x in Joshua); "Israel" (root ישראל, 112x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Nun', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֗וּ [and·approached] (325) + רָאשֵׁי֙ [heads·of] (511) + אֲב֣וֹת [father of an individual] (409) + הַלְוִיִּ֔ם [the·Levites] (91) + אֶל־אֶלְעָזָר֙ [to·Eleazar] (339) + הַכֹּהֵ֔ן [priest] (80) + וְאֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ [and·to·Joshua] (428) + בִּן־נ֑וּן [son·of·Nun] (158) + וְאֶל־רָאשֵׁ֛י [and·to·heads·of] (548) + אֲב֥וֹת [fathers·of] (409) + הַמַּטּ֖וֹת [the·tribes] (460) + לִבְנֵ֥י [to·sons·of] (92) + יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [Israel] (541) = 4391.
and they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying: ‘Hashem commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the open land thereabout for our cattle.’
verse value 5008
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 69 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "commanded" (צִוָּ֣ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·their·pasture-of" (וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֖ן, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "to·our·cattle" (לִבְהֶמְתֵּֽנוּ). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "saying" (root אמר, 140x in Joshua); "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·dwell', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ [and·they·spoke] (228) + אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם [to·them] (86) + בְּשִׁלֹ֗ה [in·Shiloh] (337) + בְּאֶ֤רֶץ [in·land·of] (293) + כְּנַ֙עַן֙ [Canaan] (190) + לֵאמֹ֔ר [saying] (271) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + צִוָּ֣ה [commanded] (101) + בְיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה [in·hand·of·Moses] (361) + לָתֶת־לָ֥נוּ [to·give·us] (916) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + לָשָׁ֑בֶת [to·dwell] (732) + וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֖ן [and·their·pasture-of] (614) + לִבְהֶמְתֵּֽנוּ [to·our·cattle] (533) = 5008.
Metzudat David
"To give us, etc." – This means: "And for this reason, give us."
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of Hashem, these cities with the open land about them.
verse value 3688
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 53 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "according·to" (אֶל־פִּ֣י, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·common" (וְאֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן, 10 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "possession" (מִנַּחֲלָתָ֖ם). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "son·Israel" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "excitement" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ [and·they·gave] (472) + בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל [son·Israel] (603) + לַלְוִיִּ֛ם [to·the·Levites] (116) + מִנַּחֲלָתָ֖ם [possession] (568) + אֶל־פִּ֣י [according·to] (121) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + אֶת־הֶעָרִ֥ים [excitement] (726) + הָאֵ֖לֶּה [these] (41) + וְאֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן [and·common] (1015) = 3688.
Metzudat David
"at the mouth of the Lord" – according to the decree of His commandment.
"These." Those mentioned below:
And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites; and the children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
verse value 5086
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 89 letters. The shortest word is "three" (שְׁלֹ֥שׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "from·the" (מִן־הַלְוִיִּ֗ם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 100: and·from·tribe·of, and·from·tribe·of. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "to·clans·of" (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת), "from·the" (מִן־הַלְוִיִּ֗ם), "Simeonites" (הַשִּׁמְעֹנִ֜י). The root מטה appears 3 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "and·it·was" (root היה, 150x in Joshua); "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua). First appearance of the root אהרן ("Aaron") in Joshua. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Kohathites', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 15 words.
Metzudat David
“Of the Levites.” That they were from the Levites, from the sons of Levi.
From the tribe of Judah. The lot came to them from the tribe of Judah, etc.
Malbim
"And the lot came out." Now, the commandment had been (Numbers 35:8): "From the many you shall give many, and from the few you shall give few." In accordance with this, nine cities were given from Judah and Simeon, because the majority of them were from Judah; for we find only the city of Ain in the inheritance of Simeon, since the portion of the children of Judah was greater than theirs. And from Naphtali they gave only three cities. Now, just as in the inheritance of the tribes the lot first determined the boundary of each tribe, and afterwards Joshua divided according to the multitude or fewness according to his estimation, as stated above (Chapter 14), so here too, first the lot determined the boundary of each family. It determined for the children of Aaron their boundaries from three tribes: Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin (the names of these three tribes shone forth in the Urim and Thummim upon the casting of the lot for the children of Aaron). And those who cast the lots divided the children of Levi into four parts: the children of Aaron, the remaining children of Kohath, the children of Gershon, and the children of Merari. They cast lots for each of them from which tribe their cities would be, and the lot fell according to what was fitting for them according to the order of their rank in the Holy. For just as in the limbs of the body, every limb that is closer to the heart is more exalted and its temperament is purer all the more, so too the children of Aaron, who were close to the Tabernacle and the Temple, and likewise their lot fell in the portion of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, which were surrounding the Temple (and therefore they always adhered to the kingdom of the House of David). After them in rank were the remaining children of Kohath, who were also neighbors to the heart, and the service of the Holy was upon their shoulders: they bore the Ark, the Table, and the vessels of the Sanctuary. Therefore, their portion fell in Ephraim, Dan, and half of Manasseh, for the inheritance of Joseph was next to the inheritance of Benjamin, and the inheritance of Dan was behind the inheritance of Benjamin, and they were overshadowing the Temple with their wings and were close to its inheritance. After them were the children of Gershon, who bore the Tent of Meeting, its coverings and its skins, which are in the rank of the flesh that covers the inner limbs overshadowing the heart. They took from the tribe of Issachar and Asher, both of which were after Joseph, Issachar to its east and Asher to its west, and from the tribe of Naphtali, which was also their neighbor and bordered the inheritance of Benjamin and Joseph to the east, along the length of the Jordan with the inheritance of Manasseh in Bashan. Although it was beyond the Jordan, it participated in some way with its other half that was in the Land of Israel, and is related to it in closeness as they are one tribe. And the children of Merari, who are the last extremity, bearing the boards of the Tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, and its bases, analogous to the skin and bones of the body, took from the tribes of Reuben and Gad outside the Land, and from the tribe of Zebulun, which was on the northwestern side at the last extremity in the Land of Israel. Now, concerning all of them it said "by lot" regarding the cities, except concerning the children of Merari it did not say (verse 7) "by lot," and it also said "to the children of Merari" without a vav (conjunction). For after the children of Merari remained last, there was no need to cast lots for them, for the three tribes upon which the lot had not yet fallen, from them the children of Merari, who remained last, would take. And therefore it said without a vav, for they did not take according to a lot specifically designated for them. And after the lot determined the boundary of each family, then Joshua divided and separated the cities according to the multitude or fewness of the tribe, and this is what it said first: "And the lot came out for the family of the Kohathites," etc., and it recounted how it came out according to the lot that determined the boundary for each, and afterwards it said:
And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
verse value 4455
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 60 letters. The shortest word is "Kohath" (קְהָ֜ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "staff·Ephraim" (מַטֵּֽה־אֶ֠פְרַ֠יִם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 154: and·from·the·tribe·of·Dan, and·from·half·of. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "from·clans·of" (מִמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת), "staff·Ephraim" (מַטֵּֽה־אֶ֠פְרַ֠יִם). The root מטה appears 3 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "staff·Ephraim" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua). First appearance of the root קהת ("Kohath") in Joshua. Full calculation: וְלִבְנֵ֨י [and·to·sons·of] (98) + קְהָ֜ת [Kohath] (505) + הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֗ים [the·remaining] (711) + מִמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת [from·clans·of] (868) + מַטֵּֽה־אֶ֠פְרַ֠יִם [staff·Ephraim] (385) + וּֽמִמַּטֵּה־דָ֞ן [and·from·the·tribe·of·Dan] (154) + וּמֵחֲצִ֨י [and·from·half·of] (154) + מַטֵּ֧ה [staff] (54) + מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה [Manasseh] (395) + בַּגּוֹרָ֖ל [in·the·lot] (241) + עָרִ֥ים [cities] (320) + עָֽשֶׂר [ten] (570) = 4455.
Rashi
And the rest of the children of Kohath. They are Moses' sons, and the sons of Izhar, and Hebron and Uzziel.
Of the family of the tribe of Ephraim. From the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim these cities fell to them. For in every tribe and tribe they took, as it is said (Numbers 35:8): of the many ye shall give much, and of the few ye shall give few; every man according to his inheritance that they inherit shall give of his cities unto the Levites.
Metzudat David
"The remainder." For the sons of Aaron, who were from the sons of Kohath, took from the tribe of Judah, etc., and the remainder of the sons of Kohath—who are the sons of Moses, and the sons of Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—took from the tribe of Ephraim, etc.
And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
verse value 6409
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 75 letters. Verse gematria: 6409 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "staff" (מַטֵּ֨ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "staff·Issachar" (מַטֵּֽה־יִשָּׂשכָ֣ר, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "staff·Issachar" (מַטֵּֽה־יִשָּׂשכָ֣ר), "and·from·tribe·of·Asher" (וּמִמַּטֵּֽה־אָ֠שֵׁ֠ר). The root מטה appears 4 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "staff·Issachar" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua).
Metzudat David
"In Bashan." This means that the half-tribe which took their inheritance on the eastern side of the Jordan, in the land of Bashan.
The children of Merari according to their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
verse value 3740
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 53 letters. The shortest word is "to·sons·of" (לִבְנֵ֨י, 4 letters) and the longest is "by·their·clans" (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֗ם, 7 letters). The root מטה appears 3 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "from·tribe·of" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua). Full calculation: לִבְנֵ֨י [to·sons·of] (92) + מְרָרִ֜י [Merari] (450) + לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֗ם [by·their·clans] (898) + מִמַּטֵּ֨ה [from·tribe·of] (94) + רְאוּבֵ֤ן [Reuben] (259) + וּמִמַּטֵּה־גָד֙ [and·from·tribe·of·Gad] (107) + וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה [and·from·tribe·of] (100) + זְבוּלֻ֔ן [Zebulun] (95) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + שְׁתֵּ֥ים [two] (750) + עֶשְׂרֵֽה [ten] (575) = 3740.
Radak
To the sons of Merari. In this verse it states that there were twelve cities for the sons of Merari from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun. And in the listing of the cities, it only wrote eight cities: four from the tribe of Zebulun, four from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Reuben it did not write. And there are manuscripts in which it is emended: “and from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer and its pasturelands, Jahzah and its pasturelands, Kedemoth and its pasturelands, and Mephaath and its pasturelands—four cities.” And I have not seen these two verses in any old, accurate manuscript, except that they are emended in some of them. And I saw that our teacher Hai Gaon, of blessed memory, was asked this question, and he answered: “Even though they are not enumerated here, they are enumerated in Chronicles.” It appears from his answer that they are not written in their manuscripts.
Metzudat David
“According to their families.” They were divided to dwell in them, each family by itself, and it is explained regarding one [family], and likewise regarding all of them.
And the children of Israel gave by lot to the Levites these cities with the open land about them, as Hashem commanded by the hand of Moses.
verse value 4223
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 61 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֛ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "commanded" (צִוָּ֧ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·common" (וְאֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ן, 10 letters). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "as" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "son·Israel" (root בן, 156x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·common', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ [and·they·gave] (472) + בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ [son·Israel] (603) + לַלְוִיִּ֔ם [to·the·Levites] (116) + אֶת־הֶעָרִ֥ים [excitement] (726) + הָאֵ֖לֶּה [these] (41) + וְאֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶ֑ן [and·common] (1015) + כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר [as] (521) + צִוָּ֧ה [commanded] (101) + יְהֹוָ֛ה [Hashem] (26) + בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֖ה [hand·Moses] (361) + בַּגּוֹרָֽל [lot] (241) = 4223.
Metzudat David
“By lot.” Which of the tribes shall give to which of the Levites.
Malbim
"And the children of Israel gave..." This indicates that afterward, they allocated the individual cities according to the size of each tribe, whether large or small, and whether the cities were large or small. And it explains "and they gave... the cities," referring to the specific allocation of the individual cities.
And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name.
verse value 3663
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 55 letters. The shortest word is "son" (בְּנֵ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "which·is·called" (אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 62: son, son. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "which·is·called" (אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א), "them" (אֶתְהֶ֖ן), "in·name" (בְּשֵֽׁם). The root מטה appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "which·is·called" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "son" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "the·cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Simeon', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 6 words.
Rashi
Whose names shall be called. Because he did not mention above the names of the cities that were given to them, and below he explains their names, therefore he said: whose names shall be called.
Radak
“Which they shall call them.” Initially, the text enumerates the number of the cities, and afterwards it lists their names and their count, just as they were being called at that time. And the meaning of “which they shall call” is that “which they shall call” is equivalent to “the one who calls,” similar to “and it was told to Jacob” and verses like it.
Metzudat David
"Which shall call" – This implies that with regard to the matter below, He will expound the names.
And they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot. .
verse value 2856
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 50 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "from·clans·of" (מִמִּשְׁפְּח֥וֹת, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Levi" (לֵוִ֑י), "first" (רִאישֹׁנָֽה). The root היה appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "and·it·was" (root היה, 150x in Joshua); "for" (root כי, 70x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Levi', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַֽיְהִי֙ [and·it·was] (31) + לִבְנֵ֣י [to·sons·of] (92) + אַהֲרֹ֔ן [Aaron] (256) + מִמִּשְׁפְּח֥וֹת [from·clans·of] (874) + הַקְּהָתִ֖י [Kohathites] (520) + מִבְּנֵ֣י [from·sons·of] (102) + לֵוִ֑י [Levi] (46) + כִּ֥י [for] (30) + לָהֶ֛ם [to·them] (75) + הָיָ֥ה [was] (20) + הַגּוֹרָ֖ל [lot] (244) + רִאישֹׁנָֽה [first] (566) = 2856.
Radak
"For theirs was the first lot." It is written with an aleph and a yod; the aleph is the root [letter], and the yod is for prolongation. Likewise [the word ha-ri'shon in], "Was the first man born?" [Job 15:7], is [written] with an aleph and a yod.
Metzudat David
From the families. Which were from the families of Kohath:
"For them, etc., first." This means that since the lot fell to them first, they took the first portion, and not on account of the priestly prerogative.
And they gave them Kiriath-arba, which Arba was the father of Anak—the same is Hebron—in the hill-country of Judah, with the open land round about it.
verse value 4138
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 57 letters. Notable word values: "father·of" (אֲבִ֧י) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "to·them" (לָהֶ֜ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֖הָ, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Anak" (הָעֲנ֛וֹק). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·gave" (root נתן, 86x in Joshua); "she" (root הוא, 77x in Joshua); "to·them" (root הם, 63x in Joshua). First appearance of the root גרש ("and·a·crushing") in Joshua. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ [and·they·gave] (472) + לָהֶ֜ם [to·them] (75) + אֶת־קִרְיַת֩ [Kiriath] (1111) + אַרְבַּ֨ע [four] (273) + אֲבִ֧י [father·of] (13) + הָעֲנ֛וֹק [Anak] (231) + הִ֥יא [she] (16) + חֶבְר֖וֹן [Hebron] (266) + בְּהַ֣ר [in·mountain·of] (207) + יְהוּדָ֑ה [Judah] (30) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֖הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + סְבִיבֹתֶֽיהָ [around·it] (489) = 4138.
Radak
"Father of the Anak." [Here] "the Anak" is a general term for the giants, and the meaning [of "avi"] is "the great one of the giants," as it says of him, "the man who was great among the giants." And "avi" [in general] is an expression of greatness, like "avi" in "Kiryat Ye'arim," and like "avi" in "My father, [if] the prophet had spoken a great matter to you, [would you not do it]?" [2 Kings 5:13], and the like.
Malbim
"And they gave them Kiriath Arba, etc., and to the sons of Aaron, etc." The text seeks to explain why nine cities were given from Judah and Simeon, whereas from every other two tribes together only eight cities in total were taken—four cities from each tribe (except for the tribe of Naphtali). This is because, since Caleb had taken a large portion, he too was required to give a city to the Levites, as it is stated (Numbers 35:8), "According to the size of their inheritance, each shall give their cities to the Levites." Now, Hebron had many villages and fields, such that according to the proportional measure, he was required to give separately a quarter of the tribe’s share, which amounted to one city. He gave Hebron, and the field of the city and its villages remained his. This matter is explained as follows: from the inheritance of Judah, they took a separate city from Caleb’s portion. Thus, eight cities remained for Judah and Simeon, and with Hebron, the total was nine. This is what the text means when it says, "And to the sons of Aaron, the priests, they gave," implying that this was given along with Caleb’s portion. Although the majority of the cities were taken from Judah and not from Simeon, this is because Simeon’s inheritance was located within Judah’s territory, as mentioned above, and the two tribes were treated as a single inheritance.
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
verse value 2930
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 38 letters. The shortest word is "the·city" (הָעִ֖יר, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·its·villages" (וְאֶת־חֲצֵרֶ֑יהָ, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·field" (וְאֶת־שְׂדֵ֥ה), "and·its·villages" (וְאֶת־חֲצֵרֶ֑יהָ), "in·his·possession" (בַּאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·city" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "they·gave" (root נתן, 86x in Joshua); "and·its·villages" (root חצר, 36x in Joshua). First appearance of the root אחזה ("in·his·possession") in Joshua. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·its·villages', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְאֶת־שְׂדֵ֥ה [and·field] (716) + הָעִ֖יר [the·city] (285) + וְאֶת־חֲצֵרֶ֑יהָ [and·its·villages] (720) + נָ֥תְנ֛וּ [they·gave] (506) + לְכָלֵ֥ב [to·Caleb] (82) + בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֖ה [son·of·Jephunneh] (197) + בַּאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ [in·his·possession] (424) = 2930.
Metzudat David
“Upon his holding.” In the portion of his inheritance:
And to the children of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with the open land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Libnah with the open land about it;
verse value 5174
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 60 letters. Verse gematria: 5174 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "Aaron" (אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·Libnah" (וְאֶת־לִבְנָ֖ה). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "they·gave" (root נתן, 86x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). First appearance of the root עור ("excitement") in Joshua. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 2 words. Full calculation: וְלִבְנֵ֣י [and·to·sons·of] (98) + אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן [Aaron] (256) + הַכֹּהֵ֗ן [priest] (80) + נָֽתְנוּ֙ [they·gave] (506) + אֶת־עִיר֙ [excitement] (681) + מִקְלַ֣ט [refuge] (179) + הָרֹצֵ֔חַ [the·manslayer] (303) + אֶת־חֶבְר֖וֹן [Hebron] (667) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶת־לִבְנָ֖ה [and·Libnah] (494) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 5174.
Metzudat David
And to the sons of... they gave: all the number of these cities:
and Jattir with the open land about it, and Eshtemoa with the open land about it;
verse value 4145
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 30 letters. The shortest word is "and·Jattir" (וְאֶת־יַתִּר֙, 6 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·Jattir" (וְאֶת־יַתִּר֙), "and·Eshtemoa" (וְאֶֽת־אֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 3 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). Full calculation: וְאֶת־יַתִּר֙ [and·Jattir] (1017) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶֽת־אֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ [and·Eshtemoa] (1218) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 4145.
and Holon with the open land about it, and Debir with the open land about it;
verse value 3018
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 28 letters. The shortest word is "and·Holon" (וְאֶת־חֹלֹן֙, 6 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·Holon" (וְאֶת־חֹלֹן֙), "and·Debir" (וְאֶת־דְּבִ֖ר). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 3 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·Debir" (root דבר, 68x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). Full calculation: וְאֶת־חֹלֹן֙ [and·Holon] (495) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶת־דְּבִ֖ר [and·Debir] (613) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 3018.
and Ain with the open land about it, and Juttah with the open land about it, and Beth-shemesh with the open land about it; nine cities out of those two tribes.
verse value 7584
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "sun" (שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֗הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·Ain" (וְאֶת־עַ֣יִן), "and·Juttah" (וְאֶת־יֻטָּה֙), "the·house·of" (אֶת־בֵּ֥ית). The root גרש appears 3 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "the·house·of" (root בית, 65x in Joshua); "these" (root אלה, 51x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְאֶת־עַ֣יִן [and·Ain] (537) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֗הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶת־יֻטָּה֙ [and·Juttah] (431) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־בֵּ֥ית [the·house·of] (813) + שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ [sun] (640) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + עָרִ֣ים [cities] (320) + תֵּ֔שַׁע [nine] (770) + מֵאֵ֕ת [from] (441) + שְׁנֵ֖י [two·of] (360) + הַשְּׁבָטִ֥ים [the·tribes] (366) + הָאֵֽלֶּה [these] (41) = 7584.
And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with the open land about it, Geba with the open land about it;
verse value 3180
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "and·from·tribe·of" (וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה, 5 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Benjamin" (בִנְיָמִ֔ין), "Geba" (אֶת־גֶּ֖בַע). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·from·tribe·of" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה [and·from·tribe·of] (100) + בִנְיָמִ֔ין [Benjamin] (162) + אֶת־גִּבְע֖וֹן [Gibeon] (532) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־גֶּ֖בַע [Geba] (476) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 3180.
Anathoth with the open land about it, and Almon with the open land about it; four cities.
verse value 4433
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 39 letters. Verse gematria: 4433 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "cities" (עָרִ֖ים, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Anathoth" (אֶת־עֲנָתוֹת֙), "and·Almon" (וְאֶת־עַלְמ֖וֹן). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua); "four" (root ארבע, 20x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: אֶת־עֲנָתוֹת֙ [Anathoth] (1327) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶת־עַלְמ֖וֹן [and·Almon] (603) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + אַרְבַּֽע [four] (273) = 4433.
Rashi
And Almon. And in Chronicles (I 6:45): 'and Alemeth' — it is Bahurim, which Yonatan (II Samuel 3:16) translates: 'Almot.'
And the suburbs thereof round about. Two thousand cubits on every side.
Radak
"And Almon." This is [the same as] "Alemeth," mentioned in the Book of Chronicles, and it is [the same as] "Bahurim," mentioned in the Book of Samuel; all of these are one and the same [place].
All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with the open land about them.
verse value 2917
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 37 letters. The shortest word is "cities" (עָרִ֖ים, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·their·pasture-of" (וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "sons·of·Aaron" (בְנֵֽי־אַהֲרֹ֖ן). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "sons·of·Aaron" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "the·priests" (root כהן, 35x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·priests', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: כׇּל־עָרֵ֥י [all·the·cities·of] (330) + בְנֵֽי־אַהֲרֹ֖ן [sons·of·Aaron] (318) + הַכֹּהֲנִ֑ים [the·priests] (130) + שְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה [three·ten] (1205) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן [and·their·pasture-of] (614) = 2917.
And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites, even the rest of the children of Kohath, they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
verse value 3861
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 54 letters. Verse gematria: 3861 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "Kohath" (קְהָ֑ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·clans·of" (וּלְמִשְׁפְּח֤וֹת, 8 letters). The root קהת appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "and·were" (root היה, 150x in Joshua); "staff" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Kohath', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: וּלְמִשְׁפְּח֤וֹת [and·to·clans·of] (870) + בְּנֵֽי־קְהָת֙ [son·Kohath] (567) + הַלְוִיִּ֔ם [the·Levites] (91) + הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֖ים [the·remaining] (711) + מִבְּנֵ֣י [son] (102) + קְהָ֑ת [Kohath] (505) + וַֽיְהִי֙ [and·were] (31) + עָרֵ֣י [cities·of] (280) + גֽוֹרָלָ֔ם [lot] (279) + מִמַּטֵּ֖ה [staff] (94) + אֶפְרָֽיִם [Ephraim] (331) = 3861.
And they gave them Shechem with the open land about it in the hill-country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with the open land about it;
verse value 5536
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "to·them" (לָהֶ֜ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֖הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Shechem" (אֶת־שְׁכֶ֥ם), "and·Gezer" (וְאֶת־גֶּ֖זֶר). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·gave" (root נתן, 86x in Joshua); "to·them" (root הם, 63x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Ephraim', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ [and·they·gave] (472) + לָהֶ֜ם [to·them] (75) + אֶת־עִ֨יר [excitement] (681) + מִקְלַ֧ט [refuge] (179) + הָרֹצֵ֛חַ [the·manslayer] (303) + אֶת־שְׁכֶ֥ם [Shechem] (761) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֖הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + בְּהַ֣ר [in·mountain·of] (207) + אֶפְרָ֑יִם [Ephraim] (331) + וְאֶת־גֶּ֖זֶר [and·Gezer] (617) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 5536.
and Kibzaim with the open land about it, and Beth-horon with the open land about it; four cities.
verse value 4235
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 42 letters. The shortest word is "Horon" (חוֹרֹ֖ן, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·Kibzaim" (וְאֶת־קִבְצַ֙יִם֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·Kibzaim" (וְאֶת־קִבְצַ֙יִם֙). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·Beth" (root בית, 65x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 2 words. Full calculation: וְאֶת־קִבְצַ֙יִם֙ [and·Kibzaim] (649) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶת־בֵּ֥ית [and·Beth] (819) + חוֹרֹ֖ן [Horon] (264) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + אַרְבַּֽע [four] (273) = 4235.
And out of the tribe of Dan, Elteke with the open land about it, Gibbethon with the open land about it;
verse value 3859
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 37 letters. The shortest word is "and·from·the·tribe·of·Dan" (וּמִ֨מַּטֵּה־דָ֔ן, 7 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Eltekeh" (אֶֽת־אֶלְתְּקֵ֖א), "Gibbethon" (אֶֽת־גִּבְּת֖וֹן). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 3 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·from·the·tribe·of·Dan" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 2 words. Full calculation: וּמִ֨מַּטֵּה־דָ֔ן [and·from·the·tribe·of·Dan] (154) + אֶֽת־אֶלְתְּקֵ֖א [Eltekeh] (933) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶֽת־גִּבְּת֖וֹן [Gibbethon] (862) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 3859.
Aijalon with the open land about it, Gath-rimmon with the open land about it; four cities.
verse value 4101
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "cities" (עָרִ֖ים, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "to" (אֶת־אַיָּלוֹן֙), "Gath-rimmon" (אֶת־גַּת־רִמּ֖וֹן). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua); "four" (root ארבע, 20x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: אֶת־אַיָּלוֹן֙ [to] (498) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־גַּת־רִמּ֖וֹן [Gath-rimmon] (1100) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + אַרְבַּֽע [four] (273) = 4101.
Radak
"[The city] Gath-Rimmon." And similarly, it is mentioned regarding the half-tribe of Manasseh, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh: each of them had a city whose name was Gath-Rimmon.
And to the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the half-tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with the open land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer; and Beeshterah with the open land about it; two cities.
verse value 8673
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 92 letters. The shortest word is "sea" (וִיִּם֒, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·Beeshterah" (וְאֶת־בְּעֶשְׁתְּרָ֖ה, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "clan" (מִמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֣תהַלְ), "from·half·of" (מֵחֲצִ֞י), "Golan" (אֶת־גּוֹלָ֤ן). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "staff" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 16 and 2 words.
And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with the open land about it, Dobrath with the open land about it;
verse value 4714
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "and·from·tribe·of" (וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה, 5 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Kishion" (אֶת־קִשְׁי֖וֹן), "Dobrath" (אֶת־דָּבְרַ֖ת). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Dobrath" (root דבר, 68x in Joshua); "and·from·tribe·of" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה [and·from·tribe·of] (100) + יִשָּׂשכָ֔ר [Issachar] (830) + אֶת־קִשְׁי֖וֹן [Kishion] (867) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־דָּבְרַ֖ת [Dobrath] (1007) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 4714.
Jarmuth with the open land about it, En-gannim with the open land about it; four cities.
verse value 4194
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 40 letters. Verse gematria: 4194 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "gardens" (גַּנִּ֖ים, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Jarmuth" (אֶת־יַרְמוּת֙), "En" (אֶת־עֵ֥ין). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua); "En" (root עין, 24x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 2 words. Full calculation: אֶת־יַרְמוּת֙ [Jarmuth] (1057) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־עֵ֥ין [En] (531) + גַּנִּ֖ים [gardens] (103) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + אַרְבַּֽע [four] (273) = 4194.
And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with the open land about it, Abdon with the open land about it;
verse value 3816
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 37 letters. Verse gematria: 3816 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "Asher" (אָשֵׁ֔ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Mishal" (אֶת־מִשְׁאָ֖ל), "Abdon" (אֶת־עַבְדּ֖וֹן). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Asher" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "and·from·tribe·of" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה [and·from·tribe·of] (100) + אָשֵׁ֔ר [Asher] (501) + אֶת־מִשְׁאָ֖ל [Mishal] (772) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־עַבְדּ֖וֹן [Abdon] (533) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 3816.
Helkath with the open land about it, and Rehob with the open land about it; four cities.
verse value 4059
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "cities" (עָרִ֖ים, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Helkath" (אֶת־חֶלְקָת֙). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua); "four" (root ארבע, 20x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: אֶת־חֶלְקָת֙ [Helkath] (939) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶת־רְחֹ֖ב [and·Rehob] (617) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + אַרְבַּֽע [four] (273) = 4059.
And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with the open land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Hammoth-dor with the open land about it, and Kartan with the open land about it; three cities.
verse value 8745
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 80 letters. The shortest word is "Dor" (דֹּאר֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֙הָ֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·Hammoth" (וְאֶת־חַמֹּ֥ת), "and·Kartan" (וְאֶת־קַרְתָּ֖ן). The root גרש appears 3 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·from·tribe·of" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 2 words.
All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with the open land about them.
verse value 3895
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "city" (עִ֖יר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·their·pasture-of" (וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "the·Gershonite" (הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "city" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'by·their·clans', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: כׇּל־עָרֵ֥י [all·the·cities·of] (330) + הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י [the·Gershonite] (568) + לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם [by·their·clans] (898) + שְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה [three·ten] (1205) + עִ֖יר [city] (280) + וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן [and·their·pasture-of] (614) = 3895.
And to the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with the open land about it, and Kartah with the open land about it;
verse value 6461
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 67 letters. Verse gematria: 6461 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "hundred" (מֵאֵת֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·clans·of" (וּלְמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "son·Merari" (בְּנֵי־מְרָרִי֮), "Jokneam" (אֶֽת־יׇקְנְעָ֖ם), "Kartah" (אֶת־קַרְתָּ֖ה). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·Merari" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "staff" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 2 words. Full calculation: וּלְמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת [and·to·clans·of] (870) + בְּנֵי־מְרָרִי֮ [son·Merari] (512) + הַלְוִיִּ֣ם [the·Levites] (91) + הַנּוֹתָרִים֒ [the·remaining] (711) + מֵאֵת֙ [hundred] (441) + מַטֵּ֣ה [staff] (54) + זְבוּלֻ֔ן [Zebulun] (95) + אֶֽת־יׇקְנְעָ֖ם [Jokneam] (671) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־קַרְתָּ֖ה [Kartah] (1106) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 6461.
Malbim
"The remainder." This is understood from what was stated above (verse 4), that the sons of Merari are called "the remainder" and "subordinate" in relation to the entire tribe of Levi, like skin and bones, which are the shell that covers the fruit and the heart, just as the other families were called "the remainder" within the family of Kohath in contrast to the sons of Aaron the priests (as stated in verse 20). And He also called them "the remainder" because they remained from the lot that fell first upon the sons of Kohath and Gershon, and they remained in that there was no need to cast lots for them, as mentioned above (verse 4). Therefore, the name "the remainder" is repeated for them a second time in verse 38, for they were "the remainder" from these two perspectives.
Dimnah with the open land about it, Nahalal with the open land about it; four cities.
verse value 3519
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "cities" (עָרִ֖ים, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Dimnah" (אֶת־דִּמְנָה֙), "Nahalal" (אֶֽת־נַהֲלָ֖ל). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua); "four" (root ארבע, 20x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: אֶת־דִּמְנָה֙ [Dimnah] (500) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶֽת־נַהֲלָ֖ל [Nahalal] (516) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + אַרְבַּֽע [four] (273) = 3519.
And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with the open land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Mahanaim with the open land about it;
verse value 4885
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "refuge" (מִקְלַ֣ט, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Ramoth" (אֶת־רָמֹ֥ת), "and·Mahanaim" (וְאֶֽת־מַחֲנַ֖יִם). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·from·tribe·of·Gad" (root מטה, 58x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 2 words. Full calculation: וּמִמַּטֵּה־גָ֗ד [and·from·tribe·of·Gad] (107) + אֶת־עִיר֙ [excitement] (681) + מִקְלַ֣ט [refuge] (179) + הָרֹצֵ֔חַ [the·manslayer] (303) + אֶת־רָמֹ֥ת [Ramoth] (1041) + בַּגִּלְעָ֖ד [in·Gilead] (109) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + וְאֶֽת־מַחֲנַ֖יִם [and·Mahanaim] (555) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ [and·a·crushing] (955) = 4885.
Heshbon with the open land about it, Jazer with the open land about it; four cities in all.
verse value 4008
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "four" (אַרְבַּֽע, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·a·crushing" (וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 955: and·a·crushing, and·a·crushing. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "Heshbon" (אֶת־חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙), "Jazer" (אֶת־יַעְזֵ֖ר). The root גרש appears 2 times in this verse. 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "all·cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "and·a·crushing" (root גרש, 47x in Joshua); "four" (root ארבע, 20x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·crushing', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: אֶת־חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙ [Heshbon] (767) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + אֶת־יַעְזֵ֖ר [Jazer] (688) + וְאֶת־מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ [and·a·crushing] (955) + כׇּל־עָרִ֖ים [all·cities] (370) + אַרְבַּֽע [four] (273) = 4008.
All these were the cities of the children of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the families of the Levites; and their lot was twelve cities.
verse value 5446
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 62 letters. The shortest word is "to·sons·of" (לִבְנֵ֤י, 4 letters) and the longest is "all·the·cities" (כׇּל־הֶ֨עָרִ֜ים, 7 letters). The root עיר appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·sons·of" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "and·it·was" (root היה, 150x in Joshua); "all·the·cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Levites', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: כׇּל־הֶ֨עָרִ֜ים [all·the·cities] (375) + לִבְנֵ֤י [to·sons·of] (92) + מְרָרִי֙ [Merari] (450) + לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔ם [by·their·clans] (898) + הַנּוֹתָרִ֖ים [the·remaining] (711) + מִמִּשְׁפְּח֣וֹת [clan] (874) + הַלְוִיִּ֑ם [the·Levites] (91) + וַֽיְהִי֙ [and·it·was] (31) + גּוֹרָלָ֔ם [their·lot] (279) + עָרִ֖ים [cities] (320) + שְׁתֵּ֥ים [two] (750) + עֶשְׂרֵֽה [ten] (575) = 5446.
All the cities of the Levites—forty and eight cities with the open land about them—shall be in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel,
verse value 3526
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 49 letters. Verse gematria: 3526 is divisible by 86, the value of Elohim. The shortest word is "all" (כֹּ֚ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "sons·of·Israel" (בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "eight" (וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה). The root עיר appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "sons·of·Israel" (root בן, 156x in Joshua); "cities·of" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "all" (root כל, 96x in Joshua). First appearance of the root אחז ("holding·of") in Joshua. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'sons·of·Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words. Full calculation: כֹּ֚ל [all] (50) + עָרֵ֣י [cities·of] (280) + הַלְוִיִּ֔ם [the·Levites] (91) + בְּת֖וֹךְ [in·midst·of] (428) + אֲחֻזַּ֣ת [holding·of] (416) + בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [sons·of·Israel] (603) + עָרִ֛ים [cities] (320) + אַרְבָּעִ֥ים [forty] (323) + וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה [eight] (401) + וּמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶֽן [and·their·pasture-of] (614) = 3526.
Malbim
"And He gave." After recounting the conquest and the division, the text states that seven things were fulfilled for Israel. 1) "And He gave"—that He gave them the land as a gift, just as He had promised to the Patriarchs. 2) "And they inherited it"—this refers to the dispossession of their enemies and their conquest, which they accomplished in the seven [years] that they conquered [the land] (for the definition of inheritance is the removal of the estate from the authority of the deceased to the authority of the heir). 3) "And they dwelled in it"—in the seven [years] that they divided [the land], whereby each person took possession of his own portion. (42) 4) "And the Lord gave them rest on every side"—that the warfare with their enemies ceased. 5) "And none stood against them"—even when they fought against them, they did not withstand, for they fell before them (and we have already explained that there is a difference between "no man stood against them" and "no man withstood them": "stood against" indicates that no war was engaged with them at all—and this was not the case here, for kings came and fought—but "withstood" indicates that those who stood to fight did not remain standing when they engaged, for they were broken and fell). 6) That there was no natural defeat, but rather the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hands through a miracle and Divine providence. (43) 7) "Nothing failed"—that even the other blessings and successes which the Lord had promised them in the Torah through Moses, all of them came to pass.
even these cities, every one with the open land round about it; thus it shall be with all these cities.
verse value 2975
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 49 letters. The shortest word is "so" (כֵּ֖ן, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·all·the·cities" (לְכׇל־הֶעָרִ֥ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 280: city, city. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "they·shall·be" (תִּֽהְיֶ֙ינָה֙), "and·her·pasture-of" (וּמִגְרָשֶׁ֖יהָ), "to·all·the·cities" (לְכׇל־הֶעָרִ֥ים). The root עיר appears 4 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "they·shall·be" (root היה, 150x in Joshua); "the·cities" (root עיר, 138x in Joshua); "these" (root אלה, 51x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'around·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: תִּֽהְיֶ֙ינָה֙ [they·shall·be] (480) + הֶעָרִ֣ים [the·cities] (325) + הָאֵ֔לֶּה [these] (41) + עִ֣יר [city] (280) + עִ֔יר [city] (280) + וּמִגְרָשֶׁ֖יהָ [and·her·pasture-of] (564) + סְבִיבֹתֶ֑יהָ [around·it] (489) + כֵּ֖ן [so] (70) + לְכׇל־הֶעָרִ֥ים [to·all·the·cities] (405) + הָאֵֽלֶּה [these] (41) = 2975.
Metzudat David
Let them be. To the Levites:
“City, city.” For each city and city, its surrounding open areas are considered its environs.
So Hashem gave to Israel all the land which He swore to give to their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
verse value 4900
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 51 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 4900 = 70². The shortest word is "in·her" (בָֽהּ, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·the·land" (אֶ֨ת־כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·possessed·it" (וַיִּרָשׁ֖וּהָ). The root נתן appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "to·Israel" (root ישראל, 112x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·their·fathers', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּתֵּ֤ן [and·gave] (466) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [to·Israel] (571) + אֶ֨ת־כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ [all·the·land] (747) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + נִשְׁבַּ֖ע [swore] (422) + לָתֵ֣ת [to·give] (830) + לַאֲבוֹתָ֑ם [to·their·fathers] (479) + וַיִּרָשׁ֖וּהָ [and·possessed·it] (527) + וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ [and·dwelt] (324) + בָֽהּ [in·her] (7) = 4900.
Ralbag
And after this it is mentioned that not a thing fell from all the good word that the Lord spoke to the house of Israel -- all came. And even though much remained in them, as is mentioned in what preceded, this does not contradict what is mentioned in this place, for all the nations that fought against them fell into their hands. But these remained because of the laziness of Joshua and Israel, not because of the absence of God's providence from them.
And Hashem gave them rest round about, according to all that He swore to their fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies against them; Hashem delivered all their enemies into their hand.
verse value 3669
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 77 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֤ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·them" (לָהֶם֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "from·all·enemy" (מִכׇּל־אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·he·gave·rest" (וַיָּ֨נַח), "that·He·swore" (אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֖ע), "and·did·not·stand" (וְלֹא־עָ֨מַד). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·He·swore" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "as·them" (root כל, 96x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·their·fathers', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 9 words.
Metzudat David
"And the Lord gave rest." He gave them rest on all sides, and the nations did not harass them.
And it did not stand. It was not established:
There failed not aught of any good thing which Hashem had spoken to the house of Israel; all came to pass.
verse value 2495
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 44 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "went·in" (בָּֽא, 2 letters) and the longest is "that·spoke" (אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר, 6 letters). The root דבר appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·spoke" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "to·house·of" (root איל, 135x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 2 words. Full calculation: לֹא־נָפַ֣ל [not·fell] (191) + דָּבָ֔ר [thing] (206) + מִכֹּל֙ [from·all] (90) + הַדָּבָ֣ר [the·thing] (211) + הַטּ֔וֹב [the·good] (22) + אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר [that·spoke] (707) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + אֶל־בֵּ֣ית [to·house·of] (443) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [Israel] (541) + הַכֹּ֖ל [all] (55) + בָּֽא [went·in] (3) = 2495.
Metzudat David
Not a single word has fallen. Nothing has been omitted:
Metzudat David