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

JOSHUA 21:12KJV
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Joshua 21:12 (KJV)

What does Joshua 21:12 mean?

Joshua 21:12 states that the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, as his personal property. This verse highlights that while the city itself was assigned to the Levites, the surrounding land belonged to Caleb as his inheritance.

The setting is the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel after their conquest. The leaders are distributing specific cities and their territories, with Joshua and Eleazar overseeing the process. Caleb, who was one of the faithful spies and a leader from the tribe of Judah, receives the fields and villages as a reward for his faithfulness, while the Levites are given the city itself for their use.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 21:12

  • שָׂדֶה (sadeh, "fields"): This word refers to the open land or farmland around a city, not the city itself. It shows that Caleb’s inheritance was agricultural land, not urban property.
  • חָצֵר (chatser, "villages"): This term often means small settlements or outlying communities attached to a main city. The verse clarifies that Caleb’s possession included these rural areas, not just the fields.
  • נָתַן (natan, "gave"): This verb emphasizes that the land was officially assigned or granted, not just taken or claimed by Caleb. It points to a formal act of distribution.
  • אֲחֻזָּה (achuzzah, "possession"): This word means a permanent inheritance or property, underlining that Caleb’s claim to these lands was recognized as lasting and legitimate.

Why Joshua 21:12 matters

  • This verse clears up that the Levites did not receive all the land around their cities, but only the city itself, with the surrounding territory sometimes belonging to others like Caleb.
  • It highlights the special reward given to Caleb for his faithfulness, connecting back to earlier promises made to him in the book of Joshua and Numbers.
  • The verse shows the careful and legal nature of the land distribution, with clear boundaries and rights, which was important for maintaining peace and order among the tribes.

Where else these words appear

“Jephunneh” Hebrew H3312 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • Numbers 32:12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
  • Joshua 14:14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

“Caleb” Hebrew H3612 · used in 35 verses

  • Numbers 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • Joshua 14:13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
  • Judges 1:20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.

“possession” Hebrew H272 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
  • Leviticus 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
  • Joshua 22:4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.