14:4a

The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but many English versions translates as “For” is the same as the word in verse 3. It means “because.” It introduces the reason why the tribe of Levi did not receive land of their own.

The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: This verse explains why there were twelve tribes who inherited land, even though the Levite tribe did not receive any land. The descendants of Joseph had split into two tribes.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The descendants of Joseph had divided into two tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
Manasseh and Ephraim were the sons of Joseph. They had become two tribes. (NIRV)

14:4b

And no portion of the land was given to the Levites: The clause no portion of the land was given to the Levites indicates that the Levites did not receive any land area of their own.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The Levites received no share of the land (New International Version)
-or-
The Levite tribe did not receive any land.

General Comment on 14:3-4b

The information about the Levites is repeated in 4b for emphasis. If it is not natural to repeat this information, verses three and four may be combined, as in the Good News Translation:

Moses had already assigned the land east of the Jordan to the other two and one-half tribes. (The descendants of Joseph were divided into two tribes: Manasseh and Ephraim.) However, Moses gave the Levites no portion of the territory. (Good News Translation)

14:4c

except for cities in which to live: The phrase except for cities in which to live, indicates that the Levite tribe did not receive a region of land as the other tribes did. Instead, they received towns to live in.

14:4d

along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds: The word pasturelands indicates fields in which cattle or other domestic animals could eat the grass.

their flocks and herds: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates their flocks and herds is more literally “their acquired possessions.” It can also refer to animals. In this context it refers to other domesticated animals that the Levites owned, such as sheep and goats.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

nearby pastures for their sheep, goats, and cattle (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
fields for all their animals to live on

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