Joshua 21:8

8 The children of Yisra'el gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by Moshe.

Joshua 21:8 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 21:8

And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these
cities with their suburbs
Reaching two thousand cubits from the cities all around: these cities did not lie all together, and so could not be described by their coasts; but in the several tribes, and intermixed with their cities; which fulfilled Jacob's prophecy, that they should be divided and scattered in Israel, ( Genesis 49:7 ) ; as well as it was so ordered for the benefit of the several tribes, that they might have the assistance of the priests and Levites, to instruct them in the knowledge of the laws and commandments of God, and all divine things:

as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses;
( Numbers 35:2 ) .

Joshua 21:8 In-Context

6 The children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Yissakhar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naftali, and out of the half-tribe of Menashsheh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

7 The children of Merari according to their families had out of the tribe of Re'uven, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zevulun, twelve cities.

8 The children of Yisra'el gave by lot to the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by Moshe.

9 They gave out of the tribe of the children of Yehudah, and out of the tribe of the children of Shim`on, these cities which are [here] mentioned by name:

10 and they were for the children of Aharon, of the families of the Kehati, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.