Joshua 21:8

8 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities and their suburbs, as the Lord commanded Moses, by lot.

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 And the sons of Gedson had thirteen cities, out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Aser, and out of the tribe of Nephthali, and out of the half tribe of Manasse in Basan.

7 And the sons of Merari according to their families had by lot twelve cities, out of the tribe of Ruben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zabulon.

8 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities and their suburbs, as the Lord commanded Moses, by lot.

9 And the tribe of the children of Juda, and the tribe of the children of Symeon, and of the tribe of the children of Benjamin gave these cities, and they were assigned

10 to the sons of Aaron of the family of Caath of the sons of Levi, for the lot fell to these.