Translations
Original
Notes
The descendants of Aaron received thirteen cities, the rest of the Kohathite clan received ten, the descendants of Gershon received thirteen, and the Merari clan received twelve. There were a total of forty-eight Levitical cities. Each tribe had four Levitical cities, except Judah had eight, Simeon had one, and Naphtali had three. Six of the Levitical cities were also cities of refuge (20:7–8).
Before they fully divided the land, Joshua had to establish six cities of refuge and assign cities in which the Levites would live.
As he had promised, God brought Israel into the land. Joshua then focused on dividing the land among Israel's tribes.
The tribal allowances made the covenant of the Israelites with God real. It showed the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God owned the land, giving it to the tribes was a gift. God gave them the land to live in and guided its distribution.
In these lists of tribal allowances, the author describes some borders in great detail, allowing them to be mapped. With others, they are less plainly defined.
Parallels
Places
Ain: A city in Judah, allotted to the Levites Beth-shemesh: City in Judah, associated with the Ark's return Juttah: A town in the hill country of Judah, a Levitical city
Glossary
Ain Ashan Asher (Tribe) Beth-Shemesh Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Juttah Kohath, Kohathites Levitical Cities Merari, Merarite Priests and Levites Shiloh Simeon, Tribe of Tribe of Dan Tribe of Levi
Topics
Ain: A City of Simeon Beth-Shemesh: A Priestly City of the Tribe of Dan Juttah: A Levitical City in the Territory of the Tribe of Judah Levites: Assigned To, by Families Priest: Benefits of Provided with Cities and Suburbs