John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. The children of Merari by their families , etc.] The descendants of Merari, the third son of Levi: [had] out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad ; which were both on the other side Jordan: and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities ; in all forty eight, as the Lord commanded, ( Numbers 35:7).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - The Levites waited till the other tribes were provided for, before the preferred their claim to Joshua. They build their claim upon a very good foundation; not their own merits or services, but the Divin precept. The maintenance of ministers is not a thing left merely to the will of the people, that they may let them starve if they please; the which preach the gospel should live by the gospel, and should liv comfortably. (Jos 21:9-42)
Original Hebrew לבני1121 מררי4847 למשׁפחתם4940 ממטה4294 ראובן7205 וממטה4294 גד1410 וממטה4294 זבולן2074 ערים5892 שׁתים8147 עשׂרה׃6240
