John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs , etc.] 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).
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 ויתנו5414 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 ללוים3881 את853 הערים5892 האלה428 ואת853 מגרשׁיהן4054 כאשׁר834 צוה6680 יהוה3068 ביד3027 משׁה4872 בגורל׃1486
