3 So, as the Lord had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own inheritance:
3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their suburbs.
3 So by command of the Lord the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance.
3 So the People of Israel, out of their own inheritance, gave the Levites, just as God commanded, the following cities and pastures:
3 So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance, at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their common-lands:
3 So by the command of the Lord the people of Israel gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own grants of land.
41 The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands.
41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
41 The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands.
41 The Levites held forty-eight towns with their accompanying pastures within the territory of the People of Israel.
41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their common-lands.
41 The total number of towns and pasturelands within Israelite territory given to the Levites came to forty-eight.
(Read Joshua 21:9-42)
By mixing the Levites with the other tribes, they were made to see that the eyes of all Israel were upon them, and therefore it was their concern to walk so that their ministry might not be blamed. Every tribe had its share of Levites' cities. Thus did God graciously provide for keeping up religion among them, and that they might have the word in all parts of the land. Yet, blessed be God, we have the gospel more diffused amongst us.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 21:3
Commentary on Joshua 21:1-8
(Read Joshua 21:1-8)
The Levites waited till the other tribes were provided for, before they preferred their claim to Joshua. They build their claim upon a very good foundation; not their own merits or services, but the Divine 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; they which preach the gospel should live by the gospel, and should live comfortably.