40 So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
40 The total number of towns allotted to the Merarite clans, who were the rest of the Levites, came to twelve.
40 As for the cities of the several Merarite clans, that is, the remainder of the clans of the Levites, those allotted to them were in all twelve cities.
40 All these towns were assigned by lot to the Merarites, the remaining Levites - twelve towns.
40 So all the cities for the children of Merari according to their families, the rest of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.
40 So in all, twelve towns were allotted to the clan of Merari.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 21:40
Commentary on Joshua 21:9-42
(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.