In days long past, in the land of Canaan, just as commanded by Jehovah through Moses, the heads of the Levite tribe came forward to Eleazar the priest, Joshua, son of Nun, and the chieftains of other tribes. At the holy city of Shiloh, they said, “Moses was commanded to give us cities for dwelling along with the suburbs for our cattle.” Honoring Jehovah’s command, the children of Israel contributed to the Levites these cities and their suburbs out of their inheritance.
The lots were drawn, and the first fell to the Kohathites – the children of Aaron, the priest, who were consecrated Levites. They were allocated thirteen cities from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. The remaining Kohathites were alloted ten cities from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and half of Manasseh.
Gershon’s children were allocated thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, while the children of Merari were apportioned twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
Within the territories of Judah and Simeon, cities like Hebron, also known as Kiriath-Arba, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah and Beth-Shemesh were assigned for the descendants of Aaron. The city of Hebron, surrounded by its suburbs, also became a refuge for perpetrators, a sanctuary for transgressors seeking absolution.
Within Benjamin’s territory, Gibeon, Geba, Anathoth, and Almon were given. This made a total of thirteen cities for the children of Aaron.
The remaining Kohathites had ten cities from the families of Ephraim, including the cities of refuge like Shechem and four cities from the tribe of Dan. Also, two cities were granted from the half-tribe of Manasseh.
The children of Gershon were granted two cities including Golan in Bashan from the half-tribe of Manasseh, four cities from Issachar, and four from Asher. From Naphtali’s territory, they received three cities including the city of refuge, Kedesh in Galilee, totaling thirteen cities for the Gershonites.
The Merarites were allocated twelve cities in total. They received four cities from the tribe of Zebulun, four from Reuben, and four from the tribe of Gad which included Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for perpetrators.
Altogether, Jehovah granted forty-eight cities with their surrounding suburbs to the Levites, set amidst the inheritances of the children of Israel. These were assigned just as Jehovah had instructed through Moses, and all was done according to the commandment.
Jehovah upheld His promise to Israel’s forefathers, delivering them their rightful land. They settled and dwelt in the land in peace. Every foe was vanquished. Not one of their enemies could resist, and every word Jehovah had spoken to the house of Israel was fulfilled. The Israelites dwelt therein enjoying the promises fulfilled and the peace given by Jehovah.
