To the rest of the Kohathites, ten cities were allotted from the half-tribe of Manasseh. The Gershomites, according to their clans, were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan. The Merarites, according to their families, were allotted twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. So the Israelites gave to the Levites these cities and their pasturelands. They assigned by lot the cities named above from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
The remaining descendants of Kohath received ten cities by lot from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. And the descendants of Merari received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these cities, together with their pasturelands, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. From the tribes of Judah and Simeon, they designated these cities by name
Significance
Joshua 21:5-9 summarizes the allotment of Levitical cities by clan: remaining Kohathites received ten cities from Ephraim, Dan, and half-Manasseh; Gershonites received thirteen cities from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half-Manasseh in Bashan; these cities were designated by name (בְּשֵׁם, be-shem). First Chronicles 6:61-65 reproduces this distribution summary, confirming the tribal sources for each Levitical clan's allotment. Both accounts emphasize that the distribution was determined by lot (גּוֹרָל, goral), indicating divine direction rather than human preference in the placement of Levitical families throughout the land.
Found via
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type
Direct Quotation
Connection Method(s)
Redemptive-Historical Progression (recapitulation) — the clan-by-clan allotment summary of Joshua 21:5-9 (Kohathite, Gershonite, and Merarite towns assigned by lot) is reproduced in 1 Chr 6:61-65; the lot-determined placement of the priestly tribe is one continuous institution from Numbers 35 through the conquest into the Chronicler's register of legitimate Levitical order — preserved, not developed forward (its bearing on Christ is analogical, carried by the fulfilled Exodus 19:6 promise).
