Donations for the Levites

God had reminded Joshua of the need to designate cities of refuge. Now the heads of the tribe of Levi step forward to remind him and the other leaders of Israel of another task that must be carried out—the Levites, though they are not to receive a section of Canaan to call their own, are to be given cities in which to dwell. As they boldly remind Joshua, God Himself commanded this (Num. 35:1–8). They are to get the six cities of refuge and some 42 others, along with the cities’ common lands (the area within about 1,500 feet of the cities’ walls) for their herds and flocks. Each tribe is to “donate” cities for the Levites, giving in proportion to its population.

Apparently realizing their failure to fulfill this duty, the leaders immediately act to set aside cities for the Levites. Once again the lot is put to use and the Kohathites are selected to receive their cities first. The three sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and their descendants constituted the tribe’s three family divisions. But the Kohathites were subdivided, for the Israelite priesthood had been given to Moses’ brother Aaron and his descendants. It is likely for this reason that the descendants of Kohath, Levi’s second son, are given preference in this process over the people of Gershon, the oldest. The descendants of Aaron are given 13 cities in the lands of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. Not coincidentally, these are southern tribes clustered around Jerusalem, which will become the center of priestly ministry. The rest of the Kohathites receive 10 cities from Ephraim, Dan, and the western half-tribe of Manasseh, whose lands lie just to the north of the southern group. Interestingly, the priestly Kohathites receive more cities than the rest of the Kohathites, an indication of God’s blessing upon Aaron’s line, which had begun centuries after the founding of the Kohathite family. After the Kohathites, the Gershonites receive 13 cities primarily in the north, and the Merarites receive 12 from tribes in the north and east. Each tribe contributes cities for the Levites, beginning the God-ordained practice of providing for this tribe, which ministers before God on their behalf.

God thus scatters His “clergymen” throughout the nation, placing them in positions where they may serve His people and uphold the observance of the law in every corner of the land.