Joshua 21:34-42

Joshua 21:34-42

[34] And unto the families  of the children  of Merari,  the rest  of the Levites,  out of the tribe  of Zebulun,  Jokneam  with her suburbs,  and Kartah  with her suburbs,  [35] Dimnah  with her suburbs,  Nahalal  with her suburbs;  four  cities.  [36] And out of the tribe of Reuben,  Bezer  with her suburbs, and Jahazah  [37] Kedemoth  with her suburbs, and Mephaath  with her suburbs; four  cities.  [38] And out of the tribe  of Gad,  Ramoth  in Gilead  with her suburbs,  to be a city  of refuge  for the slayer;  and Mahanaim  with her suburbs,  [39] Heshbon  with her suburbs,  Jazer  with her suburbs;  four  cities  [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.  [41] All the cities  of the Levites  within  the possession  of the children  of Israel  were forty  and eight  cities  with their suburbs.  [42] These cities  with their suburbs  round about  them: thus were all these cities. 

What does Joshua 21:34-42 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

There were12towns in which the Merarites resided: four in Zebulun ( Joshua 21:34-35), four in Reuben ( Joshua 21:36-37), and four in Gad ( Joshua 21:38-39).
In all, the Levites received48 cities with their surrounding pasturelands, including the six cities of refuge ( Joshua 21:41-42). God provided so that the Levites, whose responsibilities included the teaching and counseling of the other Israelites in the Law, were not far from anyone in Israel. They were to provide a positive spiritual influence on the whole nation. [1]
"For Christians, the allotment of Levitical towns from each tribe illustrates the principle of returning to God a portion of what has been given to them. These gifts are then used to support others in need and to encourage the proclamation of the faith (cf. Acts 2:44-47; Romans 15:26-27; Philippians 4:10-18)." [2]
"Take special care of the poor clergy! This is the theme of the complex formed by Numbers 35 and Joshua 21 , along with the relevant Deuteronomic laws." [3]