Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 21

THen came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel.

When the whole Land was distributed unto the several Tribes, but not actually possessed by them; which was the proper season for them to put in their claim.

The Fathers of the Levites were Kohath, Gershom, and Merari, and the heads of these were the chief persons now alive of these several Families.

3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance , at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs .

It seems most probable, that they gave to the Levites promiscuously such Cities as God commanded, and that the Lot appropriated them to their several Houses or Families.

i. e. Out of their several Possessions; partly, that the burden and loss might be equally divided; and principally, that the Levites being dispersed among the several Tribes, according to Iacobs Prediction, Gen. 49. 7. might more easily, and frequently, and effectually Teach the Israelites Gods Law and Iudgments, which they were engaged to do, Deut. 33. 10. and that the People might upon all occasions resort to them, and require the meaning of the Law at their mouths, Mal. 2. 7.

Not only the use, but the absolute Dominion of them, as is manifest both from v. 11, 12. where a distinction is made between the City and Suburbs of Hebr[illegible: 1+ letters], and the Fields and Villages thereof, and the former are given to the Levites, the latter to Caleb; and from the return of these Cities in the Iubilee, unto the Levites as to their proper owners, Levit. 25. 33, 34.

4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites, and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin , thirteen cities .

Which three Tribes were nearest to the Temple, where their business lay.

For though the Priests were now few enough for one City, yet respect was to be had to their succeeding numbers; this division being made for all future Generations. And seeing the Levites might sell their Houses until the Iubilee, Levit. 25. 33. much more might they Let them; and therefore it is probable their Cities were not very long uninhabited, many being inclined to dwell with them by vertue of relations contracted with them, or dependance upon, or expectation from them; or o[illegible: 1+ letters] of respect to the Service of God, and the good of their Souls.

Marginal references: See Ch[illegible: 1+ letters] 33.

5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot, out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh , ten cities .

Who were not of Aarons Family, or Priests, but Levites onely.

Which Tribes are nearest to the three former, and so the Kohathites are placed next to their Brethren the Aaronites.

Fewer than they gave out of the three former Tribes, because their inheritance was no less than the former. See Numb. 35. 8.

8 And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs , as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Of which, see on Numb. 35. 2.

9 ¶ And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon , these cities which are here mentioned [illegible: 1 word] name.

These are mentioned together, because the Cities of Si [illegible: 1+ letters] lay within Iudah's Portion.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]

10 Which the children of Aaron being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had; (for theirs was the First lot.)

i. e. Of the family, the Plural Number for the Singular, which is not unusual.

12 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh, for his possession.

i. e. All beyond the 2000 Cubits expressed, Numb. 35. 5. This is here mentioned, not as his peculiar case, but as one [illegible: 1+ letters]ment Instance, to shew, that it was so in all the rest of the Cities here named; that the Fields and Villages thereof still belonged to the several tribes from whom the Cities and their Suburbs were taken; and to make the rest of the Israelites more contentedly and chearfully resign so great a part of their Possessions to the Levites, because even Caleb did so, though his Possession had been long before promised, and now actually given to him by Gods special command, as a mark of honour and compensation for his long and faithful Service.

Marginal references: Chap. 14. 14. 1 [illegible: 1 word]. 6. 56.

15 And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,

Called Hilen, 1 Chron. 6 58. as Iuttah here is called, Ash[illegible: 1+ letters], 1 Chron. 6. 59. and Kibzaim called Iokmeam, 1 Chron. 6. 6[illegible: 1+ letters]. and so some others, the names of the places being changed by length of time, and upon special occasions, as was frequent among the Jews. Though their Doctors add, that some of these places here mentioned being now in the Cana [illegible: 1+ letters]tes Possession, and not speedily recovered from them, there were others put in their stead.

Marginal references: 1 Chr. 6. 58. [illegible: 1 word].

16 And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs, nine cities out of those two tribes.

[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1+ letters]in here, and Gibeon, v. 17. and some others here named are not named 1 Chron. 6. either because they were destroyed in some of those Hostile Invasions and Wars wherewith their Land was grievously harassed and wasted before that time; or they appear there under other Names, as was said.

Marginal references: 1 Chro. 6. 59 [illegible: 1+ letters]shan.

20 ¶ And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites, which remained of the children of Kohath , even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.

Ove[illegible: 1+ letters] and above those of them who were Priests.

25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh , Tanach with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs: two cities.

To wit, that half which dwelt in Canaan, by comparing this with v. 27.

36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs.

A City of Refuge, as it is called Ios. 20. 8. and therefore needless to he here repeated.

41 All the cities of the Levites, within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities , with their suburbs.

Qu. Why hath this Tribe, which was the least of all, more Cities than any of them? Answ. First, It doth not appear that they had more: for though all the cities of the Levites be expressed, it is not so with the other Tribes, but divers of their Cities are omitted, as is evident. Secondly, The Levites were confined to their Cities and Suburbs; the rest had large Territories belonging to their Cities, which also they were in a capacity of improving, which the Levites were not; so that one of their Cities might be more considerable than divers of the Levites. Thirdly, God was pleased to deal liberally with his Ministers, partly to put honour upon those whom he foresaw many would be prone to despise; and partly, that being free from all outward distractions▪ they might more intirely and fervently devote themselves to the service of God, and the instruction of Souls.

43 ¶ And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

He gave them the right to All, and the actual Possession of the greatest part of it, and power to Possess the rest as soon as it was needful and convenient for them, which was by degrees, when their numbers were increased, &c. Exod. 23. 29, 30. and the absolute dominion of all the people remaining in it.

44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers, and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them : the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

To wit, all the days of Ioshua, by comparing Ios. 1. 5. for afterwards it was otherwise with them.