All these were the cities of the children of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the families of the Levites. Their lot was twelve cities.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 40. Families, the four great ones, which parcelled out the cities among the several branches. Bible.—The Levites were only 23,000, (Numbers 26:62,) yet they receive more cities than what are specified for any other tribe. It must be observed, however, that all the cities of the different tribes are not mentioned, and the Israelites might live along with those of the tribe of Levi, verse 3. Moreover, these had only the cities, with 2000 cubits of land round them. The Septuagint here insert that Josue divided the land, and received the city of Thamnasachar; (Grabe substitutes Thamnasarach) where he deposited the knives of stone with which he had circumcised those who were born in the desert. Bible.—They farther remark, that they were buried in his tomb. Calmet. 24:30.