“cum suburbanis suis, singulæ per familias distributæ.”
“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.”
“In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans.”
“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.”
“All these were the cities of the children of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the families of the Levites; and their lot was twelve cities.”
Families, the four great ones, which parcelled out the cities among the several branches. (Haydock) — The Levites were only 23,000, (Numbers xxvi. 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, ver. 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. (Haydock) — They farther remark, that they were buried in his tomb, chap. xxiv. 30.
Verses 9-42 By mixing the Levites with the other tribes, they were made to see that the eyes of all Israel were upon them, and therefore it was their concern to walk so that their ministry might not be blamed. Every tribe had its share of Levites' cities. Thus did God graciously provide for keeping up religion among them, and that they might have the word in all parts of the land. Yet, blessed be God, we have the gospel more diffused amongst us.