NOTES for Jos 21:1-45

The Levites, appointed to serve the Lord, were not assigned a special territorial inheritance, but all the tribes set aside cities and pasturelands for them from their own lands. Those entrusted with service at the altar were freed from some of the cares of managing households and territories; they were to concentrate on standing before God.

Thus, at the dawn of Old Testament history, an important principle was visibly embodied: priestly ministry must not be a kind of occupation customarily placed alongside all other professions. At the same time, those who perform the sacred rites must dwell among all the tribes, for they stand before the altar on behalf of the entire people.