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.
So all the cities given to the descendants of Merari according to their family groups, who were the remaining families of the Levites, totaled twelve cities when they drew lots.
This verse is recording that the Merarite families (part of the Levite tribe) received exactly twelve cities as their inheritance through the lot system.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Joshua, after the Israelites had conquered and settled the Promised Land, the tribes were dividing the territory among themselves as instructed by God. The Levites, who served as priests and had no tribal inheritance, were assigned specific cities to live in, scattered among the other tribes, to ensure they could fulfill their religious duties. This verse specifically mentions the twelve cities allotted to the descendants of Merari, one of Levi's sons, through the casting of lots to determine fair distribution.
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