12 But the fields and villages around the city they had given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.
12 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
12 But the fields of the city and its villages had been given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.
12 The fields of the city and its open lands they had already given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.
12 But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.
12 But the open fields beyond the town and the surrounding villages were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 21:12
Commentary on Joshua 21:9-42
(Read Joshua 21:9-42)
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.