41 The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands.
41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
41 The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands.
41 The Levites held forty-eight towns with their accompanying pastures within the territory of the People of Israel.
41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their common-lands.
41 The total number of towns and pasturelands within Israelite territory given to the Levites came to forty-eight.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 21:41
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.