6:54 These were the areas where Aaron’s descendants lived: 1
The following belonged to the Kohathite clan, for they received the first allotment: 2
6:55 They were allotted Hebron in the territory of Judah, as well as its surrounding pasturelands. 6:56 (But the city’s land and nearby towns were allotted to Caleb son of Jephunneh.) 6:57 The descendants of Aaron were also allotted as cities 3 of refuge Hebron, Libnah and its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa and its pasturelands, 6:58 Hilez 4 and its pasturelands, Debir and its pasturelands, 6:59 Ashan 5 and its pasturelands, 6 and Beth Shemesh and its pasturelands.
6:60 Within the territory of the tribe of Benjamin they were allotted 7 Geba and its pasturelands, Alemeth and its pasturelands, and Anathoth and its pasturelands. Their clans were allotted thirteen cities in all.
1 tn Heb “and these were their dwelling places according to their encampments in their territory to the sons of Aaron.”
2 tn Heb “to the clan of the Kohathites for to them was the lot.”
3 tn The parallel account in Josh 21:13 has the singular “city,” which apparently refers only to Hebron.
4 tc The MT reads “Hilez” here; the place name appears as “Holon” in Josh 21:15.
5 tc The MT reads “Ashan” here; the place name appears as “Ain” in Josh 21:16.
6 tc The LXX and Syriac (following the parallel list in Josh 21:16) add “Juttah and its pasturelands” here. Cf. NAB “Jetta”; also NIV, NCV, NLT “Juttah.”
7 tn The parallel passage in Josh 21:17 adds “Gibeon and its pasturelands” (cf. NAB, NIV, NCV, NLT). The words “they were allotted” are supplied in the translation for both clarity and stylistic reasons.