8 The children of Israel gave these cities with their suburbs by lot to the Levites, as Yahweh commanded by Moses.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs,.... Reaching two thousand cubits from the cities all around: these cities did not lie all together, and so could not be described by their coasts; but in the several tribes, and intermixed with their cities; which fulfilled Jacob's prophecy, that they should be divided and scattered in Israel, Genesis 49:7; as well as it was so ordered for the benefit of the several tribes, that they might have the assistance of the priests and Levites, to instruct them in the knowledge of the laws and commandments of God, and all divine things:
as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses; Numbers 35:2.
*More commentary available at chapter level.