What does Joshua 21:18 mean?

Question

Accepted Answer

Joshua 21:18 lists two towns, Anathoth and Almon, along with their surrounding lands, as part of the four cities given to the Levites. This verse is part of a record showing how certain cities and their nearby fields were set aside for the Levite tribe among the Israelites. In the context of Joshua, this verse is part of a larger section where Joshua and the Israelite leaders are dividing up the land of Canaan among the tribes. Here, the focus is on the Levites, who did not receive a large territory but were instead given specific cities and their "suburbs" (the land around them) to live in and use. This arrangement helped ensure the Levites were spread throughout Israel, serving their religious and teaching roles among all the people.

Joshua 21:18 (KJV)