Not only in these given cities, but in others too, could the Levites dwell — in three ways. First: in that city where [there] was [the place] of sacred
(col. 1237)
[…continued from col. 1236.] [rites], the altar of holocausts, and the tabernacle itself, or the temple. Secondly: if any houses [were] given to them elsewhere by the Israelites, by oblation or vow. Thirdly: if [they] should wish to rent some [other] house in another city, and to dwell there. For certainly [that] the Levites were in other cities by some of those manners, the Scriptures not rarely show — even those [passages] which prescribe that the triennial tithes be eaten with them (Deut. 10 [recte 14], 17, & afterward often). The Jews bring forward also two causes why other cities [were] inhabited by them. One: that they might be present at all the Magistracies and judgments. “Ἐκάστῃ ἀρχῇ [ekastē archē]” [“to each magistracy”], says Josephus (bk. 4, ch. 8), “δύο ἄνδρες ὑπηρέται διδόσθωσαν ἐκ τῆς τῶν Λευιτῶν φυλῆς [dyo andres hypēretai didosthōsan ek tēs tōn Leuitōn phylēs]” [“let two men [as] attendants be given from the tribe of the Levites”]. The other: because, at the beginning, [they] could not possess some of their [own] cities, which were still held by the Canaanites, [and so] others [were] given to them in their stead on loan. And hence the Rabbis, in the Talmud (tractate “On blows” [Makkoth], ch. 2), untie that knot: how not a few names of the Levitic cities here [are] other than [those] in 1 Chron. 6. For here are handed down the cities which were theirs by the right of donation; but there [in Chron.], [those which were theirs] either by the right of donation or of loan. “Cedes,” they say, “while [it] remained a long time in the power of the enemies, the Levites had, in its stead, the neighboring Gamala.” And Masius: “If [it] is true, what I said the Hebrew Doctors opine, perhaps the Levites dwelt in Hucoc, since [they] could not obtain their neighboring Helcath.” And hence again [it] appears how great a convenience and spaciousness of dwelling [was] granted to the Levites, who could have a domicile not only in their own, but even in others’ cities.