We read of magnificent park like scenery, of wide upland pastures, and rich forests, which everywhere

gladden the eye. No wonder that those of the tribes which had all along preserved their nomadic habits, and

whose flocks and herds constituted their main possessions and their wealth, should wish to settle in those

plains and mountains. To them they were in very truth the land of promise, suited to their special wants, and

offering the very riches which they desired. The other side Jordan had little attraction for them; and its

possession would have been the opposite of advantageous to a strictly pastoral people. Accordingly, "the

children of Gad," and "the children of Reuben" requested of Moses:

"Let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan" (Numbers 32:5).

If this proposal did not actually imply that those tribes intended henceforth quietly to settle down, leaving

their brethren to fight alone for the conquest of Palestine proper, it was at least open to such interpretation.

Moses seems to have understood it in that sense. But, if such had been their purpose, they would not only

have separated themselves from the Lord's work and leading, but, by discouraging their brethren, have re -

enacted, only on a much larger scale, the sin of those unbelieving spies who, thirty-eight years before, had

brought such heavy judgment upon Israel. And the words of Moses prevailed. Whether from the first their

real intentions had been right, or the warning of Moses had influenced them for good, they now solemnly

undertook to accompany their brethren across Jordan, and to stand by them till they also had entered on

their possession. Until then they would only restore the "folds"  50 for their sheep, and rebuild the destroyed

cities,51 to afford safe dwelling-places for their wives and children, and, of course, for such of their number

as were either left behind for defense, or incapable of going forth to war.

On this express promise, their request was granted, and the ancient kingdoms of Sihon and of Og were

provisionally assigned to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, which latter had made special

conquests in Gilead (Numbers 32:39). But the actual division of the district among these tribes was left over

for the period when the whole country should be allocated among the children of Israel (Joshua 13).

5. The arrangements preparatory to possession of the land appropriately concluded with two series of

ordinances.52 The first of these (Numbers 33:50-34:56) directed the extermination of the Canaanites and of all

traces of their idolatry, re -enjoining, at the same time, the partition of the now purified land, by lot, among

the tribes of Israel (Numbers 33:50-56).

Next, the boundary lines of Palestine were indicated, and the persons named who were to superintend the

partition of the country (Numbers 34). This duty was intrusted to Eleazar the high-priest, and to Joshua,

along with ten representative "priests", one from each of the ten tribes, Reuben and Gad having already

received their p ortion on the other side Jordan. The second series of ordinances now enacted (Numbers 35,

36) was, if not of greater importance, yet of even deeper symbolical meaning. According to the curse that

had been pronounced upon Levi, that tribe was destined to be "divided in Jacob" (Genesis 49:7). But, in the

goodness of God, this was now converted into a blessing alike to Levi and to all Israel. The Levites, the

special property and election of the Lord, were to be scattered among all the other tribes, to recall by their

presence everywhere the great truths which they symbolized, and to keep alive among the people the

knowledge and service of the Lord. On the other hand, they were not to be quite isolated, but gathered

together into cities, so that by fellowship and intercourse they might support and strengthen one another.

For this purpose forty-eight cities were now assigned to the Levites - of course not exclusive of any other

inhabitants, but "to dwell in," that is, they were to have as many houses in them as were required for their

accommodation. Along with these houses certain "suburbs," also, or "commons" for their herds and flocks,

were to be assigned them - covering in extent on each side a distance of 1000 cubits (1500 feet) round about

their cities (Numbers 35:4). Besides, around this inner, another outer circle of 2000 cubits was to be drawn in

every direction. These were to be the fields and vineyards of the Levites  53 (ver. 5).

The number of these cities in each tribe varied according to the size of it s territory. Thus Judah and Simeon

had to furnish nine cities, Naphtali only three, and each of the other tribes four (Joshua 21). Lastly, the

thirteen Levitical cities in the territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin were specially assigned to the