[3][4] This chapter records the designation of "Levitical cities",[5] a part of a section comprising Joshua 13:1–21:45 about the Israelites allotting the land of Canaan.

[7] Extant ancient manuscripts of a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint (originally was made in the last few centuries BCE) include Codex Vaticanus (B;

[12] The cities may have mainly 'served as residences and places where Levites could enjoy some personal wealth and status, while performing their priestly duties elsewhere' (Deuteronomy 18:6–8; Judges 18:3-6).

[12] Cities were given out of the other tribes by lot to the Levites, according to their division:[13] The summarizing conclusion notes the promise fulfilment and rest from enemies (cf.

[12] These verses close the division record of the land, and tied the two halves of the Book together (chapter 1–12 and chapter 13–21):[14] The declarations of these verses is consist to the fact that the Israelites had not yet possessed all the cities allotted to the various tribes (Judges 1:21–36) nor at any time subdued the whole country promised to them (Numbers 34:1–12), because God intends that the native population should not be annihilated suddenly (Deuteronomy 7:22), but at this time the Canaanites were broken in strength, holding isolated spots in the very midst of the tribes of God's people, so overall, the conquest of Canaan was 'already "ex parte Dei" a perfect work'.