Definition: And the rest of the children of Kohath [had] by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Joshua 21:5. It’s a fascinating and somewhat surprising detail about how the Israelites were settled after the Battle of Jericho. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, they chose 10 cities out of the remaining families of Ephraim and Dan to be the new settlements for the Israelites. Let's unpack that a bit further: “And the rest of the children of Kohath…” : This refers to the family of Kohath, who was a significant leader in the rebuilding of the Tabernacle. “…had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan…” : This means that after the battle, the Israelites were given the option to choose 10 cities from the remaining families of Ephraim and Dan. These two tribes were important in the rebuilding process. “…and out of the half tribe of Manasseh…” : This is the really interesting part. The “half tribe” of Manasseh was a group that had been exiled during the time of King Josiah. They were given a choice to stay or leave. This choice allowed them to have a significant number of cities and territories. So, what's the big picture? It’s a way for God to ensure that the Israelites had enough land and territory to establish themselves and grow into a nation. It demonstrates His foresight and plan for their future in Canaan (the Promised Land). The fact that they chose 10 cities shows a deliberate strategy to create a stable foundation for their new homeland. Important Note: This is a somewhat unusual detail in the biblical narrative. It wasn't always explicitly stated, but it’s considered a significant part of God's plan for establishing Israel. --- Do you have any other questions about this verse or want me to explain anything else? For example, would you like me to: Explain why this detail is important in the story? Compare it to another similar passage in the Bible?