Heshbon and Jazer were cities given to the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious duties in Israel. These cities, along with their pasturelands, were part of the inheritance allocated to the Levites, specifically to the family of Merari. Unlike the other tribes of Israel, the Levites did not receive a large, contiguous territory. Instead, they were given specific cities scattered throughout the land, along with surrounding pasturelands to support their families and livestock.
This distribution ensured that the Levites could fulfill their spiritual responsibilities, such as maintaining the tabernacle and later the temple, teaching the law, and leading worship, without the burden of agricultural labor. It reflects a divine provision for those dedicated to God's service, ensuring their needs were met while they served the community. This arrangement also allowed the Levites to be present among all the tribes, facilitating their role as spiritual leaders and teachers throughout Israel.
