Sacerdotal Cities

Sacerdotal Cities, the thirteen cities set apart by Joshua for the family of Aaron, which lay in the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin (Jos 21:4), and in the vicinity of the holy city. Their names were Hebron (a free city), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah, Beth-shemesh, Gibeon, Geba, Anathoth, and Almon; the last four being in the tribe of Benjamin (ver. 10 sq.). After the exile, too, priests dwelt in these cities (Ne 7:73), though many were permanestly settled in Jerusalem itself (11:10 sq.). SEE CITY; SEE LEVI; SEE PRIEST.