Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 35:2

"Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and suburbs for the cities round about them shall ye give unto the Levites." — Numbers 35:2 (ASV)

Cities to dwell in.— The object of the dispersion of the Levites throughout the other tribes seems to have been primarily for the purpose of the instruction of their brothers in the law of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:10). It is probable that the Levites also discharged all those other functions which are now discharged by the learned professions.

And ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs ...— The word migrash, “suburb,” denotes, probably, pasture ground into which flocks are driven.