The interpretation timeline

Josh 21:4

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Josh 21:4 · Douay-Rheims
“And the lot came out for the family of Caath of the children of Aaron the priest out of the tribes of Juda, and of Simeon, and of Benjamin, thirteen cities.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
254
A.D.
Origen Patristic
c. A.D. 184–253
“"First," it says, "the lot fell out for Kohath, and it came to pass for the sons of Aaron, the priests, who were among the Levites." Whose lot was it suitable to be the first to fall out? To whom was it fitting to be given first place, if not to Aaron, the first high priest, first in life, in merits, first in honors and power? Is it resolved among you now at least that this casting of lots is not accidental but that a heavenly power is present, governing it according to the judgment of divine providence? Where, therefore, does this just lot determine the first dwelling places for the sons of Aaron? "Thirteen cities by lot," it says, "in the tribe of Judah, in the tribe of Simeon, and in the tribe of Benjamin." You see how the dwelling places are dispensed to select persons in select tribes.”
Source
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.