Joshua 21:7

The children of Merari The descendants of the third son of Levi, had been stationed during the encampment to the north of the Tabernacle, being placed together with the Gershonites "under the hand" of Ithamar "the son of Aaron." They had been entrusted with the heavier portions of the Tabernacle furniture, such as the boards, pillars, and bars, and therefore had been permitted together with the Gershonites to use the oxen and waggons contributed by the congregation, while the Kohathites were only supposed to remove the sacred vessels on their shoulders (Numbers 7:1-9).

had out of the tribe of Reuben They received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.