יהושע, פרק כ״א, פסוק ל״ד

The distribution of land to the Levite families nears its end, turning to the cities granted from the territory of Zebulun to the descendants of Merari [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These families are described as the remaining ones, a title that carries both practical and social meaning.

On a practical level, they were simply the final group left in the land allocation process. The earlier lotteries had already assigned territories to the families of Kohath and Gershon. Because the descendants of Merari were the last remaining group, the final cities automatically went to them, making an additional lottery unnecessary [מלבי״ם].

Beyond the timeline of the land distribution, this description also reflects their status within the tribe. The descendants of Merari held a secondary, subordinate role compared to their fellow Levites. Their position is compared to the outer shell of a fruit, which serves primarily to cover and protect the essential inner fruit.