Keraia
Numbers 35

Numbers 35:1

Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites · Numbers 35:1–8
Read Numbers 35

Translations

Modern
Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho:
Traditional
And the Lord spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
Literal
And YHWH spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho, saying,
Latin
Hæc quoque locutus est Dominus ad Moysen in campestribus Moab supra Jordanem, contra Jericho:

Original

Hebrew
English
Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho:

Notes

Numbers 35:1–34

The tribe of Levi did not receive its own land. So chapter 35 explains how they received 48 towns spread out among the lands of the other tribes (see Joshua 21; see also Leviticus 25:32–34; 1 Chronicles 13:2; 2 Chronicles 11:14).

During the wilderness journey, the Levites lived in the center of the Israelite camp (compare Numbers 2:17). In the promised land, they were to live among the other tribes. Their presence was meant to influence the people for good (see Deuteronomy 33:9–10; 2 Chronicles 17:7–9; 19:8–11; 35:3).

These towns and their pasturelands were not a separate homeland (compare Numbers 18:23; 26:62). They were only a small portion of the land of Canaan, divided among the other tribes.

Parallels

Joshua 21:1–45 1 Chronicles 6:54–81

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history Plains of Moab: Region east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho

Glossary

Arabah Avenger of Blood Deuteronomy, Book of Joshua, Book of Moses Numbers, Book of Priests and Levites

Topics

Canaan: Land of by Joshua, Eleazar and a Prince from Each Tribe Canaan: Land of Conquest of, by the Israelites Moab: Plains of The Law Rehearsed In, by Moses Priests: Thirteen of the Levitical Cities Given To, for Residence