Numbers 35:2

Translations

Modern

“Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities.

Traditional

Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

Literal

“Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and pastureland around the cities you shall give the Levites.

Latin

Præcipe filiis Israël ut dent Levitis de possessionibus suis

Original

Hebrew

English

“Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities.

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.

Related verses

Joshua 14:3–4
For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites.
Ezekiel 48:8
Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary.
Joshua 21:2–42
…at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.”
Leviticus 25:32–34
As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the cities they possess.
Ezekiel 45:1–8
“When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy.
1 Corinthians 9:10–14
Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.
Ezekiel 48:22
So the Levitical property and the city property will lie in the center of the area belonging to the prince—the area between the borders of Judah and Benjamin.

Parallels

Joshua 21:1–45 1 Chronicles 6:54–81

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

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 Cities: Sometimes had Suburbs Levites: Profits from in Lieu of Landed Inheritance, Forty-Eight Cities with Suburbs Were Assigned to Them Priest: Benefits of Provided with Cities and Suburbs Priests: Thirteen of the Levitical Cities Given To, for Residence The Levites: Eight and Forty Cities with Extensive Suburbs, Appointed For

Numbers 35:2

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