Keraia
Numbers 35

Numbers 35:3

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

Translations

Modern
The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock.
Traditional
And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
Literal
And the cities shall be for them to dwell in, and their pasturelands shall be for their cattle, and for their herds, and for all their animals.
Latin
…urbes ad habitandum, et suburbana earum per circuitum: ut ipsi in oppidis maneant, et suburbana sint pecoribus ac jumentis:

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock.

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Canaan: Land of by Joshua, Eleazar and a Prince from Each Tribe Cities: Suburbs of 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 Suburbs: General Scriptures Concerning The Levites: Eight and Forty Cities with Extensive Suburbs, Appointed For