Keraia
Numbers 35

Numbers 35:5

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

Translations

Modern
You are also to measure two thousand cubits outside the city on the east, two thousand on the south, two thousand on the west, and two thousand on the north, with the city in the center. These areas will serve as larger pasturelands for the cities.
Traditional
And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
Literal
And you shall measure outside of the city on the east side two thousand by the cubit, and on the side of the Negev two thousand by the cubit, and on the west side two thousand by the cubit, and on the north side two thousand by the cubit; and the city is in the middle. This shall be unto them as pasturelands for the cities.
Latin
Contra orientem duo millia erunt cubiti, et contra meridiem similiter erunt duo millia: ad mare quoque, quod respicit ad occidentem, eadem mensura erit, et septentrionalis plaga æquali termino finietur, eruntque urbes in medio, et foris suburbana.

Original

Hebrew
English
You are also to measure two thousand cubits outside the city on the east, two thousand on the south, two thousand on the west, and two thousand on the north, with the city in the center. These areas will serve as larger pasturelands for the cities.

Notes

Numbers 35:4–5

Some have tried to explain the supposed contradiction between the 1,000 cubits (457 meters or 1,500 feet) and the 2,000 cubits (914 meters or 3,000 feet). One explanation is that the Hebrews thought of a town as a fixed center point. If so, the land around each town would form a square that measured 914 meters (3,000 feet) on each side.

Another explanation is that there is a difference between the smaller pastureland mentioned in Numbers 35:4 and the larger pastureland mentioned in 35:5.

Based on this text, some Jewish teachers later limited how far a person could walk on the Sabbath. They said a person could walk no more than 2,000 cubits (914 meters or 3,000 feet) from home.

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.

Measurements

  • two thousand cubits: About 3,000 ft (914.4 m)

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 Sabbath Day’s Journey

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