Numbers 35 2

Numbers 35:2 kjv

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.

Numbers 35:2 nkjv

"Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities.

Numbers 35:2 niv

"Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns.

Numbers 35:2 esv

"Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities for them to dwell in. And you shall give to the Levites pasturelands around the cities.

Numbers 35:2 nlt

"Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites from their property certain towns to live in, along with the surrounding pasturelands.

Numbers 35 verses

Numbers 35 2 Meaning

This verse contains a direct divine command for the Israelites to allocate specific cities and their surrounding pasture lands from their inherited tribal territories to the Levites. Since the tribe of Levi was consecrated for service to God and did not receive a tribal land inheritance like the other eleven tribes, this provision ensured their dwellings and livelihood, supporting their role in the spiritual and judicial life of the nation. It highlights God's meticulous care for His ministers and the community's responsibility to sustain those dedicated to sacred duties.

Numbers 35 2 Context

Numbers chapter 35, following chapters detailing offerings and preparations for entering Canaan, focuses on land regulations crucial for the post-wilderness life of Israel. Specifically, verses 1-8 outline the mandate for Israel to provide 48 cities and their surrounding "suburbs" (pasture lands) to the Levites. This instruction immediately precedes the establishment of cities of refuge (vv. 9-34), where unintentional manslayers could seek asylum. Historically, Israel is poised on the plains of Moab, on the verge of entering the Promised Land. The preceding chapters covered tribal census for land distribution (Num 26) and initial commands regarding inheritance (Num 27). Since the Levites were dedicated to the worship and service of the Lord and were explicitly excluded from receiving a tribal land inheritance (Num 18:20-24), this provision in Numbers 35:2 ensures their settlement, sustenance, and the establishment of a network of Levite-populated centers across the land. These cities were not merely residences but centers for the Levites' judicial, teaching, and spiritual functions throughout Israel.

Numbers 35 2 Word analysis

• "Command" (צו – tzaw): This Hebrew word is a strong imperative, denoting a direct and authoritative divine instruction. It signals that this is not a suggestion but a non-negotiable decree from God Himself. Its use emphasizes the importance and binding nature of the instruction for the entire community of Israel.
• "Israelites" (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – b'ney Yisra'el): Literally, "sons of Israel." This collective term signifies the entire community, indicating that the responsibility for providing for the Levites rests not with just a few leaders but with all the tribes collectively. It underscores a corporate communal obligation.
• "that they give" (יִתְּנוּ – yit'nu): An active verb in the future tense, "they shall give." It points to a definite, required action. The act of giving is central to this command, establishing a flow of provision from the settled tribes to the Levites.
• "Levites" (הַלְוִיִּם – ha'Levi'im): Refers specifically to the descendants of Levi, the tribe set apart for consecrated service to God in the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). Unlike other tribes, they received no specific tribal land due to their unique spiritual role.
• "from the inheritance of their possession" (מֵאֲחֻזַּת נַחֲלָתָם – mei'achuzat nachalatatam):
  • "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה – nachalah): Refers to the ancestral land allocated to each tribe and family by divine lot. This emphasizes that the gift to the Levites comes from the core of the other tribes' God-given wealth and security.
  • "possession" (אֲחֻזָּה – achuzah): Denotes a fixed, permanent holding or property. It signifies something concrete and established. This phrase highlights that the cities and land were to be taken from actual, existing, and secure tribal land holdings. This wasn't abstract or future; it was a present and definite claim on their apportioned land.
• "cities" (עָרִים – arim): These were established settlements, providing habitation, not merely rural plots. This ensured the Levites had fixed places to reside among the people they served, allowing for stable centers of worship, instruction, and legal administration.
• "to dwell in" (לָשֶׁבֶת – lashevet): "To reside, to inhabit." This highlights the fundamental purpose of the cities: providing homes and stability for the Levites and their families. It shows God's concern for their practical, daily needs.
• "and you shall give" (תִּתְּנוּ – titu): Another direct imperative in the plural, emphasizing the corporate responsibility of the Israelites. The repetition of "give" reinforces the active and intentional nature of this provision.
• "suburbs" (מִגְרָשׁ – migrash): Refers to the common pasture lands or open areas immediately surrounding the cities. These were vital for grazing livestock (Num 35:3) which Levites could own, providing a means of sustenance, and for general communal use. This specific provision reflects God's foresight in meeting all the Levites' needs.
• "for the cities": Connects the suburbs directly to the cities as an integrated unit, not separate holdings.
• "all around them" (סְבִיבוֹתֵיהֶם – s'vivotehem): Specifies the perimeter and shape of the suburbs, indicating that these pasture lands completely encircled each Levite city, providing both defensive space and clear boundaries.

• "Command the Israelites that they give to the Levites... cities to dwell in": This phrase establishes a system of mandatory national support for those engaged in spiritual service. It highlights God's design for His people to provide for those set apart for ministry, recognizing their non-economic but crucial role within the community.
• "from the inheritance of their possession": This significant clause emphasizes that the Israelites were to give from their actual, allotted, God-given inheritance. This made the act of provision a direct act of faith and obedience, acknowledging God's ultimate ownership and the tribes' stewardship of His land. It represented a tangible "sacrifice" or contribution from their secured wealth.
• "you shall give to the Levites suburbs for the cities all around them": This shows God's detailed and comprehensive provision for the Levites, extending beyond mere housing to encompass their economic well-being (via livestock grazing) and communal needs. It reflects an ordered, divinely-planned society.

Numbers 35 2 Bonus section

• The fulfillment of this command is detailed in Joshua chapter 21, where 48 cities are indeed given to the Levites from the territories of the other tribes. These cities were strategically spread throughout Canaan, implying the Levites' role as spiritual and administrative centers across the land.
• The concept of cities and their "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrash) indicates that these were not just urban plots but included vital surrounding land. The specific measurement for these suburbs is provided in Numbers 35:4-5 (one thousand cubits from the wall for cities, and a square measurement of two thousand cubits for their boundaries outside the cities), demonstrating God's meticulous design for their utility.
• These Levite cities also played a crucial role as designated "cities of refuge" for those who unintentionally killed someone, ensuring a just system for manslayers (Numbers 35:9-34; Deut 19). Six of the 48 Levitical cities served this dual purpose, linking the Levites directly to the administration of justice and mercy.
• This divine provision highlights God's care for His servants and establishes a theological pattern that those dedicated to God's service should be supported by the community. It sets a precedent for supporting those in full-time spiritual ministry, which is echoed in the New Testament principles (e.g., 1 Cor 9).
• The act of the tribes giving up some of their "inheritance of their possession" was an act of worship and obedience, acknowledging that all land ultimately belonged to God. It demonstrated a relinquishing of self-interest for the communal good and the divine plan.

Numbers 35 2 Commentary

Numbers 35:2 lays the foundational divine decree for the practical support of the Levites in the Promised Land. This commandment stemmed from the unique position of the Levites, who, by divine decree, possessed no tribal inheritance in land because "the Lord is their inheritance." God therefore instructed the other Israelite tribes to provide cities for the Levites' habitation and surrounding pasture lands (suburbs) for their livelihood, often through livestock. This provision was critical for two primary reasons: first, it ensured the Levites' sustenance and fixed residence across the land, enabling them to fulfill their sacred duties of ministering to God, teaching His law, and administering justice. Second, it demonstrated the corporate responsibility of the entire nation to support the sacred service, acknowledging their interconnectedness in the covenant community. This was not a discretionary act but a binding command, underscoring that sustaining those devoted to God's service is an integral part of covenant obedience and proper stewardship of divine blessings.